This is a crucial time in the marathon runners training programme and as such any running injury will set you back at an important time.  More importantly if you have raised money and have sponsors for a charity place then you need to complete the race in order to collect the sponsorship money for your chosen charity.

Running injuries are common with high mileage training and can be minor to severe in nature.  Most importantly you should get niggles checked early before it develops into something more serious.  Early intervention might make the difference between success and failure to the marathon runner.

Common running injuries include hip pain, achilles tendonitis, shinsplints, knee pain, blisters, plantar fasciitis and calf strains.  Tight IT bands, runners knee and tendonitis can all cause problems and stop you running if not treated early.

Information on running injuries can be found on the website www.runninginjuryclinic.co.uk  and the Solihull Sports Injury Clinic in Solihull Birmingham have a dedicated running injury team of sports physiotherapists,sports therapists and sports massage therapists.

Sports massage helps you recover quicker from long training runs and is an opportunity to uncover potential injuries during the massage.  Stretching is very important as is often overlooked by runners.

Prescription orthotic foot insoles and biomechanical evaluations are available for runners that overpronate and suffer overpronation symptoms.  The sports podiatrist will evaluate your gait and biomechanics and supply you with an orthotic device to correct your overpronation problem.

Birmingham runners can visit Atlas Sports Injury Clinic for sports massage, physiotherapy and sports injury treatment.  Telephone 0121 745 8792

Atlas will keep you running!

John who is the clinic director of the Atlas Sports Injury Clinic in Solihull Birmingham is supported by another Sports Physiotherapist and Sports Podiatrist Peter Taylor at their specialist Running Injury Clinic.

They have a dedicated running injury website for tips and injury advice

www.runninginjuryclinic.co.uk Appointments can be made by telephoning 01827 59943

The clinic boasts a top flight female sports massage therapist that has been on tour in the far east with Lord of the Dance.  As a special offer Atlas is providing a sports massage promotion for runners which would benefit the 2011 London Marathon runners.

Regular sports massage during your London Marathon training runs will help avoid injury, loosen tight muscles by stretching them and increase the circulation of blood and lymph, removing waste products such as lactic acid.

Physiotherapy in Solihull by our experienced team of Solihull Sports Physiotherapists will ensure you get back running quickly following a training injury.

Visit the running injury website for advice on running injuries www.runninginjuryclinic.co.uk

Peter heads the Atlas Running Injury Clinic where he treats running injuries and advises on injury prevention.  Peter is a Sports Physiotherapist and Sports Podiatrist with many years experience as a top runner himself.

 Winter Running – The onset of dark winter nights, and cold, wet weather is often the time when a runners spirit is dampened and the enthusiasm for training is somewhat diminished.

The thought of having to drag yourself out in the cold and wet conditions day after day quickly becomes less attractive than sitting in the warm, watching the telly.  Before you know it,  all the benefits gained from the hard work done during the spring, summer and autumn start to dwindle away.

But don’t despair; winter training has its advantages. OK there may be days when underfoot conditions i.e. ice, frost, wet leaves, may not be conducive to running faster sessions (repetitions/fartlek), but now is the time to build up base mileage and aerobic fitness.

Use the winter months to build up strength and stamina. If you have planned a spring half or full marathon now is the time to build on the regular long runs.

Go ‘off road’ it’s a great way to break the monotony of routine road runs. Use the countryside or local parks.

Running over parkland and countryside can be exhilarating, in a heavy frost or snow fall there is nothing better, fresh air, fantastic scenery, no traffic.

Off road running can also be a great training aid, softer surfaces and undulating ground will help strengthen the legs for later ventures on the road. Your foot plant will change with every step due to the uneven terrain – this will help strengthen muscles in the lower limbs.

Holding momentum over uneven, soft surfaces is harder work than road running. So don’t worry that your stopwatch is indicating that your pace is down.

Use these sessions to focus on your running form and get the sense of freedom from running on the countryside.

Winter Races                              

Although during the winter there tends to be fewer running events on the calender, there are some regularly held runs.

‘Parkrun’ stage weekly 5km runs on a nationwide basis. These are free to enter, timed runs, held every Saturday at 9.00am. Visit the ‘parkrun’ website to register.

Locally we are blessed with runs at two locations – Brueton Park, Solihull and the War Memorial Park in Coventry.

Centurion Running Club stage their winter ‘grand prix’ in North Solihull on the first Sunday of the month from November to April over a 5 mile course.

Running over a set course every month or so is a great way of gauging your level of fitness and/or progress.

Winter tips

Join your local jogging/running club or try to run with friends. Arranging to meet up with someone gets you out of the door, when you may be more inclined to give training a miss and stay indoors.

Stay safe. If you’re running in the dark make sure you have plenty of reflective panels on your clothing, to enable you to be seen by motorists.

Clothing check list.

Wear a base layer to take moisture away from the skin.

Use the ‘onion’ system to keep warm, wear plenty of layers of clothing.

A lightweight, breathable waterproof will keep the wind and rain out.

Consider ‘trail’ shoes for more grip when running off road.

Overall enjoy your training and remember, “train hard- win easy”

Atlas Sports Therapy Training Programme

 One to one training opportunity in Sports Injuries and musculo-skeletal therapy.

12 months full time shadowing and training with Sports physiotherapist and Osteopath where you will receive instruction in diagnosing sports injuries and musculo-skeletal back pain conditions.

 This is an opportunity to undergo an “on the job” skills training programme where you will be given instruction on how to be a competent musculo-skeletal practitioner.

• You will need a qualification that enables you to obtain insurance to work on people.

• Be prepared to undertake long hours of training.

 • Demonstrate the desire to become a full time musculo-skeletal practitioner who can operate as part of a team.

This is a unique training opportunity where you will shadow and learn how to perform all the skills necessary to work in a Pain Relief Centre and Sports Injury Clinic.

 Atlas will offer graduates that demonstrate the appropriate attitude and skills, a full time employment offer on completion of their training.

 Non refundable training fee of £3000 for 12 months training must be paid in advance.

Contact details can be found on our website www.runninginjuryclinic.co.uk

Please note – This is for serious students who want to find work.