A Doctor of Physical Therapy keeping runners of all shapes and sizes injury free (specifically those over the age of 35). Running Tips, home workouts, & rehab. Strength and Injury Prevention for Runners
The Power of Rest Days: How They Boost Your Running Performance
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Hey there Reader I know what you’re thinking—rest days feel like wasted time. If you’re like most runners, the idea of skipping a scheduled run makes you anxious. But here’s the truth: rest isn’t lazy—it’s a performance booster. Why Rest Days Are Non-NegotiableEvery time you run, your muscles experience micro-tears. That’s completely normal. But real strength and endurance gains happen during rest—not the workout itself. This is when your body repairs, rebuilds, and comes back stronger. Skipping rest? That’s a fast track to overuse injuries, burnout, and plateauing progress.
If I were to dedicate the next issue of my newsletter to you and the challenge you're currently facing.....what would that issue be about? (reply and send me your topic)
Three Key Benefits of Rest Days
How to Rest Like a Pro
Want to Return to Running Stronger Than Before?If you’re recovering from an injury and unsure how to balance rest with training, my Return to Running Program takes out the guesswork. You’ll get a structured plan to help you safely build back miles—without fear of reinjury.
My Favorite Products/Resources(THIS POST PROBABLY CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. OUR FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY IS REALLY BORING, BUT YOU CAN FIND IT HERE.) Hope you had a great time and found something useful! I'm here to help! Keep Running! Doc Abby Helping you stay injury free and on the road (or trail) running! |
The Runner Doc
A Doctor of Physical Therapy keeping runners of all shapes and sizes injury free (specifically those over the age of 35). Running Tips, home workouts, & rehab. Strength and Injury Prevention for Runners
Hey there Reader Ever find yourself halfway through your 5k feeling like your legs are toast and you just can’t hold pace? That “gassing out” moment is more common than you think—and it’s 100% fixable. Here’s what’s happening: Your body uses three energy systems when you run. If you don’t train them properly—especially your aerobic “diesel truck”—you’ll keep hitting that wall. Here’s what works: -> Build your aerobic engine with long, easy runs. -> Add smart speedwork like tempo runs and VO2...
Hey there Reader Let’s be real: piling on extra miles worked when we were 25. After 35? It’s a one-way ticket to the Injury Club.The Fix = Smarter Load, Not More Impact A simple weighted vest (just 5–10 % of your body-weight) turns an ordinary walk into a low-impact strength session that:• Signals your bones to stay <em>dense & fracture-resistant</em> 🦴• Fires up glutes, calves, and core for a more powerful stride 💪• Gives you a legit cardio boost (heart-rate +15 bpm in studies!) ❤️Try This...
Hey there Reader Have you ever felt that nagging, burning ache along the inside of your shin—just when your training was finally rolling? You’re not alone. Shin splints (a.k.a. medial tibial stress syndrome) are the most common running injury I treat—especially in runners 35 +. Here’s the good news: with the right combo of load management, targeted strength, and a smart return-to-run plan, you can kick shin pain to the curb for good. 🔑 Today’s Quick-Win Checklist Scale Back, Don’t StopIf...