Runner's Tribe

Stress fractures can be a major setback for runners, causing pain and preventing them from running for months. Although blisters and chafing are common annoyances for runners, stress fractures are a more serious injury. But what exactly is a stress fracture, and how can runners prevent them?

Stress fractures are a common overuse injury that athletes, particularly runners, may experience. These injuries occur as a result of repetitive force to a bone over time, rather than a sudden, traumatic event. The bones of the lower limb, including the feet, legs, and hips, are particularly prone to stress fractures. Certain risk factors can contribute to the development of stress fractures, including increasing training volume too quickly, changing footwear or running surfaces, poor nutrition, prior bone injuries, low BMI, menstrual irregularity, health conditions that reduce bone density, poor biomechanics, and certain running techniques.

Brisbane, Australia; March 23, 2023 -  All roads lead to Brisbane for the business end of the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Summer Series, with Saturday’s Brisbane Track Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level Meet, attracting stellar fields less than a week before the 100th edition of the Australian Track and Field Championships.

As we get older, our muscles tend to weaken naturally, and leading a sedentary lifestyle can exacerbate this issue. Strong calf muscles are particularly crucial to handle high-load forces that can occur during activities like running. Research suggests that the calf muscles may need to generate up to 9 times the body weight force during such activities. A weak calf muscle can result in muscle tears.

As runners get older, they become more susceptible to calf injuries, particularly male masters runners. David Habas, an accomplished 56-year-old endurance athlete from Lafayette, Cal., has completed numerous events, including an Ironman triathlon, three marathons, and ten half-marathons, but has had to deal with injuries that have hindered his ability to continue competing.

New Zealand long-distance runner Zane Robertson has been banned from competing for eight years after testing positive for a prohibited substance and tampering with the doping control process, according to the Sports Tribunal. Robertson, who won bronze for New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and participated in the last two Olympics, was found to have taken Erythropoietin (EPO), a banned substance, and tampered with the doping control process.

Trail and mountain running are gaining popularity worldwide among endurance athletes and runners. These events offer a unique challenge, beautiful scenery, stunning terrain, and a competitive but friendly environment. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned runner, there are events to suit all abilities.

Preparing for mountain running during the winter can be a challenging task for trail and ultrarunners living in the northern hemisphere. Weather conditions such as snow, ice, and mud make running on hilly terrain difficult, if not impossible. However, there are ways to maintain mountain running skills and strength in preparation for upcoming mountainous events.

On Thursday, the Barkley Marathons in Morgan County saw three runners cross the finish line. Keith Dunn, who has provided live coverage for the event for many years, confirmed that Aurélien Sanchez, John Kelly, and Karel Sabbe completed the 2023 "world's toughest trail race" in less than 60 hours.

Running is a popular exercise, but it can take a toll on your body. One of the most common problems runners encounter is Achilles tendon pain, which can be frustrating and uncomfortable. It is essential to understand this type of injury and learn how to prevent it from interfering with your performance.