Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Is Running Really Bad for You?
Good morning, friends! Are we all adjusting to Daylight Savings Time well this morning?
All I know is that yesterday I was up at 5:30am, and it felt like the longest morning of my life. It was great! I’m a morning person, and spent some extra time outdoors 🙂
(from Saturday)
Temps hit 70 here yesterday, and I had the itch to run, but seeing as I finished Friday’s workout with sprints, and then went for a tough hike on Saturday, I played it safe and satiated my outdoor itch with a long mountain view walk instead of a run.
Speaking of Running, it’s our topic of the day!
My history with running:
- 2008 – started couch 2 5k
- 2009 – ran my first 5k, and was HOOKED on running
- 2009 summer – signed up for all the 5k’s in all of the area, and then all of the 10k’s
- 2010-2011 – signed up for, trained for, and my first, second, and third half-marathon. Continued running longer distance
- 2011 fall – nagging pains in hip and foot became injuries. begin to hate running.
- 2012 – stop running and racing altogether, aside from super intense tempo and HIIT runs on the treadmill
- 2014 – test the waters of trail running at the urging of my friend, Heidi. Fall in love, but practice balance
Currently, I’m still loving trail running, and do it about twice a week. It’s got an epic back drop of the mountains, plus the soft terrain is kind to my joints. I also never run for more than 1-1.5 hours.
However, running tends to get a lot of hate in the fitness industry. It seems those whose main sport of choice is lifting, running gets a lot of flack:
It’s bad for your joints
It runs you down
We’re not meant to run long distances
It wrecks your body
It’s no fun, and more boring than watching paint dry.
Right? Perhaps those statements have flecks of truth, but like many blunt, non-negotiable statements in the fitness industry, they’re also generalizations. I’m not a fan of generalizations in this industry.
In fact, I tend to distrust any fit pro who “shouldn’t and should’s” all over the place.
No one should run. You shouldn’t eat bread. You should do squats no matter what.
NO. Those statements are only OK if there is an “IT DEPENDS” after each one of them.
SO – the million dollar question:
Is running really bad for you?
I’m guessing you won’t be surprised by my answer: It depends. What does it depend on?
Eric Cressey wrote this Facebook post a couple months ago, and I immediately shared it with my followers, because I fully agree with his stance.
Post by Eric Cressey.
Yes, yes, and more yes.
But I’d like to add a big one to that list….
and you enjoy running.
If you meet all of the above criteria, but don’t enjoy running, you most certainly don’t have to run. There are SO many more different activities and exercises you can do instead that brings a little pleasure to your movement.
But if you enjoy running, and you’re doing it pain-free and safely, who am I, or any other person out there to say that you shouldn’t do it? I’m not –Â we’re not.
And then I’d like to add one small one to that list:
-if it isn’t interfering with any of your higher priority goals.
If you come to me with your #1 goal of building a good amount of strength, yet you’re running 30 miles per week, IÂ might try and convince you to dial back your mileage.
So, is running really bad for people? It depends.
What your take?
Are you, or have you been a runner before?
Has running ever lead to an injury for you?
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I wasn’t a big runner when I first started but it sort of grew on me, you know? 🙂
Linda @ The Fitty recently posted…40-Calorie Spooky Banana Ghosts! (3 INGREDIENTS)
I love to run! I used to run every day. However it was standing in the way of some of my other goals: gaining strength, getting more toned and building more muscles. I decided to cut back on my running to just three times a week and shoot for better quality runs than quantity of miles. When that happened I was able to knock 7 minutes off of my half marathon PR and do the work I needed to do in the weight room. Now enjoy the best of both worlds: running & lifting.
Hollie recently posted…Halloween, a Marathon & Relaxation {Weekend Recap}
If you love it and get joy from it, then I say go for it!
Even though I “want” to run, I just don’t have the love for it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…5 Year Gluten-Free Anniversary + 5 Things I’ve Learned
I wasn’t ever into running though last year I did it more often. Then I actually suffered an MCL tear when I fell… so safe to say now running and I have a love hate relationship.
I do get how people love it! It’s just not for me. 🙂
Diana @sosmallsostrong recently posted…So Long 29! …Part One
ouch! Hope you’re recovered/recovering well, Diana!
Yes, yes, yes! Love this and everything you have to say. Totally agree with you on the “should-ing” thing too.
Running and I have an on and off again relationship. I think I’ve been running about three times within the past three months and have had no real desire to do so other than that. However before that, I was training for a half marathon and loved it! I wouldn’t be surprised if the running bug bites me again in the next month or so now that the weather is cooling off here, but we’ll see.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…DIY/Craft Ideas (+ weekend stuff)
Meant to say haven’t been running more than three times in the past SIX months. Ha. Whatever. Regardless, not much running has been going on around here lately!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…DIY/Craft Ideas (+ weekend stuff)
i think there is a runner in everyone, but we all have to find that balance. depends on our season of life and health, ya know? just like anything
Love this post! Running is so popular now that you feel like you “have” to run to keep up with the trend. Myself, I have been running for a short time. I like it as long as it is short but intense. I don’t want to say I will not try long distances but for now I am happy with short miles and some weights.
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness recently posted…5 STAR Friday (31/10/14) – Health & Fitness 2015 Trends, Caramel Apple, Dry Skin Mask & More!
Love this post! I”m so envious of people that love running. I just don’t LOVE it. I can do intervals on a treadmill and once I hit the open road forget it! It all depends on the person!
We have been on a similar path with running! Except that I never really got into trail running at all. I did one race, but never got hooked, largely because they inconveniently located. I think trail running is in my future though 🙂 Just have too much of a passion for lifting right now! And like you said, gotta do what you enjoy!
Annie Heiss recently posted…New {Plant-Based} Product Finds 5
Another awesome post, Paige. I was actually going to write a post soon about how my relationship with running seems complicated. I WANT to love it, and sometimes I start it up and think I can get into it, but then I get distracted with other forms of fitness that I just enjoy so much more. I know that I’m capable of working towards running goals, and maybe living in Boston will help motivate me more, but I’m still iffy about it.
I think I get discouraged if I’m not running as fast as I think I “should.” I need to get that out of my head.
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves recently posted…I Was a Twerking Grandma This Weekend
this would probably be one of my biggest topics of conversation in my physical therapy clinic and with friends.
My take is simple… Running is only bad for you if you’re doing it INCORRECTLY!
That’s it. if you treat running as a skill, not just an action, you can and should be able to run as far as you want for as long as you want regardless of weight, shape or condition. Now there is always exceptions to this (as you stated) but like you, whenever someone tells me “I CANT DO….” My personal goal is to show them that they can!
Allison recently posted…30 Thankful Days
Great post! I love running!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted…Ask Me Anything: Online Dating
I’m a runner…but I haven’t always been one. Even now running is sometimes stupid. It really is all about the balance — both mentally and physically! If you and/or your body aren’t enjoying the runs it’s time to go back to the drawing board and finding another way to explore the world, IMHO!
Heidi Nicole recently posted…The Indian Creek Fifties [A Volunteer’s POV]
Haha – I have a post in my drafts on a similar topic. I seem to be one of the few strength girls who also loves to run. 🙂
Heather @ FITaspire recently posted…3 Reasons I’m a Jeep Girl (Again)
I just started running in Spring of 2014 after I decided to change my fitness and nutrition habits. I have never stuck with any kind of exercise for longer than a month. I always told myself I would never run because ‘yuck, I hated it’…hahahah. Now I have run several races and a Half Marathon. I plan on more Half Marathons and Marathons next year. I don’t know why at age 37 I fell in love with running but I did and now I’m actually exercising. So yes, I think running is good for me because I finally am doing something good for my body and something my body is responding well too.