Christopher McDougall: Are we born to run?

Christopher McDougall explores the mysteries of the human desire to run. How did running help early humans survive - and what urges from our ancient ancestors spur us on today? McDougall tells the story of the marathoner with a heart of gold, the unlikely ultra-runner, and the hidden tribe in Mexico that runs to live.

Listen to this talk here and answer these questions as you go along:
 

      1. Complete these sentences with the word(s) you hear:

a.       She decided she’d ..................................and try for one last big payday in the marquee event, the New York City marathon.

b.      They are free from all of these modern ................................

c.       The only problem is, the first ................................ only appeared 200,000 years ago.

d.      Now we’re not using our strength because we’re the biggest .............................. in the jungle

e.      And then after that, you ............................... to the rigors of time.

f.        You can’t be bearing ............................. .

            g.       The benefits, social and physical and political and mental, could be ..............................

      2. What are the three mysteries Mr. McDougall presents in relation to humans?

          3.  What explanation does McDougall put forward in order to account for the three mysteries he has previously laid out?

      4. Which are the two times he mentions in which humans benefit most from animal protein?

            5.  In what way does McDougall say we have spoiled our natural ability?

      6. What is McDougall’s proposal at the end of the talk? Does it have other implications?

      7. The following phrases contain words in bold uttered throughout the talk, can you explain what they mean?

a.       But the under-underdog hangs tough

b.      Deratu Tulu ruins the script again

c.       It’s a heartwarming story

d.      Outliers

e.      Scientists at Harvard and Utah University are bending their brains to try to figure out what the Tarahumara have known forever.

f.        They have fangs, they have claws, they have nimbleness, they have speed.

g.       In that very short learning curve, you have gone from broken organs up to the fact that you’re only 10 minutes off the male world record.

h.      …you put them in a race 50 or 100 miles against anybody in the world and it’s a coin toss  who’s going to win.

i.         It being prehistory, you can say whatever the hell you want and get away with it.

j.        It’s us in modern times who have sort of gone off the path.

k.       I need to cross-train. I didn’t do yoga. I’m not ready.