Marathon season has finally arrived. Whether you’re gearing up for a half-marathon, parkrun, or couch-to-5k, all runners want to start strong and reach the finish line injury-free. But those final weeks of training can be marred by sudden “niggles” and aches and pains that threaten months of hard work.
New research by Deep reliefof muscle and joint pain specialists, revealed that the most common issues for runners training for long-distance races were:
- fatigue (41%)
- muscle tension (36%)
- Leg pain (29%)
Noel Weeks, pharmacist and advocate for Deep Relief, says: “Marathons are the ultimate test of endurance and stamina. Exercise should not be taken lightly as poor preparation can quickly lead to fatigue, aches and pains and serious injuries.
“When you’re pushing your body to its limits, whether it’s a park run, a half marathon, or actually running 26 miles, pain management is important not only during the race, but in preparation for the event and during the recovery period afterward.”
Training is intense, so it’s no surprise that injuries are common. In fact, new Deep relief Research has shown that 80% of people suffer from back, joint or muscle pain due to their active hobbies.
Clara Kerwin, a physiotherapist and muscle specialist who swears by Deep Relief, explains: “Runners endure repetitive strain for long periods of time. When muscles are fatigued, they become more efficient at absorbing shock. This creates a domino effect where stress is transferred to joints and tendons, causing soreness, tightness and muscle soreness.”
But despite pain being such a common occurrence ー 67% of Brits have experienced muscle pain in their legs, knees, back or feet ー many of us feel like hiding our pain.
Deep Relief research found that a whopping 75% of respondents admitted to masking or hiding their pain. The most common reasons for this were:
- 27.5% felt that they had to endure pain
- 19.1% thought they were overreacting
- 15.6% said that wearing a mask can relieve pain
“It’s important not to underestimate tension and stress, especially during the pre-race taper period, as this can lead to long-term setbacks and turn manageable nails into race-ending injuries,” says Noel Weeks.
“Instead, addressing pain early using topical solutions like Deep Relief Duo Pain Relief Gel and Deep Relief Duo Joint Pain Gel can be a very effective way to manage pain and help you run your best race.”
For marathon runners, the consequences of ignoring pain can be severe. However, according to Deep Relief, more than 50% of people experience muscle or joint pain for at least a week or two. This has a negative impact on mental health, with 50% of Brits reporting sleepless nights when experiencing pain, 42% saying the pain makes it difficult to get out of bed and 32% finding they struggle to even go to work.
In addition, the same study found that 40% felt depressed or annoyed because their pain meant they could not participate in their chosen hobbies. Given that 54% of people report low mood and 37% have experienced a lack of motivation, marathon runners who ignore or mistreat their pain may experience more emotional damage than physical pain.
“Although three-fifths of people want to exercise more to improve their well-being, neglecting physical pain and sports injuries can worsen your mental health,” says Clara Kerwin.
He adds, “To minimize the negative effects of pain while running or exercising, spend more time stretching, prioritize quality sleep, and use effective pain relief products like Deep Relief Duo Pain Relief Gel and Deep Relief Duo Joint Gel.”
As every marathon runner knows, the race doesn’t end when you cross the finish line. 91% of Brits agree that pain in one area can easily spread to another if left untreated, so it’s important to keep pain under control even during post-marathon recovery.
“If you ignore minor knee pain, your body will naturally compensate by changing your gait to protect the affected area, leading to hip or back pain,” says Noel Weeks.
“So runners have to take a holistic approach to pain management. You have your training plan, your nutrition plan, and you also have to have your recovery plan.” Combining low-impact activities with dedicated rest gives muscles and joints time to recover.
Deep Relief Gels – Provides triple pain relief
For any runner experiencing discomfort, topical gels provide easy and effective pain relief during exercise and recovery. Unlike oral medications that must be worked through the system, topical gels directly target the source of pain. In Deep Relief Duo Gel pain relief and Deep Relief Duo Gel joint pain Use a triple-action formula for cooling relief, penetrating pain relief, and anti-inflammatory action to help runners manage localized swelling and discomfort without disrupting their overall body chemistry.
Noel Weeks explains the science behind the effectiveness of this targeted approach: “The Deep Relief Duo formula is unique as it is the only anti-inflammatory gel in the UK that combines Ibuprofen and Levomenthol.
“Ibuprofen is an effective, evidence-based non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that helps reduce pain and inflammation. Meanwhile, Levomenthol works on the nerve endings in the skin to provide a soothing and cooling effect.
“Combined in a water-based gel, these two ingredients penetrate quickly through the skin to target the source of pain, matching high local therapeutic concentrations to soft tissues, muscles and joints.”
In Deep Relief Duo Gel pain relief starts working in 10 minutes targeting muscle pain, back pain, rheumatism, swelling, strains and sprains. The effectiveness of this gel is clear: 81% of users reported relief from muscle and joint pain.
In The gel relieves joint pain also starts working after 10 minutes, but is specially formulated for pain relief in mild cases of arthritis, helping to reduce pain and inflammation.
Deep Relief has also created a medicinal product: Patch Deep Relief Actiflex. Using hydrogel technology, it provides up to 12 hours of targeted, soothing cooling – ideal for runners who need sustained relief on the move and at night.
With a flexible fit design that is ideal for joint areas such as shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, hands and feet, the patch can be easily worn under clothing or while sleeping.
“Since sleep is when the body repairs itself, soothing relief from a product like the Actiflex Deep Relief Patch before bed can help runners get a good night’s sleep before and after a race,” says Noel Weeks.
In summary, Noel Weeks says: “Running a marathon, or any long-distance race, is a challenging event that requires runners to take care of their bodies. Your muscles and joints will naturally be under significant strain, so pain management is a huge part of your preparation and aftercare.
“With the science of Deep Relief gels behind you, you can manage the pain and focus on the incredible achievement of completing the marathon.”
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Our editorial team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions are not necessarily those of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under medical supervision, talk to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommendations in this article.
