I’m giddy when new research supports my undisciplined behavior. This time, it’s exercise. Here’s a quick snapshot of new research reported in the Wall Street Journal:
- Running too fast, too far and for too many years may speed one’s progress toward the finish line of life.
- After age 50, pushing too hard is probably not good for one’s heart or longevity.
- For a lot of older athletes: Running can take a toll on the heart that essentially eliminates the benefits of exercise.
- The benefits of running may come to a hard stop later in life. Runners had a 19% lower death rate than nonrunners but among the runners, those who ran a lot—more than 20 to 25 miles a week—lost that mortality advantage.
- There was no mortality benefit for those who ran faster than 8 miles per hour, while those who ran slower reaped significant mortality benefits.
- Studies are finding cardiac abnormalities in extreme athletes, including coronary artery calcification of a degree typically found in the utterly sedentary.
- Chronic extreme exercise appears to cause excessive ‘wear-and-tear’ on the heart.
- If you are running more than 15 miles a week, you are doing it for some reason other than health.
Source: Wall Street Journal: One Running Shoe In the Grave. Image: Crescent Moon
Woohoo!!! Does this mean that you will put Endomondo down and just enjoy the jog?? 😉
No. It said running at a clip faster than 8 minute mile and long distances. I’m so far away from these “perilous” benchmarks that I have nothing to worry about. Although I do occasionally feel a fibrillation of something in my chest. Love the if you run more than 15 miles a week you are doing it for something other than your health. Ha. I can finally give myself a get-out-of-jail-free card.
It fails to mention the impact on your joints. Twenty years after being a “serious” runner, (35-45/week) my ankles and one knee are shot …most days it hurts just to walk and I cannot kneel down without holding on to something. Even though it has been ten years since I ran last, my BP/pulmonary functions/pulse are still that of a young runner, (two physicals a year that verify)…unfortunately, I’ve also gained a bit of excess body fat. That being said, out of all the things I used to do, but do not anymore, I miss running the most.
35/40 a week, wow. That’s running. What have you replaced running with?
Another reason to enjoy my long walks…..not a runner, never been a runner, just don’t get it.
Me too — I never liked running even in high school (ran 5 miles a day before practice for a while) Walking has benefits and the only down side I know of is due to traffic if you walk on roads.
The “high” of running is how you feel after you are done. Nothing like it.
LIKE!!!
Thank you. This is much less convicting than the usual Saturday morning workout inspiration. In fact, I can use it to justify my current strategy. I love it when data backs up my preconceived notions…
You are right Todd. This post provides more sit-on-the-couch ammo…and not motivation. Trying to mix it up a bit. 🙂
The light chased me as I made my way in the dark, it was my run for life, the moment light touches me I will evaporate, then must slumber in sleep ..for another 100 years..but I want to stay in this era..where I am a man and a good looking one too 😉 after escaping all those women who chase me in the city, because I wear a certain cologne..this chase is testing my speed 🙂
Crafty and smart. You have rhythm!
thank you
Running can kill you. People with strong bodies die running because the stress reveals weaknesses in the heart or elsewhere. It also wears out joints etc. Walking and yoga seem a good combination. Now I just need to do both with more consistency.
Laughing. Yes, Frank. Running almost killed me yesterday.
Reblogged this on My Blog portions and commented:
Next time tell me , you want to steal something from that monkey ..I would start my race much earlier
Glad I am just a slow jogger..
Me too…
(Insert rolling-eyes emoticon here). Oh Please.
I’m not even going to begin to defend running. It’s just so obvious.
Hmmmmm. Wondering if you read the entire article. Hard to argue that “extreme” running – long and fast – takes its toll on the middle aged + body. You disagree with that?
🙂 Disagreeing that anything more than 15 miles/week (wait – I need to convert – 24k) is extreme.
Whew! Great news. I’ve noticed myself slowing down and lightening up on my weekly running miles/time. Following my body’s suggestions are definitely the right way to go. Yeah! Thanks!
And you are once ahead of the researchers. You should monetize your body’s suggestions.
Thank you. I passed this on to my husband who is a runner.
Thanks Darlene
oh i just love the photo..can i steal it?
Of course. Thanks.
Thank you, David. I shared this with an extreme runner friend who I love very much!
My pleasure…
Hubby was also reading this and congratulating himself that he never runs more than 5 miles at a time. 🙂
Good for him. 🙂
I love words and sentences and here I would give 100 likes to this one “If you are running more than 15 miles a week, you are doing it for some reason other than health.”
Works especially for me (who kicks himself for not doing enough, which I’m not even under the threshold)
Then look out for the reason Dave 😉
Done!
I suppose it depends whether you are running for fitness or pure joy. I don’t much enjoy running, but if I did, I might be happy to trade it for another ten relatively sedentary years. Lord knows my horse riding is as likely to shorten rather than lengthen my days – but it is necessary for reasons other than health! It brings health to my soul.
Health to the soul. That it’s Ophelia. You nailed it.
An article that is music to your ears.
That’s right. Sweet music.