It is not often that I see something online that actually irks me.
However.
The other day, I saw this post from some fat normie dad on Instagram talking about how he got a nasty case of rhabdomylosis while running the London Marathon.
If you are not aware, rhabdomylosis (or rhabdo as it is colloquially known) happens when damaged muscle tissue basically sloughs away into your bloodstream, flooding it with toxins that nuke your kidneys. It’s sometimes fatal, but even if it doesn’t end you, you’re probably looking at weeks to months of laying in bed, too weak to take yourself to the lavatory and being hooked up to a dialysis machine for most of the day.
Anyway.
I don’t know what it is that makes normies think “running a marathon” is a good idea. Yet, it’s often the first goal that comes to mind when they decide to go on a health and fitness kick.
Make no mistake about it: This is beyond dumb.
When you are fat and deconditioned, long distance running is arguably the WORST thing you could possibly do.
Yes. This is one of those very rare occasions when doing “something” is not better than doing “nothing”. The exception that makes the rule.
At best, you’re just gonna mess up your hips, knees, and ankles… but you are potentially looking at a visit from Uncle Rhabdo or even a full-blown heart attack (sudden cardiac arrest occurs at a rate of 0.6-1.0 per 100,000 marathon runners, with men in their 40s and up – i.e. your typical mid life crisis health kick cohort – most effected).
That said…
I don’t think the people training for a marathon from a standing start are stupid.
Maybe a little intellectually lazy.
But not stupid – just misguided.
Because, had they done a little research first, they’d have discovered the need to build a robust foundation of cardiorespiratory fitness, toughness, and strength BEFORE they started racking up the miles.
On that note.
If you would like to earn that foundation over the next three months, my biased recommendation is you join me for “Silver Era Secrets”.
It’s £1200, so not cheap.
Deets here if’n you’re interested:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/programme
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman