The Long Distance Runner’s Guide to Injury Prevention and Treatment: How to Avoid Common Problems and Deal with Them When They Happen

Physicians and runners Krabak, Lipman (The Wilderness First Aid Handbook), and Waite have collected a comprehensive array of facts about long-distance running in this wide-ranging examination of injuries related to the sport. The coauthors observe that, while up to 79% of long-distance runners will face injury during a given year, the sport is nevertheless growing in popularity and is associated with overall superior health. (The opening chapter provides the persuasive argument that from an evolutionary perspective it’s actually “abnormal to not run on a regular basis.”) The book is divided into four parts: “The Distance Running Athlete”; “Evaluation, Treatment and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries”; “Common Medical Illnesses”; and “After the Run.” Each of the 23 chapters is prefaced by a section called “Key Points” that makes the detailed, science-based advice more digestible. Although some runners may feel drawn to studying the book in its entirety, most will likely opt to zero in on personally pertinent issues—e.g., running in high altitudes, heat- or cold-related illness, or foot care. Thorough and well researched, this reference will be indispensable for runners with a proactive attitude toward their own safety. (Oct.)