Running provides both physical and mental health benefits. It helps connect people across differences by being a universal human activity. Physically, running improves cardiovascular health and reduces risks of disease and early death. Mentally, it reduces depression and promotes brain cell growth and memory. Socially, running events bring together people of all backgrounds as equals who support each other.

1. Conner Couchot
April 9th, 2014
OMG, I hope I never find a dead body. Joggers always find dead bodies.
#randomthoughts #runner’slife
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
The Joy of Running Together, David Govedare

2. 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.” –Dean Karnazes

3. 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
• Preference for Competition or Cooperation
• Social Interaction Rate
• Tolerance of Physical Pain

4. 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?

5. 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.

6. 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.”

7. 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.”

8. 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.”

9. 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.

10. THE JOY OF RUNNING TOGETHER

11. ANALYSIS
• The process that David Govedare used to create his artwork was a little eccentric, he had
people of all races stand in front of a wall where he traced their silhouettes, he used
people of all ages, races, and even people in wheelchairs. He did this to show that
running can bring all people together despite their differences.

12. LINKING ART WITH GLOBAL ISSUE
• “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

13. WORKS CITED
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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.