How to Avoid Running Injuries: Everything You Need to Know
Anyone who’s experienced Runner’s High will tell you that running is a fantastic mood-elevating exercise. Despite the soreness, tiredness, and sweat, running can make you feel euphoric.
But the psychological effects won’t last long if you suffer an injury while running. And there are many common running injuries. If you make one little mistake, you could be out of action for weeks.
Don’t worry! There are lots of simple ways to avoid running injuries. And they are easy to incorporate into your existing daily running routine.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know.
Wear the Right Gear
It’s vital that you wear the right clothing, support, and shoes for running. If you don’t, you are increasing the risk of falls, strains, and muscle soreness.
Wear compression leggings and socks to support your muscles. This will decrease the build-up of lactic acid and improve circulation.
But wearing the right shoes is even more important to avoid running injuries. Choose specialist running sneakers with a perfect fit and slight bounce. They will help you avoid tripping which can lead to sprains and broken bones.
And if preventing runner’s knee is a concern of yours, wear knee supports. Many runners discover the connection between knee pain and running early in their running journeys.
Stretch and Warm-up
Running without stretching first is like slamming your foot on the gas as soon as you start your car. Both your muscles and your vehicle need time to warm up. If you don’t, you could cause significant damage to your calf and ankle muscles in particular.
Start with a light 30 to 60-second jog. Then stretch your calves, hamstrings, quads, and continue to work your way upwards.
Start Slow and Steady
One of the main causes of running injuries is the lack of education. If you are new to running then start with short and slow runs. Once you learn your limits, you can start to push yourself without going too far.
Listen to Your Body
Even the most advanced runners find it difficult to stop and listen to their bodies. Often they are too concerned with improving and following their strict running schedule. But if your body is sore, run-down, or ill, it’s often better to rest than to ignore it.
Think of it this way. If you injure yourself while running, you’ll need much more than one rest day.
Seek Medical Advice
Have a pre-existing medical condition or injury from playing another sport? You’re wise to consider how taking up running will affect your existing issues. Remove the guesswork by asking your doctor for their opinion so you don’t cause further injuries.
That’s How To Avoid Running Injuries in Future
Running offers tons of mental and physical health benefits. But you can only experience these benefits if you avoid running injuries. With this guide, you’ll be able to do exactly that so you can meet your running goals.
Avoiding injuries is vital to looking after your health, but there are other ways to improve it too. Browse our website for tons of articles offering health tips and advice.
