As I tied up my Nike Livestrong sneakers and ate my last granola bar, all I could think about was the science behind running. It's a regular ritual I perform while carrying out my everyday life.
That morning, I had a lot to think about.
For centuries, the human body has evolved to run. The need to outrun a charging rhino or catch that graceful gazelle has conditioned our bodies to dash a considerable distance.
Today, the human race enjoys a sedentary lifestyle. Luckily for the fleet of foot among us, other outlets are available to satisfy our primitive needs. For me, Sunday's Athens Marathon tested my body's endurance.
Before the race, I stretched to increase blood flow for my knees. I knew my adrenal glands were going berserk. This hormone increased my heart and breathing rates, allowing me to consume oxygen for more energy. Producing a sufficient amount of strength would be the vital variable for a successful marathon.
In any basic biology class, you learn about adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - gas for humans. The breakdown of this compound converts all chemical energy contained in the molecule to mechanical energy, which allows for muscle contraction. For a long-distance endurance event, I would need all the ATP I could get.
The thunderous boom of the cannon went off, sending a ringing signal through the ears of the runners. I took my first strides and was off.
Cue Eye of the Tiger. I started at a fairly slow pace to conserve all the ATP that I would need late in the marathon. Miles were clocked, high fives were thrown and I sat on top of my game. This was all thanks to months of training. I learned to control the method in restoring my body's energy: Breathing.
Breathing provides me with the optimal method of restoring my ATP. Oxygen metabolizes carbohydrates producing quantities of ATP. Of course, this assumes I have carbohydrates to spare. Lucky for me, I was treated to a delicious spaghetti dinner the day before and came prepared with my glycogen gels.
I posed for bystanders' photos and drew applause for my attire (donning a Super Grover costume). After reaching the 13.1-mile mark, I was halfway done. My mood reached ecstatic heights for hitting the halfway point with no problems. But then, an old arch-nemesis reared its ugly head to shut down my ebullient glee: The cramp.
My knee ached with fatigue because I had not relaxed it. The muscle was constantly tensed and blood flow decreased. The nerves carrying signals to and from my brain were repeatedly warning me. The continuity of the nerves carrying signals back and forth forced constant contraction in my knee, otherwise known as a cramp.
I pressed on.
The nerves in my ankles screamed for rest. I lost feeling in my thighs and soles of my feet. I stopped at every aid station making sure to rehydrate with Gatorade and constantly stretch to relieve any cramping. I counted the miles: 15, then 18, then 20. I was almost home free.
And then it happened. I hit the wall.
I thrashed in pain and came to a complete stop - my knee gave up. The glycogen in my body dried up and I felt it. The body can only store a certain amount of glycogen, and how much your body can hold is increased with training. Alas, I ran out and had no means to restore my supply.
It was now up to me. Should I give in to the science and admit my body reached its limit? Should I press forward like the Jamaican bobsled team and forgo the dogma I knew so well?
I had to finish.
My body hated me, but my mind kept going. I slumped all the way to the finish line and crossed. The amount of determination that will power alone provided me was astounding. The science I knew so well was cast aside and I finished from sheer drive.
Luis Delgadillo is a sophomore studying chemical engineering and columnist for The Post. Send him your Eye of the Tiger basslines at ld199907@ohiou.edu
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Luis Delgadillo
