Just a quick email to wish everyone a Happy Thankgiving and a couple of quick tips as the mileage continues to build up and race day draws nearer.

 

1) One of the biggest causes of sports injuries that I see is due to "under-recovery" - usually because runners are trying to fit in their runs within a busy holiday schedule of family, friends and sometimes even work committments. Be sure to plan for recovery and allow your body to adapt to the additional stresses that the holiday season places on it.

 

2) Keep a regular diet. Seems like wishful thinking with Thanksgiving tomorrow and the holiday party season already starting. Try eating before you go to the parties and focus on either drinking water to keep you full or snacking on the veggie platter (without the dip). You'll feel better on the next run.

 

3) Stay healthy! Even though it looks like the worse of the H1N1 influenza outbreak is behind us, we're just entering the regular flu season. Be sure to get plenty of rest, limit your alcohol intake at the holiday parties and keep washing those hands!

 

-Doc John

 

John Martinez, M.D.

Medical Director, Carlsbad Marathon

 

P.S.

If you're dropping hints for gifts for yourself, or have other runners and endurance athletes on your shopping list, check out the equipment at Trigger Point Therapy. They have some of the few products that I recommend to patients - well designed and hold up well. I've been a big fan of their new GRID foam roller as well as their Lower Body Kits.

 

 

Right now they are offering free shipping on most items (except for the GRID roller)