The Running Man, Revisited § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM
http://seedmagazine.com/content/print/the_running_man_revisited/

"A handful of scientists think that these ultra-marathoners are using their bodies just as our hominid forbears once did, a theory known as the endurance running hypothesis (ER)."

running animals to death

In tests where 15 subjects ran and walked on pressure-sensitive treadmills, Lieberman and Rolian found that toe length had no effect on walking. Yet when the subjects were running, an increase in toe length of just 20 percent doubled the amount of mechanical work, meaning that the longer-toed subjects required more metabolic energy, and each footfall produced more shock.

Running deer to death ...

The endurance running hypothesis, the idea that humans evolved as long-distance runners, may have legs thanks to a new study on toes.

But a handful of scientists think that these ultra-marathoners are using their bodies just as our hominid forbears once did, a theory known as the endurance running hypothesis (ER). ER proponents believe that being able to run for extended lengths of time is an adapted trait, most likely for obtaining food, and was the catalyst that forced Homo erectus to evolve from its apelike ancestors. Over time, the survival of the swift-footed shaped the anatomy of modern humans, giving us a body that is difficult to explain absent a marathoning past.

Endurance running hypothesis

Thrust enhancers, roll bars, microchips...the $20 billion running - shoe industry wants us to believe that the latest technologies will cushion every stride. Yet in this extract from his controversial new book, Christopher McDougall claims that injury rates for runners are actually on the rise, that everything we've been told about running shoes is wrong - and that it might even be better to go barefoot...

An interesting article that (almost) concludes: running shoes (Nikes, Reeboks, etc) are a self-sustaining industry that don't improve performance or prevent injuries, and running shoes could actually be hurting. Now I know why I suck at my Saturday morning runs - I need to go barefoot :-)

Effictiveness of sprint workouts, especially in swimming. "There’s a catch, though. Those six minutes, if they’re to be effective, must hurt. “We describe it as an ‘all-out’ effort,” Gibala says. You’ll be straying “well out of your comfort zone.” That level of discomfort makes some activities better-suited to intense training than others. “We haven’t studied runners,” Gibala says. The pounding involved in repeated sprinting could lead to injuries, depending on a runner’s experience and stride mechanics. But cycling and swimming work well."

Taleb was right ahead of the curve, again...Maybe there's something to the caveman diet, too...

I'm skeptical, but it sure would be nice

"Call it Living by Numbers—the ability to gather and analyze data about yourself, setting up a feedback loop that we can use to upgrade our lives, from better health to better habits to better performance."

The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics

article writing up the success & simplicity of nike+. Part of a bigger piece on improving our lives through tracking and managing personal data. Features my friend Michael Tchao who leads Nike TechLab.

Veronica Noone attached a small sensor to her running shoes and headed out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn't a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for her.

A nice article that discuses food regarding exercise

Cool! ditch the shoes

OK this is funny! If you wear flipflops it's less likely you will injure your foot!

To Run Better, Start by Ditching Your Nikes

Thought you might find this useful for cross country or PE.

With two videos. Don't forget: deep breaths are good, not only when running.

"At the very least, you get to wear some goofy shoes that encourage you to wiggle your toes."

When you've reached a point of incredible optimization in the current paradigm, sometimes there's a huge amount of room for improvement simply by thinking outside the box.

Search him on youtube to beleive it

Via Coudal

In 1983, a man named Cliff Young showed up at the start of this race. Cliff was 61 years old and wore overalls and work boots. To everyone's shock, Cliff wasn't a spectator. He picked up his race number and joined the other runners.

The right equipment, training, and running route isn't always enough to ensure a good run, especially if your breathing is all over the map. To help stabilize yours, try incorporating a set inhale-exhale ratio. Photo by aarmono. The aptly named Complete Running Network details how to breathe properly when running. Included in their list of seven tips is the importance of establishing the right inhale/exhale ratio. Specifically, they suggest that runners should take three footsteps for every inhale and two footsteps for every exhale, which puts them at a 3:2 ratio. This means you INHALE on the LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT foot strikes and EXHALE fully on the RIGHT, LEFT foot strikes. This pattern is not that hard to turn into a habit, but it may require you to slow your pace down for a few runs to master the technique. You will notice a lower heart rate as you are able to get more oxygen in and more importantly push all the carbon dioxide out of your body. You may notice that you naturally

As an iPhone owner who runs for exercise, my biggest disappointment at Apple's recent iPod event was the lack of Nike+ support for the GPS-sporting 3G iPhone. Instead, the second generation iPod touch has Nike+ built-in, and the iPhone still has nothing. I would be disappointed, but the power of the iPhone App Store pulls out a big win on this front, as several free Nike+ alternatives are already leveraging your 3G iPhone's GPS capabilities to provide you with much of the same functionality as you can already get from Nike+ and then some. Keep reading for a look at some of the best free Nike+ alternatives.

This website has been developed to provide an evidence-based resource for those interested in the biomechanics of different foot strikes in endurance running and the applications to human endurance running prior to the modern running shoe.

Knowing your foot type is useful for purchasing the proper running shoes, among other things. Using the "wet test" can help clue you in on whether you have normal, flat, or high-arched feet.

Could be good for H?

Shit, i guess i _have_ to do the c25k now.

Phys Ed: Can Running Actually Help Your Knees?

How to Fix Bad Ankles

It's all about balance.

EPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC

to the tune of "Ghost Love Score"

You know how sometimes when you walk down the street listening to music, everything you do seems more purposeful? You could get that feeling times ONE HUNDRED if you could somehow go about your daily life while watching this video.

When I first heard about barefoot running, several years ago, I was skeptical — don’t we need cushion to protect us from injuries, and why would I want to run barefoot, anyway? But several months ago, I read a few influential articles (stemming from the popularity of Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run) and decided to give barefoot running a try. Why not?

Zenhabits Einführung mit guter Linkliste

iancr's confessional on diet, exercise and self-discipline

Great tips on staying fit and eating healthy. Also a great recommendation for the book "The End of Overeating" by David Kessler which shows why so many Americans are getting fat and what to do about it.

“…LOOK AT ME I’M SKINNY…” DIET, EXERCISE, NATURE, AND NURTURE

interesting article about ian rogers' relationship with food and exercise and being a 'skinny guy'.