as much as runners like to think of themselves as hardcore exercise enthusiasts, a few studies have questioned whether they’re as fit as they’d like us to believe.
the first blemish on their reputation was in 2014, when a study of recreational marathoners and half marathoners revealed they spent eight to 10 hours of their day sitting. based on that lifestyle, the study’s authors suggested “recreational distance runners were simultaneously highly sedentary and highly active.”
a few years later, another study reported that 32 per cent of runners polled didn’t meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercise per week.
the latest blow to their reputation comes with the disclosure that injured runners would rather put their feet up than find an alternative workout routine. instead of preserving their fitness by hitting the pool or the gym, they wait until their pain or injury subsides enough to get back to pounding the pavement.
anyone who knows runners shouldn’t be surprised at their tendency to stick with what they know, even if that means losing some of their hard-earned fitness due to inactivity. runners, often to their detriment, are creatures of habit. they revel not just in the sameness of putting one foot in front of the other, but also in the ease of lacing up a pair of shoes and heading out the door — no gym membership, equipment or experienced trainer required.