Busting 7 Running MYTHS - Is running BAD for your KNEES?

We're busting common running myths. Including the infamous running myth "Is running bad for your knees?" Non-runners say you'll need knee surgeries, but runners claim some mysterious study which they've never read themselves exist disproving this. So is running bad for your knees? Is it good? The truth it turns out, is always more complicated - which is why we need to talk about these running myths, or running misconceptions.

Because it's hard to tell what is true, and what is false, behind these common long distance misconception. There is always SOME truth behind myths. But today, we're busting 7 Running MYTHS - Debunking long distance running misconceptions.

Long distance running and ultra running are accessible sport, yet there is a lot of running myths and misconception (pun intended). Those myths are perpetuated by both non-runners, but also experienced runners.

Today we discuss 7 common running myths and misconception, explain where they come from, and importantly, explain what is the truth behind them. Because all myths come from somewhere, and in many case, there is SOME truth to them.

And I'm curious what you think - what is a common myth you hear about running? Do you disagree with any of my picks?

As always - Thanks for watching and remember -

Work Hard!
Believe in yourself!
Push your limits!

Simon

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[runningwithsimon]

The myth I've heard the most: "Looking good! You're almost there!"

[michelleharnett]

Lol'ed at your first myth. I'm old, overweight and not very fit and I love ultras. (I like to say over-confident, overweight and over the hill!)

[thenextgreat]

For myself having gotten back into running this year at 49, it’s been incredibly hard on my knees and calves. That being said, that’s mainly because the muscles in my lower body had been relatively inactive for a long period and the body wasn’t acclimated to absorbing the load. It’s been a challenge to say the least but also seeing noticeable improvements and my mile times are effortlessly 2 mins faster than they were when I began in January. Biggest challenge has been staying positive when injured and unable to run as well as knowing when the knee(s) have been good enough to get back on the trail without further injuring them. I rushed it early on when I had soreness and sidelined me for almost a month.

[seedmole]

My biggest misconception about trail marathons was that I always thought I was in nowhere close to good enough shape for one. Then I learned that nobody runs the entire thing, they go at all sorts of paces and they don't stick to just one. So basically it was how I already was hiking. Getting rid of that misconception helped me mentally bridge the gap between simply hiking for fun and fitness to trying to increase my pace and mileage, and eventually to competing in some of the local trail races in the parks where I live.

[dustinmills]

It definitely is for everyone. Started training for Ultras at 240lbs and with no cardio training history. Did 2 50ks and a 50 miler a year and a half later. Not fast…but finished.

[toddboucher]

Well, this sport has done more to help me focus on being grateful and gratitude then really anything in my life no matter how bad I’m doing sometimes I can usually say well there’s somebody having a worse time than me even if it’s maybe not true my very first 50 K coming in from after doing a couple marathons. I was shocked at the difference a man on the coursehad a heart attack and everybody like stopped their race to run over and to see if there’s anything they could do and help the paramedics get in in the whole bit and that started to teach me and so did ultramarathons really work on my gratitude unless I’m injured and I can’t race then I don’t got much gratitude

[robertclarkson]

I remember reading an article awhile ago about the runner's knee myth. The author's belief was that when the myth came about decades ago, runners were going to the doctor to get checked out. While nonrunners were not. Hence everyone thought running was bad for you. It pointed out that now that more people are getting regular check ups, there's really no difference in bad knees between runners and nonrunners. At least that's how I remember the article.

[mtbceri]

Thanks a lot for another great video! I’m getting ready for my first ultra in a couple of months and really enjoying your work. Thanks again and stay well! 🙏👍🔥

[r-pupz]

I was very overweight when I started running. I managed to slowly build up my distances along with strength training and steady weight loss, and my knees have been absolutely fine :)

I focused quite early on running form as I was terrified of my extra weight causing injuries, so that might have helped too although I did that gradually as well, slow and steady is the name of the game :D

Currently training for my first ultra - I'm definitely not an elite athlete, was never a sporty kid and didn't start running until my 30s after years of being sedentary... it's just about being patient and putting in the work :)

[eric-running-to-chamonix]

One observation about the knee thing. I've also had several knee related injuries. My physical therapist (who incidentally fixed me prior to my running of the Grindstone 100k) pointed out that my limited ankle and hip mobility was a likely cause of my troubles (in addition to overuse). I'm still working on improving this, but I suspect I'm not alone in taking up the sport with limited mobility. There's no quick fix for that.

[Limegloves]

2:30 Did the 50 miler at antelope canyon (dropped at mile 43 - too much elevation for this florida boy) and watched you blow by me around sunset on page rim.

[bikerdude]

Hey brother, just a follow up . A while ago i was looking for advice running my first 50 miler and i did in fact complete the race. I encountered no issues, no blisters, chaffing, cramps I had more pain in my feet wearing the wrong size shoes during a 10 mile run 😂

[thomasostroski]

Thank you for dispelling some of these myths. I am 16 weeks away from my first ultra marathon and your videos help give me the encouragement I need to know I can meet my goal.

[danieljohnsson]

Love to hear you elaborare more on the shoe topic in a future video. 10 pair of shoes in a year is quite the cost.

Personally I use my shoes a long time. My last pair I used for ~5k km with ~50/50 running/walking. This was extreme though, last couple of years leading up to start of last fall I never really trained consistent and I have this mental thing where I need to "earn" my running gear. So 2 months ago, after 4 months of consistent running I decided to treat myself new shoes. With new shoes I got issue with a calf muscle within a week and still having some issues with it.
Have had same experience before, I typically used my shoes for 2k-3k km and when I finally swap I always get some issues. I never really struggled with blisters but muscle wise it feels like I always need to "break-in" each new pair even if I stick to same brand and a new version of same model.

For me, another cost sink that I have a hard time to swallow is the special nutrition needs. Gels, bars, electrolytes are really expensive where I live but kind of hard to pass up on for the long runs.

[lindagrohmann]

The thing you said about a longer distance not necessarily making it harder is so true. I'll be running my first 53k in a month, and tbh that seems like a very long distance and very difficult to me right now. There will also be about 1200m of elevation gain which I'm a bit scared of but am training for. I have only run a marathon during training so far, so I don't really even know if I can finish the 53k, but the hardest distance I can think of right now is a 5k 😀 If I want a good (for myself) time in a 5k, that's just all pain basically from the start, and even though it's a relatively short distance in the grand scheme of things, it is not nearly short enough for the amount of pain I'm in the entire time.

[simonparent]

Hey Simon, i often heard that you can't be an Ultra Runner if you have kids because the training is too intense and time consuming for the wellbeing of the family. I do not believe it but i heard it. Cheers Simon!

[Kelly_Ben]

This was excellent, thanks! I mentioned a knee study under another comment. As a (slow) ultra runner and horse owner, I was joking with a triathalete neighbor that I had enough expensive time consuming hobbies. Then she told me she'd just finished paying off her $7, 000 bike, and I felt much better!! 😮😂😂😂

[ConstructMTL]

A fellow Quebecor, JF Esculier working out of BC has a doctorate studies on Knee injuries in running. He might be a good interview guest to discuss and explore that topic.

[will.green.]

running is def expensive. this may not be true everywhere, but where i live, i got shoes for the heat, shoes for the mud, shoes for the snow, shoes for the ice, shoes for running on wet rocks and like simon said, i buy them on sale and stock up cuz i go through them. clothes for -20 all the way to 100 and you can get most of them at goodwill for $5, but when you are running in the back country in severe weather for very long distance you want to have the best clothes for your situation. i got $300 into hydration, $200 in lights, $200 in backpacks, $200 in poles, i probably spend $20/run in shoes and fuel, gas to drive to the best trails in the area, supplements are expensive.

and i think running is good for your body as long as you dont over-train and have decent form. i see a lot of people running (hopefully only a couple miles) who look like their knees and ankles will be destroyed in the future

[dannymoura]

Another great video Simon! Keep em coming