With around 50,000 runners in 2023, this year is set to be the biggest marathon to date. Many of those who sign up will find themselves amid an exhilarating and community-driven event, full of people passionate about raising money for charities close to their hearts.
But running a marathon, especially the full 26.2 miles is hugely challenging, even for professional runners. We must take into account not only our fitness levels but the weather, terrain, footwear and clothing as they will all have an impact on the run.
So, in this exciting London event, many of you will join the masses of runners keen to take to the circuit next weekend. This will be the ultimate test of strength, stamina, perseverance and a culmination of hours of single-minded training, endeavour for those taking part.
While we have had little effect on your training from a physical and mental standpoint – we have seen that those who suffer from injuries before, during and after the event all have something in common:
- Neglecting a niggle along the kinetic chain of your legs can and may significantly alter your gait and running biomechanics leading to stress overload in your feet, ankles hips, or knees. Ensure you tailor your last few days of training or get these worrying niggles looked at to avoid significant damage to bone and joints.
- If you had an unfortunate sprain and are unable to shake it off reach out to a professional and get it looked at. The time and effort on the circuit may make matters quite difficult for recovery after the run.
- A couple of times our patients have had trackers fitted on their shoes to map their run. Ensure that these are worn correctly depending on how and where they are fitted. If you feel any discomfort during the run please do not ignore this and sort it out immediately. Running with a sore top part of your foot with the shoes being too tight or loose may make a significant difference to how you come off at the finish line.
- Common problems seen by our foot and ankle team in the post-marathon days or weeks are stress fractures and stress changes in the lower limb bones, perhaps the most common conditions, worsening ankle pain from sprains, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy symptoms are also common. Those who have pre-existing dropped arches have worsening of deformity or other related gait or biomechanical issues. Those who have accessory navicular bones may have increased pain if they haven’t been adequately supported in their running shoes.
As a multi-disciplinary group of doctors and surgeons the team at LSO will be able to support those who may have any sport or running-related injuries. We wish you all the very best in achieving your set goals and we know you will all smash this!