A veteran distance runner, seemingly in top shape, collapsed during the White Rock Marathon on December 14, 2008 in Dallas, TX on and later died in the hospital. There was no immediate determination of the cause of her collapse. Erin Lahr, a 29-year-old newlywed from Austin, TX, might have succumbed to the heat and dehydration, as strong winds and a fast 20-degree climb in temperature affected other runners.
Because there have been deaths during other marathons over recent years, the question arises: why do marathoners die?
Most of the victims had pre-existing heart conditions. One man who died during the 2007 Chicago Marathon had a heart condition that was ruled the cause of death, not the record high heat and humidity.
Hyponatremia, or extremely low sodium in the blood, was the cause of death for a woman running the 2002 Boston Marathon. She was drinking only water and not replacing electrolytes lost while running.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke have also been the reason for runners being sent to the hospital after even a short distance event. Endurance athletes put themselves at higher risk deaths among marathon runners is relatively rare. Nonetheless, death among distance runners is rare.
The bottom line is that, even if you're not a runner or elite endurance athlete, listen to your body, and be well-trained and prepared going into a demanding activity.
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More Information here: http://www.nashville247.tv/News/Top-Stories/2009/04/26/Update-Marathon-Tragedy/1240756386.html
April 26, 2009 - 7:54pmThis Comment
I'm a marathoner, and a coach, and completely understand the "runner's high" that comes from raging endorphins. Distance running is relatively new for me, since I didn't start until after 50 and have been at this only a few years.
The human body was made for covering distances on foot. Our prehistoric ancestors had to travel on foot. But, there really does seem to be a huge difference between those who appear predisposed to distance running, like the Kenyans, and those who are not - like the rest of us!
You're right - even the fittest people get sick. I don't know if any of you know who Jim Fixx was, the legendary marathoner who wrote "The Complete Book of Running," the first "bible" for distance runners, and who died of a massive heart attack in 1984 at age 52. His father died at age 43 from heart issues.
During the course of my training, I've been taught to watch my heart rate and to back off if I reach a certain level, and to be aware of the symptoms of dehydration. All the same, I know how stubborn a runner can be about pushing on when it's just a few miles to the finish. I've suffered from dehydration and heat stroke during a distance event and it was not fun stumbling to the med tent. But, I'd rather risk the dreaded "DNF" (did not finish) than "DOA."
Virginia asks some very valid questions, too. In Beijing, marathoners have to deal with some of the worst air pollution in the world (to say nothing of traffic, as the route isn't conveniently blocked like in the rest of the running world). In Colorado, runners tackle high altitude. In Texas, we tackle ridiculous heat. Are we nuts in setting ourselves up for physical failure? Probably. But, it doesn't matter the endurance sport, we'll still go out there and try to beat the odds.
Even in the face of tragedy.
December 17, 2008 - 6:26pmThis Comment
There are dozens of marathons a year, with thousands and thousands of participants, and I think that one reason we find a death so notable is that it is so rare. That's testament itself to the fact that these are, by and large, very healthy people who are running these races. Sheer statistical probability means that someone will die during a marathon every once in a while, just like sheer statistical probability predicts how many holiday deaths there will be on a long weekend. We think the predictions are morbid, and then they come true. Law enforcement officers and newscasters encourage people to drive more safely, but we don't try to rethink the car. It's not the marathon, it's the athlete.
So Alysia and Virginia, I find myself right between the two of you.
I was never a marathoner; the longest race I ever ran was a 10K (6.2 miles), and that was plenty for me. But I will say that running was one of the joys of my life in my 20s. I ran 5 miles a few times a week and still recall the utter zen of it with yearning. I miss those days. I don't run anymore because of knee and back issues, but if I didn't have those issues, you'd find me on the trail.
While I never trained for a marathon, I can only imagine the joy one gets from setting such a difficult goal and reaching it. The training involved, the time, the aches and pains certainly would affect me, but as I'd build time and endurance, I know I'd want to do more.
That said, I do think running takes a large and somewhat inevitable toll on our bodies. The pounding -- even with excellent shoes, which I always wore, and even on good surfaces (I used to run on a well-maintained trail) - sends a shock to the knees and the vertabrae that is difficult to mitigate later in life. I danced for years and I ran for years, and the running by far was harder on my body.
So now I see the wisdom of the more conservative approach, and Virginia, when you sum it all up in your last paragraph, it seems perfect. Good diet, moderate exercise, flexibility, meditation and cleansing is smart, and I endeavor to do it. And there are still goals to accomplish, even on an elliptical or a walking route.
But I have to say that I still yearn for the trail. That runner's zen is difficult to explain and even harder to replace. It is so sad that the 29-year-old marathoner in Dallas died, and it will be interesting to later find out what happened. But I think as long as there are young, strong, fit bodies in the world, they'll continue to push themselves -- just to see what it looks like on the other side of the goal.
December 17, 2008 - 8:57amThis Comment
Thanks for this posting Alysiak. Many may not appreciate my post but I believe women should not be stressing their physiology by preparing for and running marathons. As a matter of fact I think we are getting so silly about this whole physical fitness frenzy. I am not a runner and will probably never be one because I am not built to run. During my Navy days I had no choice but to do it because it was mandatory for promotion. The experience was pure suffering. I knew my body did not like it but had no choice and the tests were timed too so trying to run against a clock was very stressful not just mentally but physically.
Thank God I no longer have to do this. Instead, I feel really good power walking. My routine used to be about 4-5 miles daily but I could go for ever and quite fast too. This low impact activity has many health benefits and reduced risk of injury.
It is always sad to read stories like the one here. Some look up to these athletes with admiration for their dedication to their passion, and to an extent with some jealousy for what we perceived to be "healthy". But I still do not understand the whole fascination to pushing our bodies to such a extreme! Why is our concept of fitness so linked to athletic performance? Are we pushing our bodies too far? Do we have little understanding of other options to stay healthy which include a balance of mind, body and soul? Are our bodies being exposed to unnecessary environmental toxins breathing while running outdoors? Did you know that ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) is a disease of many athletes? Italy for example has had many ALS cases of soccer players. Why? Is it possible that the herbicides used to keep the soccer fields green are causing the disease? Many scientists think so. People collapsing during a run may have had years of exposure to environmental toxins and may not even have to do with heart conditions. Why would a veteran runner suddlenly collapsed and died? Why now and not before if indeed it was a heart condition. This is something to ponder and consider. Heavy metals, environmental toxins, pollution, etc could compromise the optimal perfomance of our bodies by breaking down essential minerals thus creating a chain reaction of health conditions, including proper functioning of the heart muscle.
On my end, I prefer to stick to a more conservative approach to health/wellness that includes a balanced sugar-free, preservative-free diet, a 30' brisk walk 4-5 times per week, yoga-like stretches, breathing exercises, meditation and good hydration for good elimination and periodic detoxification of my body from modern pollutants.
December 17, 2008 - 12:05amThis Comment