What drives us as humans to push our physical and mental limits in endurance events?
Michael Crawley is a 2:20 marathoner, professor of anthropology at Durham University, and author of the new book To the Limit: The Meaning of Endurance From Mexico to the Himalayas.
He explores the cultural, physical, and emotional significance of endurance and has spent years studying and participating in endurance activities across the globe.
Michael has written extensively about Ethiopian running and, more recently, about the Rarámuri in Mexico, climbing Sherpas in Nepal, and ultra-distance running.
Over the course of his research, Crawley has shifted from seeing running purely as competition to embracing it as an adventure and a form of exploration. His perspective on ultra marathons views them as communal experiences that combine nature, endurance, and camaraderie.
We had a discussion on why cultures around the world fixate on endurance and what modern athletes can learn from these ancient traditions.
Michael Crawley on Why Humans Choose to Run
In this episode, Michael Crawley and I talk about:
- The collective nature of running culture
- Why we voluntarily sign up for exhausting endurance activities
- An evolutionary perspective on running
- Technology’s role in modern running
- Incorporating endurance into daily life
- How Michael’s personal endurance approach has changed through his book research
Send this episode to your running friend who’s also a history or culture nerd, and make sure they subscribe to the Strength Running Podcast!
Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio.
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Michael’s latest book, To the Limit: The Meaning of Endurance from Mexico to the Himalayas
- His previous book, Out of Thin Air
- Follow Michael on Twitter, Instagram, or Bluesky
- Get a free mindset training for runners.
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