September 2nd, 2013
GSW 1110 2009/3009
Evolved to Endure The author Christopher McDougall used personal experience and data from numerous universities to try and prove that the human race is a running race. At the University of Utah one of the professors known as Dr.Bramble, who believed we evolved to run, even stated "There's something really weird about us humans; we're not only really good at endurance running, we're really good at it for a remarkably long time. We're a machine built to run--a machine that never wears out". (p.220) Running today has became a way to compete or just to maintain a healthy weight, when really it used to be a way of life. The Tarahumara are an elite running culture that portrays that way of life. People would run not only to travel, but to hunt. The art of running to hunt was done by stalking the prey until it tired and being able to out endure the animal. Naturally running without fancy shoes seems to be the best way to run. Shoe companies have infiltrated the earth with shoes that actually defect the natural way the body actually is intended to run. Even the Tarahumara run only with a simple leather sandal. You don’t need a fancy shoe to be able to run; we were born to do it. "Born To Run" had a very basic idea; human beings evolved in the beginning to run, which is true. The species was not only built to run, but to run for long periods of time. The human body shows signs that through evolution it evolved to run. The Neanderthals, which was a species closely related to today's Homo sapiens, once was the majority of the head species on earth. Before the human race truly evolved the Neanderthals were more prevalent, basically now referred to as the cavemen. They went extinct due to the fact that their small heavy weight bodies didn't allow them to run and keep up with their prey. So in light of that the taller, more athletic race was the race that prevailed. Since the climate warmed up at that time the Neanderthals big hunts like mammoths had nowhere to reside and their number quickly dwindled. The supreme race which had evolved to this climate change was able to catch smaller prey like the antelope. This was made possible since they could now run, and run distances much greater than most animals. Humans are also the only species that are able to take multiple breaths in a step. Animals that are designed to run all have a collapsing system in which their stride reacts with their breathing. The animal’s lungs release the air out of them every time they step down since their body pushes against its self. That's why humans stand upright so that the lungs can be tall and erect. This allows free base breathing. Dr.Bamble from the University of Utah figured this out also with a student partner named David. "Actually, Dr.Bramble was surprised to find that all running mammals are restricted to the same cycle of take-a-step, take-a-breath. In the entire world, he and David could only find one exception: You" (p.223) The tribe, known through-out the book as the Tarahumara, was a magnificent example of a modern day running culture and how it helped their people hold onto important values and stay healthy. Their people were able to run hundreds of miles at a time. On top of that they could do this with rarely any rest or injury. How they ran is especially important. Instead of grumpily or painfully trudging along, they truly enjoy it. During races in Leadville when other competitors were in turmoil and showed all over their faces, the Tarahumara would simply have smiles and look as if they were not worn out one bit. They have little disease among their culture and their crimes rate is the equivalent to nothing. It's as if running not only keeps them in excellent shape, but overall more healthy and happy in life. Even when the author found as he practiced running and mastered the correct posture and etiquette that it became a joyful experience Another main component of the book talked about