FitSugar

How to Deal With 4 Common Running Issues

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 04:30:00 PDT

From itchy legs to charley horses, runners are prone to certain common problems. Whether you've experienced all or none of these issues, here's a quick refresher on how to deal with some of running's most common - and treatable - issues.

Running Tip: Strengthen Quads With Wall Squats

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:00:00 PDT

If you're a runner and you want to increase your speed, build your endurance, and have the ability to tackle hills with a breeze, you need to have strong quads. Strengthening your thighs can also prevent injuries such as runner's knee. This common injury, which often happens to new runners, is tied to a combination of weak quads and tight hamstrings and calves. Wall squats (also called wall sits) are the perfect exercise to strengthen your upper legs.

To find out how to do this essential move for runners,

Fit Tip: Mind Your Knees

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:00:00 PDT

As my mom would say, "Take care of your knees, you only get one pair," and nothing could be more true than when it comes to running.

Running is a great way to burn a lot of calories and tone up that lower body, but it can also be pretty tough on your knees - it's not called runner's knee for nothing. No matter if you're an outdoor or indoor runner, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your knees is to switch up your workouts frequently, and don't forget that runners need strength training, too. Think about all your favorite ways to exercise and incorporate them into your cardio plans. You don't need to give up running completely, but your body will thank you in the long run if you add a little variety today.

Source

Avoid Runner's Knee

FitSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:30:00 PDT

If you are new to running you definitely want to be wary of developing runner's knee, an overuse injury that is twice as likely to occur in women than men. Known in the medical world as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PPFS), runner's knee causes pain in and around the knee cap (or patella). The pain is caused by tracking issues with the knee cap that irritate the bony groove the knee cap actually sits in. While there can be many reasons for this annoying and common problem that most often strikes newbies, it is most often caused by tight hamstrings and calves (the muscles in the back of the leg) coupled with weak quads (the muscle at the front of the thigh).

You don't need to avoid running to prevent runner's knee, but you should try to run on accommodating surfaces like dirt paths and asphalt, not concrete. Uneven terrain and hills can aggravate knee tracking problems, so be wary of hills if you are experiencing tenderness around your knee caps. Be proactive and strengthen your quads. And to see how, just

read more. Wall sits are an easy exercise that target the quads.

Stand with your back against a wall, placing your feet about two feet out in front of you. Feet should be hips distance apart.
Bending your knees, slide your back down the wall until your knees are at 90 degree angles. Your knee joints should be over your ankle joints, so you may need to inch your feet further from the wall to create proper alignment. Don't let your knees fall in on the midline of your body, or sway outwards.
Hold for one minute, do three reps.

Don't forget to stretch your hamstrings and your calves too. Source

Tips to Prevent Runner's Knee

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:30:00 PST

Runner's knee - pain around the kneecap, especially when walking down stairs - is no fun at all and can really put a damper on your exercise routine. There are several things you can do to help prevent runner's knee from happening, such as:

Take time to get your body in good condition before performing activities that stress the knees.
Try to lose weight. Being overweight puts additional stress on the knees.
Always warm up and stretch your legs before you exercise. Remember to stretch after your workout, as well.
Increase activity gradually. Trying to do too much before your body is conditioned for it can cause injury.
Wear supportive running shoes that absorb shock well. Try to run on somewhat softer surfaces. Check out On the Surface of Things: Where to Run.
Practice good form when running, leaning slightly forward and keeping your knees bent.

Source

RX For Shin Splints: Ice Massage

Susi May — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:39:21 PST

Shin splints are the bane of many new runners. The tight calves that accompany mileage increases can spell pain for the lower leg. If running causes any discomfort, take time off to allow your shin splints to heal. But you need not sit idle on the sidelines while you recuperate: ice massages help, too. A serious runner, my Equinox trainer reminded me of the healing combo of ice and massage to decrease the inflammation around the tibia (anatomy speak for shin), caused by this overuse injury. The technique is simple, but first you need to make the ultimate tool: the icing cup!

Make Your Own Icing Cup
Used in gyms and physical therapy clinics, an icing cup protects your fingers from freezing and provides a perfectly sized contact point for massaging troubled spots. Take six Dixie cups, fill them with water, and freeze. When it comes time to ice, peel back the paper and begin the massage.

The Massage
Starting by your foot, place your icing cup on the outside of your shin, on the tibialis anterior muscle. Making long strokes toward your knee, massage the muscle with an amount of pressure that feels good. Mix up your massage strokes and try small circular patterns, once again starting at the ankle and working up toward the knee. After five minutes of massaging, finish your 20-minute icing cycle with 15 minutes of static icing by placing an ice pack (or frozen peas or corn) on your shin. Aim to massage and ice twice a day.

If you're not up for an ice massage, you can always show your shins some foam roller love. Do keep stretching your calf muscles, and once the pain diminishes try these easy exercises to strengthen the tibialis anterior.

Ways to Keep Knee Pain at Bay

Susi May — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:25:56 PST

When a good workout leaves my muscles sore, I know I'm getting stronger every day and revel in the pain. But when a long run leaves me with achy knees, I'm reminded that I'm getting a little bit older and a little more creaky. Unfortunately, my knees have been talking back a lot lately - just another reminder that as your age increases so does the amount of time you need to spend doing body maintenance. A long run requires a long yoga session and hours on the bike translate into time spent stretching and strengthening. With all that in mind, here's my happy knee to-do list:

Roll it: I roll my iliotibial bands religiously (here's more details on rolling the ITB). The ITB is a band of fascia that runs from the outside of the pelvis to just below the knee. Unlike muscle, fascia is not very flexible - I call it the body's shrink wrap. Using a foam roller and slowly rolling out this band can do wonders for knee pain by adding a little length to the tightened band. Turn the 60-minute guilty pleasure of your fave reality TV show into body time and roll out your legs in front of the boob tube.
Stretch 'em: Tight hamstrings and calves, both of which cross over the back of the knee joint, can yank on the joint, pulling it out of alignment. Keep your hamstrings loose with these stretches and stretch your calves regularly, especially if you run, is imperative to keeping you on the road. As you age, it's important to hold your stretches for a little bit longer to reap the benefits. Increase the time in the stretch to 45 seconds to a minute.
Strengthen: Strong hips make for a happy runner, and at least two times a week I work my glute meds, the stabilizing muscles on the outside of the pelvis. Strong glute meds decrease the sway of the pelvis, cutting down on both low back and knee pain. I do two to three sets of 20 side-stepping squats with a theraband.

With a little TLC and common sense, you can prevent many problems of the weekend warrior. If your pain doesn't go away with time off and rest, make an appointment with a physical therapist. Having a trained professional diagnose an injury early on can prevent it from becoming a chronic condition.

Check Yourself: Running Form To-Do List

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:59:26 PST

Whether you're new to running since Jan. 1 or just trying to find your fitness groove, running can be difficult to love 24/7. When my affection for running wanes, one thing that helps bring back the love is technique. When out for a run, I go through this simple list to check my form. It makes me a mindful runner, which helps not only avoid injury but also helps me find my stride once again.

Before you head out to put this checklist to work, be sure to enter to win a year supply of running shoes from Asics. Nothing motivates more than a new pair of sneaks!

Here's my form checklist, starting with the feet.

Land midfoot, not on the heel. Striking the pavement with your heel naturally puts on the brakes, which slows you down and leaves you prone to injury since it's jarring. Not convinced? Read more about heel striking here.
Keep your ankles relaxed and pick your feet up. Bringing the heel toward the bum to activate the hamstrings - a good thing - while pushing the ground away causes muscles to fatigue more quickly, especially the calf.
Shorten your stride. It's nicer for your knees. Really, it is.
Lean slightly forward. The lean should start at your ankles, not your waist, since bending in the middle can hurt your back and it's also inefficient.

To see what you should be doing with your upper body while running, just keep reading.

From Beginner to Expert: 4 Ways to Become a Better Runner

Leta Shy — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:42:26 PST

Have you got the running bug? If you've recently committed to a running program, it may seem like there's not much prep involved, except downloading your favorite playlist. Running is a popular pastime because it doesn't require much know-how to start - just pick out your shoes and go. But that doesn't mean that there isn't technique. Whether you're starting out or never thought twice about your regular runs, read on for tips on how to become a better runner.

Learn the basics: The barriers to entry may be low, but that doesn't mean running isn't a skill. If you are a beginner runner, pay attention to how you run. Listen to your gait - you shouldn't be running unevenly or hitting the ground hard. Read more tips on analyzing your running style here. And remember that mid- or forefoot-striking is best (as opposed to heel striking) for helping prevent injuries.

Read more tips on proper running after the break.

Show Your Running Knees Some Love

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:30:58 PST

Running as a convenient form of cardio may be the bee's knees, but it can leave my knees aching. Although studies have found there is no connection between running and an increased risk for arthritis, here are some easy ways to show your knees some love.

Stay flexible: Tight hamstrings or quads can prevent the knee from going through its full range of motion, which can negatively impact the soft tissues that work the knee. Hamstrings can get especially tight for runners, and here are five easy ways to lengthen the muscles in the back of your legs. Don't forget to stretch your quads post-run, as well as your calves. Tight calves can create knee pain so stretch the back of your lower legs as well.
Maintain a healthy weight: Running can be considered a series of connecting hops, and the force of landing on your knees is considerable. Excess weight just increases the force of pressure your knees endure while running.
Strength train: Keeping your legs strong can help prevent knee injuries. Strong quads and strong glute meds, the muscle on the side of the pelvis, can help prevent iliotibial band syndrome, which causes pain on the outside of the knee, so do this wall sit exercise.
Cross train: Doing multiple forms of cardio is a great way to give your knee joints a nice break. Biking, swimming, Zumba, and running in water are great ways to mix up your cardio routine.