“She ran. Slowly at first, conserving her energy. More quickly as she realized that, while many racers slowed down or walked uphill, she could pass them and not feel tired. “I remember thinking, This is pretty awesome … I could push a lot harder than the people around me.” Some people are just better natural athletes than you are. Their participation might be a bit of a downer on race-days, but what makes them great could one day make you feel better. From the excellent Maria Konnikova: “One scientist is on a quest to find the genetic mutations that make athletes elite – which may lead to new treatments for the rest of us.” The Superhero Genes. (Where was this guy when I completed half a pull-up in the Presidential Physical Fitness test?)

+ Nautilus: How Woodpeckers Will Save Football.