Sensible advice to avoid running injuries; the five most common running mistakes.

RUNNERS 4

Sensible advice to avoid running injuries; the five most common running mistakes.

I ran through the pain is a common refrain used by injured runners. Ultimately, pain will sideline most runners when it gets intense enough, however many runners, especially those who are competitive believe that pain is part of the process, or they believe they can turn the machine up to a higher level of function without first conditioning it. Yes, your body is a machine, and its characteristics are unique for each of us.

Since we draw from our own experiences, it is difficult for anyone to self diagnose themselves (including health professionals) because the symptoms are often based on how our body works or malfunctions. If we tend to have core issues, or problems in the feet, and are used to being tight or inflexible, we tend to believe that is the normal or base line and when things hurt, that the pain is what is abnormal. If you have a friend take a phone video of you as you run on a treadmill if you are in pain, you may not see what you think you will see in your running gait, regardless of whether you are shod (shoes), barefoot, or Chi style running. Believe it or not, all these different types of runners can and do experience injuries.

Sure, you can treat it, or coach it, but ultimately, you may be able to avoid it too. While we are able to help most running injuries recover quickly, reading the article below will give you some sound advice that can help you avoid your next painful running problem.

Five Running Mistakes That Keep You Locked In The Injury Cycle

JASON FITZGERALD

Flash back ten years ago: I was tearing through 80 mile weeks as a cocky 19 year old. But disaster was right around the corner.

really had no idea what I was doing. My college coach gave us flexibility with our mileage and I was running too much, too soon, too fast. The “little things” that help you stay healthy were an afterthought.

Having a coach is an amazing opportunity but in college they’re responsible for 20+ runners during a 2-hour practice. You often don’t get the personal attention that you get with a private, 1-on-1 coach.

So I ran myself into the ground. I reached 90 miles per week and then was forced to recover (slowly) from IT band syndrome.

This was after chronic Achilles tendinopathy ruined my spring track season. Later that year I’d have a string of other injuries.

I was locked in the injury cycle and had no idea what to do. It was frustrating; I thought I was doing everything right…

Fast forward to today: I ran over 350 miles in July and haven’t had a serious injury in over four years. Injury-free training has created a consistency I could only have dreamed of while I was in the “dark ages” of my running career. My marathon time improved to 2:39 and I’ve since won a marathon and Warrior Dash.

I tell you this so you know that I was fragile and prone to overuse injuries. I used to be just like many of you but I’ve learned how to “crack the code” of my own personal injury cycle.

Since then, I’ve been working with runners to help them do the same. In the last week, an enormous number of you have expressed interest in injury prevention. I’m so excited because it’s possibly the most powerful way to become a better runner.

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