If it ain't broke, don't break it - or so my version of the old saying goes. Exercising regularly is one of the best things you can do to ward off disease, relieve stress, boost self-esteem and improve your overall health. But for some, the addictive nature of working up a sweat can act as an irresistible temptress.
It's when the commitment to exercise is taken too far that an unsuspecting adrenaline junkie can arrive at one of the most undesirable side effects of being physically active: injury.
For some, like the members of the Tufts President's Marathon Team who are training to run the Boston Marathon this April, persevering through the lingering snowstorms, biting winds and chill-you-to-the-bone temperatures is a must to achieve their goal. Last year at this time I was one of them.
Bundled up in a hat, scarf, mittens and a pair of size 6 1/2 Sauconys, there was no Nor'easter or plow truck that could keep me off the road. I ran in the rain, snow, sleet and hail, when it was dark or light, during the day or night, and when I was tired or rested. The weather conditions didn't matter, nor did my physical state. Racking up the frequent runner miles was the only thing on my one-track mind - until I got injured.
My injury was probably lying dormant for years; just waiting for the perfect opportunity to make its presence known. That opportunity came during spring break of last year.
While most students opt to spend their school-free week in a sunny tropical climate sipping Margarita's and entering eyebrow raising contests, I spent spring break of 2004 in Washington state visiting my fianc?©, Andrew, where he is stationed as an Army Special Operations officer.
When I arrived in Seattle late on a Thursday night, I was anxious for the break to begin and to get in some good quality cross training for the upcoming Boston Marathon. Andrew had a four-day weekend and we were planning to take my birthday present - a shiny new Giant XTC mountain bike equipped with clipless pedals - out to see what it was made of. Off into the evergreen forests of the Northwest we went, along with a compass, map and a couple of trusty water-filled bottles.
Then we rode - Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday - from dawn to dusk, in the rain, over rocks, around trees, up hills, and down hills. By midday Friday I was already tired, thirsty, and bruised, but I refused to request we stop pedaling for the day - I'm way to competitive to do that.
It didn't matter to me that the guy was born a Boy Scout, informed his parents at the age of seven that he planned on going to West Point (so the story goes), or that while at the U.S. Military Academy he was the 2000 and 2001 sport division military mountain bike champion. It didn't even matter to me that he had been to war and back three times. I figured that while Ranger school may have taught him how to operate without food or sleep, graduate school did the same for me.
I made it through the weekend, proud that I didn't falter and wave the white flag. Throughout the week I resumed running, 15 miles on Tuesday and seven more each day, Wednesday through Sunday.
When I arrived back in Boston I promptly took up my running schedule again. But, just a half hour into my first run an unfamiliar sensation radiated from the outside of my left knee - it was a dull, achy, pain. A mild pain which quickly progressed into an excruciating pain as I tried to run though it, until I was physically forced to stop.
I haven't run more than a mile since that day, which is a punishment far worse than simply not being able to run the Marathon. I now have an annoyingly persistent tight iliotibial (IT) band that plagues my left leg and reminds me everyday why I shouldn't have pushed myself so far.
Needless to say I learned the moral of the story the hard way. I am hopeful I will run again someday, but sadly, the best I can do for the moment is to simulate the motion by going hands-free on the elliptical machine.
It can be easy to get caught up in a "more is better" mentality. But letting adrenaline lure you away from your senses can result in debilitating injuries. Scheduling "days off" is a must for exercise enthusiasts to ensure your body is adequately rested and rejuvenated. Allowing your body to recover properly will help you perform better, stave off illness, and prevent unwanted injury so that you can get the most out of exercising for years to come.
Emily is a co-editor of Balance and a doctoral student in Nutritional Epidemiology at the Friedman School. She has a MS in Nutrition and Public Health from Columbia University and is a registered dietitian.
