Conner Couchot

April 9th, 2014

When your legs hurt after a long run #runnersprobs

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE

The Joy of Running Together, David Govedare

INTRODUCTION

“My recent experience at the Boston Marathon has propelled me to take a deeper look into why running holds such power. When you distill it all down, here is what I’ve uncovered. There are so many things in life that divide us, that separate us and tear us apart, be it race, religion, creed, socioeconomic level, nationality or any variety of other factors. But running is something that we all share in common. Regardless of any of these divisive factors, we all run in the same way. It is a commonality we humans share in a world that emphasizes our differences. Running unites us and brings us together because, in the words of the great Bill Rodgers, “We sweat the same. We struggle the same.” Running is a simple, primitive act, and therein lays its power. For it is one of the few commonalities left between us as a human race. Toeing the starting line of a marathon, regardless of the language you speak, the God you worship or the color of your skin, we all stand as equal. Perhaps the world would be a better place if more people ran.” –Dean Karnazes

RESEARCH FOCUS & QUESTIONS

• Health: I play soccer and work out a lot when I have the time and I feel that everyone should be able to eat right and be active everyday.

• Iceberg View of Culture that reflects your interest in the topic

• Shallow Culture: Health

• Deep Culture

• Running’s Effect on the Brain

• Running’s effect on the body

• Running bringing people together from all over the world

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• How does Running influence how people interact with each other despite race or religion?

• How does running make a person happier and healthier?

RESEARCH THESIS

• Running helps the body and the mind in a way that no other activity can do, as well as bring people together without fear of judgment.

RUNNING’S BENEFITS ON PHYSICAL HEALTH

• “A review of 22 studies found that people who work out 2.5 hours a week are 19 percent less likely to die prematurely than those who don't exercise. A separate study found that active people have a 50 percent lower risk of premature death.”

• “People who run more than 35 miles a week are 54 percent less likely to suffer age-related vision loss than those who cover 10 miles a week”

• “The large muscle exercise it provides helps keep the cardio system efficient and strong. In fact, the heart of an inactive person beats 36,000 more times each day than that of a runner, as running keep the arteries open and the blood flowing smoothly.”

RUNNING’S BENEFITS ON THE MIND• “Recent research from UCLA demonstrated that exercise increased growth factors in the

brain- making it easier for the brain to grow new neuronal connections.”

• “A study from Stockholm showed that the antidepressant effect of running was also associated with more cell growth in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for learning and memory.”

• “Runners say the intense exhilaration and euphoria that comes after a run is what motivates them most. In fact, this euphoria comes from a betaendorphin release triggered by the neurons in the nervous system. Intended to alleviate the pain after a run, it creates a feeling of extreme happiness and exhilaration.”

RUNNING’S BENEFITS TOWARDS EACH OTHER• “It doesn’t matter how far or how fast you go. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re

from, or what you do. We’re all one big family, cheering each other on to be the best we can be.”

• “During its history, the Lilac Bloomsday Run has added prize money for top runners (1982) and wheelchair racers, and the event consistently attracts the world's top competitors.”

• “All 6,000 runners at the Loskop Marathon, held in the Mpumalanga province of northeastern South Africa, will be given black ribbons, to honor their fallen comrades in Boston.”

ART PIECE

• I used the Joy of Running Together because it shows that people of all ages, races, genders, and nations can come together. When people run together it makes them forget their differences and once they are done, they celebrate together as equals and I think that is what my art piece is trying to show.

THE JOY OF RUNNING TOGETHER

RACE

• The sculptor of this piece of artwork was able to produce the likeness of runners by having people’s silhouettes traced. David Govedare did not want to discriminate against any group of people so he had people of all races be traced.

REGION• Spokane, Washington, where the piece is located has a very mild climate so many people

out there are extremely active. The city where this run takes place has over 50,000 people each year come out for the run so a lot of the Spring business in Spokane revolves around the runners.

IDENTITY• The race in Spokane originally started out with a little over 5,000 people, but has

developed into a huge race for people of all shapes and sizes. There are separate races for people that are running the race, running with a stroller, and for people pushing someone in a wheelchair.

LINKING ART WITH GLOBAL ISSUE

• If everyone in the world ran, everyone would have something in common and there wouldn’t be as much discrimination because of differences. When people run together, not only do they become both physically and mentally healthy, they are participating in something that can bring nations together.

WORKS CITED

Beil, Laura. "What Happens to Your Body on a 30-Minute Run." Active.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.

"Bloomsday - History." Bloomsday - History. Lilac Bloomsday Association, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.

Henry. "RUNNING, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, ONE MILE AT A TIME." Run With Jue. N.p., 24 Apr. 2013. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.

Murphy, Austin. "Runners Unite with Sense of Purpose, Defiance after Boston Bombings." SI.com. N.p., 17 Apr. 2013. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.

"Physical Exercise for Brain Health." Brain Training Software, Brain Fitness, Brain Games, BrainHQ. PositScience, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.

Rushlow, Amy. "It's All Good." Runner's World & Running Times. N.p., 10 Jan. 2011. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.

Sadler, Elizabeth M. "The Benefits of Running, by Elizabeth McLeod Sadler." The Benefits of Running. David Schlundt, PhD. Vanderbilt University, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.

Todd, Allie. "Spokane Historical." Spokane Historical. Eastern Washington University, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.