Thinking of injuries

As injury is the main thing on my mind at the moment, I thought I would reproduce some words of encouragement from Joe Henderson. It helps to think that in the scheme of things running injuries are minor.

Injuries can be good for you. The bigger they are, the better they can be -- if the pain eventually lets up and lets you run again.

I'd go so far as to say that you don't truly become a runner until you've endured an injury. You don't fully appreciate running until you've almost lost it.

My first big injury was good for me. After suffering with it for a year, I turned to longer and slower running -- which led to long and fast racing that lasted from the mid-1960s to the early '70s.


-- They are likely, if not inevitable. Almost everyone who runs gets hurt eventually, and almost everyone gets better soon.

-- They are minor. Seldom do these injuries interfere with normal life, or require a doctor's help, or extensive and expensive care.

-- They are self-inflicted. Usually they result not from "accidents" but from the Big Four mistakes -- running too far, too fast, too soon, too often.

-- They are self-treatable. Usually they respond quickly to simple adjustments in training type and amount.

-- They allow activity. If it isn't reduced running, then it can be an agreeable alternative.


It's best to develop a long memory, so you never forget the worst of days. This adds to your appreciation of days that are back to normal.What you missed most was getting out for the little everyday runs, the fillers. They're the ones not worth bragging about because their length and pace would impress no runner. Getting down to the little efforts, you now see, is at least as important as getting up for the big ones.