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OUR PHYSICIANS:
- Kirk D. Clifford, MD
- Mary Beth Deering, MD
- Michael P. Dohm, MD
- Michael Dolecki, MD
- David P. Fisher, MD
- Robert L. Frazho, MD
- James S. Gebhard, MD
- Steven J. Heil, MD
- Michael J. Huang, MD
- Waqqar Khan-Farooqi, MD
- Mark G. Luker, MD
- Jeffrey M. Nakano, MD
- Richard J. Price, MD
- Michael T. Reeder, DO
- Michael D. Rooks, MD
- James K. Weaver, MD
- Thea A. Wojtkowski, MD
Recovery time key part of runners' routine
By PATRICK BAHR
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Monday, November 09, 2009
A lot of fitness fads have come and gone over time.
There was Jack LaLanne’s 1950s Glamour Stretcher, Jane Fonda’s aerobics workout from the ’80s and now the Nintendo Wii Fit.
One approach to fitness that gained in popularity in the 1970s and survived the test of time is running.
And with ample running trails and a 5K nearly every weekend, it’s apparent that Grand Valley residents like to run.
But when getting ready to hit the road or trail for a workout, runners need to be conscious of their recovery time, said Dr. Richard Price, a physician specializing in sports medicine at Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Associates.
Before coming to Grand Junction, Price worked with world-class athletes in the Running USA program in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
Members of the team focused as much on recovery as they did on time spent running, Price said.
“They were really focused on recovery and trying to maximize recovery,” Price said. “They would run then go sit in mountain creeks, which helped with inflammation and swelling, so they could recover faster.”
Recovery time is something some runners tend to overlook. It’s not uncommon for Price to see patients injured because of a “runner’s high” addiction, he said.
A good amount of overuse injuries are found in avid runners, he said.
“We see a lot of stress fractures,” Price said. “There is a point where it can be too much wear and tear on the body.”
“We do see that all the time where people have a running addiction,” Price said. “It’s not just runners, but bikers, a lot of different athletes will feel bad if they miss a workout.”
Along with remembering that recovery is as important as the workout, this time of year runners need to keep closer eye on the weather. Runners who like to run before or after work may now find themselves in darker and colder conditions.
“People have to find where they can fit (running) into their life,” Price said. “So one of the most important things becomes weather and making sure they are dressed appropriately.”
