Tiger: Running "pretty much destroyed my body and my knees"

Tiger: Running 'pretty much destroyed my body and my knees'

I don't think it's running itself... it is the surfaces you do it on. Running on hard asphalt roads with sub par shoes is going to destroy your legs compared to running on a track or grass with legit running shoes.

Too much of a good thing? Drinking too much water will kill you.

At one point, while going through the SEAL phase, he was reportedly running in combat boots. They are not soft and cuddly.

Too much of a good thing.

He rides a bike now - much easier on the knees and hips.

Studies show that runners have the healthiest of knees and hips. The stress strengthens the knees and hip structures.

Maybe his body is too sensitive for running?

Interesting article, I do a little bit of running to maintain a minimal base level of fitness. I run about 2.5km a day and have previously suffered from runner's knee after a break when restarting.

I'm sure I read that they say when running your legs absorb the equivalent of about 3 times your body weight so the stress is high. It's difficult as working out is super boring for some people but even a little bit of fitness is extremely good and since I restarted running in recent times my game has seen the benefits.

I think those studies say "may have," and not "have."

Maybe... if you're a perfectly symmetrical human (no pelvic tilt, legs perfectly equal in length), not overweight, have no family history of arthritis, no underlying deficiency in muscles, ligaments and don't run every day and, and, and are not running on knees that are compromised from some other athletic movement that puts stress on the joints.

Monty used to always tell a story of staying at Woods' property in the late 90s and when he was getting out of bed in the morning Tiger had already been for a run plus a full workout in his gym. Monty got a glimpse of the drive and dedication.

Tiger appears to be able to still lose weight quite quickly which in his mid 40s is quite impressive.

I'll bet it drives Norman nuts that Monty had a sleepover at Tigers!

Definitely haha.

maybe those studies just study the runners who are able to run over a long period of time. How about the runners who had to quit because of knees or hips - they're not runners anymore, and not tested.

If you’re over 165 lbs you might want to find another cardio activity. Genetics also play a big role in how much of a beating your hip and knee cartilage can take. People who can run 30 mile weeks for a lifetime are few and far between.

So, did he keep running even after he had knee issues? Dumb if he did.

I hate running on pavement. You feel it jarring the crap out of your joints. I know others can run for miles and miles with no issues but I hate it.

And I ran around the globe like 10x playing uncle Rico sports. I got no issue with moving and breaking a sweat.

But running on pavement with your brains rattling around, never liked it.

Now, I do cycling ?‍♀️ Cycling! Low impact. You can do sprints, intervals, ride for miles and get you Vo5 max up til your dyin. And it’s all nice and smooth on your knees ; )

Running/jogging is one of the worst things you can do to your body. I used to date a girl who ran cross country, indoor track and outdoor track all throughout school. Then I worked for a woman who was a marathon runner. Absolutely destroyed their bodies.

Better to do sprinting if you want to get into shape, not look sickly and not kill your knees, feet, ankles and lower back.

While I do believe that Tiger's weight lifting hurt him, I've always felt that his running was just as bad. Better ways to develop cardio like cycling or swimming.

RH

Ironic that the obsessive drive that made him great might be the thing that keeps him from achieving his greatest goal. Minus the injuries he likely would have the all time Major Championship win record.

I'd love to have back the 50 miles a week I did the first couple of years out of college.

At a jacked up 225lbs, way too much wear and tear. That old no pain no gain philosophy did me wrong.

Running is great... if you have a good stride. Meaning, a stride is genetic. Most folks open the door and go running, and many are injured. It’s the stride, the gait, and the physical properties, too pronated, etc.

i believe him. Very few have the ability to log miles and stay healthy.

Think about what you said,

“Very few have the ability to log miles and stay healthy.“

If that’s the case, how is it “great”? ; )

Im kind of kidding. I think people can learn good form and benefit from running. Personally, I just find cycling more fun, versatile fir HIIT, and low impact on my joints. I mean, I see so many runners and they look like they are in pain. Not from being tired, but they look all contorted, like every step they are being tortured.

Rafael Nadal had to lose some of bulk early in his career because his weight was causing his knee issues.

However, running form and foot strike are important factors relating to injuries.

I started running in college (37 yrs later) and got to the 40mi/week into my 30's. I have the ultimate small frame 9having never weighed over 152) and still do the low 20's mi/week now at about 140lbs. Form was/is good.

But, the pavement part caught up, and I totally agree with Tiger's wear feelings and all of you above who cycle or dropped it out of your fitness regimes. I get meniscus pain rt. knee often, so then I hop on my only bike (full-supsension mtn) for a joint stress-less cardio workout.

Wish I could afford a gravel bike, as the desert heat here in Phoenix area drives me down off trails where nobody would find my carcass should I spill on the solo rides. Plus, close to 57, I'm just not into balls-out air-born sh*t on a mtn anymore and would rather do long canal rides of 25-35 miles to replace more of my runs. I won't do a road bike - hate cars out there!

Swimming would also be a great cardio alternative.

All the walking tour pros do - seems like running is just not a great compliment to that life.

I agree with you. One can learn better form, but how many do? Most runners just open the door and start running. Some individuals simply aren’t designed to log serious miles.

But, running can be great for ones health if they have good form. I did not say it well.

Too much of anything will kill you. That is a lot of miles per week. I used to run 3 miles at lunch then 5 more after work. I was in awesome shape, but got tendonitis in my feet that took a long time to heal. It was just too much running. Now at age 65 I still run a 2-3 times per week, along with some HIIT and weight training. If I stop running, my knees start to feel a little creaky.

You can't simply say running is bad or running is good. As other have pointed out, that are a lot of factors at play with any significant fitness regimen. And yeah, running a ton in combat boots is prolly not good lol.

I think it varies for each individual based on their own particular body. To say definitively either way is way too much of a catch all.

Ive run for a long time. High school and college track, road running (I would much rather run on pavement than any other surface). And 30 years of running up and down the basketball court three to five times a week. And never been slight of. build, basically 5’8” 190-200 lbs for the better part of 30 years, according to the “charts” I’m borderline obese. Those charts and studies carry about the same amount of merit in my opinion. As long as I wear good shoes, I don’t have any trouble.

Again, too much grouping. One size doesn’t fit all. Running may have ruined Tiger’s knees. But it isn’t bad for everyone’s body.

Genetics and your own physiology obviously play a role. Sometimes you don't know how much until it's too late. There's great alternatives to running if you have concerns. I wish I'd known how much I like trail riding sooner. Awesome exercise.

Nice, yes, people who ran track, especially longer events and “cross country” usually have their form down and have good genetics for it. I remember kids who could run like deer all over the county.

I ran a ton in uncle Rico days but all sprint stuff, at most, 200 yards at a shot.

And it says TW ran 4 miles a day. That doesn’t even sound like that much. Isn’t it more likely that golf trashed his knee?

Plus, I can’t imagine the “running shoe” department at Nike is very happy with his comments ?

Running can definitely be hard on the knees, but technique matters to lessen the impacts. Also, physical makeup can be a factor. Cycling is much better for the knees, but it is easier to sustain higher heart rates for longer periods when running.

Yeah, shoes, genetics, stride, individual differences. I get it. I just wonder how many people who got into running in a big way in the 70’s and 80’s have needed knee and hip replacements in later life. That may be in Tiger’s future.