# How much running is too much?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-running-is-too-much/703382>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 2, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-running-is-too-much/703382 "2014-11-02T18:21:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-running-is-too-much/703382/21 "2014-11-04T02:27:38Z")

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> [@Zercon](#):
>
> I wonder in what measure diet can protect against that oxidative stress. My diet is rich in various vegetables, fruits, nuts and oily fish; **barbitu8** mentioned Vitamin C. Blueberries seem great, too (maybe not the fake ones in the Betty Crocker muffins :D).

Do a little research on this- there are lots of foods that are purported to encourage running performance. A few items from last month’s Runner’s World:

-Cranberries and cocoa powder (chocolate!) contain antioxidants.  
-Sun dried tomatoes conatin C, K, iron, and lycopene, an antioxidant associated with lower risk of certain cancers.  
-Kale/winter greens contain glucosinolates that may have anticancer properties.  
-oats contain beta-glucan, a fiber that may improve endurance.  
-Beets and spinach contain nitrates that boost oxygen delivery and improve muscle funcitoning.  
-Whey protein is quickly absorbed, good for recovery.  
-Milk, eggs, meat, fish contain leucine, an amino acid that stimulates muscle protein rebuilding. Apparently a small dose, 25-30 grams of protein, is enough post-run.  
-Ground flaxseeds are one of the richest vegetarian sources of omega-3 fats.  
-Chilies boost calorie burn.  
-Avocado contains healthy fats and fiber.

It goes on and on. Mostly I try to eat salmon post-run and get a lot of black beans and greens the rest of the time, and squeeze in other suggestions when it is convenient. I like blueberries too- Vitamin B is supposed to be good for burning energy. Google around or pick up every 3rd issue of Runner’s World and you’ll see that this information isn’t hard to find.

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**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-running-is-too-much/703382/22 "2014-11-04T13:55:22Z")

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I have a friend that marathons as a hobby. It’s not unusual for her to run 2 in a weekend. She plans someday to run a marathon in every state. I think she bagged about 25 states this year. She also dabbled in duathlon.

She is a tiny slip of a woman, which I understand is a big help if you want to marathn all the time - but her husband runs the same schedule as her and is like 6’2". I sort of wonder if the physical effects are the same for the two of them.

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