Former financial services professional Lee Chimerakis spends his retirement fundraising and supporting charitable causes across Palm Beach, Florida, as an ambassador for the famed Honda Classic golf tournament. Lee Chimerakis is also a running enthusiast and dedicates much of his time to fitness and strength training.
Avid runners are prone to several types of overuse injuries, including Achilles tendinitis and runner's knee. However, appropriate strength training can reduce the likelihood of sustaining an overuse injury by half.
Strength training builds up the density, flexibility, and resilience of the bones, tendons, and other structures. Thicker muscles also help cushion thinner ligaments and joints against the stress that running can place on the body.
Just one to two 30-minute strength training sessions a week can be enough to obtain protective effects. Beginners should start training using only body weight and add additional loads as they build strength. Runners with previous overuse injuries can benefit from a modified strength training routine, but should consult with a physical therapist prior to starting.
