New Orleans and Children's Hospital is excited as it prepares to host the 3rd Annual Jazz Half Marathon and 5K being held October 29th, 2011. As you prepare to enjoy your race day, whether you are a newbie to the running scene or a seasoned road runner, it is the medical team's goal to assist you in safely reaching your personal race day goals! Throughout the year we are going to provide you with injury prevention and treatment strategies, running specific muscle strengthening and stretching techniques, and high performance nutrition tips. The essential advice and recommendations will be provided by various members of the 2011 Jazz Half Marathon Medical Team, made up of local orthopaedic health care clinicians from Southern Orthopaedic Specialists.

Running is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise. The increase in running distances and speeds, various running surfaces and shoes, and specific anatomical issues, make runners of all levels have a high incidence of what are known as "overuse" or "repetitive stress" injuries at the lower extremities. Incorporating an injury prevention program into a training routine is essential to a runner's musculoskeletal health. The majority of runners have heard of or personally dealt with some form of "-itis", such as bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis, or fasciitis. These various running pains and injuries can affect the quality and performance of your training and races. We are going to describe common running related injuries and recommend preventative and treatment techniques. See the Training menu above for details.

One of the most important and effective techniques to avoid overuse injuries is implementing the 10 percent rule (10PR). It states that you should never increase your total weekly mileage by greater than 10% of the prior week's distance. This will allow for a safe long term progression of your running distance. Be patient and follow the slow-but-sure method of reaching your weekly distance goal. This will allow for your body to gradually adapt to the added physical stress each week from the increased distances, reducing your overall risk for injury.

Congratulations and thank you for signing up to participate in 2011 Jazz Half Marathon or 5K! We look forward to congratulating you as you cross the finish line in good health!

John L. Moran PT,DPT,CSCS
Kim Harris, PT, DPT

Southern Orthopaedic Specialists
www.sosneworleans.com

John L. Moran, D.P.T., received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2005 from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in St. Augustine, Florida. While at St. Augustine he completed specialized training in orthopaedic manual therapy techniques and sports rehabilitation. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has been trained in worksite ergonomic evaluations. John has studied clinical practice management at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He has completed sports medicine training for the upper and lower extremities at the Andrew's Institute for Sports Medicine. Dr. Moran has completed advanced training in the rehabilitation of baseball players with Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Kevin Wilk. He has presented at seminars with Dr. Claude Williams, IV and Mr. Mackie Shilstone. John has worked with athletes at the recreational, high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Dr. Moran is a former NCAA competitive swimmer, 2006 New York Marathon and 2010 New Orleans 70.3 Ironman finisher.

Kimberly F. Harris, D.P.T., received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2010 from the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. While at KU she worked at the University of Ghent in Belgium in spinal cord rehabilitation. Kimberly majored in biology at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and graduated with honors. She also played collegiate basketball for all four years during her undergraduate studies at Clark University and was elected to the Gryphon and Pleiades Society. She has training in sports rehabilitation, working with athletes in high school and at the college level. Kimberly is also trained in gait analysis, work ergonomic assessment, and functional rehabilitation. While at Clark University Kimberly also became proficient in Spanish. Before joining Southern Orthopedic Specialists she worked for Visiting Nurses Association in Lawrence, Kansas.