MD/running correlation?

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Are you a runner?

  • Yes, I have more pairs of spandex pants than I do regular pants

    Votes: 85 48.0%

  • No, but I regularly engage in another kind of fitness activity

    Votes: 63 35.6%

  • Nah, it would cut into my SDN time

    Votes: 29 16.4%
  • Total voters
    177
mdmdt

mdmdt

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I have noticed that maybe 80% of the physicians and medical students I know "IRL" are also runners. Maybe it is the amount of self-discipline and drive it takes, or how simple and straightforward it is, or something else all together.

Anyway, I am kind of curious how many people on here run regularly? Of course there's a chance that the running types don't spend hours upon hours vegetating on SDN but I figured it'd be worth asking y'all anyway. I myself started running about a month ago and am enjoying it...
 
I don't run. I just don't like it. However, I spin 4 days a week... will be taking it to 5. Am I cut, no by any means but I feel I have a good cardio fitness. Since only my legs are getting worked and lower abdominals (minimally) I'm starting a routine soon to incorporate lifting so I can get off this weight-loss plateu.
 
I run every once in awhile, spin & do kickboxing at the gym, which I absolutely love, but I've also noticed this correlation between PhD's and even PhD students. In one section of my lab this summer, 6/11 people are runners.
 
neuro1617 said:
I run every once in awhile, spin & do kickboxing at the gym, which I absolutely love, but I've also noticed this correlation between PhD's and even PhD students. In one section of my lab this summer, 6/11 people are runners.
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yeah! A lot of them are bikers too. PhD's are really into cardio.
 
I am not a runner but I think it is a good way to relieve stress. I could not have survived MCAT studying without running everyday. As the test approaced, I ran twice a day. The day of the test, I woke up early and ran for just five minutes before the test started.

If you find yourself stressed out, run.

neuro1617 said:
I run every once in awhile, spin & do kickboxing at the gym, which I absolutely love, but I've also noticed this correlation between PhD's and even PhD students. In one section of my lab this summer, 6/11 people are runners.
Click to expand...

LOL, I've noticed this too. What a strange correlation.
 
I'll run if I need a break from life. There isn't really any other activity where I can just set my brain on cruise-control for hours at a time, and endorphins are a great remedy for the "OMGIHAVEA3.99I'LLNEVERGETIN" blues....

For introspection/relaxation Kayaking is my activity of choice...
 
If someone or something were chasing me that I didn't want to catch me, I'd probably run. Other than that, no.

I don't know any doctors who do, either.

I garden and do yard work. It's relaxing exercise.
 
I try to run 5 miles a day 5 days a week. Really, running is just an excuse for listening to music 😉
 
Working out keeps me focused. I know tons of medical professionals who engage in some kind of activity. It probably helps that they see first hand the outcome of poor health due to lack of exercise.

I run somewhere around 16 miles a week and usually lift weights about 45-60 minutes a day. Helps keep the focus up. 🙂
 
I'm training for a marathon this year, so count me in the runner's camp!
 
I just ran myself into a stress fracture, although I mostly do it as training for other things. I think that it's probably some combination of intrinsic stress relief and driven personality types. Healthy is good.
 
I used to run 3-5 miles a day (usually at 1-2 in the morning). I haven't been running lately and I'm trying to get back into it. It's a GREAT stress-reliever. And I used to hate running in high school (the day we ran the mile in PE was a nightmare for me :laugh:).
 
I picked up middle-distance running (I was a short-distance sprinter in high school) over a year ago and have been keeping up with it (though it's very difficult with my insane hours). I try to hit 15-20 miles a week.
 
I can swim many many miles, but I have trouble running just one. Not sure why that is, but it really puts a strain on my relationship with running...

Swimmers represent!
 
Excercise doesn't really relieve stress for me, haha. I do it anyway, but I get hella tired after a hard workout and then can just go to sleep. I guess that's avoiding stressful situations, heh.
 
I love running. I used to hate it, but I've gotten addicted. I'm running my first marathon on January 18th. Right now I can't run because I strained my anterior tibial tendon and it's really pissing me off because running is my favorite exercise.
 
Team sports is the best for me...but it's hard to find time for it. Running is too boring!
 
I'm running my first half-marathon this November. I love running! It makes me feel like I can do anything, which is a really helpful feeling during this application process.
 
I'm training for my 3rd half marathon right now. I'm a PhD (micro/immuno) going back to med school. In my experience, there are definetly a lot of medical science type people who becoming runners. Running is largely a mental game, and I think that the same people that are attacted to medical science are attracted to running.
 
Blade28 said:
I picked up middle-distance running (I was a short-distance sprinter in high school) over a year ago and have been keeping up with it (though it's very difficult with my insane hours). I try to hit 15-20 miles a week.
Click to expand...

Whoa, you are in CT surg and run that much?!? You give me hope! 😀
 
See, I wouldn't call myself a runner but I do run quite often. (for NROTC) To me a "runner" is someone who runs for running's sake or to enter races. I just run to stay in shape.
 
I run 20-25 miles per week. Managed to drop 50lbs because if it during my sophmore year.

Hopefully it'll prove to be a correlation for getting into med school
 
I think it is common because running is the easiest thing to stay in shape. You probably have the physicians who always liked to run and then some guys who lifted a lot as well. But I'm coming to find now that lifting takes too much time for me personally since I put too much in it and I might have to make the switch to running. It's much less time consuming to run 4 or 5 miles which will take between 30-40 minutes than to go work out which will take over and hour minimum every time.
 
I try to run/workout 3 days a week, but I usually just run for like 5 minutes (~0.5 miles). I can barely run a full mile without feeling like I'm going to die, but I'm working on that haha. I have terrible cardio.
 
SirGecko said:
See, I wouldn't call myself a runner but I do run quite often. To me a "runner" is someone who runs for running's sake or to enter races. I just run to stay in shape.
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same

hell i still run 5k/10ks too and still wouldnt call myself a runner.
 
I lift weights regularly (3-4 times a week) and run a mile or two to warm up for that. I'm not a big fan of running much farther than that, though.
 
I row four or five times a week. So much better than running!
 
I run 70-80 miles a week...but get money to do it😀
 
I started Cross-Country back in 7th grade and ever since then, running in almost a daily activity for me. I actually used to solely run but after starting to lose all my upper body muscle, I incorporated weight training and those two combinations are pretty powerful to shape oneself up; of course diet is equally as important.
 
If getting up to go to the bathroom and to get food is considered running, then I do a lot of that.
 
I run every day about 3-5 miles, and I love it.
 
Wow, it is so cool how many runners (or just 'people who run') are on here. I consider my hypothesis proven, however unscientifically...
 
Long term running is almost a sure ticket towards needing knee and/or hip replacement plus a lot of other possible injuries. It is good for short term weight loss but that is it.
 
Although I can't quote them right off the bat, they do say that as education level goes up so does physical activity. People who have advanced degrees tend to engage in more physical activity.
Which activity it seems to vary?
 
Last edited:
pntgrd said:
Long term running is almost a sure ticket towards needing knee and/or hip replacement plus a lot of other possible injuries. It is good for short term weight loss but that is it.
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Agreed. One of my bosses used to be a runner until he needed hip and knee replacements. Now he just slowly walks to where he has to go. No thanks to that.

Btw, I used to jog, but it was hard on my joints. I much prefer swimming and bike riding. As for now, I do weight lifting 2-3 times a week and go for a walk in the evenings for a couple miles to get outside and enjoy the weather.
 
I've started and quit countless weightlifting programs in my life, but getting in a 15+ miles a week has never been a problem. I just enjoy getting out in the world, but still being alone. It's good for sorting things out, IMO.
 
I used to run. I was doing about 70 miles per week at my peak. Then I had to stop racing triathlons (3x separated shoulder + broken arm = inability to swim :laugh: 👍), so I stopped running. Anyway, my knee was giving me problems.

Now I'm 100% focused on cycling. Cycling has a number of adherents in the MD community... though they tend not to race. Cycling is a gear intensive sport, i.e. perfect for those with disposable income (or student loans to burn 🙂).

TejasMed2009 said:
I run 70-80 miles a week...but get money to do it😀
Click to expand...

Cross Country scholarship?

bostonmedical said:
Although I can't quote them right off the bat. They do say that those with as the education level goes up so does physical activity. People who have advanced degrees tend to engage in more physical activity.
Which activity it seems to vary?
Click to expand...

I wonder if it's also correlated with socioeconomic demographic. Hypothesis: People who are better off tend to be thinner/in better shape/attain higher levels of education?
 
I don't run, but I lift weights religiously. Goal is to deadlift 550 before I start med school.

I do cardio once in a while, more Crossfit style. You runners should check out Crossfit, it'll get you in better shape than running ever could.

www.crossfit.com

And I'll second the running is **** for you joints notion.
 
I run about 70 miles a week, but don't get paid to do it. :-(
 
I just started my old exercise regimen again tonight. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical machine with decent resistance and then some light weight training. I'm out of shape but it feels really good to get some exercise in again. 😀
 
mdmdt said:
Interesting BBC article...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7554293.stm
Click to expand...


That was a great article. That 16 year gap is pretty incredible. And it said,

"And there was no evidence that runners were more likely to suffer osteoarthritis or need total knee replacements than non-runners - something scientists have feared." That is interesting.
 
I'm working my way up to running. 🙂 I was walking, and I'm starting jogging today. Yay!

...what do I put on the poll? 😕
 
This thread was clearly started by a girl because of the "spandex pants" reference.
I am a hardcore runner (male) and I don't wear spandex. Nike Dri Fit all the way!
 
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