And that's important, because when you run out of glycogen, you have to slow down. So if women can burn fat better than men, and they're running at a pace at which fat is easily burned, and they're running that pace for a very long time, we think women may be able to overtake men. The reason, speculates Dr. Tarnopolsky, may be estrogen. And we think estrogen may regulate its activity. In fact, I'm studying that right now.
Women have muscles that never quit.
It's due to muscle damage. As a result, you have to bend your knee more, which means it takes you more time to leave the ground, and your pace slows. Which is why, when you get near the end of a race, you start to breathe so much more heavily. It's because your muscles aren't working as efficiently. Unless, that is, you're a woman.