Is running enough to be fit and healthy, or is there more to it?
Runners – Why Do You Run?
“I feel healthy”
“I can think more clearly”
“I enjoy it”
“It helps me to relax”
“I can cope better when I run”
The list goes on…
What’s your answer?
I always ask my clients, why do you run?
What does it mean to you when you’re not running? (because of injury, time, etc).
Reflect and you may find that the answer runs deeper than you think!
Running is AMAZING! Why? Anyone can run!
Running – It’s a lot easier than you think!
You don’t need equipment! Okay you need running shoes but most people have those!
You don’t NEED a fancy watch! You’re more than welcome to use one… but it’s not going to stop you from running if you don’t have one.
You can run almost anywhere. Oval, road, trail, treadmill!
You can run with friends, you can do a park run, or you can run by yourself!
The great thing about running is that you can run at your own pace.
For some people it’s the perfect opportunity to escape life for a while if you’ve had a stressful day.
If you’re thinking about starting running, or if you are already a regular runner… there’s a few things you should know.
Running alone is NOT enough
Studies have shown strength training can reduce risk of injury by 1/3!
Common running injuries include knee pain, achilles tendon issues, plantar fascia pain, shin splints and stress fractures
With all the reasons WHY we run, WHY wouldn’t you be pro-active in preventing an injury?That’s right 33% less injuries occur when running is combined with some strength work!
Strength work can be in the gym or even simply with body weight exercises. Focus on the big muscle groups – eg: glutes, hams, quads and calves! Again, lets not overcomplicate what can be quite simple.
My usual go-to exercises from a Podiatrist perspective include my favourites:
- Calf raises (bent and straight knee)
- Squats (add a band or weight)
- Single leg bridges
- Lunges
The beauty of keeping it simple is that we often do not require any additional equipment to be getting stronger and really complimenting our running efforts!
The aim of strength training here is to increase your body’s ability to handle load. The stronger you are, the more you can do!
My two cents – the enjoyment of running far outweighs the risks! If you want to run then you need to MAKE time for the strength side too! All the best runners do both, and do both well!
