The death by heart attack of Greg Hall at age 65 raises some serious questions..
Like can running in marathons for people of a certain ago be unhealthy?
Was it in n Hall’s case?
To most people who knew him (and thought he was younger), it came as a shock. Given that by virtue of his running he almost had to be far too healthy for anything like that.
But according to one KC Confidential reader, “Marathon’s put way too much stress on the heart. I ran half-marathon’s for awhile (and) my doc said even that’s too much..he said only do cardio for an hour at most.”
True story?
“Blisters and shin splints may not be the only health hazards of marathons—new research shows ambulances forced to navigate around road closures took longer to get to the hospital during U.S. marathons, and that some elderly patients hospitalized on marathon days had a higher risk of dying,” according to the Wall Street Journal in 2017.
A story in the Atlantic, “Running into Old Age,” reported that “in sports medicine, the years between 35 and 40 are often considered a turning point for serious athletes: Skill begins to erode more quickly with time as age brings changes in muscular strength and susceptibility to injury. Endurance tends to peak around age 35 and then slowly decrease until around age 60, at which point the decline becomes much steeper.”
So while many, if not most, online stories about marathon running focus on the positive benefits of exercise – even when talking about seniors – not everybody paints that same rosy picture:
In “The Evidence Against Long Distance Running,” Runners Connect writes, “Perhaps the seminal study on heart health and long-distance running comes from cardiologist James O’Keefe in 2012. O’Keefe, himself a huge proponent of exercise, found that, while ‘a routine of regular exercise is highly effective for prevention and treatment of many common chronic diseases and improves cardiovascular (CV) health and longevity, long-term excessive endurance exercise may induce pathologic structural remodeling of the heart and large arteries.’
“O’Keefe’s data found that chronic training for and competing in long distance events like marathons, Ironmans, and ultras can overload the cardiac valves. Done over time and this can lead to myocardial fibrosis, or a hardening of the valves. This means the tissue is stiffer and less flexible and is commonly seen in the progression to heart disease.”
Check out this advice on the topic from the American Heart Association:
“Dr. Peter McCullough, chief of cardiovascular research at Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute in Dallas, has completed 54 marathons, one in every state. But he stopped in 2012, after he said research showing the potential dangers made them not worth the risk.
“‘I thought there was enough evidence that I wasn’t willing to pay the ultimate price,’ said McCullough, who still runs but for 5 or 6 miles at a time.
“‘I’m convinced that to go grind it out for hours on end at a steady pace is the wrong thing,” he said. “Some experts are divided about this, and the concern is that it could dissuade some people from exercising, but we just can’t bury our heads about it’.”
The bottom line: marathons are not be for everyone, let alone 60 year-olds..
Did he die mid-run, or shortly after a run?
Whatever the case, I doubt running had much of anything to do with it. Could be genetics, diet, or plain old bad luck.
Either way, I’m guessing Greg was able to enjoy life a lot more by being in shape. And running obviously played a big part in his life the last 10+ years. I’d rather be fit, do what I love, and live to 65 than have to cruise around Wal-Mart in an electric scooter at age 40 but live to be 80.
Greg seemed like a good dude. I always enjoyed his work more than Whitlock’s or Posnanski’s. RIP
Good question, Phaedrus…
That remains to be learned. And I get the part of living healthy, rather than not.
Re-read my story…I accidentally posted it before racing out the door and had some significant additional info that indicates you don’t have to go from one extreme to the other.
You can be more safely healthy by exercising consistently in moderation without taking it to the extremes.
After reader the two doctors opinions at the end, I have a sinking feeling Greg might be alive today had he followed their advice. But you’re right of course, any number of other factors may have come into play.
But why risk it?
I think the body’s system is too complex to lay blame on a single item.
Remember back in the day when fats were bad for you and carbs were good?
Now, sugar and refined carbs are supposed to play a major role in heart disease. I’d guess drinking a couple of cokes a day or eating at McDonald’s a few times a week is more risky than running a marathon (assuming you’re in decent shape), but what do I know.
If anyone’s interested in that stuff, Gary Taubes writes some good books….”The Case Against Sugar” & “Good Calories, Bad Calories”.
Yeah, I don’t think though that you HAVE to lay the blame one a single cause.
The fact that two experts – doctors – say it’s risky is enough for me. A needless risk
I think if you’re into fitness that’s obviously a great thing but if you’re a marathon runner and die of a heart attack at age 65 that was probably the cause. Simply too much heart damage. There are six components of fitness and concentrating and exceeding the thresh-hold on just one component is not a great idea.
1. Aerobic Capacity
2. Body Structure
3. Body Composition
4. Balance
5. Muscular Flexibility
6. Muscular Strength
Interesting…
And for the record, your comment was the one that set this column in motion. However, you left it on the Craig Glazer story and I didn’t want people to miss it. Plus I did the additional research to back it up
Oh, I see that now. Thanks Hearne, that’s really good of you to do that hopefully it will help someone with their health.
I remember an article or comment Greg wrote about the many complications/injuries associated w running – shin splints, blisters, stress on joints, etc. His main point was that everyone’s body was different and that for some the constant pounding the body endures while running is simply too much. But for others it is not a big deal and their body can handle.
Having battled colon cancer this past year the most common remark I heard from doctors and nurses was “everyone is different and responses to treatments can vary greatly.”
We will probably never know if Greg considered the possible negative effects his training could have on his heart. Or if it played a significant role in his death.
I do believe that most things in excess are not good for you, and it can argued that marathon running and training is excessive for many. Moderation is often the key.
RIP Greg. I am glad you found joy and pleasure in your running and I will miss your writing and observations.
Well said, David…
I think the everybody-is-different school of thought where endurance, skill sets and knees and joints is concerned sounds reason able.
But when you read what those two highly regarded doctors and experts on the topic say, it sounds like a warning for all. I don’t know if they will dig deep enough into Greg’s death tomato such a finding – and if they do – will make it public.
Sounds to mme like it would be a goof thing to do as a reminder to the rest of us of the risks
Sometimes, when guys in great shape die young, there should be an autopsy.
Pistol Pete was only 40.
“On January 5, 1988, Maravich collapsed and died of heart failure at age 40[30] while playing in a pickup basketball game in the gym at First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, California, with a group that included evangelical author James Dobson. Maravich had flown out from his home in Louisiana to tape a segment for Dobson’s radio show that aired later that day. Dobson has said that Maravich’s last words, less than a minute before he died, were “I feel great. I just feel great.” An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a rare congenital defect; he had been born with a missing left coronary artery, a vessel that supplies blood to the muscle fibers of the heart. His right coronary artery was grossly enlarged and had been compensating for the defect.”
If Greg never had any reason for a thorough exam (And why would he, the guy ran Marathons and seemed to be in great shape.), then maybe there is a congenital defect.
It is also, a really good idea, to remember, that the very first guy who ran a fuckin Marathon, dropped dead at the finish line.
Hard to remember something I never heard of before….
The VERY FIRST marathon runner? You sure?
Here is a list of a ton of guys who died right after, or, during Marathon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_marathon_fatalities
Here is the legend.
“Most runners know the legend of the marathon, which goes something like this: In 490 B.C.E., after the Athenian army defeated a bunch of Persian invaders at the coastal town of Marathon, a Greek messenger named Pheidippides dashed off to Athens, 25 miles away, dramatically announced his side’s victory, and collapsed and died. Athenian democracy was saved, and to commemorate Pheidippides’s run, many of us now run a race–the marathon–that’s about 25 miles long.”
I believe I know what Chuck is referring to here, and he can correct me if I’m wrong. Using the word “marathon” referring to a long run came about during the Greco-Persian wars in the 5th century. After the Greeks had won a decisive victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon (Greece), the legend goes that Philippides ran non stop from Marathon to Athens (roughly 26 miles) to inform the people of Athens of the Greek victory. Supposedly he got there, screamed out “NIKE!!!” (Victory!) and then dropped dead.
Correction. According to legend, he ran 140 miles
That’s roughly what I recall too, guy
Yeah I think the very first marathon runner had to run 26 miles to hand deliver a message to his commander. Once he delivered the message he collapsed and died. Could be a fable though.
Ahhh…
I think you’re talking about ancient Greece or something.
This was a bad one, they all died on the same day in the New York Marathon of a heart attack.
Carlos Jose Gomes[30] 58 2 November 2008 New York City Marathon New York City, US heart attack
United States Joseph Marotta[30] 66 2 November 2008 New York City Marathon New York City, US heart attack
United States Fred Costa[30] 41 2 November 2008 New York City Marathon New York City, US heart attack
This is funny –
Michael Johnson, the Olympic gold medal runner, was on his way to a club with some friends. At the door, the bouncer turned to him and said: “Sorry, mate, you can’t come in here – no denim”. Michael was quite annoyed at this and retorted: “Don’t you know who I am? I’m Michael Johnson”. “Then it won’t take you long to run home and change, will it?” replied the bouncer.
—————————————————————————————–
Phidippides
The battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. surely ranks as one of history’s greatest battles, ending efforts to conquer Greece by Darius, the Persian king. Prior to the battle, the renowned Greek messenger Phidippides is reputed to have run 150 miles in two days to secure aid from Sparta for the Athenians, and then run a little over 26 miles to carry news of the victory to Athens – before collapsing from physical exhaustion at the end of his ordeal.
[The 26-mile “marathon” race is understandably named in Phidippides’ honor.]
“Why couldn’t Pheidippides have died here?” — Frank Shorter’s comment to Kenny Moore at the 16-mile mark in one of Shorter’s first marathons.
Speaking of marathons… the long life stories of Dr.’s three
Case study #1
“Exercise is overrated”
https://www.today.com/health/dr-ephraim-engleman-103-longevity-exercise-over-rated-1D80373488
Dr. Engelman died at age 104… at work
Case study #2
“It’s best not to tire the body”
http://www.openculture.com/2017/08/10-longevity-tips-from-dr-shigeaki-hinohara-japans-105-year-old-longevity-expert.html
Dr. Hinohara died at age 105… at home
Case study #3
“3 Dr. Peppers a day” https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/health_fitness/article_5f7f658d-19d6-5212-8610-3525c03f0f77.html
Elizabeth died at age 106… in her sleep, aft dozing off while watching a baseball game (Dr. Pepper in hand and six-pack at the ready, fridge not abs; Michael Bloomberg was unavailable for comment)
Odds ‘may’ be better for someone ‘doing’ or ‘not doing’ whatever (factors X, Y or Z) -your mileage WILL vary; one size does not fit all… we are ‘not’ cookie-cutter people.
Takeaway these referenced individuals: keep busy, be neither overweight nor over-infatuated exercise, do what you like – running/not running, working/not working, embracing your inner ascetic or enjoying a can (or 3) soft drinks a day the secret to running ‘your’ as their best marathon, life.
😎
KCC’s “Your comment is awaiting moderation” apropos:
… everything in moderation
😎
Yeah, but it’s with rare exception that comments are not approved…
I did kill off the last one from Tracy Thomas where she continued to try and re-guess my age and again was waaaay off and some ridiculously catty comments about my fiancé and how Craig could never have been Harley because Harley could write better? Seriously? Life’s too short…
Moderation ‘exercise’ as anything in life generally, my reference.
Nod moderation, my reference was to ‘exercise’ as life generally.
Re: the fractious faction, retain the light-hammer and judicious approach you wield, if/as possible.
Some select ‘Desiderata’: ‘Listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story’.
The other HAnd, suffeR no fooLs (fortunatElY, only a select few trodden the blog trail here, KCC.)
😎
This is ridiculous. Greg had not run, or trained for, a marathon for several years,
That’s not to say that the damage may not have already been done in part or to what extent he was still running.
The bottom line being that he’d carved out such a rep for running that a number of people were stunned that his heart would give out at such a relatively early age.
I think the point this article tries to make is that training for and running marathons(4-5 hours of running) can lead to heart disease..which often rears it’s ugly head with a heart attack. Unfortunately, the most common sign of heart disease is sudden death.