Ever since I have started running seriously, or outside 20 minute gym cardio warm-up, all I hear from relatives and friends: long-distance running is not good for you. So with that in mind, I was always under impression that I was doing something detrimental to my health and having completed one marathon would be a great achievement in itself even if i enjoyed it and wanted to complete again.
Unfortunately, I did get the bug for it. I now want to do marathons in different countries: Paris, New York, Cape Town, Toronto - the list is endless. What I am conscious about the health issues associated and perhaps it is an unachievable target without serious impact on my body.
So I started my research. The best book recommended was "Born to run" by Christopher McDougall which looks at running from a completely different perspective. It explores the world of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico, a tribe known for running extraordinary distances in nothing but thin-soled sandals. The book argues that the commercialization of urban marathons encourages overzealous training, while the promotion of high-tech shoes has led to poor running form and a rash of injuries.
What interesting - Most mammals can sprint faster than humans — having four legs gives them the advantage. But when it comes to long distances, humans can outrun almost any animal. Because we cool by sweating rather than panting, we can stay cool at speeds and distances that would overheat other animals. On a hot day, the two scientists wrote, a human could even outrun a horse in a 26.2-mile marathon.
It turns out there is a lot of evidence to support the fact that the human body was indeed built for running: short toes of the human foot, spring-like ligaments and tendons, narrow waist, developed sense of balance, gluteus maximus (which is primarily engaged during running!).
Thinking back one question that come to mind is how did early hunters manage when they had to chase their prey for days on end?
Do we hear about so many injuries due to people's own ignorance and negligence? Some of us take up running in their adulthood - is the body not formed for long distance running at that stage? Do some of us put our bodies through too much training too early? Do we train in unnatural environment (road)? In unnatural conditions (trainers)?
Food for thought.
