Whether you're a novice runner or a seasoned marathoner, injury prevention is a top priority. An important aspect of running injury prevention is having a structured plan and progressing slowly. Avoiding increasing your total mileage by more than 10 percent each week helps prevent overexertion and gives your muscles and ligaments adequate time to adapt. It's also essential to strike a balance between increasing distance and improving speed. Focusing on one aspect at a time can reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Proper hydration, replenishing your body with a combination of protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes post-run, and practicing deep breathing exercises to stimulate a relaxation response can all aid in muscle repair and reduce soreness. Incorporating cross-training activities such as swimming or cycling into your routine provides a welcome break from the impact of running. Dynamic stretches before your run help prime your muscles for activity, while static stretches afterward improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. If you are experiencing pain from running it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist. This foot doctor can also perform gait analysis and assess biomechanical problems that may cause injuries. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.