Too cold, too wet, too sick... there seems to be no shortage of excuses for runners who don’t quite feel up to hitting the road today. And Dr. Thomas Wessinghage has heard them all. He’s won 22 German running titles, was the 1982 European champion in the 5,000 meters, and today still holds the German record in the 1,500 and 2,000 meter races. As chief physician and medical director of several clinics near the Tegernsee lake in Bavaria, the former elite athlete can also look at things from a medical point of view. Wessinghage told us which runners’ excuses contain a grain of truth – and which are just cop-outs.

Dr. Thomas is an athlete and a physician. He’s won 22 German running titles, was the 1982 European champion in the 5,000 meters, and today still holds the German record in the 1,500- and 2,000-meter races. He started his career in medicine while still racing as a top athlete. Today Wessinghage (67) serves as chief physician and medical director in three hospitals near the Tegernsee lake in Bavaria. Photos: Wessinghage

5. My pulse starts to race

The frequency of your heartbeat depends on a number of different factors, such as age, sex, and lifestyle. For example, a young, slender woman who has just started running will have a higher pulse. This is normal and not at all dangerous – smaller hearts in slimmer bodies simply beat faster than larger hearts. A high pulse is no reason to limit your exercise. In fact, after a while your heart rate won’t go up as quickly because your cardiovascular system and metabolism will have gotten used to the exercise. That said, I recommend that all beginners see their doctors for a physical exam before they start a regular exercise program. Individuals who have a particularly low pulse due to a heart problem should always ask their physician whether endurance training is right for them.

6. It’s my blood pressure...

In most cases, exercise is a good way of fighting high blood pressure. However, there are some exceptions. Individuals being treated for high blood pressure with a top blood pressure number between 180 and 200 should not go running. Instead, they first should seek treatment from a specialist. If your blood pressure is only slightly elevated, you can usually lower it significantly by making changes in your lifestyle – such as low-intensity exercise. Physical activity and weight loss can help you lower your systolic blood pressure (top number) by ten and your diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) by around five units. In many cases, medication is then no longer necessary.

7. I don’t want to breathe in all that pollution

When you run, you breathe more heavily. If your running route is alongside a high-traffic road, you’ll automatically inhale vehicle exhaust, which means more pollutants and particulates enter your lungs. This is not the point of exercising! You really should steer clear of busy streets during rush hour. If possible, it’s better to run a different route or at a different time of day. But that doesn’t mean you can’t run at all. There is always a park or a quieter neighborhood nearby. Or at least postpone your run until after evening rush hour.