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Runner's Knee
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Running Tip: Strengthen Quads With Wall Squats
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.
Fit Tip: Mind Your Knees
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.
Avoid Runner's Knee
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.
Tips to Prevent Runner's Knee
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.
Other Search Results
Stretch It: Twisting Hip Flexor Stretch
A common complaint among runners and cyclists is tight hip flexors, the area in front of the hips above the quads. Here's one of my favorite ways to lengthen that area, while also getting a subtle spinal twist — two great stretches in one!
To learn how to get into this stretch, read more
Strike a Yoga Pose: Head to Knee A
Looking to loosen up inflexible hips and hamstrings? Here's a yoga pose that's a popular stretch among runners because it'll target the oh-so-tight backs of the legs.
Sanskrit Name: Janu Sirsasana A
English Translation: Head to Knee Pose A
Also Called: Flag
To learn how to do this forward bend variation read more
Prevent Shin Splints With Toe Lifts
Since the weather is getting chillier, many of you might be moving your runs indoors. From my experience, switching running surfaces always takes some time to get used to, and shin splint pain has often been a symptom of adjustment. To prevent soreness in the front of your lower leg, here's an exercise recommended by Runner's World you can do any time you're sitting to strengthen your shins and increase flexibility.
The Office, "Double Date": Best Lines of the Night and Video!
I knew it was going to be hard to top the koi pond incident (and those Halloween costumes), but I was glad to see this week's The Office return to the storyline with new paramours Michael and Helene. This time, Pam is actually coming around to the idea of her mother dating her boss, but per his usual protocol, Michael is ready with a few blunders to messy things up. We also had a friendly competition between Andy and Dwight and — naked photos?
Hike the Hill: Preventing Knee Pain
Fall is the perfect time to hike. There's a cool breeze, the fallen leaves make the trail even softer, and once you reach the pinnacle, you'll be amazed at the gorgeous foliage across the horizon. I love to try out new mountain trails, but find that the steep inclines and declines can be really hard on my knees.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Butterfly
If you're a runner, chances are your feet could use some extra love. Here's a tranquil pose that will stretch your arches and toes like Toe Breaker stretch, but will also open your hips and challenge your sense of balance.
To learn how to do this pose and see another variation read more
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