Great post! I agree with your overall assessment that marathon runners may not be at any greater risk of heart failure than anyone else.
At the same time, I feel that someone who has a heart condition, or any kind of health condition for that matter, should take extra care during the training and running of marathon races. Running 26.2 miles, and the extensive training that leads up to it, is very extreme and takes a big toll on your body, especially a middle-aged body. I was a marathon runner when I was a lot younger (teens and twenties) and even then it took a toll on my body in many ways. I have no desire to run any marathons now in my 40's simply because I know my physical capabilities and limits very well and know how battering all that running is.
I tend to believe that people with some kind of health condition, heart or otherwise, would be better off running shorter distances, or even pursuing a gentler sport. Why do they feel they have to run marathons anyway?
Comment Reply
Great post! I agree with your overall assessment that marathon runners may not be at any greater risk of heart failure than anyone else.
At the same time, I feel that someone who has a heart condition, or any kind of health condition for that matter, should take extra care during the training and running of marathon races. Running 26.2 miles, and the extensive training that leads up to it, is very extreme and takes a big toll on your body, especially a middle-aged body. I was a marathon runner when I was a lot younger (teens and twenties) and even then it took a toll on my body in many ways. I have no desire to run any marathons now in my 40's simply because I know my physical capabilities and limits very well and know how battering all that running is.
I tend to believe that people with some kind of health condition, heart or otherwise, would be better off running shorter distances, or even pursuing a gentler sport. Why do they feel they have to run marathons anyway?
Kristin Park
February 23, 2008 - 3:33pmhttp://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
This Comment
Reply