Running provides both physical and mental health benefits. It improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of disease. Mentally, running reduces stress and increases happiness by releasing endorphins. Most importantly, running unites people of all backgrounds as they train and compete together. An art installation depicts the silhouettes of runners of various races, representing how running brings people together.

1. 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

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. 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

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
• Running’s Effect on the Brain
• Running’s effect on the body
• Running bringing people together from all over the world

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. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. WORKS CITED
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2014.
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