RUNNER'S WORST FEAR

Injuries and overtraining are common pitfalls for many runners.

I found that out the unfortunate way, and now need to take 5-6 weeks off running :( But at least I’ve got a great physio and can still move almost completely freely. I am very thankful for that! It could have been worse, a stress fracture and no running for ages. Thank goodness it isn’t!

Over the past 7 years of running, I gradually increased my training. The past few years I knew I was running a lot, often neglecting cross or strength training in favour of extra runs, not taking rest days. I knew, but felt so good and energetic. It was also intriguing to push my body, amazing to find what it can do and its limits. And I still stand by this, pushing your limits and doing what you love I mean. But the point: I was running too much. I didn't want to think about potential for injury or overdoing it, maybe because it was my biggest fear (doing that and not being able to run), and I don't like thinking of fears. I guess I had to face it at some point...

After my ultramarathon I only took one day of rest. I just felt so good. But during autumn I was feeling overtraining symptoms and a bit of foot and ankle pain. I was also very stressed. I kept going. My running gait was affected as things tried to compensate for the sore foot, tired body, and decreased strength in key muscles; the ankle got increasingly overloaded. Combined with a change to the wrong shoes and a week in skiing boots, my ankle was not happy. But I still kept going.

Finally after my end-January 10K race I knew I needed to do something about it. I saw various sports medicine practitioners - podiatrists, physios, sports doctors, MRI scanners - and got my diagnosis. It was mixed feelings - it wasn't a stress fracture as expected (yay!) but the tendons weren't happy at all (boo!). I couldn't run for 5-6 weeks which was frustrating to hear the news.

But I’m happy I am now on the route to recovery :)

Failing to give the body enough rest and variation can lead to injuries and overtraining. No matter how good your intention in going out for a run, no matter how amazing it feels (and it really does!!). It really is important to be careful. Otherwise you end up being out for more than just that rest day… And trust me, it’s not great at all!

More information about overtraining and injuries in these blogs. Hope they help you stay up and active :)