Running boom initiated by women runners spreading across Japan

By Yoshifumi Fujimoto

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timeon at 09:33 AM JST - 29th August

ginganinja, I don't know, I run for 30 min to 1 hour (mostly for stress and belly shape), but it's hard for me to believe that 3.5 h of continuous running is healthy. don't get me wrong, it's your hobby and I respect that, but I just thing 3 h running puts too much stress on the body. for example, I love tennis, and even if doctors tell me it's bad for my back, I still play it with immense pleasure, but that doesn't make it a healthy sport for back and joints
rranta at 11:28 AM JST - 29th August

I have to agree : a picture certainly would have achieved a better graphical story than all these flat words. Glad to hear so many folks are exercise, though. It just might get me up and going.
ambrosia at 02:29 PM JST - 29th August

timeon: I've run since I was a teenager, both competitively and for the sheer pleasure of it. How long and how far I run depends on various factors, one being if I'm training for a particular event or not. A short run is usually under 45 minutes and a long run can be up to 3 hours - not at a full on pace obviously. Look if running doesn't work for you then fine but that is not the case for everyone so you're saying otherwise is simply wrong. If people get checked out by their physicians, follow a sensible plan with slow % increases and are aware of their bodies there is no reason to fear injury and more than with most any other sports. Another key is consistency. People who run only on weekends or take long periods of time off and start up again where they left off are likely to suffer a host of maladies. The same can probably said of weekend football, soccer and basketball warriors as well. Most runners are not going to go on runs longer than 3 - 5 miles and for those people especially there is no reason to fear running as something that will cause stress injuries.
WilliB at 04:05 PM JST - 29th August

Of course every exercise is good, but isn`t running awfully repetitive? I can´t image that all this stress on the knees and ankles is good, especially since people are running on paved surfaces. There must be some exercise out there that has more variety.
ginganinja at 10:42 PM JST - 29th August

I think 3 hours of running is definitely NOT for everyone, but I've been running long distances for years now and have gradually worked up to marathons. I think if you wake up one day and think "I'm going to run for 3hours today" with no previous training, you're going to destroy your body. I do understand how some people could find running repetitive, but that's the joy of cross training, add in some swimming, cycling, rowing etc. and running loses the repetitiveness that can occur if you run 5 times a week. The idea that running places "strain" on knees and ankles is a myth. If you train properly, increase mileage properly and aren't overweight when you start running, it has no detrimental affect on knees or ankles.
Everton2 at 10:54 PM JST - 30th August

Running is great exercise that addresses cardiovascular fitness, bone renewal etc. Long distance running seems to attract people with great mental capacity. It is by no means for the weak minded and I certainly understands why we lionise marathon runners.

It is said that for the first ten miles the marathon runner simple calls on his fitness. The second ten miles is fuel by a determine desire to compete, then the last six miles is appropriated by the runner's spirit, having spent all physical and metal capacity in the resolve to complete the task

I just can help but to acknowledge that arguably the best exercise is swimming for its low impact and overall muscle training
helloklitty at 11:07 PM JST - 31st August

Long distance running is idiotic. Interval training is far better for burning fat. Long distance running burns muscle. You won't be making yourself beautiful. If you're a man, you'll body will soon be indistinguishable from a woman marathoners. There are numerous injuries even nipple chaffing which would never occur from interval training. Running stairs and hills will make you stronger with minimal injury risk.
TokyoGas at 09:37 PM JST - 1st September

Interval training... try running on a track for 1 minute. Wait 2 minutes and repeat. Just do 4 sets of 4 with a 4 minute break in between. You will lose weight and feel great... after the 3rd week. Enjoy!
Everton2 at 10:59 PM JST - 1st September

hellokitty: That is a little strong to call distance running idiotic. Distance running gave birth to the Olympics. And this idea about loosing muscle if you run long distance, now that is a silly notion.
helloklitty at 06:12 AM JST - 3rd September

Well, have you ever looked at their bodies? Dr. Al Sears made this claim. You can argue with him. He also points out that their internal organs become weaker than the sprinter's internal organs. I did read, however, that, contrary to popular belief, running strenthens the cartiliage in the knees.
ginganinja at 01:33 AM JST - 4th September

Definitely a little strong to call distance running idiotic. For burning fat, yes, interval running is definitely better. But we're not all in it to burn fat. Distance running doesn't "burn muscle" it burns glycogen supplies within the muscles, you can't burn muscle in the same sense that you "burn fat". These "injuries" such as nipple chafing can be easily taken care of by pre-race care. Other injuries have a tendency to occur from over training, this can be either distance/interval. If you know what your body is capable of, you reduce the risk of injury whether you're a distance runner or not. And anyway, most distance runners incorporate interval and track workouts into their schedule.
ca1ic0cat at 02:31 AM JST - 4th September

Distance running is fine as long as your joints can take it. Besides, you see more running distance. Swimming is easy on the joints but is boring as blazes. Great exercise but it takes a certain mind set. I think the best compromise is riding a bicycle. I have a friend who rides around Kamakura and Enoshima and it's great fun with the hills and the lower traffic. You can rent bikes in Kamakura to get around. Well worth a day trip.
sport at 07:20 AM JST - 4th September

When I started exercising on a regular basis about 12 years ago, running was my first choice. It could be done just about anywhere and on your own time. It really helped me to drop about 20 pounds of unwanted weight. After about 3 years I was experiencing shin splints. Add the fact that I was running on city sidewalks and streets. It was not the ideal place to run (surface as well as safety issues). I joined my previous college gym and started running on their track. It was much better and I added swimming as well. After a short while I realized swimming was my first choice. I dropped the running and swam only. About 1 year ago I joined a gym here in Japan. I was swimming only up to that point at a local Japanese sports center. I have added gym training to my routine. After talking to trainers I was told that swimming only can reduce bone mass and weight training as well as treadmill/wave machine etc. can balance out your total workout (cardio as well as muscle training). So I am an advocate of a varied exercise routine that includes several forms. It also helps to keep things interesting.
timeon at 09:34 AM JST - 4th September

I completely agree with sport. After I was pretty hardcore in my youth with sports (tennis for 8 years, then kyokushin for 3 years), and a period of not doing anything, came a period of awful back pains. So I started experiencing various forms of exercise, until I reached the ideal formula for me: 10 min stretching, 30 min pumping weights, 30 min cardio (running, cycling etc.) and 10 min stretching for finish, 3 times a week. personally I think any sport if stretched to the limit is pretty damaging to the body. so I guess it depends on your goals
sport at 06:53 AM JST - 5th September

Sorry, I meant to say bone density, not mass. timeon...yes I think everyone has to find their own formula.