Speech
Thor
PLEASEFOLLOWTHESETEMPLE.docxEXAMPLE 1
Topic: Endurance Running
General purpose: To inform
Specific purpose statement: After my speech, the audience will understand the risks of running injuries and how to prevent them, the benefits, and personal rewards of running.
Introduction:
Attention getter: Show funny 36 second clip from Comedy Central’s Tosh.0, hosted by Daniel Tosh. There can be discomfort in running because of lactic acid build-up in the leg muscles from lack of oxygen, but we are all biomechanically made for running and even endurance running. Daniel Lieberman, a Harvard Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, hosted a TED talk on the theory that our archaic ancestors used endurance running to chase down and tire big game for food. So, arguably, it is in our genetic makeup that we have this dynamic capability to put one foot in front of the other and run long distances
Reason to listen (audience adaptation):
In this class, we have some military veterans, where running was a major part of their training. Mrs. Z was basketball player, and perhaps some of you have participated in a sport where running was involved.
Ethos (credibility):
Personally, I am an endurance runner and train 6-8 months out of the year. I have experienced all the pains and joys of running.
Pre-summary: thesis statement with a preview of your main points:
Running has risks for injuries, but they are preventable, which I will address first, but then, I will discuss the many benefits of running, and finally, the rewards of running.
Body:
Main point #1: Risks of running.
Most common injuries and what they are:
a. runner’s knee – One of the most common fears of running is also a myth and that is that running is bad for your knees. It’s great for your knees and the surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons. But, according to the University of Utah Health, “runners knee’, which is pain in the patella (knee cap), is one of the top injuries in running.
b. shin splints - Another is shin splints, which is overuse of the posterior and anterior tibialis muscle which is in the lower leg near the shin, as you can see distributed in this image. (ePainassist.com, 2014).
c. Achilles tendonitis - Also, there is Achilles tendonitis, which is pain in the heel from trauma to the Achilles tendon which connects to the calf muscles.
d. other injuries – Others include stress fractures, hip and lower back pain, IT band pain, and calf strain Calf strain is also a common injury and it is the most painful injury I’ve ever experienced. Imagine your worst Charlie horse times 10. Then imagine it doesn’t relax for weeks!
Prevention – Luckily though, these injuries can easily be avoided, by running strategically using proper form and having the right running shoe for your stride.
a. Proper Form – Proper form is chin up, off the chest, breathing through your nose and out of the mouth, shoulders back and relaxed, hands at 90 degrees, and hips aligned with a mid-foot strike for an easy stride.
b. Shoes - Proper fuel, nourishment, and stretching are also vital, but the most important thing is a good running shoe, which is also recommended by University of Utah Health. Most beginner runners do not know that their running shoe should be at least a size to a size and a half bigger than your normal shoe size, due to natural swelling of the feet when running. The shoe should also accommodate your gait and foot strike. A gait analysis by a professional to find the right shoe can help prevent injury.
Main point #2: Benefits of running
Health Benefits
a. Weight loss – Many people will start running for weight loss because it increases metabolism and burns calories, not only during the run, but throughout the entire day. Your body can blast more than 400 calories in just 30 minutes of running.
b. Muscle gain – Running also targets your major muscle groups such as the calves, quads, hamstrings, the glutes, hip flexors, and core. So, one can expect to tone up (Hammer, 2018).
c. Improves heart health – The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Cardiovascular Disease is the #1 cause of death in Americans. Running is great for circulation and heart health and can help prevent Cardiovascular Disease.
d. Others - It also, improves digestion, joint health, coordination, and stamina.
Psychological Benefits
a. Mental strength and clarity – The breathing, through the nose and out the mouth, helps you maintain calmness and focus. Running is truly mind over matter and takes a lot of practice.
b. Mood enhancing – It also boosts energy by releasing endorphins and putting you in a good mood and supports a healthy sleep pattern, so you are better rested.
Main point #3: Rewards of running
Community Support - As a runner, I have never seen more community support. You can find a running club just about anywhere and no matter what level of runner you are, novice, intermediate, or advanced, you are welcomed.
Meeting new people - You also meet many new people along your running journey. I met one of my best friends through running.
Inspiration - A runner will inspire someone, and someone will inspire them. For example, many cancer patients and survivors, and supporters and families of people battling an illness, run road races. Running is perceived as a great challenge, but nothing compared to the challenge of fighting for your life.
Conclusion:
Summary: Running is simple, but it isn’t easy. Yet, the common misconceptions of running, such as it’s bad for your knees or our bodies aren’t made for it, are all just fear and myth. There are risks of injuries, but those can be prevented by proper form and shoes. The benefits far outweigh those risks with health and mental improvement. And, finally, being an inspiration, and making new friends are some of the best rewards.
Strong concluding statement: We all overcome something in our lives and I believe we can all relate to this passage from the book, Run Like a Mother, by author Dimity McDowell (2009, 2010). “The beauty of the mile[s] … lies not in their difficulty but in their simplicity. When all that’s left is you and a challenge, running is … putting one foot in front of the other … [n]ot the awful feelings of suffering and resistance as you gut it out, but the one that soars through you and almost carries you when you realize, I’ve got this”.
REFERENCES
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Heart Disease Facts. Retrieved March 19, 2018 from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
Comedy Central. The $150,000.00 Tosh.0 Marathon [Season 3, Episode 20]. Retrieved March 19, 2018 from http://www.cc.com/video-clips/cwmf9l/tosh-0-the--150-000-tosh-0-marathon
ePainAssist.com. (2014). Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome [jpg format]. Retrieved March 18, 2018 from https://www.epainassist.com/images/Article-Images/Shin-Splints.jpg
Hammer, S. R., Seth, A., Delp, S. L. (2018). Muscle contributions to propulsion and support during running. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved March 28, 2018 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2973845/
Jenkins, J. B. (2018). 10 Awesome Facts About Running & Injury Prevention. Health University of Utah. Retrieved March 19, 2018 from https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2014/10/102914_10-running-facts-forthewin.php
McDowell, D., & Shea S. B. (2009, 2010). Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving--and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC.
TEDx Talks. (2011, July 09). Brains, brawn & the evolution of the human body: Daniel Lieberman at TEDxBermuda [You Tube]. Retrieved March 04, 2018 from https://youtu.be/OtQhybh4zug
