Avoiding
Running Injuries
A Little Wisdom Goes a Long Way
by Hal Higdon - from
Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide A frequent question asked me by younger
runners who hope some day to become older runners is: "How often have you been
injured?" Not often, I admit.
In a running career spanning seven decades, only three injuries
caused me to miss more than two weeks of training.
While writing a book on masters running for
Rodale Press, I expected to discover that those of us over age 40 were more
likely to become injured than younger runners. Surprisingly, we seem to get
injured less.
Partly, this is because we run fewer miles,
according to a survey by John Pagliano, D.P.M. of Long Beach, California.
Younger runners typically suffer lower leg and knee injuries. Older runners
suffer more foot and hip/lower back problems.
"As we get older, our backs give out,"
reports Dr. Pagliano, suggesting that all of us need to focus on improving
core-body strength.
If masters runners do suffer fewer injuries
than our younger counterparts, it is because we have learned from our mistakes.
When we make a training error and get hurt, we learn not to make that error
again. But it may take years to accumulate the wisdom to injury-proof your
body. 
If you are new to the sport of running, here
are some tips to help you shortcut the learning process.
1. Obtain proper equipment: Few
sports cost as little as running. Our main item of equipment is a cheap pair of
sneakers. Fashionable clothing and global positioning watches definitely are
icing on the cake. Don't scrimp on footwear. Acquire shoes that are appropriate
for your biomechanics. And when the shoes begin to show wear, throw them away.
Most running injuries can be traced to the point where the shoe touches the
ground.
2. Train intelligently: Don't stumble
from one workout to another, not knowing what you plan to run tomorrow, next
week, next month, or even next year. Set goals, but give yourself time to meet
those goals. If you don't have a coach, there are many training resources
online: both schedules and answers to your questions.
3. Find your red line: Through trial
and error, determine the point (usually miles run) where you get injured. Then
back your training down below that red line. Sometimes you can nudge this point
upward by pushing gently, but everyone has a red line beyond which they get
hurt. Find yours!
4. Never get out of shape: This is
the key to injury prevention. Maintaining a solid base level of fitness means
that when you want to increase your training to achieve a specific goal, you
don't need to push too hard or too fast. Mileage increases should be made
gradually.
5. Keep a diary: It's not necessary
to record every workout in detail, but record trends, so that if an injury
occurs you can look back and discover why. Mileage trends are important, but so
are activities around running. If you got hurt in a race, maybe it was because
you jumped out of a car just before competing after a four-hour drive.
6. Utilize professionals: If injured
and resting 72 hours doesn't produce a miracle cure, seek medical intervention.
The runner's best friend is often a podiatrist, but other sports medicine
experts, from orthopods to chiropractors to physical and massage therapists,
also offer healing hands.
Not all runners have bullet-proof bodies. We
all differ in our biomechanics and our susceptibility to injury. If you want to
maximize your success and enjoyment as a runner, you need to give constant
attention to avoiding injuries.
Hal Higdon's book on Masters Running is
scheduled for publication next year. For training advice, visit his Web site:
www.halhigdon.com. |
