Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
Fellow, International Academy of Medical Acupuncture
Are you ready for the change of season? Apprehensive? Eager? It's coming, ready or not... so prepare.
There are many changes of season. Already the crickets have begun re-reclaiming first chair in the chorus of evening sounds, and the first hints of a nip in the air are whispering at the edges of the night. Fall is a great time for running and racing, and most runners embrace the opportunity. Endurance events require the body to manage oxygen uptake, to parsimoniously burn fuel sources, and to dissipate heat. When the weather is cooler, we can focus more on our energy expenditures, both in terms of fuel and mental effort, without so much distraction from the business of avoiding rising core temperatures.
As the seasons turn to winter, the heating-cooling equation turns more complicated. As those first shuffling steps ease into our usual strides, we may realize we're overdressed despite sub-freezing temperatures. That's when opening that jacket zipper, pulling off the hat, layering, and using hi-tech fabrics come into play. It's also important for us to use our heads when ice and snow hit. Backing off the pace, selecting a different route, or (heaven forbid) cross training and skipping a day's run get added into the mix of possibilities. Understanding that change and adaptation are crucial to running success will make the change of seasons a breeze.
The rhythm of four seasons can be comforting, and -- with the exception of a rare April snowstorm-- reasonably predictable. Never comforting and only sometimes predictable are the unique challenges that injuries bring to our running. Injuries fall into two categories: predictable and unpredictable. Training logs are a great way to head off predictable injuries. If your mileage or intensity is increasing too fast, use your training log as a "coach" of sorts to tell you to back off. Though the culprit in many overuse injuries can be found in training logs, having your log declare an "I told you so!" isn't very helpful. At the other end of the spectrum lie the unpredictable injuries: the random ankle sprain, or the roll over the hood of an erratic driver (been there, done that). Deal with those by recentering, by healing, even by rehabilitating so that you're as good as before the injury... or, if you're really diligent, better than ever.
What of other seasons, beyond the usual four? Life has its seasons that directly impact our running. The season that is youth is different from the tone of master's running, or 60+ running. Each of these seasons requires a different approach, and mental flexibility becomes ever more important. Likewise, we must be flexible with our work. Most jobs and professions have their busy seasons. For runners, peak racing season mandates different training than the off-season; yet when work or family demands take our time and energy, we ignore the added workload and stress at our own peril. In times of personal stress running can become an increasingly important source of health and sanity, yet it also becomes more important to keep perspective and realize that running ourselves into the ground is a losing proposition. A hard day isn't just measured by pace or mileage, it's also measured by life stress. Re-think your equation of hard-easy to include all the factors, and you'll be a more successful runner. If you're a competitor, then your challenge is to minimize those stresses that distract you from pouring your energies into running.
Now, it's not fair to call your human relationships "distractions"; but the bottom line is that every aspect of life affects our running, and running can affect all aspects of our lives. Having a partner or family that supports our quest for health and excellence is hugely helpful. Having an unstable personal life, or having an ill family member, can make running a more treasured solace but also forces us to work to achieve an exquisite life balance. Learn to accept that the only constant in nature is change will help us deal better with the many challenges that are part of a running or life career. By balancing running and life, you shouldn't be surprised if both are enriched, regardless of the season.
Happy running!
Yours in running, health, & fitness,
| -Dr. Daniel A. Shaye Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician Fellow, International Academy of Medical Acupuncture |
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Do you have a question you'd like answered? Mail your questions c/o Performance
Chiropractic, 1301 Jamestown Road, Suite 103, Williamsburg, VA 23185; e-mail pchiro@performancechiropractic.com;
or visit www.performancechiropractic.com
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