Is running bad for you?
An urban myth that needs putting down straight away is that running is bad for you.
It’s a common misconception that running is bad for joints, feet, knees etc etc
That’s because people who give this “advice” have tried running, ran as far as they could until exhaustion set in, using ill fitting shoes and kit and then tried to repeat it the next day and the next.
The human body is not a machine and while it may be easy to go out and get the kit the pros use, it’s actually harder to repeat what you see them do on TV.
So, bottom line, running is not bad for you, it’s 20th century life that’s bad for you. Like fashion trainers that aren’t designed for running in. Pavements with pot holes and roads with mad drivers.
So to start running; Take it easy, build up gradual, start away from crowds and other people if you feel self conscious and you will be infront of the people who think it is bad for you.
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Category: Benefits of Running, Training
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This is so true!!
I agree completely. I think the problem lies with people run and exercise improperly.
The best example that I can think of is someone who rarely exercises suddenly deciding it’s time to get into shape and crash diets. Couple that with the shock to the body of an intense exercise regiment and it makes for some risky situations. People who skimp on equipment (buying cheap shoes, running in heavy cotton and dehydrating themselves) run the same risks.
This guide from a university running program is decent for beginners, especially the 40+ crowd
http://www.udel.edu/johnmack/traildawgs/share.html
Jake
Running is one of the healthiest sports out there, but when people die in hot marathons from being unprepared, our sport gets a bad rep. It’s unfortunate that people think running is bad for you. They are so wrong about that!
I disagree, sort of. Yes, road running can be bad for you. Not just by being ill-prepared. We aren’t designed to run on asphalt and tarmac and concrete, breathing in exhaust fumes. We’re not designed to run in straight lines using exactly the same stride pattern for every step. We’re designed to run over grass, rocks, trails, woodland paths, mountains, valleys, streams. We’re designed to change how we run constantly, from step to step and bend to bend. Running, like life, is not a straight line. Of course city centre marathon running is bad for your joints. The pavement is unyielding. Running in the countryside is good for you – in fact, it’s natural.
Set a first goal…run 6min for a km for 36min + – four times a week…two days for rest…if you find your legs are a little tender rest and run on grass…run within your capability..the above times and distance is for an average runner when fit…the secret of running injury free is LSD…LONG SLOW DISTANCE and get a good pair of shoes that suite your foot profile and running style,Running is bad for you when you try and make every lamp post a winning one. alan,kznatal ,south africa
I am here to say that running has changed my life. I was always told that it was bad for your knees. I think it is just lazy people who like to sit around and talk about exercising and not doing it. I have lost 40 pounds of fat. Have endless energy and am clear headed. I was also having blood pressure problems of 145/95. Now oh about 117/70. So is running bad for you…? I say not.
Running is awesome! I love it, its not bad for you at all, its just that many people strike the floor with their heel instead of the ball of their foot. This create massive tension in the calves and knees, its no surprise they think its is bad for them when they aren’t doing it properly.