It a combination of the sun and runners tend to be thin/sinewy, which can showcase muscles but also doesn't hide facial aging.

I think these things can be avoided, but for a real true 6 days a week runner, it seems likely. Lots of avid runners past 50 or 60 look vibrant, but weathered.

Not running makes you look fat. Pick one.

Anonymous wrote:I just think any low fat athlete looks old. You find that with intense competitive and long distance runners. Yes, you can add onto that sun damage, but that’s true for skiers, hikers, anything outdoors

Only on older women. Younger women have a lot of facial definition so a 35 year old thin woman looks younger, not older than her chubbier counterparts.

Anonymous wrote:I just think any low fat athlete looks old. You find that with intense competitive and long distance runners. Yes, you can add onto that sun damage, but that’s true for skiers, hikers, anything outdoors

This.

I just think any low fat athlete looks old. You find that with intense competitive and long distance runners. Yes, you can add onto that sun damage, but that’s true for skiers, hikers, anything outdoors

I’m 39 and I’ve been running for 25 years. I don’t have a single wrinkle and the only skin discoloration I ever had was from BC pills and went away when I changed them. Personally I think things like drinking alcohol too often and not getting enough sleep age you more quickly and I rarely drink and usually get 8-9 hours of sleep.

I know the miserable people of DCUM will say I’m making this up but I’m always mistaken for younger than I am. I was a college coach and mistaken for a team member. But everyone here likes to make snide generalizations that tear others down so go ahead, reply with quote and say there’s no way.

Gravity and sagging skin boink boink boink.. with running make it worse. If you are young not so much but
once you hit a number then it makes it worse. Just like you would jump a lot without a bra.. it has to do the trick.

I’ve read the same thing. Google it. I’m sure there’s some articles out there as to why. I know it was more than just sun exposure.

I remember reading somewhere that long distance running does make your skin sag. It’s also not great for your knees or hips. Low impact is the way to go.

Well, not if you run indoors on a treadmill!

I am the oldest of several siblings. All of my younger siblings are accomplished marathoners. I don't know that I necessarily look younger than my siblings, but my skin certainly looks better. I attribute that to the fact that I get my exercise indoors at the gym.

Anonymous wrote:I think that it is mainly the long term sun exposure and damage that advances the aging.

And the wind, cold and pollution exposure.

I think that it is mainly the long term sun exposure and damage that advances the aging.

I've noticed this too.

Is this true? I’ve never heard this. I was reading through some previous threads and this came up. Does it make your face sag or what? Perhaps the sun damage from long outdoor runs? And what cardio doesn’t “make you old” if this is the case?