It was a great run on a great day at the 2019 New York City Marathon held last November 4, 2019. Our very own, Dr. Vincent Sto Tomas, ran the famous NYC marathon for the time with a great finish! A total of 26.2 miles that stretches along all NYC five boroughs were tracked by runners from all over the world! A big shout out to all the participants in the NYC marathon!
How to Prevent Injuries When Running During the Winter Months
The cold winter days are inevitably upon us and it’s sure to pose challenges with your training and races. The good news is we can prevent injuries and have a successful run by following some simple preventive tips and common sense:
1.Check the weather. While running outdoors in cold temperatures are generally considered safe, it is important to know that at any temperature below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, there is the potential for runners to sustain non-freezing injuries such as chilblains hypothermia and freezing injuries such as frostbite especially when the temperature hits below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Always check the weather and outdoor temperature before heading out to train or to your race. Be sure to know the “feels like” temperature considering the wind chill factor. It is best to monitor the weather forecast at least a week to a few days before and on the day of your run or training. Knowing the weather ahead will help you prepare for your gear.
2.Consider an indoor activity as an alternative to running outdoors. This is strongly encouraged especially when outside temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a subscription to a local gym, by all means, take advantage of your membership for your training.
3.Gear up. Running hats, gloves, neck warmer, proper running footwear, and hand warmers are just some of the common items you may need to have when you plan to run outdoors. Choosing the right running footwear with good traction is especially important when running on snow-covered ground to prevent slipping.
4.Stay Hydrated. Keeping yourself hydrated and maintaining an appropriate energy balance are very important to keep you running and can help regulate body temperature and may prevent hypothermia. It is recommended to take 17-20 oz. of fluid (such as water or sports drink) 2-3 hours before the physical activity or exercise and 7-10 fl.oz every 10-20 mins during exercise or physical activity (Casa et. al., 2000)
Source:
Casa, D., Armstrong, L.E., Hillman, S.K., Montain S.J., Reiff, R.V., Rich, B.S.,…Stone, J.A. (2000). National Athletic Trainer’s Association position statemet: Fluid replacement for athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 35(2), pp. 212-224.
University of Wisconsin-Madison (2019). Training tips for runners: Weather conditions and winter running. Available at: https://www.uwhealth.org/sports-medicine/physical-therapy-athletic-training/runners-education-marathon-training-in-cold-weather-weather-considerations/35986