#Marathon

Across the world’s top endurance groups, a training approach called double-threshold training is gaining traction as a way to push performance beyond traditional limits. The core idea is simple in concept but demanding in practice: schedule two workouts each day that sit between the athlete’s first and second lactate thresholds, the point at which fatigue and lactate accumulation begin to accelerate. These sessions, spaced several hours apart, are designed to train the body to tolerate the “dull ache” of prolonged effort and to improve sustained power when racing at threshold intensity. In plain terms, athletes push through a higher ceiling without fully crossing into maximal effort, training the body to clear lactate more efficiently while extending the time before fatigue bites.

A new study raises important questions about the health effects of extreme endurance running, including potential precancerous changes in the colon. For Thailand’s growing running community, the findings call for careful interpretation and practical guidance from healthcare professionals.

In Thailand, running has become a beloved activity that blends fitness with charity and temple-based community events. Many families view long-distance running as a virtuous pursuit aligned with Buddhist values of caring for the body. The new findings therefore carry broad relevance for runners and their households, not just individual athletes.

A small new study found high rates of precancerous colon polyps in marathon and ultramarathon runners. The research raised questions about extreme exercise and early-onset colorectal risk (New York Times) (New York Times).

The finding matters because many Thais run for health and for charity. The result may change how doctors advise endurance athletes in Thailand.

An oncologist in Virginia recruited 100 runners aged 35 to 50 for colonoscopies. He saw almost half with polyps and 15 percent with advanced adenomas (New York Times).

Experts say a warmup must match the workout you plan to do. This rule can cut injuries and boost performance immediately Runners World.

Warmups do not have a single correct length. Coaches prescribe short five-minute routines and longer twenty-minute routines depending on the workout Runners World.

This guidance matters for Thai runners who train in hot, humid conditions. Many large Bangkok races draw thousands of participants each year Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok.

Short easy runs need short warmups. You can start with a five-minute easy jog and some dynamic stretches Runners World.

A groundbreaking medical investigation has uncovered disturbing correlations between extreme endurance running and precancerous colon abnormalities, potentially transforming how physicians advise Thailand’s rapidly expanding marathon community. The research challenges decades of assumptions about exercise and cancer prevention, revealing that even activities traditionally considered purely beneficial may carry hidden health risks that demand immediate attention from Thai healthcare providers.

The study’s implications resonate powerfully throughout Thailand, where marathon participation has surged dramatically in recent years, with charitable running events becoming deeply embedded in temple culture and community fundraising traditions. Thai families increasingly encourage running as virtuous physical activity that aligns with Buddhist principles of caring for the body, making these unexpected findings particularly significant for a population that views distance running as inherently healthy and spiritually meaningful.

Running coaches across Thailand are discovering a game-changing principle that could dramatically reduce injuries while boosting performance throughout Bangkok’s marathons and beyond. Sports medicine experts have identified one simple rule that matches warmup intensity to workout demands, creating immediate benefits for runners who often struggle with Thailand’s challenging climate conditions.

The breakthrough challenges everything runners thought they knew about preparation routines. Rather than following generic five-minute warmup templates, elite training programs now prescribe dramatically different warmup strategies based on the specific workout ahead. This targeted approach represents a fundamental shift from one-size-fits-all preparation to sophisticated, individualized training that respects both exercise science and Thailand’s unique environmental challenges.

A new, science-backed warmup principle is catching on with running coaches across Thailand. By tailoring warmup intensity to the workout ahead, athletes in Bangkok and beyond can reduce injuries and boost performance, even in Thailand’s hot, humid climate.

The approach challenges the one-size-fits-all warmup. Elite programs now prescribe different preparation strategies based on the upcoming session, aligning exercise science with local environmental realities. Thailand’s running scene, including events like the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok, has grown rapidly, underscoring the need for injury prevention that accounts for climate and heat stress.

A new report is casting doubt on the necessity of electrolyte powders, drinks, and tablets for the average person—a market that has ballooned to an estimated $38 billion in 2024 alone. As colorful bottles and attractive marketing campaigns promise better hydration, improved health, and even performance boosts, many Thais are left wondering: do these drinks really deliver on their promises, or are they just another health fad?

Electrolyte products are marketed to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even ordinary people who want to enhance their daily hydration. Popular in gyms and convenience stores across Bangkok, these drinks contain key minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—elements vital for maintaining fluid balance in the body, regulating heart rhythm, and ensuring muscle and nerve function. While sports drinks have become commonplace, public health experts say many Thais may be overestimating their benefits and underestimating the power of a regular balanced diet.

A recent review questions the necessity of electrolyte powders, drinks, and tablets for most people, even as the global market spins toward a multi-billion-dollar figure in 2024. In Bangkok gyms, convenience stores, and online shops, vibrant bottles promise better hydration and performance. For Thai readers, the takeaway is clear: can ordinary meals and water meet everyday hydration needs without chasing every new beverage?

Electrolyte products target athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and busy office workers who want a quick hydration boost. In Thailand, these drinks are common in fitness centers and markets and usually contain minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These electrolytes help maintain fluid balance and support heart rhythm, muscle, and nerve function. Yet public health experts emphasize that a varied, regular diet already provides most of what the body needs for daily activity.

A beloved physical activity endorsed by millions for its health benefits—long-distance running—may be unexpectedly associated with a higher risk of developing precancerous colon growths among young adults, according to a new study presented at the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 conference in Chicago. The study, conducted by researchers based in Washington, DC, challenges the prevailing wisdom that vigorous aerobic exercise is universally protective against all forms of cancer, raising pressing questions for health-minded Thais—especially the country’s growing cohort of marathon and ultramarathon enthusiasts.

A widely celebrated form of exercise, long-distance running, may be linked to an unexpected risk among certain young adults. A study presented at ASCO 2025 in Chicago found a higher-than-expected rate of colon adenomas—precancerous growths—in adults aged 35 to 50 who regularly run ultramarathons or multiple marathons. The results prompt careful discussion for health-minded Thai runners, where endurance events have surged in popularity in recent years.

The investigation examined 100 runners who completed at least two ultramarathons (over 50 km) or five standard marathons (42 km) within a defined period. Among participants, 41% had at least one adenoma and 15% had advanced adenomas. These rates appeared higher than typical figures for the general population. About half of those with advanced lesions reported rectal bleeding, a symptom sometimes mistaken for benign exercise-related issues such as runner’s colitis.

A recent feature highlights the soleus, a small but mighty calf muscle that powers runners through every step. In Thailand’s vibrant running scene, coaches say attention to the soleus can boost performance and cut injury risk, complementing the usual emphasis on glutes and hamstrings.

Experts explain that the soleus stays active throughout the gait cycle, helping absorb impact and propel the body forward. It may carry up to 80% of the force generated by the calf muscles. Yet many runners neglect targeted soleus training, potentially limiting efficiency and elevating injury risk.

A recent feature in Fit&Well shines a spotlight on the soleus muscle, a crucial yet often neglected muscle in the lower leg that plays a pivotal role for runners and active individuals of all levels. While most fitness routines for runners in Thailand focus on strengthening the glutes and hamstrings, a prominent running coach emphasizes that the soleus is arguably the most important muscle for performance and injury prevention—a point especially relevant for the Kingdom’s vibrant running community and the rising popularity of marathon events nationwide (Fit&Well).

A growing wave of runners worldwide, now stronger in Thailand, is embracing Jeffing—the run-walk method that blends short running bursts with planned walking breaks. Named after US Olympian Jeff Galloway, this approach makes running more accessible, helps prevent injuries, and often boosts endurance. With new research and a rising pool of testimonials, Jeffing is becoming a staple in fitness routines, inviting Thais to explore tracks, parks, and city streets with renewed energy.

A growing wave of runners around the world—and increasingly in Thailand—are embracing “Jeffing”, a run-walk method that’s gaining traction for its accessibility, injury prevention benefits, and surprising effectiveness in boosting endurance. Named after US Olympian Jeff Galloway, the method alternates between short periods of running and walking, offering a refreshed approach to running that’s changing the way both beginners and seasoned athletes tackle the sport. With new research and growing testimonials, Jeffing is steadily becoming a staple in global fitness routines, inspiring more Thais to hit the tracks, parks, and city streets with renewed enthusiasm.

A new wave of scientific insight has highlighted a dilemma familiar to every runner: when exhaustion sets in, is it your legs giving out first or your lungs and heart? The answer, experts say, could fundamentally alter the way athletes and casual joggers alike structure their training programs, and the latest research underscores the importance of accurately identifying the source of fatigue to improve running performance and overall health (Runner’s World).

A new wave of science helps untangle a familiar runner dilemma: when exhaustion hits, is it leg fatigue or cardiorespiratory fatigue? Experts say identifying the source can change how both serious athletes and casual joggers train for better performance and safer workouts. In Thailand, where running events and park runs are increasingly popular, this distinction is especially relevant for health, safety, and effective coaching.

Cardiorespiratory fatigue signals—breathlessness, a racing heart, and mental fog—often point to the cardiovascular system struggling to meet the oxygen needs of working muscles, even if the heart and lungs are not “weak.” The issue, researchers note, is how efficiently oxygen is delivered to and used by muscles. A leading exercise physiologist explains that mitochondria and tiny capillaries determine how well oxygen is utilized, not just how much is inhaled.

A recent study, highlighted in a feature by Men’s Journal, has found that distance runners can substantially extend their time to exhaustion—by as much as 32 percent—by implementing a specific post-workout recovery technique. This discovery, though focused on runners, carries significant implications for athletes and fitness enthusiasts across Thailand, where running continues to gain popularity as both a competitive sport and a healthy lifestyle pursuit.

In Thailand, where urban marathons and charity runs have become a staple in cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, optimizing performance and recovery is a common goal among athletes and recreational runners alike. The new study, referenced in Men’s Journal’s report, provides compelling evidence supporting a post-exercise recovery “hack” that may help runners outpace their previous limits and enhance overall stamina.

A recent study highlighted by Men’s Journal suggests distance runners can extend their time to exhaustion by up to 32 percent with a specific post-workout recovery technique. While the finding centers on runners, it carries meaningful implications for athletes and fitness enthusiasts across Thailand, where long-distance running is rising in popularity as both sport and lifestyle.

In Thailand, urban marathons and charity runs are popular in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and beyond. Optimizing performance and recovery is a common goal for both competitive runners and casual joggers. The Men’s Journal piece references research showing a scientifically backed recovery practice immediately after exercise that may help runners push past prior limits and improve stamina.

A senior running coach urges Thai runners to shift focus from pace, cadence, and distance to heart rate as the essential metric for all levels. In the latest guidance from Fit&Well, heart rate data helps optimize performance, prevent overtraining, and track long-term fitness. Data from trusted health institutions shows this approach aligns with modern, personalized training.

Thailand’s growing health-conscious movement makes this advice timely. Urban parks host more recreational runners, and local marathons and charity events attract broader participation. The push toward heart rate tracking mirrors a global trend toward data-driven training, now gaining traction among Thai enthusiasts.

A leading running coach is urging Thai runners to shift their focus away from pace, cadence, and even distance, advising that heart rate monitoring should be the primary metric to track for both beginners and experienced athletes alike. According to the latest expert guidance published by Fit&Well, heart rate offers critical insights for optimizing performance, preventing overtraining, and tracking long-term fitness (Fit&Well).

The significance of this advice speaks directly to Thailand’s expanding community of health-conscious citizens. With the nation’s urban parks bustling with recreational runners and participation in local marathons and charity runs on the rise, there is increasing interest in sports science and personal fitness technologies. The push toward heart rate tracking reflects a broader global movement toward more individualized, data-driven training—a trend now also being embraced by Thai running enthusiasts.

A remarkable case study of 77-year-old marathon runner Jeannie Rice is prompting scientists to rethink aging and fitness. Her aerobic capacity matches that of a typical 25-year-old woman, a result rarely seen in someone her age. The findings, published in a leading physiology journal, underscore how lifelong training, steady routines, and nutrition can extend not just lifespan but healthspan. For Thai audiences facing rapid population aging, Rice’s story offers practical insights into maintaining mobility and vitality.

A new case study on a 77-year-old marathon runner whose physical fitness mirrors that of women five decades younger is causing scientists and the world to rethink what is possible during the aging process. The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology and attracting international attention, highlight both the extraordinary accomplishments of lifelong athlete Jeannie Rice and the broader lessons her life offers for healthy aging globally—including in Thailand, where aging populations are becoming a central health and socioeconomic concern.

An 85-year-old runner at the 28th London Marathon is drawing global attention and fueling fresh research that challenges the idea that age confines physical activity. His remarkable pursuit represents a broader shift toward active aging in science and society and offers practical lessons for Thailand’s rapidly aging population.

This story highlights a growing body of evidence that regular exercise—even when started late in life—delivers meaningful health benefits. Recent research in journals such as The Lancet and the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity shows that older adults who engage in moderate to vigorous activities—running, brisk walking, cycling, or dancing—enjoy lower chronic-disease risk, better mobility, sharper cognition, and greater independence. A 2022 review in The British Journal of Sports Medicine indicates that people over 80 can safely begin or intensify training when it is tailored to their fitness level and health conditions.