How much running is too much?

In My Humble Opinion
21

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.

22

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.