RUNNING : Feet are your tools, protect them!
FEET ARE YOUR TOOLS, PROTECT THEM!
28 bones, 16 joints, 107 ligaments, 27 muscles... The foot is a masterpiece. A phenomenal machine, an intricate web of parts, an expert design created by Mother Nature. You don’t have to go to the Louvre to know that masterpieces need to be protected. Just like the Mona Lisa, our feet—and our legs in general—require a high level of protection. Especially when they are put to the test with the traumatic effort it takes to run.
The runner with clay feet
Types of injury
Even though exercise is good for your health, running can have a negative impact on the body if it is not done with care. Be careful! Running isn’t dangerous; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. However, the risk of injury is real, something 80% of runners have already bitterly experienced. Why? Primarily because with every stride and every impact, our foot must absorb 3.5 times our weight.
It’s hard to find someone savvier than Marion Delespierre to speak about the paradoxical nature of running, a sport that walks a fine line between feeling fit and being injured. A young sports medicine doctor based in Lyon, Delespierre is also a high-caliber athlete with nationally and internationally recognized Trail awards. Legend has it that she even took her Hippocratic oath in sneakers.
“There are two types of injuries linked to running: those that are traumatic, resulting from a fall or awkward movement, and those caused by fatigue, overuse, or bad posture.” Among these injuries, some return to her office more regularly than others: “Tendinitis of the Achilles tendon or the knee are the most common conditions. Next come muscular injuries, then stress fractures, and, more rarely, plantar fasciitis.” This observation is corroborated by Marie Maligorne, head of the SIDAS sports orthopedic center: “After blisters, inflammation, and bruises under the nails, injuries directly affecting the foot and pain in the knee and Achilles tendon are the most recurrent.”
Causes of injury
As such, the goal is to treat the injury, heal it, but then analyze the cause and make sure it remains a distant memory that never returns.
Marion Delespierre has identified two primary reasons why runners visit her: “Running is a popular sport, with accessible information. The novice runner feels invigorated and becomes very (even overly) independent in their training.” It is here that the two primary risks for injury arise: “A sudden increase in training volume and a quick switch to using new equipment that may not be suitable.” This reveals two key pieces of advice for avoiding injury: increase your distance progressively and choose appropriate equipment, particularly shoes. The doctor concludes: “The body can adapt to anything, but you must give it time—be patient!”
Ingredients for running with protection
When running, protection implies staying safe from injury risks. First, focus on recovering from previous injuries, but also prevent injuries before they happen. The old adage is true: prevention is better than cure! SIDAS product manager Margaux Denantes confirms: “We approach things from the standpoint of anticipating the microtraumas that the body accumulates with each stride. Our goal is to minimize impact shock so you can avoid injuries short term and pursue your passion long term. That way, you won’t need to retire your sneakers when you’re 40!” Besides the physical benefits, protection also has psychological advantages: “Feeling safe gives you more confidence, allowing you to focus less on obstacles and more on sensations and the present moment.”
Given the importance of staying informed to avoid running injuries, it’s helpful to list different methods for taking precaution.
For Dr. Delespierre, the priority is General Physical Preparation (GPP): “Preparing your body for exertion is essential. This means working the feet, strengthening the deep muscles in the lower body, and activating the gluteus medius, which we all need to do... The idea is to strengthen the entire 'hip-knee-ankle' axis. Static or dynamic toning exercises are very effective. Sometimes, I even recommend a short 20-minute jog followed by a GPP session rather than a traditional run!” And stretching? “It’s like philosophy—different schools of thought exist. Personally, I recommend dynamic stretching, because starting cold can lead to muscle injuries.” Hydration, diet, and training management are also important factors where expert advice can be useful.
Finally, all three experts agree on the importance of equipment and the positive impact of insoles. SIDAS product manager Margaux Denantes explains: “For us, the equation is simple. Protection = comfort + support + stability!” She continues: “Our goal is not to correct a problem or fix a stride but to offer a comfortable solution that promotes injury prevention.”
The PROTECT line was developed from this perspective. With its bowl-shaped heel resembling the seat of a chair, the insole cradles the back of the foot, providing comfort and stability. Gel in the heel and under the forefoot ensures support. It’s a level of protection that would make even the Mona Lisa blush.
