I have always been almost lethally uncoordinated. Some have even said klutzy. As a would-be student athlete, I had much more enthusiasm than actual talent.
After an assortment of unfortunate incidents, including a sprained ankle during a casual game of basketball and a black eye (not mine) during a Junior High volleyball match, my parents suggested I give the track team a try, reasoning that I would be highly unlikely to injure myself -- or anyone else -- while jogging a few laps on a level surface.
They were right about one thing: I would have to try pretty hard to inflict harm on anyone else during a run unless I accidentally tripped them, which, unfortunately, I'm not ruling out. However, distance running is as likely to cause individual injuries just as any other sport, particularly for novices like me who are steadily increasing their mileage.
Runner's injuries are so prevalent that a Google search yields more than 9 million Web sites dedicated to discussing, diagnosing and treating them. Runners eagerly discuss injuries past and present as though comparing battle scars from hard-fought wars.
A sampling of the myriad of potential runner's injuries listed in Runner's World's "Complete Book of Women's Running" includes:
-- Plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the tissue that runs from the heel along the arch of the foot; characterized by intense heel pain, usually during the first steps of the day
-- Shin splints, or generalized lower leg pain
-- Stress fractures, or tiny cracks in a bone, often those of the lower leg and feet
-- Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), or inflammation of the band of tissue that runs from hip to knee
-- The oh-so-generically named "runner's knee," identified by pain around or behind the knee cap, which is due to the improper tracking of that bone
There also are the generally non-prohibitive issues of acne, chafing, blisters, unsightly blackened toenails, painful side stitches and a greater susceptibility to illnesses such as cold and flu.
So, non-runners may ask, if injuries are such a legitimate concern, why do we subject ourselves to miles and miles of punishment?
Sure, an hour on an elliptical is probably safer and yields similar cardiovascular benefits, but you don't feel the wind and sun on your face (or, more frequently in this area, the wind chill and snow). Gym workouts also preclude the exploration of new trails, the enjoyment of old trails and the always pleasurable distraction of bay views (if that bay constitutes half my pay, I will view it at every opportunity).
There are also those intangibles that come along with running: unwavering commitment; a spirit of competition; and, most importantly, an unyielding passion. And it's hard to feel passionate about an elliptical machine.
Full disclosure: Last week I fell off the running wagon. This wasn't, I promise, a return to my anti-running days of yore. Rather, it was the result of a growing, radiating ache in each knee that eventually rendered me unable to complete my runs. After shaking off a growing sense of dread, I did some digging and matched my symptoms to their most likely cause -- runner's knee.
Common suggestions for treating this type of overuse injury include resting, icing the affected area, stretching, taking anti-inflammatories, and, for more extensive problems, investing in massage and physical therapy.
So far ice, Ibuprofen and more intense stretching sessions are working pretty well for me. At the very least, they have allowed me to get my training schedule back on track.
My parents expressed chagrin and a little ill-disguised humor when I confessed that I, "klutzy Claire," managed to injure myself "running, of all things." Better me than an innocent bystander.
Record-Eagle copy editor and first-time marathon runner Claire Walters is chronicling her training experiences in a bi-weekly column as she prepares for the May 23 Bayshore Marathon. Readers also can follow her progress by reading her blog at http://blogs.record-eagle.com. The blog contains her training schedule and log, and she invites advice and comments from other runners.
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