Running season is here: Dealing with injuries, and a new program to help up your game!

The Buffalo Marathon and the return of the Corporate Challenge are sure signs that the running season is here. Now through fall, races of all lengths and kids will take place throughout Western New York.

With race training may come injuries, and while reducing injury risk is first and foremost, the providers of Excelsior Orthopaedics know some people will overdo it.

“We know the importance of self-care. Most injuries runners will experience are a result of overuse, so it is important to listen to your body and modify training when appropriate,” said Jim Starkey, an athletic trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and USA Track & Field Level 1 coach. “A simple ache or pain can evolve into a more chronic issue if not addressed in an appropriate timeframe.”

Some common issues experienced by runners include anterior knee pain, IT-band pain, shin splints, and muscle strains. As a runner, Starkey knows the highly active lifestyle demands optimal physical performance, and that’s why it’s good to know that these injuries are treatable through rehabilitation.

Excelsior Sports Training works with runners and other athletes on injury prevention and rehabilitation. That specialty has, for years, positioned Excelsior Orthopaedics to have a valuable relationship with the Buffalo Marathon, which is May 29. Excelsior will provide the post-race recovery area known as the Stretch Zone.

Running is a heart-healthy sport, providing significant cardiovascular conditioning. It not only has physical health benefits, but it also has mental and social benefits too. The social atmosphere is one of the main reasons Doctor of Physical Therapy Jenna Darron developed a passion for running.

She was a sprinter in high school and ran recreationally through college but didn’t consider herself a runner until her husband introduced her to other aspects of the sport.

“He introduced me to a lot of people through the running community, and I soon began to look forward to Saturday morning runs with friends more than Saturday night out with friends,” Darron said. “While running seems like such a solo sport, the running community here in Buffalo is amazing. The friendships I have built through thousands of snowy and windy miles are my true passion for the sport.”

Jenna is one of the instructors of Run 2 Excel, Excelsior’s newest strength program for runners. It offers a focus on running-specific exercise.

“We started Run 2 Excel with one goal in mind: to help the running community. Run 2 Excel is different because it was built for runners by a group of athletic trainers and physical therapists who are trained in exercise prescription and on the biomechanics of running. The exercises…are meant to improve running performance and target specific areas to reduce risk of injury. Runners learn which exercises are most effective to aid with their running performance and learn the proper form to get the most out of the exercises,” Darron said. “The program is special because it loops back into my passion for running, helping runners, and bringing people together.”

Jim Mollosky, an athletic trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and licensed massage therapist, is another instructor of Run 2 Excel.

“My goal is to take runners to the next level, allowing them to rethink their training. My goal has been to show people they don’t need too much equipment, if any, to get a tough quality workout,” he said.

Mollosky boasts an interesting history, starting out as a collegiate runner, later switching to adventure and trail racing, and today he focuses on mountain racing. His passion for running has led him to equate the sport to being when he is most at peace.

“Running is my constant in life, and I enjoy having a place to go to no matter my mood, the weather, or how busy life can get.  When I lace up my shoes and open that door to the world, it is my heart that truly opens. A deep breath of gratitude knowing I am ‘home,’” Mollosky said.

Whether you need help recovering from a running injury, need help preparing for a race, or want to join people who share your passion, contact run@excelsiorortho.com or call (716) 906-5564.