i think cyclists use a similar argument.
do they live to a ripe old age?
off topic slightly, a good friend of mine is a cyclist and he had to have an operation because of an ingrowing arse hair.
apparently it is not uncommon because of the friction of the saddle.
anyroad, i've had a long walk today, i don't measure shit but i'd guess maybe 6 miles in 3 hours.
at no stage did my heart rate lead to breathlessness and pain.
my mental health and wellbeing were improved,
which in itself reportedly leads to a longer better life.
i also had 5 minutes talking to a horse who wanted to be my friend because he could smell the apple in my pocket.
did you know that when you get close to a horse for a short time the horse's heartbeat synchronises to the same as your heartbeat.
i'm checking my pulse now and it's about 50-55 so if you ran today you definitely used up more of your heartbeats than i did and mine will slow down even further due to the rioja starting to flow through my veins.
each to their own, but all i see on the faces of people who run is pain.
To most runners though the pain and overcoming that pain is rewarding.
A lot of humans are inherently competitive, that's why sport exists. Some run for mental and physical wellbeing, some run to be the fastest version of themselves, some run to be faster than others.
I bet you don't show up on a Saturday to watch City and think why are those silly cunts running, they could be walking.
Pain is not necessarily a bad thing either, our ability to feel pain is also part of maintaining health. Anyway think we're going way off topic with that.