Just read a fascinating New York Times article about how humans evolved as excellent barefoot distance runners.
The conventional logic is that humans are physically inferior to most wild animals and that it's our advanced brains and community organization that helped us thrive. That never felt like the whole picture to me, especially given how harshly competitive survival can be in nature.
I grew up hunting, and I'm not sure how many of us could catch our dinners without firearms. This running article snapped something into place for me. The idea that humans possess at least a few physical superiorities--perhaps even more important attributes than being fast and having big claws--makes a lot of sense.
In fact, the NYT article didn't mention one of the most important factors of all for humans being built for distance: a four-valve heart. Having a bigger, more efficient, more powerful heart helps us run longer distances than most any other animal.
Why did I write about this here, a blog about sustainability? I posted this because I'm a proponent of sustainability in all its forms: societal and individual, physical and mental, environmental, financial, political, educational...everything. The different kinds of sustainability are inextricably intertwined. Imbalanced and unhealthy individuals create imbalanced and unhealthy societies, and visa versa.
If humans evolved running, then perhaps running is crucial to maintaining optimum health. Proper running form prevents injury and pain, and it promotes a strong and healthy body. Vibrant health is another way of describing youthfulness and longevity. Longevity is another word for sustainability. We're all learning--or relearning in some cases--how to live longer lives in happier communities with less footprint on the environment. Barefoot running certainly leaves a smaller footprint.
The jury's still out, however, on barefoot rock climbing. I'll let you know how that goes. :)
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