Turkey Trot Tips

Did you sign up for a Thanksgiving Day race? It’s a perfect pre-Thanksgiving meal activity to stay in shape and run/walk for a good cause. The gathering of loved ones and delicious foods are hard to stay away from, so what better way to “earn” your delicious meal than to exercise for a good cause?

Our team at Crofton Podiatry wants you to stay safe during this Thanksgiving Day event. The following are tips to prevent injury during your race:

• Train: Especially if this is your first race, make sure that you practice walking or running long distances. Turkey Trots can be as short as 1K or as long as a 10K. Make sure that you increase your distance little by little until Thanksgiving Day comes. Most importantly, it will help you determine if your body is ready for a race. Look for any pain or discomfort to address before the race day.
• Hydration: Before, during, and after the race, it is important to keep hydrated to make sure that you do not faint or have issues due to dehydration.
• Break in sneakers and clothing: Whatever you plan to wear during the race, make sure you wear it a few times beforehand to make sure they don’t cause chafing or blisters. Sneakers should be comfortable, supportive, and durable. Clothing should not make you overheat while running.
• Stretch: Before and after the race, stretching can help prevent injury and reduce soreness.
• Eat healthy food: Junk foods will not give you good energy to help you do your best on race day. Eat a good variety of healthy foods, especially to keep you sustained during the race.

The most important part is to listen to your body. If you feel any pain or dizziness while training or even during the actual race, slow down. Do not push through or you will risk a more severe injury that will require more complex treatment. If you notice any pain or discomfort, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at our Crofton, MD office. Call us at (410) 721-4505 to make an appointment. Our team will be happy to help you get to the finish line – and your well-deserved Thanksgiving meal!