Rules of the Road: Tips For Staying Fit And Keeping Joints Healthy Through Running
September 19, 2013
Running is one of the most common forms of exercise, among elite athletes and regular, fitness conscious people alike. Whether you jog three-to-five times a week to keep active – like myself – or you regularly train for ultra-marathons, there is always that underlying risk of injury. Runner’s knee, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, hamstring issues – all common injuries we don’t like to say out loud, but unfortunately are often associated with running.
However, no need to hang up your running shoes yet. Following are key tips for safe and healthy running:
- Support means everything. This comes from both the shoes you wear and the terrain on which you run. Having the right support in your running shoes is key. Be sure to take note if you are arched or flat footed, then do some research on the best running shoe for you. A lot of specialty running stores, like Fleet Feet Sports here in Raleigh (where I go), can help determine the right shoe for you. You should also consider where you will do the majority of your running. If you run on hard ground such as concrete, you will probably need more cushion than you would should you choose to mostly run in grassy and soft-grounded trail-like areas. The “give” of the terrain plays a major role on how your joints react to the impact of your strides.
- Listen to your body. Even the most experienced runners can still experience sharp pains brought on by joint fluctuation and agitation. This is especially common in knees. Although hips have a smooth ‘ball and socket’ joint and ankles are designed to accommodate impact and rotation, knees tend to fall short in the functionality department. Cartilage and tissues can rapidly wear down from over-exertion and lack of support and stability. Make sure you rest between runs and stretch liberally during your warm-up and cool-down.
- Cross-train. From preventing and rehabilitating injuries, to improving overall fitness, cross-training is key. Supplement your running with strength training, swimming, biking, yoga – whatever tickles your fancy.
- Jump on the yoga bandwagon. Yoga helps strengthen your core and makes you more flexible – two elements that can keep you running injury-free.
Keep these tips in mind the next time you lace up and hit the streets or trails. Happy running!
Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task.
Cheers for this outstanding. I was wondering in the event you were thining of writing related posts to this one. .Maintain up the excellent articles!
Hi there. I discovered your website by way of Google while searching for a similar subject, your site got here up. It appears to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.
I think this is a real great article. Great.
Hello there, There’s no doubt that your web site could possibly be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, great blog!
Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a long time.
Excellent weblog right here! Also your web site lots up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink for your host? I desire my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again
Wonderful help from this weblog! Thanks alot for the details I necessary
You are a very smart person!
Sewing Machines… […]any time to read or go to the content material or perhaps internet websites we surely have associated with[…]…
I will right away take hold of your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me know in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.|
You are so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read something like this before. So nice to discover someone with some genuine thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?|
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t fail me as much as this one. After all, I know it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I actually believed you would have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.
Wow, this paragraph is nice, my sister is analyzing these things, therefore I am going to tell her.|
Hi there. I discovered your blog via Google even as looking for a comparable subject, your website came up. It appears to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.
Awesome write-up. I’m a normal visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a really long time.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Howdy! This article could not be written any better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this post to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!|