Is running killing us? (Read 575 times)

I know someone who lived to 76. His last ten years, he deteriorated and his ankles and legs and back were weak, he was overweight, and he suffered a lot just from not moving and overeating.  I contrast that with the endurance athletes I know who are in their 70's, and the difference is mind-blowing. You can see it in how they move and how they look. Most of them will die of something as well within ten years or so. But damn, until those days come for them, they're not suffering like that guy I knew, or like other people are, for years on end. I recently went to Japan for a few weeks, and the only obese-looking person I saw there was a sumo wrestler. My eyes got used to the way everyone looked---looking at thin people. When I came back and got to the domestic terminal in the USA, it was startling how fat and sick-looking so many people were. Sure, I've noticed it before, but after being in Japan, it was VIVID. Over there, they eat all sorts of stuff, but on average, don't overeat. And they move.  Here, on average, we're doing the opposite. So, take that big finger that likes to point at runners and go "unhealthy!" and tell the owner to go point it somewhere else. Sure, you can kill yourself running if you're stupid enough to let your obsession run you into the ground, or to overdrink, or to not to stop when it's clear you should, but most people learn as they go how much they can handle at different times.  I think of running into Joe at Lincoln Woods, he was in his 80's and kept going until he died in his mid-80's. There he was taking laps around one of the hilliest 2.5 mile loops in RI. He moved well (much better than that man I mentioned earlier who was much younger), and looked great, and only had trouble his final year or so. I've mentioned this before. This man fought and survived in World War 2 in Europe. Do you think he was afraid of dying while running?

Keep It Simple Striders: Run smartly and don't eat like a pig.

I'm at an age were several people in my circle of life die each year. Some family, old friends, co-workers etc. So far, I haven't attended a runner's funeral. The smokers, drinkers, and overweighters are dropping off pretty regular. Unfortunately, I've also had to see people who were't trying to kill themselves, get taken out by cancer. Just using the powers of observation in my small insignificant sphere of existence, I like the ratio of runners vs non-runners in regards to age, and will continue to take my chances and keep logging miles.

Alex Hutchinson swoops in to soothe us all with SCIENCE!

 

What is wrong with having an enlarged heart if one's not an endurance athlete? Is that normally associated with some medical condition?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The Hutchison article montag linked is excellent.

Rebuttal

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/will-running-too-much-kill-you

I've heard the newest generations can't decipher script writing anymore.   My new secret code method!  I feel like Leonardo DaVinci!  

Well, I knocked out 13 miles this morning and the only thing killing me is my butt.