Are we really born to run
"There's something so universal about that sensation, the way running unites our two most primal impulses: fear and pleasure. We run when we're scared, we run when we're ecstatic, we run away from our problems, and we run around for a good time." — Christopher McDougall, Born to Run
"I'm a runner"—a phrase I never thought I'd say a year ago. But now, I'm training for my second marathon, with the not-so-secret goal of BQ - qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I guess I can call myself a serious runner—another phrase I never imagined I'd use.
What is running? It's not a complicated sport. One could argue it's probably the simplest of all. No complex scoring systems, no dangerous equipment (balls, racquets, or otherwise). All you really need is your body and a pair of shoes. Well, you might not even need shoes—there’s an entire movement around barefoot running.
Are we, as humans, really born to run? Evolution suggests we are, at least for long distances. While we may not match a deer’s speed, our ability to sweat allows us to run long enough to outlast them. So maybe subconsciously, on a deep evolutionary level, I’m training for marathons just in case I ever find myself in prehistoric times, without any arrows, needing to outpace some wild animals.
After a year of semi-serious running, I’m not sure I could outrun even a cat, but I do know I've changed drastically, both physically and mentally. I can stand longer at concerts without feeling tired, experience a runner's high that can cure hangovers and heartbreaks, and feel more alert and focused after a run. The running community has broadened my horizons - nothing like watching others run and push themselves to motivate you. Knowing that my own two feet can carry me to old and new places gives me peace of mind.
I believe we’re born to run because we’re born to move. Just look at what happens to your body when you sit too long—it stiffens, like it’s preparing for hibernation or maybe mummification. We're born to run because it's in our nature to reach higher, to test our limits, we are creatures of growth. Yes, you're racing others, but it's really just you vs. you. Our evolution is exponential. We evolved from relying on all fours to standing on our two feet, becoming taller and lighter, ready to take off, towards whatever we set our eyes on.