Running Injuries Suck. Here’s How To Avoid Them.

There is nothing worse than an injury that strikes right when you are making progress or ramping up your training for an event. And for runners this happens way too frequently. Its frustrating, and often preventable! Here’s how:

1. Build Slowly.
You’ve just signed up for running event – great! You’re super motivated and have a goal to achieve, which is amazing; the trick here is to curb the enthusiasm slightly and to build your capacity slowly. Exceed your capacity too much and too frequently and you will pick up a niggle that will progress into an injury. Have a plan and stick to it – don’t throw in an extra run just because you’re feeling good.

2. Strength train
This is a biggy. Strength is big factor in protection against injuries. Most runners unfortunately neglect this, or they don’t challenge themselves with enough resistance during their strength session. You will gain a lot more by putting one strength session into your weekly training routine that an extra run. And no, the “extra muscle” won’t slow you down. If you need some help with this lets chat!

3. Recover.
Make sure you are prioritising recovery, this will help your tissues to repair and rebuild which is really the biggest thing you can do for injury prevention. What does this look like? Prioritising sleep. Good adequate nutrition. Managing your stress levels. Not running on your rest day!

Not sure what this looks like for you? Or already got a little bit of a niggle that’s holding your running back? Pop in for a chat and we will sort you out.