The best 4 tips when coming back to running from injury
As runners, we can all agree on one thing: injuries suck. Whether it’s a chronic pain that’s been nagging at you for months or an acute injury caused by a sudden fall or twist, being injured can be frustrating and demotivating. But fear not, my fellow runners, because I’m here to share my top tips for coming back stronger after injury.

Don’t Compare Yourself to the Past
First things first, don’t compare yourself to your pre-injury self. That’s like comparing apples to oranges, or like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. It’s easy to get caught up in the “what ifs” and feel discouraged by how far you’ve fallen from your previous fitness level.
But trust me, that kind of thinking is poison. Instead, embrace the Japanese concept of Kaizen, which means constant improvement. Focus on where you are now and work towards being better every day.

Rehab is Key
Rehabilitation is a crucial part of the recovery process. Think of it like a choose-your-own-adventure book, except the adventure is getting back to your pre-injury self.
Depending on the injury, your rehab will involve a combination of exercises, physiotherapy, and possibly even acupuncture. It’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to create a rehab plan that works for you. And don’t be afraid to take it slow and steady. Progress may be slow, but it’s progress nonetheless.
Nutrition is Your Medicine
As they say, food is medicine. When you’re injured, your body needs all the help it can get to heal and recover. Make sure you’re eating a nutritious diet that’s tailored to your needs, and don’t skimp on the water. Remember, every bite you take is a step towards recovery.
Think garden hose – without water, the flowers wilt and die. But with enough water, they bloom and thrive.

Measure Your Progress
Track your progress like a boss. Keep a journal, download an app, or hire a skywriter to spell out how awesome you’re doing. Celebrate the small victories, it’s worth it.
Keep a journal or use an app to track your rehab exercises and how your injury is feeling day by day. Celebrate the small victories and take note of any setbacks. Remember, progress is progress, no matter how small.
A Positive Attitude is Everything
Last but not least, maintaining a positive attitude is key to overcoming injury. It’s easy to get bogged down by negative thoughts and feelings, but try to focus on the positives instead. Use your injury as an opportunity to learn and grow as a runner. Maybe it’s a chance to work on your mental toughness or learn new exercises to prevent future injuries. The possibilities are endless.
And who knows, maybe your injury is a silver lining in the cloud, like discovering a hidden gem in a rough patch.
In conclusion, getting injured is a setback but doesn’t have to keep you down. By following these tips and staying positive, you can come back stronger than ever before. Remember, the journey to recovery may be long, but the reward is worth it. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you’ll get there.
What You Will Learn
- How A little bit a lot of the time helps you in the long term
- why Nutrition is more important than ever
- How to measure your progress
- How To stop playing the victim card and accept what’s happened
- More on Kaizen
- and more!
Episode Highlights and Timestamps
02:30 How did Mike Trees get injured
04:18 How Mike feels about it all
08:34 Work on rehab a little but often
12:14 Food and water are necessary!
14:28 Measure your progress – even the small bits
17:46 Kaizen defined (constant improvement!)
19:33 Talk to specialists and professionals for their advice
Notable Quotables



Links
- Returning to running after injury – https://www.running-physio.com/returnafterinjury/
- Photos & videos of Mike’s progress – Day 1 Crash https://www.instagram.com/p/CamXgHFFRHK/
- Photos & videos of Mike’s progress – Day 4 https://www.instagram.com/p/CatPqzglB1V/
- Photos & videos of Mike’s progress – Day 10 https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca9jC3jPTmf/
- Photos & videos of Mike’s progress – Day 21 – Mike’s Park WALK race! https://www.instagram.com/p/CcrujnNljPw/
- DLake/Daren Instagram – instagram.com/dlakecreates – Mike Trees – https://instagram.com/run.nrg
- Podcast Concept, Production and Marketing BY POD PASTE
NRG COACHING (MIKE TREES) – SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by NRG – Coaching which is Mike Trees’ coaching service. Mike coaches beginners to pros and all levels in between.
No one is too fast and no one too slow. They just want a desire to learn and improve.
They focus on 1,500m to marathon running and triathlon training.
NRG Coaching is constantly overbooked, so Instagram and this new podcast venture, gives Mike and the rest of his NRG coaching team a way to reach out to more people.
Contact mike and his team NRG-COACHING.com for more info
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