Do the health benefits of long-distance running outweigh the costs?

Question

Lots of folks I know have been taking up long distance (marathon) running - and usually cite it as a tremendous personal goal and an opportunity for a major endurance gain. Besides, there's the 'runner's high'. However, I have also heard from others, including folks in the medical profession, that training for and running in a marathon is a terrible thing to do - because no matter how much you attend to form, it is a lot of wear and tear to your joints that you will regret when you're older. Is there an official medical position on running marathons? Recommended or discouraged?

Answer 1

If you do things right, the injuries shouldn't be a problem. If you take a reasonable break after the marathon, you should be good as new.

Besides, there's going to be wear and tear no matter how long the running is, the only question is how long before it catches up with you. Just be smart about it.

Answer 2

Everyone's is going to suffer with their joints at least once when they're older, so take a chance. I'm 15, and cannot wait until I'm old enough to do the London Marathon (the big 26 miles!) I don't care what comes in the future, just take the chance, because the great reward of completing a marathon is just as great as having perfect bones. If you've ever done Cross Country, there's an amazing feeling that you get afterwards, even if you don't win. When I'm racing, I wouldn't even care if I came last, even though I would really want to win, it's just the greatness that I set my own goals and achieved them by not stopping once.

Answer 3

YES
DON'T KNOW

TAKE THE MIDDLE ROAD.

Nothing says you have to do a marathon do get the benefits of running and training. And the cardiovascular benefits of running far outweigh the negatives people might warn you about.

In fact, the mental wear and tear of a marathon is greater than the physical in my case. 26.2 miles is a lot of "mind over matter". So get the best of both worlds and get started. After you've run for a year, train for a half-marathon, which you can easily run on moderate weekly mileage.

Always keep in mind that running and fitness is a journey, not a destination.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I've run 35 marathons. 26 of those ultras. I ran with Sy Mah he ran 524 marathons before he passed away in 1988. I ran with Norm Frank he has run 940 in Feb 2007. He plans to run his 1000th in 2008. He's 75. I'm 60 and I still love running. I don't do marathons because I don't have the time. I still run 60 miles a week though. We are only 3 of the hundreds I've met along the miles. You make the choice for yourself.