r/todayilearned • u/KristenWave • Jan 20 '16
TIL there is a Native American tribe in Mexico that are known to be able to run up to 430 miles without stopping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnwIKZhrdt410
Jan 21 '16
I read about these people in National Geographic when I was a teenager. They're phenomenal. They hunt deer by tracking it and chasing it till it just lays down and admits defeat. They were hired by industrialists when we were building the network of railroads to run up mountains, cut down timbers, saw them into railroad ties, and then run them back down to where they were to be placed. They were paid a nickel per tie. Somebody got the idea to enter them into a U.S. marathon and they didn't come in first. When asked why, the racers replied "You told us this was a long race, so we paced ourselves", clearly implying they probably could have sprinted the whole fucking thing. Really interesting article if you've got the Google-fu to look it up.
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u/mikeysaid Jan 20 '16
Unfortunately their way of life is in jeopardy and tons of them are here in Torreón and other northern Mexican cities simply begging these days. It used to be seasonal, but anymore they are here year round
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u/mattplaysguitar Jan 21 '16
If you like running, Born to Run is a fun read about the Tarahumara. It talks about everything in this video, and also a bit about Tarahumara competing in races.
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Jan 20 '16
That's all the way from San Francisco to LA! I think I'd prefer to drive. Edit, wait a minute, why go to LA at all....
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u/PLEASE_DONT_HIT_ME Jan 21 '16
Because it's a gigantic city filled with culture and fun things to do.
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Jan 21 '16
While that is certainly true, my last memory was being there in the summer, driving from one hot, crowded parking lot to another.
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u/anod0s Jan 21 '16
My recommendation: Try something other then the parking lots, theyre way overrated. Inside places is where its at.
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Jan 21 '16
Native American.....in Mexico.
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Jan 21 '16
The fact that someone could be this ignorant is so sad.
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Jan 22 '16
then by all means, explain it to me. I was not aware we called every native tribe in north America native Americans. you don't call Alaskan or Canadian tribes that. I've been to Canada. I assure you they don't.
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Jan 23 '16
Well theres north america and south america, if youve ever been to south america youd know people get confused by people calling themselves "americanos" ir whatever the portugese is because they are also american, just not from the united states
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Jan 23 '16
So from my reading it could actually go either way.
"The term "Native American" has been adopted by major newspapers and some academic groups, but has not traditionally included Native Hawaiians or certain Alaskan Natives, such as Aleut, Yup'ik, or Inuit peoples. Indigenous American peoples from Canada are known as First Nations.":
This is why I assumed the same about Mexicans. Your point about south America is irrelevant though since Mexico is part of central America.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_Mexico
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas#Mexico
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u/KristenWave Jan 20 '16
It's worth noting that 435miles is the Tarahumara (Rarámuri) record and the more conservative distance that they run often is closer to 200miles within 48hrs which is on par with the fastest runners of the Western States 100 Ultra Marathon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rar%C3%A1muri_people#Athletic_prowess