Endurance athletes rely heavily on being able to tell the difference between pain, hurt, and injury in order to execute a successful training plan. Brandon Engle explains that for runners it's especially important to maintain healthy and pain-free feet, a proper foot strike in their stride, and flexibility in their legs.
As an endurance athlete himself, Brandon Engle understands the importance of listening to your body and seeking professional help when the normal pain of running increases. He shares some great tips for preventing injuries - stretching, strength training, cross training, foot strike/proper stride, and importance of correct foot wear for both running and the rest of the day.
Engle stresses that while having a good training plan is great, listening to your body and getting ahead of potential injuries is better. Having a coach that can adjust the training plan based on both short term goals and long term goals is critical to avoiding injuries that create long-term breaks in training.
Brandon Engle is the Clinical Director for ATI Physical Therapy (www.atipt.com). He has successfully completed several Ironman triathlons, half-Ironmans, and marathons. Brandon holds certifications in Graston Technique, Kinesio Taping, and video gait running analysis, and is also an Ironman Certified Coach, Certified Run Coach, and USA Cycling Coach.