Favorite running myths

Here is a question: I have heard that you burn the same amount of calories covering a given distance whether you walk, jog, run, or sprint it. I thought that sounded false. Thoughts?

I think I burn about the same whether I'm running 10 minute miles or 7 minute miles. I burn less walking than running.

work (a.k.a. energy) = force X distance

In the case of moving yourself, force = mass X gravity

Running/jogging/sprinting has an increased vertical component relative to walking that increases the "distance" variable in the equation, where the motion is almost purely horizontal. But the difference in vertical motion between sprinting vs. jogging is pretty minimal, so they have basically equivalent calorie burns. Note that speed doesn't even enter into the equation at all.

Sorry... my inner engineer felt the need to explain this. :blushing:

You'll ruin your knees!

Your uterus will fall out if you don't stop that this instance.

You can't run two days in row without your knees exploding into fiery balls of light...

You CAN ruin your knees actually. Why do you think that one is a myth?

Do you have any proof its not a myth?

Yes, see my previous post.

What the hell is it with these message boards nowadays!

You'll ruin your knees!

Your uterus will fall out if you don't stop that this instance.

You can't run two days in row without your knees exploding into fiery balls of light...

You CAN ruin your knees actually. Why do you think that one is a myth?

This also contains links inside from scientific studies... enjoy. :flowerforyou:
http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=16646

Everything is being put into tiny, neat boxes on here lately.

This says that so it must be true. This is a study, therefore it is true and holds fast....

What is good for one person, may not hold fast for another. Some people will have strong bones, others weak, therefore one exercise the strong person will be okay doing, may not necessarily be okay for the weaker person.

The only true myth is, that myths exist

You'll ruin your knees!

Your uterus will fall out if you don't stop that this instance.

You can't run two days in row without your knees exploding into fiery balls of light...

You CAN ruin your knees actually. Why do you think that one is a myth?

Do you have any proof its not a myth?

Yes, see my previous post.

What the hell is it with these message boards nowadays!

So you can ask for proof but I can't ask if you have any?

See the scientific studies above not involving this one guy I knew once.

Sure you can ask

You'll ruin your knees!

Your uterus will fall out if you don't stop that this instance.

You can't run two days in row without your knees exploding into fiery balls of light...

You CAN ruin your knees actually. Why do you think that one is a myth?

This also contains links inside from scientific studies... enjoy. :flowerforyou:
http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=16646

Everything is being put into tiny, neat boxes on here lately.

This says that so it must be true. This is a study, therefore it is true and holds fast....

What is good for one person, may not hold fast for another. Some people will have strong bones, others weak, therefore one exercise the strong person will be okay doing, may not necessarily be okay for the weaker person.

The only true myth is, that myths exist

There are a number of studies that have shown this, not just one. Yes, some runners will end up with knee problems, but so will some non-runners. Running does not increase the likelyhood of having knee problems, like osteoarthritis. Those who do end up with problems are more likely caused by things like genetics or ignoring/running through injuries than the running itself. According to my friend, who is also a doctor with an interest in sports medicine, being overweight causes far more issues with knees than running does (he mentions that in his speeches to learn to run programs specifically on debunking the myth that running ruins your knees).

Sorry for the triple post, but here is an article someone in my triathlon mailing group just sent out recently.

http://news.discovery.com/adventure/marathon-running-heart-011112.html
"Marathons Won't Give You a Heart Attack
Marathon running is generally safe for your heart, but be cautious if you have an underlying condition."

Someone posted on here a while back that obese people have no business running.
I am 180lbs and 5'5 that put me in the "obese" category and I run 5 days a week 4-5 miles!!

Running does not ruin your knees. Running with bad form, running with bad shoes, running on concrete all the time, running too much too soon, running without training properly, running a lot and wearing high heels every day, running when you already have underlying knee issues not caused by running, etc. can hurt your knees.

Any form of activity can hurt any part of your body if you are not doing it properly...don't blame running.

Someone posted on here a while back that obese people have no business running.
I am 180lbs and 5'5 that put me in the "obese" category and I run 5 days a week 4-5 miles!!

On this thread or another topic?

Your uterus will fall out if you don't stop that this instance.

Oh, that's why I haven't gotten pregnant. I thought it was the whole abstinence thing :P

Someone posted on here a while back that obese people have no business running.
I am 180lbs and 5'5 that put me in the "obese" category and I run 5 days a week 4-5 miles!!

On this thread or another topic?

A different thread a few weeks ago

I have a few:
"If you run at night someone will grab and kill you"
"You'll never be able to run if you have weak knees"
"You can't run if it's cold outside, because your legs will freeze over and you'll get paralyzed"
"Running will give you huge bulky leg muscles. You won't be able to fit into your jeans anymore!"
"You're shins will snap if you run 5 days in a row"
"Treadmills destroy kneecaps"
"Girls can't run as well as guys, because they have boobs" LOL
"If you eat before running you'll instantly throw up"

Oh and this is the best on I've ever heard: "If you wear a sweater, cover it with a garbage bag and then wear a winter jacket and run; you'll lose weight faster while running!"

:happy:

Someone posted on here a while back that obese people have no business running.
I am 180lbs and 5'5 that put me in the "obese" category and I run 5 days a week 4-5 miles!!

On this thread or another topic?

A different thread a few weeks ago

Oh ok, just checking. I have this way of things coming out the wrong way and was hoping one of my posts didn't come out wrong, because I certainly didn't want to imply that.

Oh gosh no! It wasnt you. This was a real blunt to the point statement that was made. sorry for the confusion..

I`m glad to say that I have just came back from a 4.5KM run over rough terrain and all my body parts are intact!! I was more worried about running over snakes than uterus`s though!!! :laugh:

My brother-in-law insists that a person's knees only have a certain number of "steps" in a lifetime, and once you've used them up, they're wrecked. Therefore, if you run, you'll screw up your knees that much faster. Not that I need to clarify, but I must say that he isn't exactly known for his smarts. And a side note, he won't be my BIL for long

Does your BIL wear a pedometer so that he knows exactly when his last step is coming??? ;-)