The Many Ways Running a Marathon Destroys Your Body

[rangerrebew]

The Many Ways Running a Marathon Destroys Your Body
By Nathaniel Scharping | March 29, 2017 3:39 pm
 

Running a 26.2-mile marathon puts your body through hell. Even with the proper training, marathoners stagger across the finish line with ravaged joints and shredded muscles — not to mention chafing in embarrassing places.

A recent study looked at the kidneys of marathon runners before and shortly after they finished a run and found evidence consistent with acute kidney injuries. The drastic steps our bodies take to keep our legs moving over distances results in a flood of chemicals into our bloodstreams, which can overload internal organs already hamstrung by ongoing strenuous activity. It’s not just our kidneys either: dangerously low sodium levels, bloody urine and compromised immune systems are only some of the side effects of a lengthy run.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2017/03/29/running-a-marathon-effects-body/#.WOjSLqK1v4Z

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I have seen so many runners with health problems, including heart disease, it's not even funny.

[skeeter]

Running is overrated. I recently stopped doing 6-8 miles a week after 30 years. Lower back problems have gotten 100% better.

[Fishrrman]

Better off riding a bike or walkin'...!

[EC]

[mountaineer]

Mr. M is 66-1/2 years old and next week will run another Boston Marathon. He's run a few dozen marathons in his life, and is doing just fine. A cardiologist told him he had the heart of a 20 year old. The training, however, is exhausting, so he's decided this will be his last marathon - unless he decides to run another.

[massadvj]

I took up distance running in the 1980s and ran two marathons, numerous half marathons and 10ks.  Today I have arthritic hips that require rigorous physical therapy every day to avoid debilitating sciatica.  Had I not taken on and finished my first marathon, I doubt I would have succeeded at many things I did since.  Nonetheless, at age 64 I am paying a physical price for choosing that particular form of exercise.  Today I have a non-impact gym routine that keeps me fit without the beating on the joints.

[truth_seeker]

Before age 45 I ran 15 marathons, with the two fastest under 3 hours or about 6 3/4 minutes per mile.

I also trained for triathlons and completed a few. I don't believe my running, biking or swimming harmed me at all.

Aerobic exercise has been deemed valuable, since the 1960s by the military (Dr. Kenneth Cooper).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_H._Cooper

[jpsb]

Before age 45 I ran 15 marathons, with the two fastest under 3 hours or about 6 3/4 minutes per mile.

A seven minute mile is pretty damn good.

[truth_seeker]

A seven minute mile is pretty damn good.

That year you needed under 3 hours to qualify for Boston for my age (39 then), which I did (2:55). But I didn't go, as I was also remodeling a house, and was totally burned out.

My race pace would be at about the 10th percentile for men, and near the leading females.

[Bigun]

Running is overrated. I recently stopped doing 6-8 miles a week after 30 years. Lower back problems have gotten 100% better.

I much prefer swimming to running.  To each his own.

[dfwgator]

Remember, the original marathoner, Pheidippides, dropped dead right after competing his marathon.

[truth_seeker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnwIKZhrdt4

[skeeter]

I much prefer swimming to running.  To each his own.

I love the water, but just can't stand having my head submerged for very long - feel cut off.

So I've got an elliptical now - works out great, simulates running without the jarring.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Remember, the original marathoner, Pheidippides, dropped dead right after competing his marathon.

Also Jim Fixx... and the trainer from biggest loser just had a heart attack.

Nothing wrong with being active, it's good for you as a matter of fact. But "exercise" just seems like pointless self torture to me.