Running Top Tips for Beginners

If you are already an established runner, training for a marathon or regularly doing shorter distances such as 10km you can see my advice on tips for experienced runners here. This article is geared more to the new runner.

Running is a great activity and a good way to stay fit, it’s also seen as very economical in terms of equipment and time. However, it’s important to remember that it’s a demanding, repetitive and high impact exercise and because of this, high-risk in terms of the potential for injury.

Being a beginner…

In an ideal world, the first thing you would do if you decided to start running would be to see a physiotherapist to have a biomechanical and postural assessment. Your physiotherapist would be able to tell you if you have some weakness, tightness or postural dysfunctions which could be a problem once you start running.

This scenario is unfortunately very rare. The first time we generally see people is when they have a problem, usually a pain. However, we can always hope!

These are my top tips for new runners:

- See your physio before you start your running programme!

I know I’m repeating myself here, however it is definitely worth getting assessed by your physiotherapist to help avoid bigger issues in the long term.

- Buy appropriate running trainers

The right shoes make a huge difference to your running comfort and reduce the risk of many running-related injuries. Go to one of the many running stores where they look at your running gait on a treadmill and then advise you on the best shoes for you. Your old tennis shoes are just not going to cut it and may do you harm!

- Start Slowly

A good way to start running is to do a few walk/run sessions. It is a good form of interval training. After a while, you increase the duration of the running phase and decrease the duration of the walking phase. When you are able to run all the way through, you can very gradually increase the mileage.

- Practice Self-management

Old wisdom was to stretch before a run but more recent research has advised that a warm-up should consist of the activity you are going to do but on a gentler level and generally recommends to save the stretching until the end of your run. So a brisk 3-5 minute walk should generally be sufficient as a warm-up. It’s worth saying if you’ve always stretched before running it’s fine to continue.

Stretching, using a foam roller and a spiky ball to release tensions and tightness can be very helpful after a run. This will preserve the elasticity of your muscles and tendons. After a run, having a cold bath or cold shower on the legs can help to recover faster from any potential muscle stiffness/soreness.

- Factor in Rest sessions in addition to your Training Sessions

It is very important to be careful not to over train, to have enough time to rest, your body needs the time to recover, to heal correctly after a run.

- Increase the frequency of your run and your mileage gradually.

If you go too far too fast, your body might tell you to stop by starting to hurt somewhere….

- Diversity is important in running

Don’t just run, adding other cardio activities such as cycling, swimming, rowing or cross trainer is important so that your muscles are not always working in the same way and in the same pattern.

Some strengthening and HIIT circuit sessions will also definitely reduce the risk of injury. Your physiotherapist can give you a personalised program according to your initial assessment, requirements and preferences if required.

- Recognise a possible injury early

So is it a niggle or an overuse injury?

There is a difference between post running aches and soreness, and an injury. A good warm-up before a running session and stretches and self-management after a run will usually get rid of any niggles. Pains during a run should be treated with suspicion, an early finish and focussing on your post-running stretch routine is recommended. If you are in any way concerned, applying ice to the sore area can help any problem deteriorating. Assessing how you are the following day is often the best indicator if something might be more of a problem.

Several factors can lead to injury- biomechanics, running techniques, footwear, type of training, weakness, previous injury history, nutrition and hydration mistakes…

What kind of injuries could you have caused by running? The list is long but some general injuries we see are:

· Plantar fasciitis and heel pain

· Calf strain and/or shin splints

· Anterior knee pain (patellofemoral pain and patellar tendinopathy)

· ITB syndrome

· Hip flexors and groin pain

· Lower back and pelvis pain

· Stress fractures

If something isn’t settling and interfering with your running, come see us and we can help you. An accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and management and getting you back out there as soon as possible.

Happy running!

Francois-Xavier Armengaud Senior Physiotherapist

Francois-Xavier is a keen runner himself. He successfully completed the Ultra-Trail du Mercantour Côte d’Azur in June this year coming a very respectable 40^th out of 200 competitors. He is available Monday to Friday. For further information on any of these tips please get in touch.

"I just wanted to say thank you for your help my knees are so much better now."

Sandra