Tendons

When a runner comes into my clinic, one of the first questions I ask is pretty obvious: “Where does it hurt?” Where you feel pain gives me a place to start. Anterior knee pain makes me think about different structures than pain behind the ankle. Groin pain creates a different list than lateral hip pain. But after years of evaluating and treating runners, I can tell you that where you hurt is only the beginning of the story. Running injuries commonly involve the knee, ankle/fo

As runners, we spend a lot of time thinking about muscles, shoes, and pace. But if there’s one part of your body that quietly takes a beating with every step, it’s your tendons—and they deserve more attention, especially as we get older. Tendons are the tough connective tissues that link muscle to bone. They store and release energy with every stride, acting like springs. But with age, they become less forgiving. They stiffen, heal more slowly, and lose some of their bounce.

Many runners are doing a better job at integrating strength training into their weekly routine. That’s a win. But even the strongest runner can fall short if their training doesn’t also include power and coordination work. Plyometrics: explosive, controlled movements like hops, bounds, and jumps can bridge that gap. These aren’t just for sprinters or athletes in court sports and they don't have to be complicated or huge box jumps! Plyometrics, when done correctly, improve how