Forget The Pain, Running Injuries Can Be Depressing!!

Earlier this year I treated a patient who ran the Houston Marathon and jumped right into training for the upcoming triathlon season the following week, against my advice, while nursing a painful case of posterior tibial tendon tendonitits. Unfortunately this approach eventually sidelined him and forced him to scrap the entire triathlon season in order to undergo surgery and recover from his injury. This eventually led to a major case of depression which far outlasted his recovery from injury and almost kept him out indefinitely.

By nature, athletes have an extremely high tolerance for pain and at times tend to view their injuries as a normal part of their training regimen often to the point of ignoring serious symptoms. Posterior tibial tendonitis is a common injury in runners usually resulting from chronic overpronation and overuse caused by the repetitive force and trauma asociated with overtraining. Symptoms usually begin as soreness along the inside of the ankle and/or arch when pushing off and can eventually lead to weakness and severe pain. Left untreated, it can progress to a tear which usually requires lengthy immobilization or surgical intervention causing a major delay in any training regimen. However, if the injury is caught early and treated aggressively, it can be done without any interruption or possibly a slight, brief alteration in the training schedule while avoiding a lengthy delay which can spoil any runner's plans.

In this particular case, my patient underwent approximately 8 weeks of physical therapy, anti inflammatories and forced rest. During this time he became discouraged, angry and unmotivated, even though I recommended cross training to maintain at least some level of fitness so that his return to running would not be so traumatic. He resisted the entire time and even admitted to feeling "worthless" at one point. Once he was pain free, he was still afraid to resume running for fear he would reinjure his foot and it would sideine him again.

About 3 months after stopping running completely to rehabilitate from his injury, he began cycling, swimming and using the elliptical machine gradually. More recently, he resumed running starting at a much reduced distance than where he left off, and he is starting to regain confidence and a sense of self worth.

He now realizes what caused his depression and I have no doubt that he will return stronger than ever. More importantly, I think the lesson he learned and one that all athletes should learn, particularly runners, is not to ignore any injury. No matter how small or insignificant you may think the injury is, it can become significant if it is not addressed early and aggressively. The resulting depression from the mental trauma of having something so meaningful and enjoyable taken away can lead to an even more prolonged layoff from which you may never fully recover, long after the injury has healed.

Training for a Half Marathon

Half marathons are a very popular length race to run. For those runners who are well trained, hard-core athletes the half marathon has its appeal because it can help train them for a full marathon. Many training schedules include a half marathon as one of its long runs in order to help get an athlete in prime condition for a marathon. In fact some marathons will even take half marathon times for qualification for a starting corral.

For other runners who are maybe just getting into running, very young or very old, or people who don't have as much time to train, a half marathon has an appeal for an entirely different reason. For the beginners a half marathon is seen as a reachable goal. Many new runners may be overwhelmed by how far a marathon is, but the option of running a half marathon seems to be a much more feasible, yet still respectable goal. For those people who fall into the category of being very young or very old, a half marathon is a popular option to prevent them from getting injured by attempting to run a full marathon.

Whether you are the well trained athlete, the beginner, or on either end of the age spectrum there are some things about training for and racing a half marathon that apply to all runners. First, always pick a training schedule that is right for your experience level. There are many free training programs out there that range from beginner to expert. It is important to use these schedules in order to know that you are not over working your body too quickly and making sure you get the right amount of rest that your body requires to replenish its essential chemicals. Second, it is important to always stretch before and after each run to help prevent injuries from occurring. Third, remember that the more that you run the more you must eat and drink to compensate for the extra calories and sweat you’re burning. Lastly, make sure you have a good pair of running shoes that give you the right stability and support you need to sustain the number of miles you will run throughout your training and race.

Half marathons are a great length because they allow people of all running abilities to participate. As long as the runner follows a training schedule, stretches, and takes care of their feet they will have a healthy and successful race.