Sex and Running

[Sandy]

FAQ About Running

Am I too young to run?
Children of all ages should be encouraged to play, and in most cases will let their bodies be their guides to intensity and duration if not pushed. For example children skip, hop or jump (impact) and will run when playing hide and seek or basketball (intervals). The physical requirement of continuous, repetitive running is an adult inspired parameter, and should be discarded when coaching children. Children of all ages, even recognizing the varying maturity levels should be encouraged to run how they feel, and let fun be their guide, which allows for varying speeds and rest periods.

Am I too old to run?
There have been numerous runners that start or return to running at an older age. Ed Whitlock age 72 and Fauja Singh age 93 set marathon age group records on the same day in the same race. A general rule is that older runners require more recovery time; therefore they perform better on less training. If you have been a consistent runner and notice it is taking longer to recover from your last outing, add an extra recovery day or replace a running day with a non-impact cross-training day, or a combination of the two.

Is there an advantage to racing at a different time of day then I train?
Plain and simply, there may be. For example if you usually train in the morning and plan to run a later day race, you may have fuel, bathroom or energy problems. The best way to deal with this is to train occasionally at the time of day you plan to race, helping to work out any potential issues prior to race day.

Should you avoid sex before a race?
As far back as ancient Greece, athletes avoided sex prior to competition, as it was believed to sap their strength. Although this is one of the most frequently discussed topics with regards to racing and training, not many scientific studies have been done. The general consensus seems to be the lateness of the hour rather then the activity fatigues the athlete.

Does running improve your sex life?
Enhanced sexual behaviour has been reported in people who begin training moderately, 60 minutes per day three to four times a week at <80% MHR, and has been directly related to improved physical fitness.

How does running affect your hormones?
It has been frequently reported that intense running will cause cessation of menstruation in females, but that is only part of the truth. Inadequate nutrition leading to very low body fat mixed with intense training can effect female and male hormones causing cessation of menstruation in women and lower serum testosterone in men, leading to fertility difficulties and possibly reduced bone densities. These symptoms have been reported in athletes running 100km or 8 hours per week, and will reverse when reducing or stopping running. None of these abnormalities appear to be present in athletes running between 40 and 60 km or tow to five hours per week.