#ad I ran the Knoxville Marathon this past weekend (my first official marathon) and hands down the best part was Smile20. Goody’s had a MASSIVE jumbotron at Mile20 that used AI to turn your facial expression into a smile. The benefits of smiling during a race are numerous. It reduces perceived effort (a study in Psychology of Sport found that smiling can lower your RPE while reducing muscle tension).  Research indicates that smiling can make your running stride more efficient. One study showed runners used 2% less oxygen during a run when smiling compared to a neutral expression. Smiling can send signals to the brain, promoting a calmer response to effort while running. Smiling is linked to decreased cortisol (stress hormone) levels and lower heart rate during running. So on your next run, smile. And post-run, if you’re feeling any pain or soreness, take some Goody’s to help. #smile20 #ad