What is the number 1 thing you should do to improve your running or even your PR in your next run or race? The answer is NOT to get injured! Read on while I explain...
Despite the pandemic, there are a handful of in-person races throughout the country and many virtual options. While virtual racing is really not the same, it can get you motivated and disciplined to work towards a goal and get things dialed in versus just doing random workouts on your own with no rhyme or reason. During COVID, I decided to PR my half marathon so that I had something to train for instead of being haphazard with my own training. So I set the goal and figured out what I needed to do in order to achieve it.
My last half marathon PR was in 2017 on a flat course in 1:53. A couple of weekends ago, I beat that time with a new PR of 1:48! I was pretty pleased with the result given the fact that I'm 3 years older and well into my 40's now. This made me think of how my run training went last year when I tore my hamstring. I was signed up to run CIM marathon but didn't want to back out, so I trained with the hamstring injury. I was always running around the problem and rehabbing at the same time so my training runs never went as well as I wanted them to. I never felt like I could push the pace in fear that the hamstring would cramp, get sore or worsen. Really not a recipe for a personal best or even a good performance. I made it through the marathon and the hamstring held up ok but I was disappointed in my performance as I knew I could run better.
In retrospect, it would've been better to completely rehab my hamstring and defer the race for the following year. But hindsight is 20/20 and so I'm sharing this insight with you. If something is hurting while you're running, especially if it's more than 2-3 out of 10 on the pain scale, guess what? You are injured but may not know it. Many runners are used to running through some discomfort or pain and never consider that they are actually injured. But if you've been dealing with the same pain or discomfort for weeks, months or even years, you should do something about it. You don't have to settle for slow runs around the pain (or in some cases, not running at all). The good news is that we know something about running and injuries. And we can certainly help you get back to running pain free and fast again.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a family member or friend who is a runner, we offer gift certificates for run gait analyses and a personalized return to run program! They can be done virtually on zoom or in person in the office where we are following strict Covid precautions as an essential healthcare facility. Call or text us at 925-222-5446 in order to purchase your gift certificate for the holidays!
