How can you run if you can’t run?

We’ve all been there: we’ve got ourselves injured in one way or another, and suddenly we can’t run. Or can we…?

Words: Esther Newman

How can you run if…

Instead of telling runners to stop, we find a way to modify exercise without pain, while progressing treatment

We’re oft en told that injury doesn’t have to be a fact of life for runners because of some new thing on the market, but the fact remains: if you’ve been running for a while, chances are you’ve had an injury. Perhaps it was just a bit of a niggle, and aft er a couple of days, you were able to head out again. But maybe it was something more; a complicated complaint to do with your ITB perhaps, the dreaded plantar fasciitis, or an achilles thing. Or something hard to diagnose in your knee, your calf or your hip.

It’s depressing. Yes, because of the pain, but also because you can’t run. Your head will be telling you this perhaps, or maybe you’ve gone to a physio or a GP who has confirmed your suspicions that your trainers will need to be tidied away for now.

But it doesn’t have to be like this every time. When we first talked to the Running School last year, we came away with two salient pieces of advice. First: pick your feet up, Newman. And second: if you’re injured, you can run. “The first thing physios used to say to a runner is ‘stop running’ – and runners hate that!” said Chris, physio and sports rehab specialist, hitting the nail on the head. “Instead of telling them to stop, we find a way to modify exercise without pain, while progressing treatment. We use walking and walking backwards, running in a pool, and strength work.”

So that’s the first thing. If you’re injured, don’t despair. Do listen up though: your first port of call for any injury should be a physio: your main priority is getting your injury fixed. Sometimes your physio will tell you absolute rest is best, so in that case follow their advice. But if they’re happy for you to do some modified exercise, you may actually find yourself enjoying the shake-up to your usual routine.