Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Risk Factors for Injury

Some excerpt from a very nice article on marathonguide.com.

Downhill Running

Aside from the climbing from mile 16 to 21, the Boston course is downhill. Particularly after Heartbreak Hill, the race takes a rather abrupt downhill route to Cleveland Circle. The amount of downhill running in general, and the downhill section after Heartbreak Hill (when fatigue has already exacted a toll) in particular can be a risk factor for developing such injuries as patellar tendinitis, patellofemoral syndrome, illiotibial band syndrome, anterior tibial stress syndrome, and stress fractures (among others) in the postmarathon period.

Distance

Face it, even if you log your prerequisite long runs before the race, 26.2 miles is still a long way to run. Some runners are better prepared for the distance than others. For those marginally prepared for the distance, racing 26.2 miles can be an additional risk factor for postrace injuries. The muscle fatigue resulting from running farther than you are accustomed can linger for days, weeks, or even months. During this postrace fatigued state, you may be at risk for many of the overuse injuries that can befall a runner.

Intensity

A well-prepared runner out to enjoy the Boston Marathon experience while cruising well within his or her capacity will nevertheless stress his or her system to some degree. However, the cumulative lower extremity stresses absorbed by runners really pressing their limits can be exponentially greater. On the one hand, "bonking" and pressing on is one example of pressing one's limits. On the other hand, screaming to a new PR can equally stress one's limits. Completing such an intense effort can predispose you to postrace recovery problems.

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