Doc On The Run Podcast

#238 Can I run my race with an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails can be painful. Particularly if you're getting ready to run a marathon or some other goal race.

I recently got a call from a runner who called and asked…

“Can I run my race with an ingrown toenail?”

It seems like wanting to know whether or not she should wait until after her race to have her ingrown toenail removed, was a reasonable question.

But the answer may surprise you.

Today on the Doc On The Run podcast, we're talking about whether or not you should wait until after your race to fix an ingrown toenail.

#237 Top 3 clues of a plantar fascia rupture in a runner

Plantar fasciitis is by far the most common cause of arch pain in runners. 

Not surprisingly, most runners who get heel pain or arch pain think they have plantar fasciitis.

But sometimes runners have a more serious injury where there is actually a rip, a tear or what doctors referred to as a partial rupture of the plantar fascia ligament.

The problem with this more serious injury is that it doesn't get better with the same treatments that will help plantar fasciitis. 

Today on the Doc On the Run Podcast, we’re talking about the top 3 clues of a plantar fascia rupture in a runner.

#236 Should I just try a more aggressive treatment for my Achilles tendon?

Today was on a consultation call with a runner who is had a long history of Achilles tendon problems. 

She's recently tried some new things that made an improvement. 

But the problem is she's not really certain the improvement is from the new treatments she's been doing. Because she simultaneously decreased her activity a bit. 

So now she's in this place where she is trying to figure out what to do next. 

Should she continue with some simple conservative treatments that aren't very risky? 

Or should she try to just do something riskier to try to get it to finally heal, or heal faster?

Today on the Doc On the Run Podcast, we’re talking about or not a runner should try a more aggressive treatment for an aching Achilles tendon.

#235 How Can I Get from Custom Orthotics to Minimalist Running Shoes

Some runners become concerned that if they run in custom orthotics they may become weaker and unable to run without the custom orthotics working as a sort of crutch.

Theoretically, if you have been running for a long time with custom orthotics support your feet may be accustomed to, or in some sense even dependent upon that external stability and support.

The question is…do orthotics provide relief from symptoms only, or do they support you so much you could actually get weaker?

Today on the Doc On the Run Podcast, we’re talking about how a runner can get from wearing conventional running shoes with custom orthotic inserts to running without orthotics in minimalist running shoes. 

#234 Perils of Rapid Success with Champion High Jumper Julia Curran

Running injuries only happen in two scenarios:

1. We do something stupid. We do something we know that was foolhardy and we shouldn't have done it.

2. We sustain an injury while pushing for progress. We are getting stronger. We are pushing ourselves to the limit. And we just push a little too far.

But anyone can get injured. In fact, for those athletes who do experience rapid success, it can even be more difficult to restrain yourself when you are getting subtle clues from your body that you may be heading for an over training injury.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we are talking with Julia Curran who is an age-group National High Jump Champion about preventing running injuries as you experience rapid athletic success.  

#233 Failure to trust causes running injuries

All overtraining injuries are the result of too much tissue damage, without enough recovery to fully heal, before the next workout “causes” a running injury. 

My personal belief is that most running injuries are the result of failing to trust your training plan and your coach. 

You need a coach to help you stay on track.

I think a coach is someone who can quiet your fears when its time to push the limits. Someone who truly know the difference between fear, pain and real danger. 

But you have to trust your coach if you want to ride that line.

Today on the Doc On the Run Podcast, we’re talking about how failure to trust causes running injuries.

#232 Most runners lack the discipline required for minimalist running shoes

No one trains for long distance events, nor successfully completes a long distance event without a great deal of discipline.

Most experienced runners can run a long way, regardless of footwear. And it is mostly highly experienced runners to start investigating the idea of barefoot running or running in minimalist running shoes.

There are many reasons minimalist running shoes appeal to endurance runners.

But running in minimalist running shoes requires an advanced level of discipline.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about why most runners lack the discipline required for minimalist running shoes

#231 Can I run after total joint replacement surgery with the BionicRunner

When a runner’s joint wears out, one option is to remove the damaged cartilage and replace the joint through artificial joint surgery. The problem is, artificial joints typically wear out a lot faster than normal joints.

The base assumption is the running will wear out an artificial total joint replacement.

More than 25 years ago an orthopedic surgeon told me that I should stop running. 

He said if I didn't stop running I would have to have an artificial joint replacement. He also said if I ran on that artificial joint I would destroy the joint replacement surgery, ruin the implant and would have to have yet another surgery.

Can I run after total joint replacement surgery? 

That’s a great question. Today on the Doc On the Run Podcast we are talking with the Bionic Runner about running after total joint replacement surgery.

#230 Why runners with high arches need cushioning running shoes

Most runners wear running shoes when they run. And the type of shoes you choose can help protect you from the forces of running.

If you have high arches, in general at your feet are more stable and more rigid.

A rigid foot type generally translates to higher peak forces when you run, and particularly when you land as a heel striker.

Cushioning type running shoes can help protect your feet from the pounding forces of running, if you have high arches.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about why runners who have high arches need cushioning running shoes. 

#229 Why fleet feet need motion control running shoes

If the running shoes are perfect for you, they will help provide support and cushioning to protect you from the pounding forces of running.In theory, running shoes should protect you from overloading structures in a way that could lead to an over training injury.

If you are a runner and your have flat feet, you need “motion control” running shoes. Motion control running shoes, pronation control running shoes, and stability running shoes are all basically the same thing. These are all shoes designed to stabilize unstable feet.

Every runner needs the very best running shoes. Every runner pronates. But it is when and how much you pronate that actually matters. 

In general, people with flat feet pronate more than people who do not have flat feet. But not all runners need pronation control running shoes.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about why flat feet need motion control running shoes.