{"id":799,"date":"2024-07-12T04:18:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T04:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sixminutemile.com\/should-everyone-run-marathons\/"},"modified":"2024-07-12T04:18:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T04:18:09","slug":"should-everyone-run-marathons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sixminutemile.com\/post\/should-everyone-run-marathons\/","title":{"rendered":"Should everyone run marathons?\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Minute 1: Not every runner should complete a marathon, and that\u2019s okay<\/span><\/h1>\n

Here at Six Minute Mile, we take great joy in hearing about our readers\u2019 running achievements. We aim to provide that final push of motivation and confidence you need to pursue your goals. However, we believe in a balanced approach, combining encouragement with caution. That’s why today, we\u2019re warning that marathons aren\u2019t right for everyone. Not running a marathon doesn\u2019t make you any less of a runner, and you can decide what\u2019s best for you by hearing these \u201c8 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Run A Marathon<\/a>.\u201d If your main objective is to maintain health, marathons might be counterproductive. The 26.2 miles puts immense stress on your body, potentially leading to blisters, aches, and fatigue that could hinder your training progress as you recover. Furthermore, there\u2019s no unique health benefit tied to the marathon distance. You can achieve similar improvements in cardiovascular health, endurance, and mental wellness by incorporating long runs into your training \u2014 runs that don\u2019t necessarily cover the full marathon distance. Of course, races can be an excellent tool to motivate you and keep you focused on a goal, but there are plenty of other race distances worth trying. Here is how to set the right \u201cRunning goals: choosing the right race distance<\/a>.\u201d If you consider yourself a hybrid athlete who feels just as at home in the gym as you do on the road, then a 5K could be the perfect distance. If you still want to focus on endurance, a 10K or half marathon could be the right fit.<\/p>\n

#HealthOverHype<\/p>\n

Lumen measures your metabolism with a single breath<\/span><\/h1>\n

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Lumen\u00a0is\u00a0the world’s first portable device validated to\u00a0measure your\u00a0metabolism<\/a><\/span>\u00a0with a single breath. The Six Minute Mile staff is a couple of weeks into their\u00a0Lumen\u00a0journey and are noticing\u00a0stellar\u00a0results from\u00a0this powerful all-in-one health tool. Click here for thoughts on Six Minute Mile’s thoughts on the experience so far.<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lumen\u00a0generates a composite score of your body’s ability to perform during exercise by factoring in diet, sleep, and stress, then gives you guidance based on your personal wellness goals. The more scientific explanation of how\u00a0Lumen<\/a><\/span>\u00a0scores your metabolic health\u00a0with only a breath is\u00a0measuring your\u00a0RER (Respiratory Exchange Ratio). Lumen detects the concentration of CO2 in your breath and this provides you with real-time insights into your metabolic state and what your body is utilizing for fuel. You can learn more about the specifics in\u00a0this\u00a0recently peer-reviewed validation study.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

We are excited to share that Six Minute Mile readers can now access the same technology once available only to professional athletes in hospitals and clinics.\u00a0Six Minute Mile readers will also receive an exclusive 15%\u00a0discount on their\u00a0Lumen<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/span>with code\u00a0“SMM”.<\/p>\n

Learn More Here <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

Minute 2:\u00a0Sleep better before a big race with these tips<\/span><\/h1>\n

A race isn\u2019t won or lost on the day of competition. Rather, the way you perform is the culmination of the weeks and months of preparation you\u2019ve undergone, and the most important day in your journey just might be the day before your event. That\u2019s where many athletes like to unwind to ensure they\u2019re fresh for competition, but pre-race nerves can get in the way. Lucky for us, we read some excellent advice from the folks at Training Peaks, so if you \u201cCan\u2019t Sleep Before a Race? Try These 3 Expert Sleep Strategies<\/a>.\u201d Their first suggestion is to look at the big picture. This isn\u2019t the first race you\u2019ve run, and it won\u2019t be the last, so don\u2019t treat any single event as a make-or-break moment in your journey; a race can always be a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Similarly, there\u2019s a lot more that impacts your performance than one night of sleep. Assuming you\u2019ve been training, eating, and sleeping well in the lead-up to competition, you can rest easy knowing one poor night\u2019s rest won\u2019t wreck your potential. Next, TP recommends mental reframing strategies to keep the anxious thoughts at bay. Some athletes have found success with meditation, including Champion climber Natalia Grossman: \u201cHow Champion Climber Natalia Grossman Is Prepping For Paris 2024<\/a>.\u201d By meditating, journaling, and vocalizing her concerns to friends or her sports psychologist, Natalia is able to keep her cool while climbing in competition. Despite sounding very simple, meditation isn\u2019t always easy for beginners, which is why you may want to consider these \u201c3 Tips for <\/a>Actually<\/a> Enjoying Meditation, According to an Instructor Who Used To Hate It<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

#CalmBeforeTheCourse<\/p>\n

Daily Performance Greens Packed With Clean Ingredients <\/span><\/h1>\n

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Energy to Run On<\/span><\/h1>\n

Gainful<\/a><\/span>\u00a0is leading the way when it comes to personalized supplement plans. They produce\u00a0products using only clean ingredients and personalize each customer’s nutrition plan by assigning registered dieticians for tailored guidance. Earlier this year,\u00a0<\/span>we took the Gainful quiz<\/a><\/span>, got our personalized nutrition package, and detailed our few weeks as happy users here,\u00a0<\/span>“Supplement Review: Seeing the Gains with Gainful”<\/a><\/span>. Customized protein shakes have been a game-changer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently Gainful introduced their latest innovation,\u00a0<\/span>Daily Performance Greens.<\/a><\/span>\u00a0Concocted with 11 different fruits and vegetables, this daily beverage boost is\u00a0packed with clean, clinically-backed ingredients that assist with gut health, mental focus, and immunity. With Gainful, we can always trust we’re\u00a0giving our body the best, with recipe transparency of powerful ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you looking to improve on that 10k or half marathon time this fall? Start your summer strong by adding\u00a0<\/span>Daily Greens<\/a><\/span>\u00a0to your morning routine\u00a0to help yourself get to that\u00a0PR.\u00a0Fueled by powerful adaptogens like, L-Theanine, and Ginseng to enhance your mental strength and focus. 1 box contains 28 on-the-go packs so you can always be prepped for that\u00a0extra boost.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ready to see what all the hype is about?\u00a0Gainful\u00a0is offering new purchasers\u00a0<\/span>20% off their first order<\/span>\u00a0by using\u00a0code\u00a0<\/span>“6MM20”<\/a><\/span>\u00a0at checkout.<\/span><\/p>\n

Save 20% on Gainful Here <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

Minute 3: You don\u2019t need running gels to fuel on the go<\/span><\/h1>\n

Last week, we put on our detective caps to get to the bottom of a running gel controversy. You can read all about it in Minute 5 of this issue<\/a>, but it got us thinking, are there other ways to get energy on the go? We weren\u2019t the only ones who\u2019ve been curious, and one runner put things to the test in: \u201cI Replaced Running Gels with Real Food and This is What Happened<\/a>.\u201d A running gel replacement needs about five things, says author Mallory Arnold: Carbs, electrolytes, compact size, ease of digestibility, and good taste. With those criteria in mind, she narrowed down her options to white bread with honey, a sweet potato, cereal, a banana, or dates. Sure enough, white bread with honey was Mallory\u2019s top pick. She described it as boring but effective, and we imagine it feels a lot less silly than carrying an entire sweet potato with you on your run. While we\u2019re on the topic of foods to support your running, we should mention these \u201c12 Ways to Add Protein to Smoothies<\/a>.\u201d Oftentimes, athletes use supplements like whey powder to fulfill their protein needs and support muscle growth. However, you can get a larger variety of nutrients by sourcing protein from whole foods, and that\u2019s why some nutritionists recommend adding Greek yogurt, tofu, peanut butter, and other ingredients to your shake.<\/p>\n

#BreadForSpeed<\/p>\n

Minute 4: Starting a new exercise plan? Give it three weeks to feel better<\/span><\/h1>\n

Mark Twain once said that \u201cthe secret of getting ahead is getting started.\u201d For runners, the beginning phase of your training can be thrilling, but it\u2019s also one of the hardest parts of the process. Whether you\u2019re starting for the first time, or coming back after a layoff, it can be hard to build up momentum. If that\u2019s something you\u2019ve struggled with, you should understand that \u201cThe First Few Weeks of Exercise Are Often Excruciatingly Painful \u2014 Here\u2019s What\u2019s Actually Causing It<\/a>.\u201d Researchers have found that it takes about three weeks for our bodies to change its reaction to exercise stimuli. At first, our bodies are doing the bare minimum to repair damage to muscle tissue. That\u2019s why recovery can feel slow, and pains like \u201cdelayed onset muscle soreness\u201d (DOMS) are common. After three weeks of consistent work, however, you may experience a shift where your body goes from simply handling the stress, to overcoming it through increased muscle growth. Furthermore, runners\u2019 hearts begin increasing in size, and our plasma volume grows to adapt to our increased oxygenation needs. That\u2019s when the real fun begins, but until then, you may want to use these \u201c5 top tips to beat DOMS after a workout at home<\/a>.\u201d It can be tempting to lie down and rest whenever your muscles are sore, but don\u2019t take your R&R too far. That\u2019s because increased circulation can allow your muscles to get the nutrients they need to repair, so some light activity can go a long way in speeding your recovery.<\/p>\n

#ThreeWeekPeak<\/p>\n

Ride the Hudson Valley with Bike New York <\/span><\/h1>\n

sponsored post<\/span><\/p>\n

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The <\/span>Discover Hudson Valley ride<\/a><\/span> is an event for the whole family! Whether you want to ease in with a 15 mile route, grind out the miles at 100, or fall somewhere in-between, there are options for everyone. The event will also feature free Learn To Ride kids classes! Afterward, enjoy live entertainment, delicious food from local vendors, and a beer garden by New Belgium (21+). What are you waiting for? <\/span>Register to Ride the Hudson Valley today<\/a><\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n

Register Today! <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

Minute 5: Quick Intervals<\/span><\/h1>\n

Among all the bad habits a runner can have, using shoes well beyond their prime might be the most common. Oftentimes, we don\u2019t even realize what we\u2019re missing until we finally step into a fresh pair and remember how comfortable they can be. If you\u2019re guilty of letting sneakers overstay their welcome you should pay attention to these \u201c5 signs that you need new running shoes<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier in this issue, we covered some options to keep you energized during a run, but that\u2019s only half the battle. Especially in the summertime, when we\u2019re sweating a lot more than usual. It\u2019s days like that when it\u2019s a good idea to have some of the \u201c6 Expert-Recommended Foods That You Should Eat to Boost Your Hydration<\/a>\u201d on hand. Included on the list are things like melons and cucumbers, which contain plenty of water themselves, making for a refreshing and low calorie snack to keep you on track.<\/p>\n

Like we said in Minute 1, running a marathon can take a lot out of you. Don\u2019t get us wrong, though: anyone who feels they\u2019re up for the challenge should go for it. Just don\u2019t feel like the job is done once you\u2019ve crossed the finish line. From there, it\u2019s your responsibility to give yourself every advantage you can while recovering, and to learn how to do that, you can read this article from Polar: \u201cFrom Finish Line To Feeling-Good: Your Post-Marathon Survival Guide<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minute 6: Daily Inspiration<\/span><\/h1>\n

Runners, never quit on your hips. They\u2019re vital for maintaining proper form, and if you\u2019re struggling to get full range of motion or experiencing pain due to tightness, we\u2019ve got just the video for you. It comes from physical therapist Sam Caddick, aka @<\/a>sjc.physio<\/a>, and he\u2019s got four movements to develop hip rotation, lateral hip control & hip flexor strength so that you can grow stronger and more flexible than ever. They go beyond a lot of the most obvious and common hip exercises we\u2019ve seen too, so it\u2019s one video you won\u2019t want to miss.<\/p>\n

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