We get all injuries from time to time, whether a minor niggle, inherent weakness, or a long term injury. It can be a depressing time if we allow negative thoughts to outweigh our normal well adjusted approach to running. So here, gained from long experience of being on the sidelines, are Ed’s do’s of managing an injury.
| 1 | Get an early diagnosis so that you are not left wondering where the problem rests. It may cost a few pounds for physio advice but it will pay off in the longer term through having pinpointed the problem and the steps to recovery |
| 2 | Follow the advice given, including the usual routine of exercises that are inevitably part of the diagnosis and treatment. |
| 3 | Try other forms of exercise that complement the recovery such as swimming, pilates, yoga, gym work, cycling, press ups, stretching, walking – the list is endless. Indeed it might be worth including these newly found pursuits long after the injury has gone. |
| 4 | Begin your comeback slowly and enjoy the gradual feeling of fitness returning. |
| 5 | Appreciate the pleasure of returning to running and vow never to again ignore the niggles that frequently can lead to longer term injury. |
| 6 | Support fellow club runners even when you are not running yourself – attend races to lend encouragement and help out at events (and take some photos!). |
| 7 | Come to Kings to socialise before, or after, training sessions to keep in touch with club affairs and your fellow runners. After x-country races come to The Elephant to enjoy the ‘reliving the race’ moments even if unable to run your self. In the summer come along to the pub runs – there is often a small group to join who are doing a walk rather than the run. |
| 8 | Attend a coaching course to gain an important road running qualification and support the club’s training programme. |
| 9 | Stay positive – there are loads of things worse than being injured (as we all know from what life throws at us a from time to time) |
| 10 | Discuss your injury and treatment with others to gain ideas on what others have experienced but resist boring people with over-telling your own injury tale! |
| 11 | And finally, plan your recovery and future race goals and always remain patient during recovery. |
