The Many Health Benefits of Running a Marathon, and how the media contributes to the American obesity epidemic

Whether you set out to run a marathon or a "1-Mile Fun Run", Dr. Jordan Metzl describes the many excellent ways that marathon-running can be great for your health. His reasons include:
* Goal-setting to improve health and stay on track
* Good for people of all weights and body types
* Motivating, keeps you going and builds enthusiasm
* Benefits of cardiovascular health and conditioning
* Makes you feel good, about your body and your self
* They're FUN! and Exercise should be fun!

Watch his description of running as a sport for everyone, then read below for a critique of the interviewer (Uggh!) and how her questions contribute to the country's obesity problems!


This interviewing newscaster drives me nuts! Her attitude, exemplified in the questions she asks, reflects most Americans' lazy attitudes toward exercise.

First, she calls the doctor "an EXTREME athlete" because he runs marathons. This is ridiculous. Running an occasional marathon is not extreme. Kite surfing, sport climbing, and mountain-boarding are examples of extreme sports. Running is a healthy, natural sport that our bodies are born to do!

Second, she asks him if it's safe to participate in such as "extreme sport". The question we should all be asking, instead of this one, is "How safe is it to get NO exercise?" Most Americans do not get regular exercise. And most of those who do are not getting vigorous exercise, sufficient to improve their health.

Third, she asks the tooooo-outdated question about "No Pain, No Gain". (C'Mon! Has she interviewed anyone about fitness in the last 2 decades?). This now-considered-ancient Nike slogan had been used by lazy people during the 90s to justify why they didn't work-out. Thank Goodness Dr. Metzl puts that silliness to rest with his answer: Yes, exercise should involve small doses of pain, just enough to push ourselves and feel challenged.

Runners' high? & Getting in shape with running a 5K

Runners' high? This Australian running race brings new meaning. These runners ran an inch or two taller in their high heels.



Fall is a frequent time for running races like marathons, 5Ks, and the in-between distances. The weather's cooler, air is crisp, and the leaves are turning.

Wanna git fit with running? Set a goal to run a 5K, which is just over 3 miles. The course might be different than the places you usually run. So, start by jogging up to 30 minutes every few days. Increase in small, gradual increments each week. By the week of the race, you should have worked up to running 45 minutes or more.
Don't worry too much about your time or speed. Run the race to get in shape and HAVE FUN!