" Such a race is called a road race. Road racing offers competitors a variety of challenges to overcome such as hills, sharp bends, varied pavement, inclement weather, and a large group to compete against- or with . Aerobic fitness, or the ability of the body to utilize oxygen, is important to have to complete the long distances. Anaerobic fitness, that is, the body's capability at responding when there isn't enough oxygen for the muscle, is necessary to charge up hills and past competitors on the finish line. A common saying for runners is that the sport is 90% mental. Recreational running became popular due to high-profile runners such as Steve Prefontaine. Race courses are usually held on the streets of major cities and towns but they could be on any sealed road. Diana Fox Running On Empty Most road races are either 5 km (3. 1 miles), 10 km (6. "

" Generally these can be minimized by warming up beforehand, wearing proper running shoes, improving running form, performing strengthening exercises, and getting enough rest. There is a very strong consensus among the running and scientific community that all of those can be very effective in minimizing or recovering from running injuries. Another injury prevention method that is very commonly recommended in the running community, but is actually controversial is stretching. While stretching is often recommended as a near requirement to avoid running injuries, the relevant medical literature does not represent as much of a consensus that it is effective. Some studies find that it is and some find that it really isn't helpful at all. A 2002 systematic review of 27 peer reviewed studies found that there was not sufficient evidence to support the claim that stretching was effective in injury prevention or soreness reduction. [1] Most members of the running community find that the inconsistent study methods and the failure to establish proper controls and find proper stretching methods is the reason behind the conflicting studies, and stretching is in fact helpful, or at least not harmful. Running On Empty Book Types of running events Track running Road running Cross-country running Trail running Fell running Classification of running by distance Sprints Middle distance Long distance Ultrarunning Silent Running is a science fiction movie made in 1972, directed by Douglas Trumbull and starring Bruce Dern as the protagonist Freeman Lowell. It was made with a very limited budget but has since achieved a cult following. "