Did you know that running increases your bodyweight about seven times the normal weight with every step that you take? It also puts you at risk for developing heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, stress fractures, knee pain, hip pain, back pain, and much more. Overall, running is a very high-impact activity and comes with a lot of training and self-care in order to maintain your health.
For those of you ambitious fitness-junkies who enjoy running marathons, you’ll want to keep reading to learn whether or not it’s something you should continue.
What You Should Know
As we said before, running is a very high-impact activity. It puts a lot of strain on your entire body because of the amount of work needed to take each step. Many runners find themselves with conditions such as ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and much more. Most runners who start to see these effects begin caring for themselves immediately, but there are a lot of newer runners who don’t.
Despite some of the negative side effects of running, there are a lot of health benefits that are the driving factors for people’s desire to run.
Here are just a few:
Helps to build strong bones, as it is a weight-bearing exercise
Strengthens muscles
Improves cardiovascular fitness
Burns plenty of calories
Helps maintain a healthy weight.
Training Do’s and Dont’s
Many people choose to partake in running events such as marathons or smaller races like 5k’s. Regardless of the race length, you’ll want to ensure you are properly training to avoid serious injuries. This is typically when most runners see a difference in their performance and how much the running affects them.
Do’s
Have a training plan that you’ll follow
Add in strength training
Be patient
Hydrate and maintain a well-balanced diet
Ensure you are getting plenty of rest
Stretch frequently
Dont’s
Overtrain
Start a run without warming up
Finish a run without stretching or cooling down
Attend a race without training first
The Verdict
Running marathons is something many people enjoy and it essentially becomes part of who they are. We have no hard feelings towards marathons, as long as the runner is training properly and knows how to take care of themselves before, during, and after.
If you have a pre-existing condition that you want to be checked out before a marathon, or if you just have questions, feel free to book an appointment with us!
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