Runners: What makes them GO.

RUNNERS: WHAT MAKES THEM GO WHEN A RUNNER IS ANTICIPATING A BIG RACE, THEIR BRAIN REDIRECTS BLOOD FLOW FROM THE STOMACH AND DIGESTIVE TRACT TO OTHER MUSCLE SYSTEMS. THIS IS WHAT CAN CAUSE THE PROVERBIAL "BUTTERFLIES" SENSATION THAT ATHLETES EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO A CHALLENGE. WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE PAIN ON A RUN, THE BRAIN RELEASES ENDOGENOUS OPIATES THAT CREATE A NATURAL HIGH, GENERATING A REVITALIZING SECOND WIND TO A TIRED BODY. HOWEVER, AS DOPAMINE LEVELS DROP OFF AT THE END OF A LONG RUN, OVERWHELMING PAIN SIGNALS CAN MAKE SUSTAINED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT FOR A RUNNER. YOUR LUNGS ARE THE ONLY ORGANS THAT RECEIVE THE FULL VOLUME OF INCREASED BLOOD FLOW AS YOU RUN. HEALTHY LUNGS POSSESS BLOOD VESSELS THAT ARE CAPABLE OF EXPANDING EFFECTIVELY IN SUCH CONDITIONS, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE RISK OF ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE. RUNNING STIMULATES CELLULAR GROWTH IN LUNG MUSCLE TISSUE. STRONGER MUSCLES HAVE AN EASIER TIME MOVING BLOOD THROUGH THE LUNGS, EFFECTIVELY MAXIMIZING OXYGEN SYNTHESIS. RUNNING PUTS A STRAIN ON OUR LEGS THAT'S 3X OUR RESTING BODY WEIGHT, MOSTLY ABSORBED THROUGH OUR KNEES. KNEE LIGAMENTS ARE TWICE AS TOUGH AS NYLON ROPE (IT WOULD TAKE NEARLY ONE TON TO STRESS A KNEE LIGAMENT TO ITS BREAKING POINT). KNEE CARTILAGE IS A STRONG WEAVE OF COLLAGEN FIBERS SURROUNDED BY 80% WATER, AND IS STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHHOLD 7 TONS BEFORE IT COLLAPSES. THE FEET ARE INCREDIBLY COMPLEX STRUCTURES; EACH FOOT HAS 26 BONES, 33 JOINTS, 107 LIGAMENTS AND 19 MUSCLES. THEY ALSO TAKE THE BRUNT OF THE PRESSURE IN EACH STRIDE AS YOU RUN. EACH TIME THE FEET LAND, THE SOLES PRONATE (ROLL INWARD), THE TOES SPREAD, THE ARCHES FLÁTTEN AND THE ACHILLES TENDONS EXPAND TO ABSORB IMPACT. IDEALLY, EACH STRIDE SHOULD LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOOT'S ARCH TO MAXIMIZE THE SHOCK ABSORPTION AND PREVENT FUTURE KNEE INJURY. Running doesn't just work out your body. It's also proven to reduce stress, stave off depression, and improve overall psychological well-being. 350lb 300lb 250lb 200lb 150lb 120 160 200 240 280 calories per hour http://science.howstuffworks.com http://adventure.howstuffworks.com http://www.boston.com http://www.borntorun.com http://www.fitnessforweightloss.com LO CK LOCKLACES.COM LACES Win. Never tie: TM weight