How Running Went From Survival Skill to Sport
Plus, cheap flights, doing science while hanging from a glacier, and everything you wanted to know about survival in the 17th century Scottish Highlands.
Issue 004
Welcome to Adventure Season, a newsletter for runners, hikers, backpackers, campers, paddlers, and adventure travelers who enjoy getting active outside, all year long. You’re receiving this because you’ve subscribed directly, or previously subscribed via AllSeasonCo.com.
You can read past editions of Adventure Season here, including last week’s deep dive on the science of recovering from a marathon.
Some Things That Got Our Attention This Week
📖 Read: There’s doing science in a lab, and then there’s doing science hanging off a glacier.
Earlier this week, Nature caught up with a handful of scientists who have learned outdoor skills (ice climbing, Arctic canoeing, and more), so that they could take on their unique research projects and fieldwork in extreme locations.
It’s a great read, and you can check it out over at Nature.com.
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🎥 Watch: Ever wonder what survival skills and equipment looked like for a 17th century Scottish Highlander? Same!
We’re big fans of outdoorsman Tom Langhorne’s work on his Youtube channel, Fandabi Dozi. In this one, which is a great introduction to the kinds of videos you’ll find, Tom runs through essential tools and accessories of the time and place, such as the dirk (dagger), the sgian-dubh (small pocket knife), a flint and steel striker, and a horn canteen. Throughout the video, he emphasizes the ingenuity and pragmatism of this equipment, which reflects the Highlanders' adaptation to their harsh and arduous way of life.
If you are a fellow history nerd and lover of the outdoors, you’ll surely like and subscribe:
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✈️ Learn: It's a common belief that booking flights on specific days of the week or at particular times can result in finding the cheapest airfare prices. Some people claim that they've been able to find great flight deals by checking prices at 12:01 AM on a Wednesday, for example, or by setting a reminder to search for flights at 1 PM on a Thursday. Is there truth to that?
Nomadic Matt takes a look at the facts and the myths, and offers some solid tips on finding a good deal on your next flight.
This Week’s Feature: The Innovations and Trends That Shaped The Sport of Running
Running. It's one of the most basic, primal forms of human movement. And, over millennia, it's transformed from a necessity into a symbol of athletic prowess, a source of recreation, and a pathway to personal health and wellness.
Today, millions of people lace up their running shoes daily, driven by motivations as varied as achieving fitness goals, competing in races, or simply enjoying the meditative rhythm of the run.
While humans have long been running, we’re going to focus on the last 100 years, and explore nine significant innovations and cultural shifts - from shoes to social media – that have elevated running from hunting and survival to a sophisticated sport.
1. Rubber Soles
The earliest known running-specific shoes, dating back to the mid-1860s in England, were essentially leather dress shoes with makeshift track spikes. The real innovation began in the early 20th century with the introduction of vulcanized rubber soles by companies like Keds and Converse. This breakthrough led to the creation of "athletic" shoes with rubber soles attached to fabric and canvas uppers, a significant leap in comfort and performance.
Two of the most iconic running shoe brands, Adidas and Puma, originated from the efforts of two German brothers in the late 1930s. Adolf "Adi" Dassler founded Adidas, while his brother Rudolf created Puma after a family feud.
Over the decades, materials like foam, polyester, and carbon fiber have revolutionized running shoes, pushing the boundaries of speed and injury prevention. Modern running shoes boast features such as enhanced cushioning, stability control, and lightweight materials, all designed to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury.
2. Photo Finishes
The use of photography to determine race outcomes dates back to the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. However, it wasn't until the 1932 London Olympics that a photo finish decided the winner of the men's 100m event, showcasing the necessity of precise timing. Today, advanced camera technology ensures that even the closest races are accurately judged, enhancing the integrity of the sport.
Modern photo finish systems employ high-speed cameras capable of capturing thousands of frames per second, allowing officials to determine race outcomes with extraordinary precision. This technology has become indispensable in competitive running, where races are often won by mere fractions of a second. The evolution of photo finish technology has not only improved fairness in the sport but also provided spectators with thrilling visual insights into the moments that define athletic excellence.
Quote of the Week
“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.”
– Mary Davis
That’s it for issue #4 of Adventure Season. If you enjoyed it, please tell a friend. If not, please tell us.
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