Is marathon running unhealthy?

[Anonymous]

I started thinking about running a marathon next year but when I started to research it I found a lot of articles about it being unhealthy. Is that true? If so, do they mean one marathon, or running marathons regularly? And is it the training leading up to it, or just the one day big effort that would be considered unhealthy?

[Anonymous]

I know scads of regular people who have run one marathon with no ill effects.

I think you should go for it, but don’t get so invested that you push through injuries. That’s when the “unhealthy” kicks in.

[Anonymous]

Unhealthy compared to what? It can stress your body and there is some evidence to suggest that it increases your risk of respiratory infections.

But if the choice is sit on couch and eat potato or train for a marathon, I would think train for a marathon is more healthy.

If the choice is exercise 4-5 times a week in a moderate way, that is probably more healthy.

But people run marathons for reasons other than health, and that is ok.

[Anonymous]

Maybe start with a 10K or 10 miler. If you go straight to marathon, it could stress your body if you don't ramp up properly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe start with a 10K or 10 miler. If you go straight to marathon, it could stress your body if you don't ramp up properly.

they have a year, that's plenty of time to ramp up (assuming they aren't starting at zero)

[Anonymous]

eventually it will destroy your knees.

[Anonymous]

Are you looking for an excuse not to run one?


You could deem any type of exercise/sports/life habits as "unhealthy" . It's easy to find the down-side of things.

[Anonymous]

Compared to taking up jogging/running or preparing for a 5k, then yes, a marathon is unhealthy.

If you want to exercise for health, then be thoughtful about it. Take care of your body, no one else will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Compared to taking up jogging/running or preparing for a 5k, then yes, a marathon is unhealthy.

If you want to exercise for health, then be thoughtful about it. Take care of your body, no one else will.

really? 30 minutes is usually given as the baseline to see the effects of cardio- a 5k takes less than that

[Anonymous]

I'm a runner and I have done both full and half marathons. For me, the best thing about running a marathon is having run a marathon. I do not think it was good for me; I do feel I was pushing my body in an unhealthy way (this could be the opposite for other people, I know). The truth is that I did not enjoy the full marathons and did not feel well after the race, so I don't do fulls anymore.

The half marathon distance is perfect for me, and I feel great after finishing. I also regularly do 10k and 5ks. But I am a self-indulgent creature and I run because it feels good and keeps me in shape. Full marathons don't do much for me in either of those areas.

[Anonymous]

Nothing harmful, but you do need to train for it by gradually ramping up your miles.

I ran a half once without properly training and I could barely walk afterwards and was sore for a week.

I trained properly for the next one and it was night and day. Tired, but no lingering soreness/stiffness at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:eventually it will destroy your knees.

Not necessarily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a runner and I have done both full and half marathons. For me, the best thing about running a marathon is having run a marathon. I do not think it was good for me; I do feel I was pushing my body in an unhealthy way (this could be the opposite for other people, I know). The truth is that I did not enjoy the full marathons and did not feel well after the race, so I don't do fulls anymore.

The half marathon distance is perfect for me, and I feel great after finishing. I also regularly do 10k and 5ks. But I am a self-indulgent creature and I run because it feels good and keeps me in shape. Full marathons don't do much for me in either of those areas.

I love this! Thanks for the honesty.

[Anonymous]

My avid running husband ran Boston one time (LT 3 hours). He did not think it was good for him long term since it took so much out of him afterwards.

[Anonymous]

A relative who has run multiple marathons once ended up in the hospital for dehydration after collapsing near the end of the course.

I think it is possible to run marathons safely if your body allows and you take care of yourself. But I don't think my relative's experience is that rare. There are dangers. As far as is it good for you? I don't think you're going to live longer because you ran a marathon but training for several months will certainly make you more fit. Signing up for a marathon can be motivation for some people.