Comments on My Dirt Road Anthem: Why runners get hurt

We totally ignore the signs and just push through,...

2013-06-18T19:50:35.793-06:00

We totally ignore the signs and just push through, but I also think that running is our drug and when we are not running, we have withdrawals. To keep them at bay, we run again, and injure ourselves worse. So it's not only about ego, it's about habits as well!

It's true. We want to believe we are so strong...

2013-06-18T14:31:25.922-06:00

It's true. We want to believe we are so strong.

I think you're right.

2013-06-17T14:44:24.676-06:00

I think you're right.

You are preaching, I'm the choir ;-) We need...

2013-06-16T12:51:16.428-06:00

You are preaching, I'm the choir ;-)
We need to run like popstars need fans<---I died!
I love your posts!

I've been grappling with this topic for 25 yea...

2013-06-15T18:04:45.077-06:00

I've been grappling with this topic for 25 years. I'm sort of figuring things out...but still vulnerable to the injury beast. One way I'm surviving? Elliptical for 15% to 20% of my miles. Makes 90 miles a week doable w/o the damage. Great post. Thanks for sharing.

Funny, because I commented on another blog today a...

2013-06-14T21:06:24.901-06:00

Funny, because I commented on another blog today about this topic. I think runners get seriously hurt because they push through their "little hurts" all for the reasons you mention above. Feet hurt a little? Keep running and they will hurt a lot. Knees, hips, everything, if we pay attention when the hurts are small, take a little time off, do the things we know we need to do, ice, foam roll stretch, and do them EARLY, we can avoid the big injuries, rehab, long time off, etc.

I'm a big believer in cross training to avoid ...

2013-06-14T17:05:42.466-06:00

I'm a big believer in cross training to avoid injury. Substitute one running day a week for another activity (biking, swimming, hiking, or for me, skiing).

Oh my...I realy needed this post at this very mome...

2013-06-14T10:50:58.935-06:00

Oh my...I realy needed this post at this very moment. I am fighting an injury. Sciatic nerve is a pain in my fanny. I did not run, this morning, because I am trying to give it time to heal. I am sitting at my desk, at work, debating if I should go for a run during my lunch hour. I know I shouldn't by I want to push through the pain...I have this fear of missing a planned run...really...I am an idiot.

It kinda makes me feel better that the number is s...

2013-06-14T09:08:34.570-06:00

It kinda makes me feel better that the number is so high, now I feel more like the normal than the exception! It's definitely about pushing myself and wishing I was invincible. But I also neglect some of the important things, like stretching and ice baths. Injuries are definitely a good time to branch out and get stronger in other areas (and to save miles on my shoes!).

Those injury stats are not surprising at all. And ...

2013-06-14T08:49:39.978-06:00

Those injury stats are not surprising at all. And my goodness, you really hit it out of the park with your reasons on why we get injured. And I hate those "motivational" posters. "You only regret the workouts you don't do" or something like that.. Rest days are so important and those stupid posters really send the wrong message.

That is so true. You would think we would learn. ...

2013-06-14T08:19:07.024-06:00

That is so true. You would think we would learn. I don't know how many times I have said I will take time time off after this race - and then I don't. Or I will cross train and strength and I don't. I want to be stronger, faster, better. But I run with injury and become weaker and slower. I WILL learn my lesson on of these days!

I am shocked that the number is so high! However, ...

2013-06-14T07:04:24.721-06:00

I am shocked that the number is so high! However, if I think about it I do know a lot of runners that have been injured this year. I do believe that a lot of people get hurt for the exact reasons that you mentioned. I remember last July when I was working with Matt we sat down for a heart to heart discussion about my goals for rehab etc. He said that I was defining myself too much by my running. He made me write out a list of other things I was good at and to focus on those. He kept saying "you are not JUST a runner" you are many other things too. It really got me thinking. Now I tend to get annoyed when I run into someone I know (usually non runner) who asks how running is going without saying anything else first. I want to scream "I am not just a runner!!!"

I'm surprised the number is so high but no I&#...

2013-06-14T06:21:10.135-06:00

I'm surprised the number is so high but no I'm not surprised that runners are injured...we do push more times more than we should. It is hard to find the balance between crazy miles and nothing!

Nailed it. This is definitely why I got hurt.

2013-06-14T05:51:21.820-06:00

Nailed it. This is definitely why I got hurt.

Yep, I really think you hit the nail on the head. ...

2013-06-14T05:38:34.994-06:00

Yep, I really think you hit the nail on the head. There's a fine balance between pushing yourself to the limit and pushing yourself OVER the limit and I think most of us don't know where to draw that line!

My coach is Jeff Gaudette of RC and I think their ...

2013-06-14T05:30:17.328-06:00

My coach is Jeff Gaudette of RC and I think their advice is always spot on. Anyhow, I also wrote a post recently about how our running egos (like what you described above) are often what leads to injury. I am a firm believer that injuries don't "just happen." The warning signs are always there, we just choose to ignore them!

Yes - this is completely true! I'm shocked th...

2013-06-14T04:36:55.924-06:00

Yes - this is completely true! I'm shocked that the # is so high for injured runners. I'd like to think that now I'm smarter when it comes to aches and pains and I stop and do something about it before it affects me even more!