"Running isn't good for you"

Sam_Hain

I'm screwed even if it's the worst thing on the planet.

I HAVE to run.I
I HAVE to run in shoes.
I HAVE to fun a certain distance for a certain speed.

If I don't...

I HAVE to find a new career.

Curse of being in the Air Force. On the plus side I am in better shape than I have been for about 10+ years because they got serious about us being in shape. I know, I know, it's a ridiculous way to test people but honestly it got me motivated so I'll take it.

LastMinuteMama

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?

I probably wouldn't of had a good comeback either. I'm terrible when I'm put on the spot like that, but here are my thoughts...

I think that some people can't help but be negative and act like they know better.

ie. I was buying a new pair of cross trainers for Zumba, the cashier made small talk & asked what I would be using the trainers for. When I told her Zumba. She said, " Oooh, I heard you can get really injured doing that." Ok, maybe you can get injured doing that, you can get injured doing lots of things. Should I go put myself in a bubble? { I didn't actually say that, but I was thinking it }

Sure, your co-worker is a little bit right, walking has less impact and burns about the same calories...but it takes twice as long.

What she should have said when you told her that your are doing the C25K is: " That's great, good for you!"

Keep up the training! Let us know your first 5K goes!!!

opus649

Danger! Barefoot isn't for everyone...

Humans managed to get by for tens of thousands of years with their bare feet... as long as you ease yourself into it, your body was designed to run without shoes.

And I would agree with you if everyone never put on a pair of shoes. However, this is not the case. Because we are shod from childhood, some people develop a gait that is not conducive to barefoot running at all. Can, they get there? Maybe. But someone who is in a motion control shoe would need to take a long time. They would have to consciously change their gait and move down to a stability shoe and then to neutral before even thinking about barefoot.

Trust me when I say that I'm not against barefoot running. I do barefoot strides and form drills when the weather permits. I just don't think that framing barefoot running as the cure to all running injuries is a responsible thing to do. Does it work for some people? Sure? But to paraphrase Ryan Hall when he was asked what he thought about it, I'll give it a try when I start getting passed by barefoot runners.

Fair enough :drinker:

CarsonRuns

I don't think one can truly find their natural stride without running barefoot. I think its dumb to run barefoot or in 5-fingers on pavement for long distances, but barefoot running as a training tool on a soft surface would be very beneficial to unlearning the bad habits and weakening of the feet developed by wearing overbuilt shoes.

THIS!

grinch031

If people are running to train up their endurance for 5k's, 10k's, or whatever marathon they want to do...that's one thing. But alot of times people run because for some reason they think it's the "end all, be all" thing to "fitness". Their diets are trash. They have no clue about energy balance, but they run run run run thinking the fat will magically fat off.

That is what is comical.

Not to mention that I don't think I've seen a runner yet with amazing body composition.

I think you're right in a way. I'm doing about 45 mpw right now training for a marathon, and I find it hard to maintain my weight because lots of running = extreme hunger. Also its hard to retain muscle or even add more while running because you're just going to burn it right off.

Anyways I have seen good runners with favorable body composition, but I think its because they are genetically gifted and its despite all of the running, not because of it.

ItsMeRebekah

Also, the constant pounding is not the best for our breasts and face.

LOL this was funny! Tink you rock but this made me laugh hard

CarsonRuns

Anyways I have seen good runners with favorable body composition, but I think its because they are genetically gifted and its despite of the running, not because of it.

Have you been stalking me while running?!

joejccva71

If people are running to train up their endurance for 5k's, 10k's, or whatever marathon they want to do...that's one thing. But alot of times people run because for some reason they think it's the "end all, be all" thing to "fitness". Their diets are trash. They have no clue about energy balance, but they run run run run thinking the fat will magically fat off.

That is what is comical.

Not to mention that I don't think I've seen a runner yet with amazing body composition.

I don't know what kind of amazing you're looking for, 75% bone?

If you're just looking for someone with low body fat % and visible abs, should be pretty easy to find.

I sure wouldn't mind looking like David Goggins....

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-560--12944-0,00.html

He was also a seal.

farmgirlsuz

I think it all depends on your own body. Some people run and have no problems whatsoever. I would have said: "It's ok, I run on my feet, not my knees"

LOVE THIS!

47 year old mom and grandma, I have been overweight all my life. My weight loss began to stall and I decided to bump up the power walk into a slow jog and the rest is history. I am now training for a half marathon! Slow and steady. If my body starts to hurt I listen.

BAMFMeredith

If people are running to train up their endurance for 5k's, 10k's, or whatever marathon they want to do...that's one thing. But alot of times people run because for some reason they think it's the "end all, be all" thing to "fitness". Their diets are trash. They have no clue about energy balance, but they run run run run thinking the fat will magically fat off.

That is what is comical.

Not to mention that I don't think I've seen a runner yet with amazing body composition.

I don't know what kind of amazing you're looking for, 75% bone?

If you're just looking for someone with low body fat % and visible abs, should be pretty easy to find.

Uh, yeah, watch the summer Olympics this year. I think you'll find a runner or two with amazing body comp. Or pick up an issue of Runner's World. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a SERIOUS runner (talking competitive runners here) that DIDN'T have amazing body comp. I'm like the fat girl at the races lol and I don't think I look so bad!

I love running. Can't stop, won't stop. My mom is almost 60 and is a runner and she's in better shape than most people my age I know. Body fat % of 19%. I hope to look as good as she does when I'm in my late 50s! Hell, I hope to look as good as she does and I'm 27

jetabear10

There was a great documentary on Discovery Channel about how us humans were engineering specifically for running. I learned a lot. Since then I started the Couch to 5K program and being in the early-ish stages i would have agreed that running sucks however, after a few more runs under my belt I can actually say I am enjoying running now. (I used to think that I would only run if some knife wielding psycho was chasing me...lol)

I would think being over weight would be more of a health issue than sore knees.

JennaClaire520

That statement is very variable-based. The reason why it isn't always best for people is how they run- if the have any excessive hip rotation, hip hiking, stride length, where they initially strike with their foot at first contact with the ground. Walking usually puts I believe about 3x the impact of your own body weight on your lower joints. Running can usually be 6-8ish. The 8x usually reflect people who heel strike and have longer stride lengths to accommodate this method of striking. The 6x is more reflective of people who increase their frequency, shorten their stride length, strike mid-foot instead of heal, and make sure that their always landing underneath where the majority of their body is- so they don't extend their legs way out in front of the body when running.

Azdak

I think it all depends on your own body. Some people run and have no problems whatsoever. I would have said: "It's ok, I run on my feet, not my knees"

"The foot bone connected to the ankle bone....the ankle bone connected to the leg bone......"

And so on.

Lorleee

I've been told the same by specialists in Chinese medicine (whilst receiving accupuncture treatments). I guess like everything else, there will always be differing opinions and both sides can offer very good arguments.

Il_DaniD_lI

I want to add that when I started running I had problems with my knees but did some research and found out the possible causes (too much too soon, wrong sneakers) and corrected them and my knees are now great, I can run all I want with no pain. Also, I had a very bad back before I started running and running has cured my back pain completely.

jwaitman

I have heard that running is very bad for your joints and that fast paced walking is better. I however feel that a walk is not enough exercise and it doesn't burn enough calories, unless I walk for hours, which I don't have. I like to maximize the little bit of time I have and make myself work. I have been doing the c25k app as well. It is killing me and I have no desire to run a 5 K, just want to kick the apps butt!

shellsrenee01

If you are concerned that running may actually be "bad" for you, talk to your doctor and get checked out. Make sure you have the proper shoes. Also, look into "race walking"! It's an Olympic sport and you can win races without ever having to actually "run" if you learn to do it correctly and build on the speed.

Good luck with your progress!

jenalderman

OK.....fell into the "almost believing" category myself at first so when I wanted to get more "serious" about my running, I made an appointed with an othopedic doc for consultation on the issue. This is what I found out...... During NORMAL activities during the day, our knees come under a great amount of pressure just simply based on our weight alone. For instance, every time we bend down at the knees or even lift ourselves from a seated position, the force on our knees is 7X our body weight. So....for someone like me who was 100 lbs overweight....that's an additions 700 POUNDS if pressure!!!

I've gotton nearly all of those extra pounds off now by running. My doc said that weighing the damage that I was doing with the excess weight vs. any minor increase in risk from my quick jogging/light running his advice was......RUN FOREST.....RUN!!!!

I have literally run for my life!!

Azdak

I had a similar situation occur with my friend/hairdresser. She said "it's not good for your uterus!" I was gobsmacked to say the least. My comeback was that it was my OBGyn who encouraged me to run and that she was a runner too. If anyone should be more worried about my uterus it would be her.

Bwahahahaha...the old "running will make your uterus fall out" line (which is such complete and utter BS perpetuated prior to Title 9). Yeah, I keep waiting for this to happen...I don't want mine anymore. It's the source of a lot of pain and irritation for me. So far I have not been so lucky--not even the year I ran 1800 miles or while running marathons.

I can't believe that this myth is still being propagated. It's 2012 for cripes sake.

And we have duct tape.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

If people are running to train up their endurance for 5k's, 10k's, or whatever marathon they want to do...that's one thing. But alot of times people run because for some reason they think it's the "end all, be all" thing to "fitness". Their diets are trash. They have no clue about energy balance, but they run run run run thinking the fat will magically fat off.

That is what is comical.

That's funny. You just described me. Guess what? The weight DID fall off!

haha! fab answer to that stereotypical comment! most of us run because we actually enjoy it! and yes I run so i can eat cake! you should try it! its fun

You're saying this to a man with a chest full of Ben & Jerry's, I think he has his burn under control.

I'm a sometimes runner, but I don't disagree with the point he's trying to make. He's not saying you shouldn't run, he's saying that you don't have to run to eat cake, or ben & jerry's, or the crap in my diet, you just have to burn calories. Some people do it to train, and some people do it because they enjoy it, and some people do it because they just don't realize that there are other options out there that does the same thing for your diet and your heart.