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From:	emily (69.126.27.154)
Subject:	Dr. Graham, or anyone experienced: Help With Running/Endurance Training?
Date:	April 10, 2012 at 8:41 am PST

I could really use some advice with my training. I aspire to be the best
endurance athlete I can be, however I am not all too experienced and I've never
sought out professional help from a trainer or coach. I really enjoy running, but
I am not all that fast. Plus, I keep getting injured which has set me back a lot.
All of the injuries are in my knees, either on outside sides or sometimes in the
back of my knees. It's never two knees at once. A couple years back it was my
left and now it's my right. I think I'm pretty careful and I don't overtrain. I've
done a lot of diligent research about proper shoes and foot strike and I think
I've improved my running form a lot. However, with these setbacks, I haven't
been reaching my goals.

I've been training (on and off) for about 3 years now - but I haven't progressed
much. I would go maybe a month or two doing well, losing fat and then get hurt
and become discouraged. I could possibly be overtraining and not know it, but I
can't really tell because the pain doesn't come on gradually. Usually there isn't a persisting signal that allows me to ease up. It kind of just happens. I was
thinking about seeing a sports doctor - is that a good idea? My parents suggest
maybe I should because I could have seriously injured something and not have
known.

I am a 19 year old female, 5'1" and about 112 lbs. Right now, my body fat % is a
lot higher than I would like it to be, around 25%. Sometimes I think because I
carry most of the fat in my hips and thigh area, this puts strain on my knees
when I run and could be comprising an efficient running form.

I enjoy a lot of other types of exercise like high intensity aerobics, home video
work outs like insanity (a very intense interval training program), yoga, etc. I
generally love staying active. I've never injured myself doing any of these other
exercises, just running. Sometimes I feel discouraged because I gather negative
thoughts and wonder if running is not for me. But I enjoy it so much that I am
willing to keep trying.

If anyone could please assist me with some advice, I'd really appreciate it. It'd
be great if you can tell me other beneficial exercises or layout a training
regimen, list some other good exercises for endurance, etc. Maybe how I could
avoid the injury?

For the most part I have been thriving on the 80/10/10 diet. Sometimes I stray
off the path for a day, but I get right back on it. I am in a great place with the
diet, and I think it's about time I start using it to my advantage athletically.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to read! :)

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