When an injured runner presents to us before a race, there is a decision to be made: Push or back off. Here we discuss some of the considerations for each.
✋BACK OFF
With this approach, running may need to be reduced &/or substituted for cross-training & rehab.
🙋🏼♀️When?
Dealing with a particularly irritable injury that would likely worsen or recur if planned training goes ahead (i.e. acute tendinopathy, soft tissue injury or bone stress injury, pain that is exceeding 4-5/10)
If the upcoming race is not a particularly important one to the runner.
If the current level of fitness or expected race time is comfortably under the goal time of the runner. For those wishing to just finish a particular race & not caring for time, this may be a better option.
‼️Risks of this approach:
😓Being UNDERDONE: Loss of fitness leading to inability to finish or failing to achieve the goal time
🤕Reinjury: Lack of running conditioning could potentially lead to an aggravation or recurrence of the injury mid/post-race (i.e. calf injury with insufficient time to fully rehab).
🏃♀️PUSH ON
Training continues as planned or increases
🙋🏼♂️When?
If the presenting complaint is stable & lower level pain (i.e pain below 4-5/10 that doesn’t increase with activity)
If the current fitness level of the runner is below where it needs to be for their target race time
A High priority race where there is a lot on the line! (i.e. championship event)
‼️Risks of this approach:
🥵Being OVERCOOKED: Potential for flare-up or reinjury leading to a failure to even make the start line or impairing the runner during the race!
