How to stay away from injuries

How to stay away from injuries
By Maxim Nazaire, CSCS
Team Challenge Run Coach


Let me be the first to say that injuries are no fun! Nothing throws a monkey wrench into your training like a good old fashion injury. The few times I had running injuries, they were pretty bad. I am a big believer that there are ways to get around injuries, but my feelings on the matter is this: If you can avoid injuries, then avoid them!!! Although injuries can be complex, preventing them can be easy. Here are two simple tips that can significantly reduce your chances of injury.

1. Drink lots of water. Water will keep the joints lubricated, and the muscles hydrated. Most injuries will be associated with either a joint problem or a muscular let down. Drink water! It's good for you.

2. Stretch after your workouts. Let's face it, when you are pushing yourself to do things that you've never done before, there will be some soreness and tightness in the muscles. If you stretch, it can improve blood flow throughout the muscles and reduce your soreness. Stretching can also improve your muscle recovery.

When I look back at some of the injuries that I've witnessed, 8 times out of 10 they occurred because the rules above weren't followed. Hydrate and stretch so that you can make it through the finish line in stride!

Join Team Challenge In Napa Valley This Summer!

Experience California Wine Country and the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 17th with Team Challenge, CCFA's endurance training and fundraising program. When you join us, you'll run or walk this great destination race through winding vineyards from Napa to Sonoma.

Our 16-week professional training program is designed to meet your unique walk or run fitness needs. We'll get you ready for the finish! While you're training, we'll also help you to raise critical dollars to fund research and programs for the 1.4 million people suffering from Crohn's and colitis, two chronic digestive diseases.

Our Team Challenge information meetings are taking place in March. When you attend an information meeting, you'll meet a coach, talk with a CCFA staff person, and learn more about how Team Challenge can help you and help others! The Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon is sold out to everyone BUT Team Challenge participants. Find a meeting near you todayand join us in California Wine Country! Experience California Wine Country and the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 17th with Team Challenge, CCFA's endurance training and fundraising program. When you join us, you'll run or walk this great destination race through winding vineyards from Napa to Sonoma.

Our 16-week professional training program is designed to meet your unique walk or run fitness needs. We'll get you ready for the finish! While you're training, we'll also help you to raise critical dollars to fund research and programs for the 1.4 million people suffering from Crohn's and colitis, two chronic digestive diseases.

Our Team Challenge information meetings are taking place in March. When you attend an information meeting, you'll meet a coach, talk with a CCFA staff person, and learn more about how Team Challenge can help you and help others! The Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon is sold out to everyone BUT Team Challenge participants. Find a meeting near you todayand join us in California Wine Country! Experience California Wine Country and the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 17th with Team Challenge, CCFA's endurance training and fundraising program. When you join us, you'll run or walk this great destination race through winding vineyards from Napa to Sonoma.

Our 16-week professional training program is designed to meet your unique walk or run fitness needs. We'll get you ready for the finish! While you're training, we'll also help you to raise critical dollars to fund research and programs for the 1.4 million people suffering from Crohn's and colitis, two chronic digestive diseases.

Our Team Challenge information meetings are taking place in March. When you attend an information meeting, you'll meet a coach, talk with a CCFA staff person, and learn more about how Team Challenge can help you and help others! The Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon is sold out to everyone BUT Team Challenge participants. Find a meeting near you todayand join us in California Wine Country! Experience California Wine Country and the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 17th with Team Challenge, CCFA's endurance training and fundraising program. When you join us, you'll run or walk this great destination race through winding vineyards from Napa to Sonoma.

Our 16-week professional training program is designed to meet your unique walk or run fitness needs. We'll get you ready for the finish! While you're training, we'll also help you to raise critical dollars to fund research and programs for the 1.4 million people suffering from Crohn's and colitis, two chronic digestive diseases.

Our Team Challenge information meetings are taking place this week. When you attend an information meeting, you'll meet a coach, talk with a CCFA staff person, and learn more about how Team Challenge can help you and help others! The Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon is sold out to everyone BUT Team Challenge participants. Find a meeting near you today and join us in California Wine Country!

For more information call 404-982-0616, email Awhitworth@ccfa.org or visit our website at www.ccteamchallenge.org.