Health - Running Writings

Can improving your 5k time increase your lifespan? A look at extreme aerobic fitness and longevity

February 8, 2023November 4, 2018

During my PhD studies, I try to keep up with the broader scientific literature on the health effects of vigorous exercise (given that I do study running, after all). Just a few days ago, a fascinating new study caught my eye. It was published in JAMA Network Open by a team of researchers at the ... Read more

Low ferritin and iron deficiency anemia in distance runners: A scientific guide for athletes and coaches

February 8, 2023April 12, 2017

When I see a runner getting fatigued early on in workouts or struggling mightily in races for no good reason, there's one potential cause I always consider first: low iron. Iron deficiency is a significantly underdiagnosed problem in distance runners. Low levels of hemoglobin in the blood, or low levels of the iron storage protein ... Read more