Pain vs. Injury: What to Do When It Hurts During an Ultra

About this episode

This episode discusses how to differentiate between harmless pain and potential injuries during ultra-distance races.

In this episode, we tackle the most critical question in any long-distance race: is this pain a harmless sensation or a sign of an impending injury? Your handy-dandy running injury expert breaks down the "rules of thumb" to help you, your coaches, and your crew make the right call in the heat of the moment. This episode is a must-listen for ultra-athletes and their support staff. We provide a simple, three-part framework for assessing pain on the course, from the nagging ache that's likely just sensitivity to the red flags that signal it's time to absolutely stop. We also discuss the specific responsibilities of the crew and coaches—your level-headed support system—and where you should turn for a professional diagnosis. We'll cover: The framework for identifying harmless pain versus a true injury. The critical assessments you and your crew can perform during a race. How to prevent a small issue from becoming a race-ending one. Why your crew is your most valuable asset when dealing with pain. And as always, our discussion is a general overview. Always consult a medical professional or the medical staff at the aid station. For a more detailed look at these assessments, reach out…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Sebastian Gonzales

Topics covered

• pain assessment
• injury prevention
• ultra-athletics
• coaching support
• race strategies

Keywords

• pain vs injury
• ultra running
• race support
• coaching
• injury assessment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: P2 Sports Care

Places: Costa Mesa, CA

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