When It Comes to Sports, We're As Driven As You Are
Whether you are an experienced runner or just beginning, knowing the basic guidelines can keep your program productive, safe, and injury free.
Common Injuries
Most running injuries result from running either too much, too often, or too fast. Beginning runners are especially prone to injuries.
Running injuries can be caused by improper shoes or improper running style. Whatever the cause of the injury, it's important to deal with it and treat it, even if that means cutting back or taking time off from running.
Some common running injuries include:
For athletes who have experienced a sports-related injury, UPMC Center for Sports Medicine’s orthopaedic surgeons , board certified physical therapists , and athletic trainers will help to speed recovery and restore function.
Runner’s Injury and Performance Clinic
Whether you’re training for a marathon or just jogging for fun, a running injury doesn’t have to slow you down.
Take advantage of our weekly runner’s clinic for injury evaluation and performance enhancement.
The clinic offers a multi-disciplinary approach to evaluating and managing runner’s injuries. Physicians specializing in sports medicine and athletic trainers assess injuries and provide treatment; and sports performance trainers perform comprehensive physiological and biomechanical gait assessment to enhance performance.
To register, call us at 412-432-3700.
Training Tips and Techniques
Running doesn't have to hurt. While it's true that the more an individual runs, the more at risk they are for an injury, some runners do manage to avoid getting hobbled by pain by developing healthy running habits.
- Always begin running with a warm-up. Start slowly and stay at a slow pace for the first
ten to 15 minutes of the run.
- Buy the right shoes, and replace them before they get worn out.
- In the case of small injuries, get in the habit of icing. This promotes deep circulation
and healing.
- Don't run every day. Take days off and cross train.
- Don't try to run too fast. Build your ability to run distances before you try to run those distances fast.
- Don't run too much before you're ready. Give your body time to get accustomed to running and its demands.
- Its okay to take days off, especially if you have an injury. Take a few days off while the injury is minor, instead of running through the pain and being sidelined for months down the road.
- Regardless of the temperature where you're running, you need to replace fluids to
avoid dehydration.