A little background - I’m 28 and in OK shape but my dad died of a heart attack so I’m kind of paranoid about because of that. My doctor did that treadmill test which increases in speed and grade every few minutes while measuring your heartbeat. I didn’t have any problems and the doctor said things looked normal. We were talking about my exercise habits, I mentioned I was training for a marathon in June and he told me he didn’t think that was a good idea. Has anyone else ever had a doctor tell them that exercising was bad? It struck me as kind of odd.
he says ‘everything is fine’ and then says a marathon ‘is a bad idea’…why because it’s better to stay in front of the TV? it’s amazing the number of doctors who think exercising is dangerous for your health etc…
unless he has a valid explanation for his comment, change your family doc.
or maybe he was worried about possible lawsuit with your family history…but a doctor should never advise against something without an explanation
I hate that kind of limitors without explainations, but marathons are hard on you. I think from an electrolyte problem, lots of people dig a bit deeper than they probably should and the marathon is a great place to get in trouble. I have worked the medical tent at the Honolulu Marathon several times and saw some pretty scary ekgs come in for a visit. I also was at work in the ER during the Honolulu marathon and worked an active MI on a 54 year old 3:30 ish runner. At least he was smart enough to feel chest pain at 16mi, stop racing and went for medical attention.
Honolulu Marathon is a great place to see that as the weather is usually warmer than most are used to and half the field is from Japan. The Japanese like to come over less than well trained and “run” the marathon between 7 and 10 hours.
I would probably consult a cardiologist and see what they think. Cardiac problems can be a family factor, so I would check it out pretty close with your MD. G
But what you’re saying is for people who make big mistakes when running a thon or training for one.
Rodgers once said that if you’re not running 70 mpw you shouldnt be running marathons. I think that what he was getting at was that most people are NOT properly trained to handle the distance when they reach the starting line. I would agree. The human body is capable of some FANTASTIC one time feats, like running a marathon. It a natural way for us to survive in the wild, but it takes its toll.
Its not the marathon that is causing you to see all those people, its the MISTAKES they made when running it or training for it.
I agree that there isn’t anything particularly “healthy” about marathon training. You could be much healthier in terms of overall fitness, electrolyte balance, and lack of injuries with much less running, and more upper body work. My doctor tells me ALL THE TIME that marathons and IMs are not healthy, and I agree with him 100%. I don’t do this to be healthy, I do it to compete. If I wanted to be healthy, I would ride my bike or walk daily, I probably wouldn’t run much at all, I would not eat as much, I would keep swimming for fitness, and I would keep lifting weights. I would ditch the 50-70 mile run weeks, the 4-6 hour bike rides, pool intervals, bike intervals, run intervals, Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls, and Nutty Bars. I would not spend $4000 on a bike. I would drink more wine. I would have more sex - well, if my wife were willing. Ignore that one.
I moved to a new city a few years ago and my new doctor is an idiot (unfortunately in Ontario there is a huge shortage of family physicians so for now I’m stuck with him). The first time that I went to see him I had on a triathlon shirt and he asked me if I still did them and then went on to warn me about the dangers of running to my knees (he figures I’ve got until I’m about 50 then I’ll be a cripple). I’ve been running competitively since I was 11 years old and I’m now 38 and other than a few minor injuries my legs still seem to work ok. This advice was coming from a “health professional” that is at least 60-70 lbs heavier than me … maybe he should start running and risk his knees
Sorry to hear that physicians are bashing exercise. My physician is a marathoner and IM’er. He thinks the key is moderation and proper recovery. Yes, running is hard on the knees, but with proper training and recovery, its all good.
“This advice was coming from a “health professional” that is at least 60-70 lbs heavier than me … maybe he should start running and risk his knees :)”
Ha, ha, that reminds me of the dentist I had with yellow teeth and bad breath who told me to floss more… Jealousy is a bitch. Thankfully, my family doc is trying to get back into running, so he has a personal connection whenever I go in with a problem…
thenewguy11,
If it makes you feel better, two the riders in my training group are doctors… One is a woman who’s not your “typical” runners body (strong and solid). She’s done three IM’s and is one of the strongest in the group. She’s knows about the risks of running and openly admits that the early retirement from running is better than early high blood pressure from doing nothing.
There a world of difference between keeping fit and active and then training for a marathon. don’t get me wrong I’m all for a bit of adversity and proving people wrong but a marathon seems to be hard on the system.
However, like my doctor has said (and i’m loosely quoting) “most people your age that come in here, I have to have the smoking talk with” There are FAR worse things you can do to your body. Heck, I would argue that binge drinking on weekends is MUCH harder on your system.
Now if you’re training to break 2:30 given your family history… I think you have a more valid point there.
I over heard this in the locker room of my gym, an older surgeon (don’t know what kind) was talking to a young boxer who is attempting to make a living as a boxer. The surgeon was asking the kid what his training was like. Predictably, the kid was doing lots of wieght lifting and 20 minutes of cardio 3x week. The surgeon responds with “you have to cut out that aerobic crap, it will kill you”
People are people…doctors or otherwise…they have lot’s of misconceptions about exercise, and as others posters said, can be jealous as well.
There is still widespread opinion that running is “bad for you.” My recent LASIK surgeon said the same thing to me during a visit. “Oh running is bad for you; too hard on the knees.” During a subsequent visit, after I asked him if I was cleared to ride, he said, “You ride bikes alot? Bad for the prostate.” as he disaprovingly shook his head.
Now mind you he’s a man who’s easily 50 lbs overweight. Whatever…
A few years ago I found a great doc who was a runner and ran the sports med dept at Kaiser. A really good guy who helped me work through some knee problems. About 18 months ago he was running on the track with his daughter and collapsed dead from a brain anurysm (sp?). I think he was in his mid to late 50’s but looked younger. Dude was very fit so I am thinking it was some type of heriditary defect.
I guess the point is you just never know. I do remember him telling me not to give up…
I have had them tell me to stop every time I see them…they are all quacks. Do what you like to do, you only live once. Rather short and happy than long and miserable.
I have read numerous studies that link high levels of health to regular exercise, including the 2002 Institute of Medicine report that recommended no less then one hour per day above and beyond normal activity.
Maybe you can ask him if he has any literature to substantiate his recommendation?
Has anyone read any scientific report linking marathon training to poor health?
Well, I think the main point of all this is that marathoning and IMing may have some adverse health affects, but who gives a rats ass? Even if it were completely bad for my health (which it clearly isn’t, there are obviously some wonderful health benefits to go along with the detriments) I still wouldn’t give it up. Although some of us get into this sport to become more healthy, I honestly don’t believe that many stay in the sport solely because of any health benefits. With most things, moderation is key, and marathons and IMs are not trained for or raced in moderation.
And honestly, I don’t think lifestyle has all that much affect on longevity anyway (unless you are doing something terribly risky). I look at my inlaws, both in there 80’s, 70 pounds overweight, heart problems, lung problems, cholestorol, borderline diabetes. But they are 80 YEARS old and they just don’t die. They have genetics that allow them to handle all the abuse, yet others who are in perfect shape can check out 20 years earlier. For the most part, you date of departure is determined the day we are conceived. However, our lifestyles determine how happy we are for those years. My inlaws are miserable because they are in such terrible shape. Do triathlon for the lifestyle, not for longevity. I fyour doctor says it’s not healthy, he’s right to a small extent but who cares. You do this sport for the happiness it brings. Expect nothing else from it.
