How to Deal With Running Aches and Pains

Are you a runner? If you have ever laced up a pair of shoes and attempted to run 1km or 100km, you are a runner in my mind. And no matter where you are in your running journey – one week or ten years – I bet you have had to deal with running aches and pains.

Strained muscles, cramps, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, sore knees… each of our bodies will respond differently to the repetitive nature of running. For me, I have this “thing” in one butt cheek. And holy heck, Batman – it hurts! I wonder: what is that one “thing” that starts to hurt during and/or after YOUR runs? 

How do YOU manage that “thing”?

Do you stop running when you feel that thing? I have to admit that I didn’t quit running or cycling when that pain literally showed up in my backside. 

Or do you take a day or two off and then try again? Once the pain was tolerable, I’d get back right into my regular routine, and I might feel okay for a little while. But that “thing” always came back. 

Have you tried to tolerate the thing? Do you “run through the pain” to reach your goals? I understand, because running clear my mind, it feels like therapy, and it makes me feel so good! (Minus the butt pain, of course). 

And now for the big question: Has pain ever forced you to take a HUGE break from running?

Recovering From & Preventing Running Aches & Pains

If you’ve had to take a break from running due to injury, you probably finally caved and sought help. Perhaps you tried massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic, IMS or acupuncture. And you may have been prescribed exercises, stretches, and rolling techniques to help sort your body out. 

These are ALL GOOD THINGS! I myself have often sought the advice of professionals when dealing with nagging injuries or acute pain. But what if you could minimize the amount of time (and money) you were spending on these sorts of appointments? 

What if you could learn ways to strengthen, stretch, and mobilize your body so that you don’t get those “things” that you tolerate and hinder your love of running?

Pilates and functional strength training can help you to recover from and prevent injuries, if you incorporate them into your weekly regime. It doesn’t need to take hours away from running, and may even be able to replace some of those appointments, too. 

Read: For Runners Past & Present – How to Avoid Running Injuries

I’m excited to be working on a NEW program coming this Spring to help deal with those running aches and pains, so you can keep running for years to come.

Interested? Comment below, and I’ll send you the program information once it’s ready to go.