What?! Are you crazy? You ran how many kilometers?! Why are you doing such an event?
So many questions, very few answers.
This is the trend of many sports enthusiasts in running endurance events. Some events cover 50 and even 100 kilometers, and still some, even farther.
I’m exhausted just thinking about.
First of all, let me introduce myself as a middle distance runner of 50 years. Notice I said a “middle distance” runner. The longest race I’ve done is a half marathon of 21 kms. back in high school.
I decided right then that I would not do such an event ever again, and I haven’t.
I am now surprised there are even magazines that support such endurance events.
The purpose of this article is to separate fact from fiction.
Is more, better? When is too much of a good thing harmful?
Exercise in moderation is definitely beneficial. I am a firm believer that we all need to exercise. Exercise strengthens the heart, bones, muscles, and has many other benefits as well.
Now for the evidence. I’ve just finished reading a book by Dr. Louis Ignarro who won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1998 for his research into nitric oxide, and how it affects our blood vessels.He should know what he is talking about, right? Well, in the book he wrote, he states, “Excessive exercise can result in substantial cellular damage.”
Ok, not convinced just yet? Read on….
Dr. James H. O’Keefe in a multi study review at the Mayo clinic states that the ill effects of chronic training for extreme endurance is accumulating.
In the research, such training can lead to scarring, stiffening, and enlargement of the heart.
An autopsy was done on legendary long distance runner, Micah True, after his death, which revealed that Micah had cardiomyopathy wherein the muscles of the heart were thick or rigid.
There is so much information on the Internet and if one is serious, he can determine the truth for himself.
Exercise too much and the body starts starving, and a hormone is released called Cortisol. Increased cortisol eats your body’s own muscle mass.
Here are the drawbacks to such training: 1) Prone to injuries; 2) Muscle mass loss; 3) Weakened immune system; 4) Cessation of the menstrual cycle; 5) Eating disorders; 6) Sleeping disorders.
Now to my final evidence: my own personal study. After graduating in 1977 from Divine Word University in Tacloban City, I returned to the US where I continued running and competing in age-group races. I usually placed in the Top 6 or 7 in most races.
Others in my age group were running up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per week. I was training about 30 miles (48 kilometers) per week.
As I got into my 30s, I continued training only 30 miles (48 kilometers) per week, but I began to move up in most races, placing in the Top 5. In my late 30’s, and early 40s, I started placing in the Top 3. In my late 40s and early 50s, I claimed the top honor in most races; I continued to excell whether in triathlons, swimming, or running.
Well, now I’m 65, and guess what, I can still compete.
So what happened? I spoke to a few of those topnotch runners throughout the years, and what was the underlying fact in many of them compelled to give up running and competing?
Injuries, yes, injuries for training so many miles for so long.
So what do we learn from all thess? It comes down to one basic fact: Moderation. Moderation. Moderation.
In whatever you do, eating, drinking, and exercising — everything in moderation.
