Are you a runner? Partner of a runner, child or parent of a runner? Workmate of a runner?

If you are any of these doubtless you have lived through the experience of being around a runner who is being prevented from running. Working with injured runners as a health professional can also bring its challenges, as the mindset of a runner can be quite different…

To a non runner, the very idea of pounding pavements for hours on end in driving rain, winds, freezing temperatures and darkness sounds ridiculous. However, more and more people are taking to the roads, and falling in love with the sport of running. Running is accessible, it takes a pair of decent shoes, and a big dollop of motivation. For those who stick out more than a couple of runs (the worst ones) something wonderful awaits, the runners high. Addictive, character changing, it has you in its grasp. Some say running is like meditation, they think of nothing but enjoy the euphoria of being at one with a repetitive movement.

Running now becomes a habit, and with the increased miles something magical happens. You get quicker, much quicker, you lose weight, you feel better and you run further. The positive circle propels itself until the millage increases to a point that causes INJURY. We all know what to do if an injury happens, ask any runner, they will tell you.

• Rest
• ice
• compression
• elevate the site
• seek medical opinion
• get treatment
• rehab
• and eventually return to activity

What really happens is this…

Take a day off, apply ice, do a google search on symptoms, self diagnose, read research on barefoot running, do some stretches, consider a new pair of running shoes, go for a test run the next day.

The injury gets a little worse, and is usually followed by the same routine again of taking a day off, more google etc.. followed by another trial run.

This circle of behaviour can go on for weeks, until finally a runner may admit, its not a niggle, I’m injured, and I need to rest for a reasonable period and get some help. Admitting injury is akin to removing the label of runner for some, which is a huge part of their identity, and is often one of the most pleasurable things in their daily routine. And now its gone, all the runner can think of is getting back out there again, many will give in to the idea of a trial run long before its wise.
As a runner myself I can attest to doing the wrong thing with injuries many, many times, even though I should know better. Go easy on the runners in your life when they are injured, its more than a muscle pull to them, its a huge part of their life been put on hold. If you are an injured runner, go easy on yourself, especially if you do the wrong things with your injury, you are not alone!