The Law of Diminishing and Negative Returns

The above graph displays the correlation between minutes run and the benefit from the workout. It is only an estimation and is not universally applicable. The minutes run are the horizontal axis and the benefit is the vertical axis. The graph makes the assumption that running is a regular and not sporadic activity.

By observing the orange line, the first 50 minutes provide the highest rate of return in benefit for each minute run. Minutes 50 to 80 still provide a pretty good return. Minutes 80 to 120 provide a diminishing return, but still of positive return. Any minute run over 120 minutes of running provides a negative return.

• If time is at a premium = Run 50 minutes a day
• If you want to have a life outside of running = Run 80 minutes a day
• If you want maximum performance = Run 120 minutes per day

Note that benefit does not increase on a straight line basis. Few things in life work this way.

Note also that there is almost no difference in benefit from running 90 minutes to 120 per day.

Note also that running 70 minutes per day provides the same benefit as running 180 minutes per day.

The reasons for the three above observations are quite simple. The body begins to break down after a certain amount of stress and recovery has to happen. If the body is not allowed to recover, the muscle breaks down and the benefit is decreased.

Economists know this as the Law of Diminishing Returns. Examples might be dumping planting 10 seeds into a small area of soil. Adding 1 more seed would probably be helpful. Adding 100 more seeds would cause chaos and not allow any of the seeds to bear any kind of fruit.

You are probably wondering what this has to do with anything. One word: balance.

You can have too much of a good thing: running, seeds, pizza, cleaning the bathroom, and even friends. (If you had 1000 friends do you really think it would be possible to have the deep friendships required to sustain us?)

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony. -Thomas Merton