These are common scenes at running events, where many runners reach their physical limits - Photo: REUTERS
Leg pain but regretting wasted training effort, dizziness but still wanting to cross the finish line... In running, sometimes the spirit of "conquering yourself, pushing your limits" becomes a dangerous factor, causing your body to truly push itself beyond its limits - but the limits of its endurance.
On the London Marathon Events website, physiotherapist Nicky Edwards warns about "the regret of wasted effort"—a psychological state that many runners experience when their bodies show signs of pain.
Runner and coach Alice Sunderland revealed that she suffered a hamstring tear before the 2024 London Marathon and experienced a "tough" feeling – between trying and giving up. Ultimately, Sunderland decided to rest, seek professional help, and focus on recovery.
Edwards advises, "There will always be other marathons, but you only have one." Below are common signs that it's time for a runner to stop "pushing themselves a little further."
Chest pain while running: don't wait until the pain becomes unbearable.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA) , a heart attack doesn't necessarily begin with severe pain. Warning signs may include a feeling of pressure, tightness, or discomfort in the chest that lasts for a few minutes or comes and goes; the pain may radiate to the arms, back, neck, or jaw.