Best Running Tips for Dealing with an Injury and Recovery Time

That feeling of the first run after a long time off is an exhilarating and shameful experience. It feels great to get back into working out. However, the worry is that your fitness is gone. After the first 2km, you were already panting. By the end of the 5km, you felt like you might die of a heart attack.

There are plenty of reasons you might have to take some time off running, from small injuries to more serious ones. Whatever your reason for putting a pause on running, put that aside. This opportunity is your chance to start anew and build your fitness from scratch again.

However, this article isn't going to talk about building your fitness back after a long layoff. In this post, we're going to talk about the mental game you need to survive after a long layoff from running, especially if it's a forced layoff due to an injury.

The Mindset of Success

Taking time off from doing something you love can feel like being sent to jail. You have all the entertainment and fun sucked out of your life. If you recently experienced an injury that leaves you on the sidelines, the first thing you need to do is realize that you will be back.

Even if you must stay in a wheelchair for a whole year – you will be back. It's essential to hold that in mind throughout the entire healing process in dealing with your injury. Building your mindset into understanding that this is just a temporary setback is vital.

Taking 3-months off might not seem like a big deal when you're in week 1, but by week 10, it might feel like its never going to end- which brings us to our next point.

Plan Your Recovery and Take it Day-by-Day

As mentioned, 90-days can feel like a death sentence at the beginning of your recovery. However, by taking it day-by-day, you'll have a much easier time. Set out your goals for each week of your recovery and do everything you can to optimize your healing.

Start a notebook, and write down your feelings and thoughts during the day. By dealing with your feelings, you don't let the frustration and anxiety build in your mind during your recovery phase.

Work with Professionals

Your recovery rate and the length of your healing period will depend on the type of injury you sustain. For severe injuries that require surgery, you might be out for up to a year. That's a significant period to be out of action.

Hiring a professional can help you work through healing faster, reducing your recovery time by up to 50%. However, not all physiotherapists are equal. Make sure you visit a sports-focused therapist that comes recommended by a fellow athlete.

Wrapping Up – Keep Your Diet Intact

It's challenging to keep your diet together when you're dealing with an injury. The temptation to binge-eat on comfort foods is tempting.

However, do your best to keep your diet on point while you recover, and avoid eating refined carbs like sugar. Sugar increase inflammation, prolonging your recovery.

Try to stay positive and always remember that there are many different parts to staying healthy- including knowing when to rest.

← Previous Post Next Post →