Hang with me here: Tis the season for IT Band symptoms look-a-likes. Especially as mileage increases and we have some speed or tempo work thrown into the mix... Hips can get niggly. In a lot of different ways. Our brains immediately jump to "outside hip pain must be IT band or TFL tightness". It could be...However the "oops" lies in "I'll rest or cut my next run short and be sure to foam roll..." Now, I'm not goin to yuck in anyone's yum. Our bodies are NOT Excel spreadsheets. So if this...
7 days ago • 3 min read
If you haven't noticed recently, it's pretty toasty outside. At least for half of the world. And the one thing that shows up every summer that I conveniently forget: ouchy, sore feet and arches during and after long runs. Especially if you're marathon training. I've been reminded of all this, rather abruptly, since I've been penguin-waddling around the house after my weekend runs with my husband laughing quietly at me. But here's the thing... I know it can be VERY tempting to google "why do...
14 days ago • 2 min read
You cool if we nerd out for a second? Because I've been seeing runners talking about stiff, cranky lower calf muscles... And it's been getting my attention because runners have told me they've stretched, foam rolled, done their calf raises, even 100% committed to plyometrics! But they still end up with this lower calf tightness that becomes more and more uncomfortable as their long runs goes on. Sometimes it's most noticable when they push off of one foot, moving from one step into their next...
21 days ago • 2 min read
I keep telling myself not to do it. But it's like signing up for another race 3 days after finishing the last one. But to be fair: the reason I plug in "core workouts for runners" into the Instagram search bar is because I want to see what YOU'RE seeing. (or at least what's trending, what the internet thinks is 'good'). And sometimes, I'm blown away at the talent I find in other physical therapists, athletic trainers,...personal trainers! And then other times...I'm left shaking my head....
28 days ago • 3 min read
So here's the thing...My left inner ankle, my posterior tibialis, muscle has been a'talking. Not surprising after I've been gradually increasing my long runs. But it doesn't mean I'm broken. Or injured. And I wouldn't even classify it as a niggle. It's more like a "check engine light" (but nicer because that usually means something is already busted). But all of this has reminded me of conversations I've been having in the clinic and with you guys on instagram... Not every twinge is an...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Did I tell you all about this major running mile stone I finally hit a few weeks back? Quick backstory: your girl has a laundry list of chronic illnesses. Most are better controlled now than they were 3 years ago. (yeah!) some are still a pain the butt (boo.) All this to say: adding mileage and running longer has been a patient process. A years-long process. So a few weeks back when I finally ran 10 miles for the first time in a billion years...I was absolutely floored. I sat down on the curb...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
I’ve been INSIDE the running science these past few weeks… Mostly because I wanted to refresh my PT brain. There’s so many things rolling around in there, but occasionally it gets kind of dusty. But I also wanted to understand the marathon better as a physiological process. Like what does that final 10k suck so much? Because let’s be honest: there’s a lot of garbage and bad advice on the internet. And I had a running coach explain to me that past mile 20, there’s a lot of pacing involved and...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Ok ok ok, you guys… I got REALLY excited when the light bulbs went off just now. This week I’ve been scouring my favorite uber-nerdy sciency running book called “The Science of Running” by Steve Magness… And of course being a physical therapist, I get sucked into any section that’s about strength training with long distance running etc. But one thing I LOVE about Magness’ books in general, is he’s not afraid to mention and dive into your nervous system. No, don’t leave me yet. This is...
2 months ago • 3 min read
I'm *almost* willing to argue that if you've never considered quitting running for good because of a bad race, a bad run, a seriously bad episode of chafing.... then you're not a "real runner". *almost*. All jokes aside, a lot of us have had that exact moment of wanting to throw race medals, running shoes, finishers tshirts and other swag into the nearest trash bin because we get knocked on our booties. It can be hard coming back from an unexpected injury when we were riding high on stellar...
2 months ago • 3 min read