What if Forrest didn't run?

Forrest would've got beat up by bullies. He wouldn't have gone to college. He wouldn't have met all those presidents. He would have died in Vietnam. Yeah, I know Forrest Gump is not real, but that was a dope  movie right?

This is my response to the author of this original blog and to everyone reposting it: Shut the fuck up.

This is why the author is targeting runners:

1.  They’re often intensely recruited for fund-raisers like Team-In-Training, lured by the promises of slim, trim bodies and good health resulting from the months of cardio training leading to marathons—in addition to doing something for charity.
2.  Some physique coaches prescribe 20-plus hours per week of pre-contest cardio for women, which essentially amounts to a part-time job.
3.  Steady-state activities like this devastate the female metabolism. This happens with men, too, but in different ways.

Here's why you need to shut the fuck up.

Let's attack these from the bottom up. '#3 ...devastate the female metabolism.' That's a bit dramatic, no? I'm not going to reference a bunch of articles because that sounds boring. I don't know exactly how certain levels of activity affect an individuals' metabolism, but I know it can't be any more devastating than no activity at all. If you can't argue that statement, then don't fucking tell people not to run.

'#2 ...physique coaches prescribe 20-plus hours per week of pre-contest cardio.'  So basically this person is targeting nobody in real life. Nobody runs for 20 hours a week, not even elite marathoners. To give you an idea, I have run 10 marathons, with my mileage topping out at 50 miles in a week at a conservative estimate of 6mph, that would mean I spent just under 8.5 hours a week hitting the trail, pavement or treadmill.  I do not know any physique competitors, but I'm sure they're nice people and if they want to spend 20+ hours a week on cardio, go for it. You pay your taxes, do whatever the fuck you want. If you're not a physique contestant, then don't fucking tell people not to run.

'#1 recruited for fund raisers, lured by promises... something for charity.' Wait, what? I've run w/ people who've raised money for organizations like team in training. I've encountered literally thousands of them over my 7 years of running. Each with personalized shirts -  I read every one that I passed or that passed me. They run for their mom, their dad, sibling, close friend or just about any other loved one you can think of. The back of their shirts have those individuals' names on them and usually preceded by the words 'In memory of'. They DO NOT have things like 'tryin' get skinny!' or 'trim bods and good health here I come!' They're raising money for an organization that is working for a cure. You do not get to tell these people not to run. Go fuck yourself.

At the end of the day, there's tons of reasons why you should run and there's probably just as many reasons why you shouldn't. Whether or not the pros outweigh the cons is based on the individual's preference and opinion.