"Running isn't good for you"

rebecky27

I suck at quick retorts and comebacks....I usually come up with something good I could have said hours after the exchange....but this has still stumped me.....because one little part in the back of my brain actually believes what was said to me....

I was in the locker room at the gym we have here where I work. Two other coworkers and I were discussing workouts and I was explaining the C25K program I'm doing. The one coworker is actually a supervisor (not of me, directly - but I do have a high respect of her) looked at me and said, "You know, running isn't good for you. Walking at a fast pace is so much better."

Taken by surprise that this very fit woman would have that view, I just explained that it is my goal to one day run in a 5K, just so I could know that I did it! She walks away saying that it's going to kill my knees....

I had no reply..... thoughts?

HeyHeyRae

She's ALMOST right. Running is VERY good for your body as a whole. It's not so good for you knees. It's a lot of pressure. I believe the science of it is when you stand your weight puts X amount of pressure on your knees. When you run, every step puts 10 times X amount of pressure on your knees. Running is not UNHEALTHY. It's EXTREMELY HEALTHY. It's just hard on your knees.

jshaps7

She's partially right to be honest. Running puts a lot of impact on your knees and other joints and can cause problems (or if you already have joint problems, make them worse).

I just finished C25K and I have bad knees. My dad (a physical therapist) has said for years I should stick with walking and avoid running at all costs, and in the past, it has bothered my knees. The different was this time I went to a running specialty store and got fitted for running shoes. It has made a world of difference and I've had no knee problems whatsoever.

So if you want a retort to "running isn't good for you", I'd go with something along the lines of "any exercise can hurt your body if you're not doing it right." You could also tailor it to the specific activity she was doing

runfatmanrun

Calorie-wise, running and walking a mile burn roughly the same it just takes longer. But there is much less impact walking. Another retort could be that driving is bad for you too but we all do it.

brandyk77

you know what is worse for your knees? being overweight!

My Dh has had ACL reconstruction due to a sport injury and had arthritis in both knees prior to starting to run. He does just fine.

Best retort is to smile and walk away with your healthy knees and increasingly finer looking butt.

doorki

Running does have a lot of wear and tear but, for me, it only showed up after I got out of shape. I was a distance runner from middle school to college and I only really started aching when I became unfit and put on the pounds.

so a good retort would be only if you can't keep doing it.

fraser112

this has been pretty much blown away

your risk of knee damage is higher if your over weight vs someone who runs alot.

tenunderfour

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12232-0,00.html

gmpearson

Eating isn't good -- if you eat the wrong foods.

Walking isn't good for you -- if you walk in front of a bus.

Lifting weights isn't good for you -- if you drop them on your foot.

Running is a natural function of the human body. If running is bad for you, how come there are SO many people 40+ years of age that are runners? When you go to your 5K race (because I know you will complete C25K and then run a race), look at the entries for 40+ and you will see it makes up a good portion of the race.

Granted, constant pounding can be rough on knees and hips, but who says you have to run on pavement 100% of the time? Change it up - run on a track - they are rubber or crushed gravel. Run on trails or in a field, or a treadmill (most have shock impact built in). Also, keep your stride low and somewhat short - it will cause you to strike less on the heel (this is what truly causes impactful damage) and will cause you to run more mid-foot strike which lessens the impact.

Also, those that say running is bad for you generally don't like running and think that the answer to everything is strength training. Don't get me wrong, I strength train in addition to my running, and it makes my body stronger which improves my running. The running improves my endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

Greg

BobbyDaniel

My knees were pretty much shot before I started running from playing high school football and then marching in my college band, as well as years of intramural sports and being over weight. My knees ached non-stop when I started C25K and then would ache only moderately as the weight came off. If you have good form, while the wear and tear on the knees is inevitable, it is overall great for you IMHO.

Sp1nGoddess

Tell her she's full of crap. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12232-0,00.html

This article is great, love Runner's World!

CarsonRuns

Why have a retort at all? Someone that is going to offer an opinion like that isn't going to listen to your explanation anyway. Their shallow mind is already made up. Why waste your breath? Simply shrug your shoulders and change the subject to something else. Even though she posed that statement as a question, she was probably looking for some conflict. Diffuse it and don't let it impact your serenity. It's just not worth it.

LorinaLynn

I don't have any links on hand, but from what I've read, running is bad for your knees if you have bad knees. That it's not the running that causes the knee problems, and knee problems occur just as much in non-runners as in runners.

There's wayyyyy too many runners in their 50s, 60s and 70s at the races I do for it to be detrimental to everyone's knees.

ladykaisa

My knees and shin splints debilitate me when I run. Walking at a fast past I can do forever though.

Saying that, I still run LOL

withervein

Lots of exercise is hard on your knees. Harder on your knees is carrying around excess weight.

If you are at the point in your fitness journey where the difference in how many calories and exact timing of consumption matters, then I might consider listening to the minutiae. For most of us non-olympians, however, you can pretty much do what is enjoyable so you can meet your personal goals and feel better all over.

The play is the thing, if she has fun walking, great! If you are having fun seeing progress toward your 5K goal, hot damn, sister keep going!

thebigcb

We are designed to run.

The supervisor is talking out her *kitten*.

zoom2

The knee risk is a risk to anyone who does anything with poor form, does too much too soon, or wears improper footwear. What is truly bad for our knees is not using them as they were intended--use it or lose it.

In studies of long-term runners vs. non-runners the runners actually had healthier knees. That running-is-bad-for-knees hogwash is simply popular urban myth.

JonathonMars

I'm pretty sure humans ran for many thousands of years from lions and such. If we aren't designed to run, I don't know what we are designed to do.

Bonny272

My friend is a marathon runner and swears by "bear foot running". You should check it out. It's supposed to be a lot easier on your joints.

johnwhitent

Tell her she's full of crap. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12232-0,00.html

Agree completely! Well, since this woman is a supervisor you might want to find a nice way to tell her she is full of crap. Also, I trail run which is on softer surfaces and I adore being out in the woods.

CarsonRuns

My friend is a marathon runner and swears by "bear foot running". You should check it out. It's supposed to be a lot easier on your joints.

Danger! Barefoot isn't for everyone and it's certainly not something that someone who has worn shoes all their life should just up and start doing.

ninerbuff

"Excessive" running isn't good. From an evolutionary standpoint, we have the ability to run to have to been able to chase down food, however running for fitness and to lose weight wasn't what the design was for. Ask any runner who's been at it for years and they'll tell you about knee pain, ankle pain, foot pain, etc.
Any excessive exercise isn't good for the body. Lifting TOO much weight for long periods of time kills joints and connective tissue. Playing football for years wears the body down. Being a "pro" wrestler takes a toll on your body. Being a competitive ball room dancer kills your feet and ankles.
There's lots of exercise if done excessively that results in injury. So do it in moderation.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Topsking2010

Bump for later

BrettPGH

Here's all you need to know.

Zombies don't care if running is bad for your knees. The fact that you can burn a similar amount of calories walking will not save you from having your flesh chewed up.

Sometimes in life, you just gotta RUN!

TinaDay1114

Running CAN be bad for your knees, hips, feet, etc. BUT, like others have said, getting good shoes, having good form AND incorporating other workouts into your routine (like circuit training, weights) that balance out all your muscles and give you a good core for support minimize the wear and tear on your joints while running.

I've recently gotten my mileage up to 12 miles at a time -- but SLOWLY, over time, with good shoes, AND incorporating lots of circuit training and stretching into my training. So far, I've had a little discomfort here and there, but nothing a dose of Ibuprofin and a rest day couldn't cure. No injuries, either. My only injury happened when I went too far too fast, and in the wrong shoes. I learned my lesson.

Keep going. Just do it the smart way (like you have been) and you'll be fine!

Azdak

She's ALMOST right. Running is VERY good for your body as a whole. It's not so good for you knees. It's a lot of pressure. I believe the science of it is when you stand your weight puts X amount of pressure on your knees. When you run, every step puts 10 times X amount of pressure on your knees. Running is not UNHEALTHY. It's EXTREMELY HEALTHY. It's just hard on your knees.

It is not "unhealthy for your knees". Running is a high-impact activity, and, like any other high-impact activity, carries a higher risk of injury, but the injuries are mainly to soft tissues and are often aggravated by incorrect training, unaddressed muscle imbalances and flexibility defects, etc., not just running per se.

There is no evidence that running causes long-term structural damage to the actual knee joint itself. In fact, the same impact the increases the risk for soft tissue injury also leads to greater bone strength and the extra activity could very well promote long-term knee health.

TinaDay1114

My friend is a marathon runner and swears by "bear foot running". You should check it out. It's supposed to be a lot easier on your joints.

Danger! Barefoot isn't for everyone and it's certainly not something that someone who has worn shoes all their life should just up and start doing.

DITTO. I fractured my heel running barefoot too far too fast. NOT a fun recovery.

Azdak

My friend is a marathon runner and swears by "bear foot running". You should check it out. It's supposed to be a lot easier on your joints.

Danger! Barefoot isn't for everyone and it's certainly not something that someone who has worn shoes all their life should just up and start doing.

"Bear foot" running is even worse--especially trying to get the bear foot in the first place !!!!

janeite1990

Reply: "I know. That's why hunter-gatherers would stroll after the mammoths and sit on the couch while saber-tooth tigers chased them. Seems like every other animal on the planet is made to move quickly when necessary, but I guess humans aren't. I guess I'll just sit back on the couch and see how that works for me. While I'm at it, I'll eat a lot of processed junk food instead of fruits and veggies and lean meat."

dreamin2bethin

Like many has said running is amazing but bad for knees and joints. However, if you are doing it right running will be fantastic no matter what. If you get fitted for shoes, take your time, have rest days established, stretch often, running most likely won't be a problem. But a lot of other cardio and exercises can be at some point bad for you. It is a risk we all take, but if you do right with proper form, breathing, and everything else I said you most likely won't have a problem.

HerHusbandTheirDaddy

Look into EVOLUTION RUNNING. It is natural running technique that reduces injuries. It has worked for me and has improved my 1.5 mile time. Now instead of finishing in the middle of the pack, I am leading the pack. It has also allowed me to run over 5 miles at a time, pain free. I am NOT an avid runner, but I am staring to like it more now that it hurts less.