Got to talking with a reader who mentioned to me how she is always hearing that:
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“Running is bad for you”
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‘Tis a common concern among beginners and experienced trainees alike.
My thoughts on the matter?
Running isn’t bad for you at all, but how MOST people run absolutely is.
By that I mean they do too much, too soon because their ego simply will not tolerate them running a mere half mile (or less) at not much above walking pace a few times per week (which, as it just so happens, is about where most should probably start) and building up from there over many months and years.
Instead, they do dumb stuff like enter 5k or 10k or half marathons or even full marathons, all of which require a hefty regime of training their body is frankly not ready for, then get surprised that their feet are mashed, their knees are battered, and their hips are shot to the point it’s a struggle to walk up and down the stairs.
Add all the above to the fact running is boring and uncomfortable at the very best of times, and we have a situation where many will go do basically anything other than put their trainers on and pound the pavements in the fresh air on a regular basis.
A crying shame, in my opinion; because running is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most efficient and effective way to not only build a heart of iron and lungs of steel but also develop general physical and mental toughness.
The former is useful if you are interested in not dropping dead before (potentially a long time before) reaching the state pension age and the latter offer manifold and wonderful benefits beyond training. Benefits so rare nowadays they’ll possibly become your sneaky “secret weapon” that gives you an unfair advantage over your less disciplined (and much porkier) peers.
All that said…
It goes without saying that there are indeed certain people for whom running is objectively bad.
For example, those with certain injuries or medical conditions who shouldn’t run unless they’ve been given the explicit “OK” to do so by an appropriately qualified and registered MEDICAL professional like a physiotherapist, specialist nurse or doctor (that definition does not include quacks like chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, or personal trainers who want to LARP as clinicians because they are too thick to get onto a course that would qualify them as such).
Anyway, if you’re interested in learning a safe, sensible, and sustainable approach to running, you will find it in my short book “The Running Starter Kit” which is one of five that come bundled as part of “Phil Tyreman’s Big Book of Fitness” (it starts on page 258).
That bundle of five books is yours for the princely sum of £5.
Take note: “Phil Tyreman’s Big Book of Fitness” is an eBook that comes as a PDF, so you will need a device that you can comfortably read PDFs on to get the most out of it.
If you’re sorted on that front, find out all about the book here:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/big/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman