#5 Running Through the Pain? Don’t do it!

This is one of our periodic series, The Rules of Running; tried and true rules of running that have been tested over and over by runners.  Today’s offering:

The 2-Day Rule

If something hurts for two straight days while running, take two days off.

Two straight days of pain may signal the beginning of an injury. “Even taking five days of complete rest from running will have little impact on your fitness level,” says Troy Smurawa, M.D., team physician for USA Triathlon.

The Exception: If something hurts for two weeks, even if you’ve taken your rest days, see a doctor.  And follow your doctor’s advice.  If he says “take time off,” then take time off. Doing as you are advised now can save recovery time down the road.  If you continue to exercise on an injured limb, muscle or tendon, you could do serious, long-term damage requiring more extensive recovery later.