Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention
to arrive in a pretty well preserved body. Rather,
you should skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out and proclaiming loudly, “Wow, what a ride!”
Are elite runners the only ones at risk for running injuries? Not so! A lot of recreational runners (like me!) acquire medical problems arising from our active lifestyle. Some reasons could be an inappropriate training program which does not take into consideration the runner’s level of fitness, the wrong choice of shoes, and so on.
Below are the common running injuries I have had a personal experience with.I got hooked in running when I joined the UP Mountaineers. The first time I ran a 6.6km route as a requirement for the organization, I suffered from runner’s knee. Going up my first mountain was hell, to say the least. I could not bend my knees without cringing from the pain, and how could I climb mountains—or run—without bending my knees?
After that first climb, I went to an orthopedist, and he told me that the pain would always be there, and that I should just stop running and climbing. Then I went to a sports doctor, and he prescribed a series of physical therapy sessions. After two weeks, the pain was gone and I ran my first 10km pain-free. Since then, I never had runner’s knee again, even after I run long distances.
Here’s a tip: if you have a sports-related injury, go to a sports clinic! People who do not run will not understand what they are saying when they tell you to stop running.
Ilio-Tibial Band Syndrome
I developed ITBS during my first marathon, primarily because of training errors. After a few weeks’ complete rest, however, this was completely healed.
Stitches
This is pain in the lower rib cage, and I regularly suffered from this when I was still a newbie runner. Knowing how to breathe correctly, however, I did not experience this again, and if I did during a run, I already knew how to deal with it.
Blisters and dead toenails
I get blisters often, even during short runs. I have to decide whether it is due to my socks (which is not a problem as I can always buy socks), or to my New Balance shoes (I should hope not). With dead toenails, however, I have had only one which I gained during my first marathon. It grew black and fell off after a few days.
At the moment, I cannot say that I am injury-free. I had overstrained my lower back doing abdominal exercises (I need strong abdominal muscles in running marathons) and I have to consult a sports doctor, something that I have been putting off for some time.
I had already gone to a manghihilot (local healer), and he, without being told that I run, told me outright that I should stop running, as a lot of people get injured from this activity. I remembered the orthopedist I consulted for my patella injury and just smiled.
Read my related article here.
How about you? Have you had a running-related injury, and what did you do about it?
what about plantar fasciitis
hey there. yes, plantar fasciitis is also common. i think it's also called a "stone bruise." the thing is, i haven't had it yet. have you?
Great Article. I love how you point out a few times that non runners tell you to not run. For a runner, that is like telling a fish not to swim as running defines us. I can say that I have not had any running injuries (major) since I began my running career in Jan 09. I did have some pain and creaking in my left knee, but was told to do some leg strengthening. That helped and alleviated the
Just checking in here. Are you planning to post more articles here or respond to readers comments? I will retract my link agreement if this is a dead sight.