I is for Injury

In an ideal runner's world, every step of every mile would be 100 percent pain-free. No aches, no twinges, no lingering soreness from yesterday's workout, but then everyone would do it.  One article that I read last night stated that 30-50% of runner's will incur an injury in a training year!

Most common running injuries:

 plantar fasciitis - an inflammation in the bottom of the foot.  The common characteristic of this condition is a sharp, painful sensation at the base of the heel that can be anywhere from annoying to excruciating.

achilles tendonitis -  inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Because the lower legs are so far away from your heart, there’s very little blood flow to the area, which means the healing process for an injury such as Achilles tendinitis is often slow.

it band syndrome -  Your iliotibial (IT) band is a tendon that connects your knee to your hip. IT band syndrome (ITBS) results when this tendon becomes inflamed. ITBS has been compared to the feeling of somebody stabbing you in the side of the knee when you run, especially when going downhill. 

runner's knee - A constant ache underneath your kneecap when you run. Is likely runner’s knee, or patellofemoral knee syndrome. The main symptom is pain just below the kneecap that usually worsens as the intensity of exercise increases

shin splints -  “shin splints" is an umbrella term.  At their worst, shin splints can turn into a stress fracture along the tibia, and searing pain will be felt with every stride; in less severe cases, the muscles in the shin area may be tender and inflamed, and pain lessens a few miles into the run

FINGERS crossed - injury free this year!