This is Part 3 of a 3-part series on running without injury:
- Part 1 – What I Did to Avoid Running Injuries for the Past 3 Years
- Part 2 – What’s in my Recovery Toolkit?
- Part 3 [You are Here] – Injury is Not Normal
Let’s get a little controversial. Injury is NOT a normal part of running.
Don’t let anyone tell you any differently.
If it’s the same injury recurring you’re doing the same thing wrong straight after it heals. If it’s a different injury each time then you have many different aspects that require attention. The point is, if you are getting injured it’s because you’re doing something wrong.
Running is a skill and there is a right way and a wrong way. The problem with the wrong way is that it results in injury. The focus of my Running Technique progression is on moving correctly and avoiding injury altogether. If you find yourself with running related injuries these sessions will be of great benefit.
We’ve all been through the frustrating cycle of run -> injury -> physio -> healing -> run. Running is great; we love it. Injury sucks; but it’s part of running (or so we’re told). Physios/ Osteos are great, they fix our injuries. Healing takes time but ultimately it lets us run again.
But the whole cycle is flawed. And I’m going to tell you why:
The cause of the injury is never addressed.
Yes, the Physio or Osteo fixes your injury. But the reason you got injured in the first place is still a risk factor. And not just a small risk- if it’s caused an injury in the past it will most certainly cause another injury.
Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Masseurs and Chiropractors are fantastic at addressing pain. They might even loosen the tight muscles that caused the pain. But what caused the tight muscles? Practitioners aren’t going to go running with you. It is your responsibility to move well, as I discuss further in this post on running without injury.
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The best way to stay injury free is to move well. The second step is to recover properly. That doesn’t mean drink a chocolate milk and continue on your way. That means addressing any soreness or hotspots. Taking care of your joints and mobility. Maintaining strength where you need it.
It’s thought that most cells in the body replaces themselves when they die. For skin that’s as little as a month or two. For bones it’s around 7 years. For everything else it’s in between. The estimate is that the lifespan of fascia is 7 months. That means that, in theory, your currently damaged tissue will be brand new in 7 months.
Theory is cool but I like practice. And here’s the practical application that should make this real for you:
If you start moving well and recovering well now…
In 7 months you will never have a running injury again.
As I mentioned in this article, I haven’t been injured for years. No forced time away from running/ playing, no medical bills, no frustration…
Trust me: running injuries are not normal. Move well, look after yourself, run strong forever.
Nathan.