Humans are Space Orcs: The Marathon

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From the Intergalactic Journal of Mechanics and Biology

They say that a single human once ran for 80 hours 44
minutes without stopping to sleep. He covered a distance of 350m (360km) during
that time. At a relative speed of less than 5 miles an hour, the speed pales in
comparison to other apex predators of their planet. The spotted cheetah can run
up to 76 miles per hour, but can only sustain that for approximately 1,500 feet.
The best bread and trained horses of their planet may be able to run 100 miles
in a day, but many who attempt this feat never finish.

Despite its relative speed, the human can sustain a
relative pace of four miles an hour four a little over three earth solar cycles
without rest (keep in mind that this is not an examination of average ability).

Once thought to be the most endurance evolved species in
the galaxy, the Rundi can run for an hour at the speed of fifteen miles per
hour, but in a long distance race with a human, they find themselves slowly
outmatched.

First, they outpace the human easily, they grow slowly
tired, they fall to a slow walking speed, they try to maintain, but their body
overheats. Eventually the steady footsteps of the approaching human converge
and then pass ahead to recede into the distance.

Compared to most creatures, the human has a few
advantages. Bipedal in nature, they can carry objects with them as they run
like water and food, the arches in their feet act as shocks and springs to
decrease shock. The feet are oriented straight ahead and their toes are
shortened to decrease the mechanical work of the foot. Spring-like tendons and
ligaments aid them as they run. A narrow waist that can pivot allows for the swimming
of arms during running action. A heightened sense of balance and movement keeps
them on a straight course and allows their head to remain steady as they go.
About 20 miles of energy can be stored in the muscles themselves. Additionally,
one of the largest muscles in the body, the gluteus maximus is not engaged
during a brisk walk but during a run. But the biggest factor, is their ability
to cool through sweat.

As far as we know, humans, and some of their earthly
counterparts, are the only creatures in the universe that excrete water to
catalyze cooling.

 

They were going to die.

They were going to die.

The sun would come up, and burn them to death and they were
going to die.

Krill never thought that his life would end this way.
Surrounded by the strange Humans on a class A death planet waiting for the star
to rise over the horizon and melt them to a crisp.

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