Another articles on dangers of marathoning

Another article on the possible dangers to your heart/health from running marathons.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424127887323975004578501150442565788-lMyQjAxMTAzMDIwNTEyNDUyWj.html?mod=wsj_valetbottom_email

Looks like they are saying 30 miles a week is the tipping point although lack of recovery after marathons seems to be part of the issue too (serial marathons).

Sigh.

What drives me crazy about reports on studies like this isn't the relatively obvious point that there's a margin of diminishing returns for extended intense exercise for most people, and that at some point, going farther for extended periods of time can break you down more than build you up.

My problem with these sorts of stories is that it's so easy to conflate the findings to say that all endurance-based exercise is bad for you. ("The exercise equivalent of a cheeseburger?" Really?)

It would be an error, though, to ignore the the fact that the study talks about a 30 mpw level -- not an insignificant amount of endurance-based activity for most people -- as having real and significant health benefits.

That is the lesson that really ought to be taken from this: that you don't have to do marathons, or ultras, or an Ironman, to benefit from running or other endurance activities. That message is unlikely be be gleaned from this article.