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The Art of Manliness
You Were Born to Run
Sep 11, 2024
Alex Hutchinson, a journalist specializing in endurance and fitness, discusses the fascinating evolution of human running. He explains how our ancestors’ hunting practices shaped our physiological traits, validating the theory that we were born to run. The conversation dives into the cultural and spiritual significance of running and features insights on why it remains important today. Hutchinson also shares practical tips for those struggling to enjoy running, emphasizing manageable steps to ease into this natural human activity.
40:05
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Quick takeaways
- Research indicates that humans evolved endurance running capabilities for persistence hunting, supported by recent studies countering longstanding criticisms.
- Running has transformed from a survival necessity to a culturally significant activity, emphasizing social, spiritual, and health benefits in modern society.
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The Evolutionary Background of Human Running
Running is deeply embedded in human evolution, with researchers increasingly acknowledging that our capacity for endurance may have developed from ancestral hunting practices. This theory suggests that early humans were not just capable of running for short bursts but were adapted for long-distance running, allowing them to exhaust prey like deer through persistence hunting. The physiological traits that enable humans to run well include efficient cooling systems through sweating, specialized muscle composition, and anatomical features like a long Achilles tendon that functions as an energy-storing spring. These adaptations highlight that our ancestors may have relied on running as a key survival strategy in a hunting context, making it a fundamental aspect of human nature.
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