Jogging-Unhealthy?

HEY.... I JUST STARETED JOGGING FOR 30MINS BEFORE WORK FOR THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF AND I LOVE IT ..... IT HAS CHANGED MY BODY AND GAVE ME A GREAT NEW WAY TO CHALLANGE MYSELF. I'VE ONLY HERD JOGGING ON AN INCLINE IN HARD ON YOUR KNEES........ NUT IT'S A GREAT MORNING WORK OUT - KEEP IT UP SISTA

I actually disagree with the "bad on your knees" / form argument. I've been a runner for 6 years and haven't had any joint problems. I think, in fact, that running makes your joints stronger. Think of it from a muscle standpoint -- people could say that weight lifting is bad because it's so hard on the muscles. Indeed, lifting does tear down and actually rip muscle fibers -- until the body adapts and builds new, stronger ones in their place. I believe something similar happens in the joints (barring any degenerative disorders that are NOT running, but rather genetic, related). You beat them up running, and as had been said, as long as you don't overdo it, you're going to get stronger and more durable joints in their place. The human body is a remarkable adaptive machine, built to handle far more stresses than the modern western lifestyle will EVER place upon it, and that includes those ultra runners, etc., out there.

The only reason it'd be bad for your joints is because of bad form. A good way to test if your form is proper is to try running barefoot. It forces you to run with perfect form because slamming an unprotected heel into the ground is immensely painful. However padded shoes let people do some pretty nasty things.

Some people's bodies can take the strain on their knees, but others can't. Plus, everyone benefits from proper form out of the fact that its a whole lot easier to run faster, and longer with good form. Heel striking basically causes force to be exerted in the opposite direction of the direction you're running (up through the heel, ankle, knee, and then pelvis and hip). This basically causes you to stop for a moment every time you impact.

Striking with the front of your foot basically gives you a natural shock absorber (your knee and hip are bent, so they act like a spring), and it lets you keep your center of gravity in front of the impact point, so there is no lost momentum.

Here's a video that explains it better than i can in text:
http://www.youtube.com/user/njsportsmed#p/a/u/2/9itkEkcQ8WM

And here's an article from Harvard athletic studies:
http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/4BiomechanicsofFootStrike.html

Striking with the front of your foot basically gives you a natural shock absorber (your knee and hip are bent, so they act like a spring), and it lets you keep your center of gravity in front of the impact point, so there is no lost momentum.

Here's a video that explains it better than i can in text:
http://www.youtube.com/user/njsportsmed#p/a/u/2/9itkEkcQ8WM

My body forced me to do this naturally. I had to figure out how NOT to "jiggle" too much. Sorry. TMI. I know.

No worries, running ain't glamorous. It's messy, bouncy, gooey, and sometimes smelly

I've been getting this alot when I tell people I am training for a marathon. Invariably the 1st thing they say is "you will wreck your knees".
It's unfortunate because I genuinely think they mean well, but the are just severely misinformed about running, since 99.9% of the people that tell me that, have never run.

The human body is designed to run. People only get hurt when they do it wrong.

I see you have vibrams! I have them too and have been loving them! I assume you are as well? I feel a lot less pain in my heal.

thank you everyone that posted all of this information........@msarro.....big thanks. It seems like it's obvious to the runners that these concerns are myths.....but until now, I must say I was believing them and letting it play on my mind. I've been considering doing the c25k.....because it's been a dream to run! But, I have joints that aren't so nice (broken/surgery....) but maybe I can do this.....

jogging for no reason for long periods is not recommended

if your gonna run you need to do it with intensity to work muscles for about 20min

problem is heart problems in the future....

jogging/running at a steady pace is not exercise.....

to live a long healthy life resistance training is the only way....

theres a lot of science and studys behind this and I believe it more than a beachbody infomercial:laugh:

Running for long distances at a slow to moderate pace reengineers your cardiovascular system.

It increases the size & capacity of the heart
increases the blood volume
increases the red blood cell count
increases the number of capillaries in the muscles
increases the number of mitochondria in the muscles

How do you strike with the ball of your foot???? I land on my heal regardless of whether or not Im wearing shoes?

Running for long distances at a slow to moderate pace reengineers your cardiovascular system.

It increases the size & capacity of the heart

and thats the danger of too much jogging/running