Athletico Health Resources

Spring is here, and the running season has begun! Chances are, if you or somebody you know is a runner, you have heard of a 5K. A 5K stands for five kilometers, which is a race just over three miles (3.1 to be precise). Many communities host a 5K, or even multiple 5K races throughout the year. In fact, 5K is the most popular distance for road races in the United States, with 17,000 recorded 5K’s in the USA in 2016. Each runner completing one of these 5K’s undoubtedly wants to have an enjoyable and successful race.

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It is much easier to get out the door on that mid-week run on a sunny, mild spring day, but winter running is not as simple. How many layers should I wear? Should I wear gloves or mittens? How do I protect my head and face? Will it be dark before I’m done? What type of shoes should I wear? Have they plowed my route? How do I warm up? What’s a safe temperature? Do I need to take hydration with me? Here’s how I try to answer these questions while preparing to run outside in the winter.

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Marathon training is a months-long, demanding endeavor. Early morning runs, careful attention to our food and water intake, and dealing with fatigued legs dominate our training season. Once the marathon ends, we deserve a well-earned rest: physical and mental. However, proper recovery from running a marathon should prepare us for our next physical pursuit, not just promote relaxation. From minutes to weeks after racing, our post-marathon timeline has different considerations to help our bodies recover. Want to know what each stage of recovery from a marathon should include? Read below to plan your first steps of recovery at the finish line.

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Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you seeking to try your first 5k or marathon? Take the quiz below to see if you are ready to tackle your next endurance challenge!

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Shin splints, medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, is a common ailment experienced by athletes, runners, and individuals who engage in high-impact activities. Symptoms include pain along the shinbone (tibia), which often results from repetitive stress on the bone and the connective tissues surrounding it. Shin splints are preventable with the right strategies and habits. Let’s look at some prevention tips and when it’s time to seek out the professionals.

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You have spent hours planning, training, laundering your workout clothes, and organizing your schedule to ensure you are trained, hydrated, well-fed, ready, and rested for your upcoming event. Below are some tips to help you prepare for a successful race day.

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Runners are some of the most motivated and driven athletes we encounter in the physical therapy world. Most of the time, this is great, but sometimes, they push through aches and pains until they turn into injuries. A common complaint we hear in runners is knee pain. Although pushing through some pain is okay, it should never limit your performance. Here are a few proactive ways to avoid knee pain and go that extra mile.

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Lace-up your shoes, go for a run, take off shoes, and end of the session. Sound familiar? If your run time follows this pattern, you are not alone. Most runners admit they give little attention to recovery and cooling off after a long run. However, if you want to improve performance or are prone to injuries, you are doing yourself a disservice by skipping these recovery methods. Use the methods below as a guide to facilitate improved running recovery on your next long run.

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