Fall race season gives runners plenty to look forward to, from local 5Ks to half marathons and longer-distance events. But as race day approaches and training mileage increases, so can the stress placed on your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and muscles.
Some soreness is expected after a challenging workout. Pain that repeatedly returns, changes the way you run, or gets worse as training continues may be a sign that something more than normal post-run soreness is happening.
Knowing when to see an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist for a running injury can help you address the problem before race day.
Common Running Injuries During Race Training
Running involves repetitive impact. Increasing mileage or intensity too quickly can place more stress on the body than it has had time to adapt to, especially when combined with hills, speed workouts, or inadequate recovery.
Runners may experience problems involving the:
- Knees
- Feet and ankles
- Shins
- Hips
- Achilles tendon
- Muscles and tendons of the legs
Overuse injuries often develop gradually. You may first notice discomfort near the end of a run, only for the pain to begin appearing earlier during subsequent workouts.
Acute injuries can happen, too. Rolling an ankle, taking an awkward step, or falling during a run can result in a sprain, strain, fracture, or other orthopedic injury.
Don’t Get HURT! Before Fall Race Season
Training for a fall race? Don’t let an injury derail your progress. Persistent knee, ankle, foot, hip, or leg pain may be a sign that it’s time to have your injury evaluated, especially if the pain is getting worse, affecting your stride, or keeping you from your normal training routine.
With OSMC’s FREE HURT! App, you can connect with an orthopedic specialist and get guidance on your injury and what to do next.
Don’t run through the pain. Get answers and keep your race goals on track.
Signs Your Running Pain Needs More Attention
One of the biggest challenges runners face is knowing when to push through discomfort and when to stop.
Consider having your running injury evaluated if you experience:
- Pain that consistently returns while running
- Knee pain after activity
- Swelling around a joint or injured area
- Pain that continues during everyday activities
- Difficulty putting weight on your foot or leg
- Reduced range of motion
- Weakness or instability
- Pain that changes your normal running form
- Symptoms that worsen as your training progresses
Ignoring these warning signs and continuing to increase mileage can place additional stress on an already irritated or injured area.
Don’t Let Race Day Pressure You Into Running Injured
After weeks or months of training, skipping a workout or reconsidering an upcoming race can be frustrating. However, your long-term orthopedic health is more important than a single finish line.
A sports medicine evaluation can help identify what is contributing to your symptoms and determine what steps may be appropriate before returning to training. Depending on the injury, your care plan may involve modifying activity, rehabilitation, physical therapy, or other orthopedic treatment.
Keep Moving Beyond Fall Race Season
The goal isn’t simply to make it through your next race. It’s to keep your body healthy enough to continue running well beyond it.
OSMC provides sports medicine, general orthopedic, and physical therapy services for athletes and active adults throughout Northern Indiana. If persistent knee, hip, foot, ankle, or other musculoskeletal pain is interfering with your fall race training, an orthopedic evaluation can help you better understand the injury and your options for getting back on course.
For more immediate orthopedic injuries, OSMC also provides walk-in clinic locations in Elkhart, Goshen, and the Granger/Mishawaka area.