Most runners are familiar with common training flaws that can lead to injury – like running faster or farther than your body can handle. But understanding subtle causes of injury can make you a smarter, healthier runner and competitor.
As an athlete and a runner in particular, injuries are tough to avoid. Whether you are pushing for a 5k personal best or ramping up your volume for a future marathon, running will never be zero risk. Even being a sedentary couch potato comes with its own set of issues!
When it comes to training and longevity in the sport you love, learning to tune into your body and plan your training is the best tool in your arsenal for injury prevention. Recognizing the impact of stress in all of its forms – whether it’s training, work, or relationships – will help you understand how to manage the load in a way that lets your body thrive instead of suffer.
This week’s guest on the podcast may be a familiar one – he has joined me for two previous episodes and is a phenomenal resource for learning how to run smart and avoid injury. Brodie Sharpe is a physiotherapist, the host of the Run Smarter Podcast, and the author of a new book, Run Smarter.
Brodie Sharpe on the hidden causes of injuries
As a PT who specializes in endurance runners, Brodie takes a holistic approach to injury prevention. He helps runners learn how to correct mistakes and work with their bodies to get healthy. Brodie emphasizes the importance of looking at training as well as your lifestyle around it, since every aspect of what you do impacts how you feel and perform.
Bonus Resource: Strength Running’s Free Injury Prevention Series
While the Strength Running community has often heard me talk about the danger of the “toos” – too much, too fast, too soon – Brodie and I dig into some of the more subtle factors that can sabotage your training. Our discussion focuses on a number of elements that have a bigger impact on your running than you realize. We talk about:
- Why all types of stress have the same impact on your body as training
- How our perfectionist tendencies can both help and harm our running
- The importance of reflection in training and injury prevention
- Why you need to learn the subtleties of your body’s language
- The importance of trial and error in training
- How to make early injury detection your new superpower
Brodie has been a frequent guest on this podcast for a reason! He’s full of intuitive, actionable advice that can improve your running and prevent injury. Enjoy!
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Thank You InsideTracker!
This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body’s data and get a firm idea of how well you’re responding to training.
Understanding your body’s biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you’re over-training, under-training, optimally training, or if you have a health issue that might be affecting your running. But the best part is that they give you personalized optimal ranges for each of these biomarkers and a host of ways to improve these markers through diet, lifestyle, or exercise changes.
I’ve gotten several Ultimate tests from them and the process is simple, easy, and very eye-opening if you haven’t done a deep dive on your biomarkers yet. Of all the investments you can make in your running, this one is like getting a detailed checkup or regularly scheduled maintenance for your internal physiology. I scheduled another Ultimate test for myself soon and it’ll be interesting to compare with the test I got in February.
If you’re ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, get 20% off any of their blood tests with code STRENGTHRUNNING at InsideTracker.
Thank You Melin!
We are also supported by Melin hats! Quite possibly the best looking, most attractive hats I’ve ever worn, Melin makes premium hats for both casual use and for running. They’re durable, water-repellant, high quality, incredibly detailed, and stylish. You can also go check out our latest video on YouTube to see my full collection.
After eyeing Melin Hats for a long time on Instagram, I’m thrilled that we’ve partnered together. Get 20% off your first order at Melin.com with code STRENGTHRUNNING. A Melin hat is likely the last hat you’ll ever buy – they’ll last practically forever.
Even if you find that you don’t like your Melin hat, no worries. You can return it within 30 days with no questions asked, according to their Perfect Fit Promise. Pick one up and let me know what you think!