Running Injuries

Sunday, June 10, 2012 · Mike Davis

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning here in NH. Drinking coffee, watching Roy (our puppy) play and enjoying the peacefulness of the morning. After church Kathy and I are going to do some trail running for the first time in a while. I have read a lot about running injuries and ways to prevent them and while I think injuries will happen from time to time, I believe you can do things to help avoid some. Barefoot running or minimalist running is the latest hot idea in helping runners with their foot strike which intern is supposed to help them with their running gate, which will hopefully help prevent injuries. Does it? Depends who you ask, it may be an individual thing or it may be a money making idea. I have run with the Five Finger Vibrams and I absolutely love them. However, when I got over 4 miles I started having some really bad ankle pain whenever I got up from prolonged sitting. I stopped running in them and the ankle pain went away. My hip issues seemed better when I ran in the Vibrams, so I may try another type of the minimalist shoes.

Another study that I read on running injuries and possible causes was on the repetitive impact of the same foot strike. Essentially we get out on the road and run 3 to 4 times a week, same muscles, same joints and same bones repeatedly absorb that same stress over and over. Can’t be good right? Some studies show that running actually strengthens our joints and bones. That would put to rest that running is bad for our knees idea that every non-runner believes to be. I’m not so sure it’s that simple, the study I read discussed the idea that over use or repetitive foot strike on the same surface may be the culprit of those common running injuries. They suggest that running mile after mile on that same surface; typically asphalt puts stress on just about every part of our body, ultimately leading to some type of injury. The idea of alternating running surfaces, such as trail running, treadmills or even beach running, enables us to vary the stress and use different muscles. Nothing is proven yet as there has not been enough studies to conclusively determine the results yet, but I think it’s certainly makes sense and I am going to try and add more trail running to my routine. There are other great benefits as well, such as the pure fun of trail running in itself.

Running has really taken off in the US and so has the term “Sports Medicine”. My goal is to help the running community grow, but to also help minimalize the injuries as well. When I train runners, I think healthy before performance and that’s not always easy for the runner. I want people to run for life and not just fast for a particular event. Obviously there’s a balance that I try and attain so that people can reach a goal if they desire. Injuries will always be a part of running as they are a part of any sport, but as a coach, I want you to be as injury free as possible and so I continue to pay attention to studies, use experience and teach patients. As a runner, I am learning about my body and trying to listen to it. It’s not easy as I can be stubborn and impatient.

Have a great day!