Once again this year, tens of thousands of runners will face the ultimate physical challenge as they pound the streets of London during the grueling 26 mile marathon. Widely recognised as an enormous physical achievement, marathon runners commit to many tough months of training to equip them to the finish line.
But what are these runners really doing to their bodies as they run for hours one end? Our team at Cliffs Chiropractors have stumbled across some interesting facts:
1: Marathon Runners Shed Weight During a Race
It is common for marathon runners to lose between 2-5 kg in weight during the course of the race. As this is lost through fluid, runners need to replace the weight by drinking 500ml of fluid per hour during after the event.
2: Marathon Runners Shrink
This may surprise you but the majority of marathon runners will finish the race a little bit shorter than when they started out (around 2 cm). This is said to be due to loss of fluid between the spine’s intervertebral discs. However, this reduction in height is short lived (excuse the pun!) and runners soon return to their normal height around 24 hours after stopping running.
3: Marathon Runners Have Better Hearing
The circulation to a runner’s ears is improved during marathon training. This can provide a greater supply of nutrients which helps to preserve hearing.
4: Marathon Runners May Damage Blood Vessels
Each stride taken during a marathon creates excess pressure on the tiny blood vessels in a runner’s feet. This results in a reduction in oxygen-carrying blood cells, known as hemoglobin. That’s why it is so important for marathon runners to rest and consume iron-rich foods in the days after the event.
5:Marathon Runners Lose Toenails
With the average marathon runner taking more than 30,000 strides during a race, uit’s hardy surprising their toes get a hammering! The high intensity training that marathon runners endure can also cause the toenails to blacken and eventually fall off!
6: Marathon Runners Burn Less Than 3000 Calories!
A marathon uses around 2800 calories – far less than many people would assume! As glycogen (the body’s source of activity fuel) becomes depleted during a marathon, runners are advised to replace this with 0.5g of carbohydrates for every pound they weigh.
7: Marathon Runners Get “The Sniffles”
Many runners report the sudden onset of “the sniffles” while running for long periods outdoors. This is known as “exercise-induced rhinitis” (or “runner’s hay fever”). The increased mucus is thought to be caused by excess air being inhaled as a runner’s breathing rate increased. Very cool and dry hair is also believed to worsen the symptoms.
The physical reactions of the human body are incredible, don’t you think?
All the staff at Cliffs Chiropractic wish everyone taken part in this year’s London marathon the very best of luck.