Reporting, or hyping, the deadly danger of marathons
A headline asking if a marathon is the quickest way to a heart attack caught my attention when it popped up on a friend's Facebook page.
I followed the link to the piece by Dr. Joseph Mercola, an popular author who maintains a web site promoting natural health information.
Mercola shares a number of studies that detail the harmful effects of over-training, particularly among marathon runners. He misses few opportunities to hype the risk.
I was particularly struck by this phrase: "Even if you don't end up dying from sudden cardiac death during a race..."
Makes me feel fortunate to be one of the survivors.
In the end, what Dr. Mercola presents is a pitch for a different kind of training regimen, the Peak program of short bursts of intense exercise, followed by rest.
Interval training, perhaps?
2 Comments for "Reporting, or hyping, the deadly danger of marathons"
There is some evidence out there about long term damage to the heart in some marathon runners. I don't know the answer. For me I very much enjoy a couple half marathons each year, mostly because I don't have the time (or discipline) to properly train for a full. I do admire marathoners, but know of a couple for whom it is an obsession, and its not a good thing. Among other things, they look awful, and have suffered several stress fractures, etc.
harvey wallbanger Jun 16, 2011 3:05 PM
cause heart disease and damage. The percentage of overweight
Americans (adults and children) far outweighs the percentage of
marathoners. Also associated with obesity are osteoarthritis, type II
diabetes, gall bladders disease, and some cancers. I'll take my chances
and lace up my running shoes!
runmommy Jun 18, 2011 12:17 PM