Is marathon running healthy?

[NaturalChick]

I want to be in peak physical condition and set a high standard for myself. I am very goal oriented, and the idea of running a marathon came to me. Now, I'm sure that there is a huge sense of personal satisfaction from finishing a marathon, but is it actually healthy? Or is it too hard on your body to be healthy?

On one hand it seems like it represents the highest level of physical endurance and strength, but does it take things too far?

[Walter]

I think this is a good question. The idea of running a marathon seems nuts to me, as I can't even run two blocks down the street. However, I ride my bike everyday and have gone on several one-day bike rides that were over 50 miles and they were all relatively painless and exhilarating.

I guess it's just a matter of working up to the distance in a safe way.

[NaturalChick]

I think you're right, Walter (mikie?!). I did just discuss this with my chiropractor and he said it's a trade-off. On one hand it's great mentally speaking -- what an accomplishment! Also, it's great for your metabolism and not half-bad for your heart. On the other hand, your joints and muscles may really suffer. He does not consider marathon runners to be healthy people, but understands why people do it and so he doesn't discourage it.

[Walter]

I think you're right, Walter (mikie?!).
:yes: :D

[eggplant]

I'm not convinced it's healthy. I run a half marathon every year and figure that's a good place to stop. It's tempting to try to push myself further, especially when people around me always ask if a marathon is my next step. But my health is more important to me than proving to myself or anyone else the limits of what I am capable.

[ilovemydragon]

I dont think the human body is designed to run that much of a distance.

[NDvegan85]

Well, (having done one marathon) it is a pretty amazing feeling to finish a marathon. I did one last December, and I probably won't do another until last spring or summer. But I do want to do another sometime and continue sporadically doing them.

In short, I think that marathon running can be healthy if you give yourself enough time to healthfully train and to fully recover. I personally wouldn't want to be in near constant marathon running mode because I think that my joints would suffer, and I'd probably get bored. But 3 or 4 months out of every year or year and a half, I can do, and, to my knowledge, the first marathon didn't compromise my health.

[toadstool]

You know what happened to the guy who ran the first marathon, right? :p

That probably says it all. :D

I like to run--a lot--but my body just isn't built for it. I am plagued by injuries. But even so... the idea of a marathon is tempting. And I admit that it's something I'd like to do one day. Just once. Maybe twice.

[broccoli]

I love running! I think that with the proper training and endurance, a marathon is a wonderful thing to participate in. Make sure to take days off.

[CaptainSwab]

I know plenty of 50 and 60 year olds in my marathon running club who have been running marathons since their 20's.

[meatless]

My boss started running marathons when she was 50, and now at 58 she has run 11 of them, as well as a few half marathons. She has seen huge health benefits from it, but was also very dormant before.

Another coworker has done 6-7 Iron Man competitions.

Both are in great shape, but I have no idea what the long term affects could be.

[Tesseract]

I really do wonder if that's just pushing the human body past sensibility. Ditto any extreme endurance sport. Yes, it's a testament to the spirit of determination and all that, but were we really built for that?

[eggplant]

A few related articles:

http://www.hms.harvard.edu/news/pressreleases/mcl/1001http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/08/24/LV209240.DTLrunningcardiorisks.html
http://www.ultracycling.com/training/ultra_health.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/08/24/LV209240.DTL

[Starblossom]

A friend of mine just ran the NY marathon and he was telling me about how all his muscles were cramped up by the end of the race and how much his legs hurt now. When he ran a marathon the other year he told me about how he couldn't properly walk for a week. I don't know if that's normal or if he just didn't train enough, but that doesn't sound particularly healthy to me! The body has its limits!

But, I guess there's the adrenaline rush that goes with it..so emotionally/mentally speaking I can see how it'd be really healthy, so maybe the physical consequences are worth it. I just know that it is not for me :p

[Tesseract]

This to me, strongly suggests that marathon running is more than our bodies were designed for:

http://www.time-to-run.com/doctor/bloodyurine.htm

[Texaspice]

Bloody urine?!?!? That is terrible and scary. I have also heard that woman can get blood coming out of their nipples and sometimes people go to the bathroom in their pants while running that far if you know what I mean... :stinkeye:
(these are just things I have heard - maybe they are just isolated cases or rumors but I don't think I would chance it)

I think that maybe marathon running is okay for certain people who have bodies that are more naturally built for running- but I am 100% sure that I was NOT designed for it. There are better goals that I can and will set for myself. A 10K race is my limit!

[Cassiel]

Umm...I know no one who experienced any of those serious symptoms after marathon running. I've been in some pain during my marathons, but never any permanent damage or even anything that remotely worried me. Elites may urinate on themselves during a marathon to avoid stopping to go to the bathroom, but your average marathoner does no such thing. Men sometimes get bloody nipples when running (even shorter distances) but that's just chafing. I don't think the marathon distance is any more than your average body is designed for, so long as you train your body adequately. Everyone I know who has been harmed by marathoning tried to run the distance long before they were ready for it. Most first-timers take 20 weeks of training minimum, and that's on top of a 6 month base at 20 mpw or more.

[rainbowmoon]

I actually think there are some people who are built better for marathon running than others, and that training plays a huge factor. Some people may need way longer than average to be in proper shape for a marathon...I don't think that I personally, could achieve such a thing. But who knows.

[NaturalChick]

I've signed up for a half marathon in April. That gives me about 5 months to train. I'm excited! I don't think I really have that "marathon body type" some of you have mentioned -- running is difficult for me. I think I'll see how this goes, and I'm betting I'll be perfectly contented with stopping at this goal!

[HappySmile]

I personally think that walking is better for you and your heart. Running long distances can be stressful on your whole body. Also, you get great results from walking and you don't have to be all out of breath.

[Naturegirl]

In the long term it can be hard on your joints. That would go for any kind of hard physical training.

There's a reason why people's athletic careers end when they are still relatively young.

[CaptainSwab]

Actually, many ellite marathon runners who are winning races are on the older side.

[slynny]

You should ask some of these people :D

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_7/san-francisco-marathon-dr.shtml
http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Contributed/Dolphinstillrunning_Dolphin.cfm
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_5/1085.shtml
http://www.50anddcmarathongroupusa.com/accolades.cfm

[CaptainSwab]

How about this guy?

* 91-year-old Ernie Van Leeuwen, the Marathon's oldest participant, who last year set a U.S. 90-94 age group record with his 6:54:25


Link: http://www.runningnetwork.com/news/lamarathon04saucony.html

Here is another link about him: http://www.nbc4.tv/marathon/1815622/detail.html


How about these guys?
http://www.lamarathon.com/2004/legacy.php#NUMBERS

Note their ages and that they have ran every single LA marathon to date (all 20 of them)

[Exitof99]

I always hear about joggers found dead while running in the winter. I believe the body can only tolerate so much abuse.