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Is Bloomsday healthy?

Over 40,000 people run in a 7 1/2-mile race called Bloomsday. Some people love running, while others (like me) strongly dislike it. However, running long distance can have some really negative side effects.

For one, running long distance can cause muscle damage and inflammation that lasts up to seven days. That doesn’t sound too healthy!

Also, when you are running you run a greater risk of getting a heart attack. This could be a problem for the elderly.

A third side effect is that repeated long-distance racing can cause scar tissue to build up in the heart, and premature aging of the heart.

A fourth side effect is that jogging puts a lot of pressure and stress on your bones and joints. Every step when jogging can put seven times your body weight of force on your knees. I’m no rocket scientist but I do know that that’s a lot of weight and running with that kind of pressure for 7 miles can’t be good for you.

I occasionally run, but I will never do cross county!

Mathew Nelson

Spokane

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