A Runner’s Mind: Injury prevention tips

September 15, 2011

Some years back a friend of mine was playing goal in a beer league hockey game and, as fate would have it, tore his medial collateral ligament. During rehab he decided to take up long distance running, mostly as a shortcut to better fitness. He didn’t know it then but his hockey days were over with that decision, not because of lingering injury concerns but because he discovered a real knack for running and decided to explore the limits of his capabilities in a new sport.
Besides, running was safe, wasn’t it? I mean, what could happen? All you really do is put on a pair of shoes, make wheezing noises and jog for a little while, right? Finally a worry-free sport where they even give you little cups of water at stations if you run in a race and all kinds of goodies afterward! The notion that a marathon finisher could be almost as bloody, beaten up and in shock as a prizefighter is ridiculous! Isn’t it?
Well, I can tell you, it isn’t.
After running a dozen or so races my friend decided to run his first marathon. Without any coaching he had to learn from other runners. Someone advised him to tape his nipples to prevent chafing but my friend, the novice, was dubious. He’d never had issues during a half marathon and thought they must be joking.

Please see Friday's Record for the complete story.