Watching so many runners come down Cainscross Road in the sunshine to cross the finish line of this year’s Stroud Half Marathon was such an inspirational sight – congratulations to all those who took part.
As a Physiotherapist who specialises in working with people over the age of 45, I was delighted to see so many people continuing their love for running into their later years.
For those of you who want to keep on running with resilience and a lower risk of injury beyond 45, here are my top 3 tips to help you along the way:
- Listen to Your Body: Whilst in your head you’re still 20, your body might not always agree, so when it complains, make sure you listen. You may need to factor in a little more recovery time, pay attention to any persistent pain and if there is anything you’re worried about, don’t push on regardless – get it checked out. Remember, rest and recovery can be just as important as the training.
- Strengthen for Longevity: Whilst you may see it as a lower priority to actually running, regular strength work will improve stability at your joints and reduce the strain that running puts on them. You don’t need to be in the gym for hours on end, but a few choice exercises for the legs, hips and core done at the right dosage, 2-3 times a week can be enough not only to reduce your injury risk, but also to improve your performance.
- Invest in Footwear: Getting yourself a decent pain of shoes is a sound investment and often one of the only outlays for the sport kit-wise. For ‘decent’ don’t always read ‘expensive’, or ‘cushioned’. For me, the key is comfort – for some this will be a cushioned shoe with arch support, for others it may mean a minimalist bare-foot shoe, or maybe a neutral shoe. Whatever it is, it needs to be right for you as an individual and sometimes it can take some time to find the right fit, but once you find the right one, you’ll likely stick with it.
With the right approach, running can remain a fulfilling and healthy activity both physically and mentally for many years to come. Let’s keep that post-race momentum going and make sure every run is a step toward better health and well-being.
If you would like some more information about knee pain and running beyond the age of 45, please follow this free downloadable guide by clicking HERE
Spotlight: Ed Voss
Ed graduated from Birmingham University with an MSc in Physiotherapy in 2009.
He is an HCPC and CSP registered Physiotherapist who has worked in the NHS, private practice and in sport both in the UK and New Zealand, and he now specialises in working with people over the age of 50 who value their health and want to keep as active as possible for as long as possible.
In his spare time, you’ll find Ed spending time with his wife and two children, out running the local trails with his dog, or if he’s really lucky, out on the golf course.
Ed grew up in Stroud, the son of a local GP and he knows and loves the local communities in the Five Valleys and beyond. Being able to give back to the people of this wonderful part of the world is something that Ed considers a huge privilege.
For further information, visit Ed’s website by clicking HERE or Email: edvossphysio@gmail.com Call: 07542 940478
