Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodney
Yep. But for some reason, runners seem most prone to get "hooked" on the endorphins (natural heroin) produced by running (and yes, by other forms of exercise). Perhaps this is because you can put yourself into condition to run longer and longer, while something like weight training can only be done for a moderately short period.
My neighbor is a huge runner, and she loves running so much that she continued running on an injured foot and finally messed it up seriously. She couldn't bear to cut back; though in the end she had to give up running for months, and was seriously pissed about it. She would go to the gym and ride an exercycle for hours, but "it's just not the same."
Me -- when I lift weights and a joint or muscle protests, I just stop. I know there's trouble around the bend if I don't. But I think that running puts some people into a meditative/slightly high state of mind that makes them want to go and go no matter what.
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And some cyclists do the same thing...the getting hooked part and the feeling of doing it longer and longer, along with the meditative benefits. I think the issue is more doing serious cardio than just running specifically. Anything rythmic. And I can bike inside on a spin bike and feel almost the same whereas a treadmill is no substitute for running! I do admit that I also love a Cybex Arc (eliptical) trainer - but again, no knee concerns.
As for your friend - she likes running over a bike while I am the opposite; running doesn't do it the same way for me. I also like the low impact of a bike. I think my knees will last longer and I don't hear them protest.
By the way, I also lift weights and have seriously cut back on the amount I lift but not the amount of time I lift.