COPING WITH INJURY

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, injuries can still happen as a result of running. You try to do all you can to help yourself heal quickly (recently I've had physio, an MRI and acupuncture), but often we just need to be patient.

You might be in some pain but injuries can be just as tough mentally as they can be physically.

Here are 5 TOP TIPS from the myself, the Running Mayor of Clapham and Gemma Bridge, the Running Mayor of Leeds on how to cope during this period.

The Runsome campaign aims to champion running and runners, in our cities, towns and places. As the appointed Running Mayors of Clapham and Leeds, we are passionate about running. Through various initiatives, we are working hard to get more people talking about, and participating in running, alongside cycling and walking for leisure and wellbeing, sport and as a way to get places, see people and do things where we live. We feel that running has the potential to make a real difference and can play a vital role in building happier, healthier and more connected people, places and communities.

However, championing running, when we are not able to run, is a challenge. We are both struggling with injury, and as a result, are finding ourselves talking to others about the benefits of running but are not able to enjoy those benefits. Thankfully, we have developed coping strategies that we utilise to ensure we stay active and maintain good mental health. These strategies could be used by anyone who would like to run, but for whatever reason, whether that be an injury, illness or other commitments, is unable to do so.

STAY ACTIVE

Depending on what injury you have, carrying on with physical activity is beneficial. Not only will it help you psychologically, but many injuries will heal more quickly with a little ‘load’.

Jules: ‘I try to stick to my normal routine and still do things like Pilates and strength training - if my injury allows. Then rather than run on the days I would normally, I swap it out for a different cardio session – but a low impact one. My favourite is the spin bike. I’ve just ordered an Aqua jogging belt, so looking forward to trying that out when it arrives. As well as swapping the activity on the same day I would run, I try to do a similar session. For example, on a normal long run day, I will swap this for a longer, more steady session on the bike. If for example, it’s my normal speed run day, then I will do intervals on the bike instead etc. Not only does it help mentally to stick with your normal routine but if you are mimicking your run sessions you are also training the same energy systems as you