MD/running correlation?

[ManualEvac]

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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.

I have been a distance runner since I could walk and used to get injured a couple of times a year, even as a kid, but that was before I started doing tai chi and got a better sense of body mechanics and how to balance and use my core muscles (abs, lower back, obliques, etc.).

I haven't been injured in 10 years other than breaking my toe once when I tripped over a tortoise in the desert...true story! I have run several marathons, and am training for my first Ironman this fall . It's all in HOW you run, not running itself. I should note i used to get injured just as much swimming competitively as I did running...hard on the shoulders and can actually be hard on your back unless you are training right. I highly recommend yoga, tai chi, pilates or some other core training/flexibility exercise to reduce your injuries.

As for the short-term weight loss, sorry this is a myth 🙁. Even with a vigorous running schedule, I still tend to be slightly overweight unless I also strength train (high rep, low weight) and eat a reasonably healthy diet. Fat burns much faster during anaerobic exercise.

 

[mdmdt]

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!

Guilty as charged 🙄 But I actually don't wear Spandex either, though my running pants are kind of stretchy...

 

[coldweatherblue]

I run sporadically. I'll run three miles four times a week for two weeks, then go a while without running, then start again. It has to do with how I feel like handling stress. If I want to confront the problem, overcome any obstacle, and get in that "KING OF THE WORLD" mode I'll run often; if I've stopped really caring about it I'll sit in front of the TV and chill. Seriously though exercise is the best way to make yourself feel better. If everyone who is depressed would just FORCE themselves to run/play soccer/work-out the world would be a happier place.

 

[mdmdt]

Seriously though exercise is the best way to make yourself feel better. If everyone who is depressed would just FORCE themselves to run/play soccer/work-out the world would be a happier place.

Word 👍

 

[bigman225]

Running is my anti-depressant and stress reliever of choice. Typically ~20-25 miles/week. Lifting is good to get toned but I don't necessarily like what it does to my psyche (I feel like it increases my aggression level)

 

[chad5871]

I find tap-dancing to be an incredible stress reliever. Somehow stomping the floor over and over again is a great way to release all of that pent-up frustration. Not to mention focusing so much on intricate rhythms really takes your mind off of other problems.

Sorry, just had to throw that in there... I like running but I find it to be a bit boring.

 

[beachblonde]

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!

As a girl, I love my spandex! Way more guys wave hello to me when I run wearing my running tights than if I just have on typical running shorts. 😉

But I can see why a guy wouldn't like spandex, lol.

 

[MilesMayhem]

If everyone who is depressed would just FORCE themselves to run/play soccer/work-out the world would be a happier place.

I have heard this too, but I disagree. My grades went up like hell after I stopped excercising, and spent time studying instead.

I also don't feel like my moods are better by running. Even if I go out early in the morning, there are always some running champs just blasting past me, and then my mind wanders off to how lousy in shape I am, how pointless it is to run, and how I ain't never gonna win anything by running anyway.

Trying to pick yourself up again, and get back into training can be a real biatch, and you just wonder how it is possible to be so untrained. It is really depressing. I don't need to put on running shoes to listen to my mp3 player.

 

[UVAbme2009]

I've recently taken up long distance running. I've been heavy into weightlifting for seven years now. I'm not really transitioning as I'm still lifting hard. It will be interesting to see how I balance the two as I progress further.

I'm running the Richmond Marathon in November (long run is up to 15 miles), but I have my first race, a 5k this Saturday! I'm so excited. I can't believe how much faster I've gotten in about six weeks. I went from an 8:00 5k pace to what I hope will be a 6:45 pace on Saturday. Running in a group makes all the difference.

 

[135892]

Seriously though exercise is the best way to make yourself feel better. If everyone who is depressed would just FORCE themselves to run/play soccer/work-out the world would be a happier place.

Okay, Tom Cruise 😀

 

[beachblonde]

I have heard this too, but I disagree. My grades went up like hell after I stopped excercising, and spent time studying instead.

I also don't feel like my moods are better by running. Even if I go out early in the morning, there are always some running champs just blasting past me, and then my mind wanders off to how lousy in shape I am, how pointless it is to run, and how I ain't never gonna win anything by running anyway.

Trying to pick yourself up again, and get back into training can be a real biatch, and you just wonder how it is possible to be so untrained. It is really depressing. I don't need to put on running shoes to listen to my mp3 player.

If you hate running, then don't do it! There are tons of different ways to get exercise, running doesn't have to be your only option.

I used to hate running with a passion, mostly because I was forced to do it for my assorted sports teams. Once I stepped back and ran only because I wanted to, and stopped when I wanted to, that I started to enjoy it. But even now I have days where the last thing on earth I want to do is run, so I don't.

But I agree with you, getting in shape to run sucks. Sucks a lot.