It could be argued that health is the most crucial element in anybody’s life. 

Good health is what allows you to get up every morning and do the things you love the most. It’s something that we should never take for granted. However, accidents do happen, and minor injuries can occur. 

At some point in our lives, we’ve all been guilty of letting minor injuries snowball into larger issues. 

This is especially true amongst runners, with statistics showing that, approximately, one out of every three recreational runners will experience a running-related injury at some point in their life.

So, why does this matter? 

First things first, if you’re going to take running seriously, you should take precautions which can help prevent injuries in the first place.

Let’s say you’ve noticed a sharp pain in the sole of your foot. We recommend you take it easy for the next few days and purchase some running insoles, such as our Sports, UltraLite or Performance insoles, which will support your feet during your next run.

Similarly, if you feel like you have a blister coming on, or it's already too late, you can heal your wounds faster with manuka honey plasters. 

Apart from taking preventative measures, it’s extremely important that you listen to your body carefully. This is one of the most common mistakes recreational runners make when they experience an injury.

Athletes that are disciplined and attentive, will make sure they never push their bodies past the brink. If you experience recurring pain or ache, either during or after your run, don’t ignore the situation.

You may only make it worse by triggering a more serious injury. Many of us will start going back to normal life once the pain has subsided. However, it’s important to give your injury the time it needs to heal. 

Failing to treat your injuries can result in a snowball effect. By ignoring your health issue and expecting it to simply fade away, you could risk making the situation much worse than it has to be.

man running in the countryside

Is the long-term impact of not taking care of minor injuries?

In the worst-case scenario, you could even develop a long-term health condition. Of course, you can hope for the best, but, more often than not, an untreated injury will only worsen the situation.

As we get older, our bodies become more prone to developing injuries and our joints or muscles can take much longer to heal. So, your age is another factor to consider. 

One of the top marathon mistakes amongst beginners is refusing to treat their minor injuries ahead of time. What started as a small ankle sprain could potentially turn into chronic pain or instability.

Similarly, you may find that you suffer from chronic tendon inflammation, as your body continuously tries to heal an injury that was never treated in the first place. Another possibility is that you re-injure yourself before giving your body the time it needs to heal. 

For example, if you had a slightly sprained ankle, it could give in much easier and cause a more debilitating issue in the future. 

man stretching on the floor of a running track

There’s a mental health factor to this, too

It’s not just your physical health you need to worry about, it’s your mental health too. If you do happen to strain yourself past the point of no return, this could cause serious damage to your emotional wellbeing.

Once you notice that your range of motion has been hindered, and you can no longer move as easily, you won’t be able to partake in the activities you once loved. This can leave you feeling demotivated and unsatisfied with your quality of life. 

As with any sport, safety comes first. Athletics-related injuries are common for beginners but even amongst experienced runners too. It’s vital that you listen to your body and rest until you make a full recovery (even if it’s just a small injury).

However, if you think you may have developed a more serious injury, it’s always wise to get an opinion from a medical professional. Allowing yourself time to heal will only further enhance your running capabilities. 

If you have any further questions or need some more advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Good luck!

This blog is also part of a wider series about marathons, which you can check out below: