When a runner collapses in exhaustion, it’s rarely because the muscles ran out of oxygen or fuel. It’s because the anterior cingulate cortex has decided that the cost of exertion is not worth the benefit. But if the brain believes that the distance is manageable enough — and the mission important enough — we push ourselves to the max. Check out the following article about the continued trend of Kenyan domination in the Boston Marathon: http://articles.boston.com/2012-04-17/opinion/31350540_1_anterior-cingulate-cortex-boston-marathon-brain-training
