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In this episode of Running to the Castle I’m answering the question: Are squats and lunges bad for my knees?

When you have knee pain when you run, go up and down stairs, get up from a chair, kneeling, squatting and lunging it’s going to make you question if doing things like squats and lunges are bad for your knees.

Some runners will say you need to do more squats and lunges because they’re painful, and others will say don’t do squats and lunges because they’re bad for your knees… so which is it? Are they bad for your knees? Listen to find out.

Click here to get on the interest list for Glutes Workouts

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode I’m talking about different exercises to do to strengthen your glutes that aren’t squats.

You know that if you have Runner’s Knee, IT Band Syndrome or Meniscus problems that one of the top recommendations is to strengthen your glutes to support your knees, and you know that squats are a solid way to strengthen your glutes.

But what about when your knees hurt so bad you can’t do squats? I gotchu

Listen to this episode to hear me describe

• 3 exercises using gym machines to strengthen your glutes without squats
• 3 exercises standing using elastic bands at home
• 3 exercises laying on your back
• 3 exercises laying face down on your belly
• 3 exercises laying on your side

All so you don’t have to do squats to strengthen your glutes

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode I’m talking about the #1 group of muscles I recommend my clients work out if they only had time to strength train a single group.

I chose this muscle group because it’s so versatile and you get the most bang for your buck. There are 3 muscles in this group and you hear everybody and their mom telling you to strengthen them, especially if you have knee problems.

Listen to this episode to learn the group of muscles runners need that will give them

• Power
• Speed
• Strength
• Stability
• And good alignment when they run

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode I’m talking about what’s good pain and what’s bad pain in running and how to know when to push through.

Listen to this episode to learn if you should push through the following types of pain

• Sharp, shooting pain
• Dull aches
• Muscle burn
• A new pain caused by a new problem
• A new pain caused by being in a boot or a cast

And how long to give the pain during a run before calling it quits

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode I’m talking about picking the right shoes for your knee problem and fueling right so you don’t bonk on a training run or race day.

Shoes really are particular to each person so like many other professionals I recommend getting a foot assessment, gait assessment or at least taking one of those quizzes on the shoe company’s website. There are some types of shoes that runners with knee problems should avoid and I review 1 type in particular, tri-density shoes, in this episode. In addition to that, I go out what to look at when you’re finding shoes that could work for you.

Fueling is one of the easiest ways to not feel light headed and bonk on race day. I go over how much carbohydrates to eat on a training run and on race day, including when to start fueling. I include examples of real food to use as fuel, and other types like gus and gels.

Learn what types of food to avoid while exercising and running to avoid mid run stomach knots and what type of food to consume when you have knee injuries and tendon issues.

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

Hey! How’s it goin?

In this episode I’m talking about how to set up your stretching and post-run recovery routine so you reduce knee pain.

I recommend creating a stretching routine that lasts 10-15 minutes after a run to use static stretches for flexibility, and use dynamic stretches before a run in combination with your walking warm up to prepare your muscles and joints for your run.

After you’re done stretching some things to include in your post-run recovery routine to improve muscle recovery are foam rolling, massage gun, hot epsom salt baths or ice baths.

Listen to the episode to learn how to set up your after run routine to optimize your performance for Disney Marathon training.

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

Hey! How’s it goin?

In this episode I’m talking about how to set up your training plan to maximize your workouts so you’re ready for runDisney Marathon if you have knee problems.

I recommend creating a training schedule that includes

3-4 running days with long runs, speed workouts, pace workouts, hills, etc

1-2 cross training days to build cardiovascular endurance

2-3 strength training days to build strength and power

2 complete rest days

Listen to this episode to learn how to structure your run days and rest days to be ready for the Disney Marathon

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

Hey! How's it goin?
In this episode I am talking about how much to run leading up to your half marathon or 2-Course Challenge Disney race.

I recommend following a training plan that follows the 10% rule, even better when there are deload/taper weeks worked in throughout training so your body can adjust to the added mileage and reduce re-injury.

I use an example of a runner building up to 10 miles for their half marathon and then running that distance every other weekend leading up to race day. Learn why this doesn’t optimize their race day experience and what to do instead including: tapering for 3 weeks for the half marathon after the longest run as 10 miles.

I compare the taper phase of the training program to Merida’s bow and arrow: you can force it through, you can pull back a little or you can pull back the optimal amount and see how far the arrow goes with each scenario.

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

Hey! How's it goin?
In this episode I go over a variety of speed workouts, including my top recommendation for runDisney runners using run/walk intervals for their training.

Speed work training includes:

• 30-20-10
• Tempo
• Progression
• Sprint intervals
• Race Pace

And finally, I included a recommendation on how to actually get faster using any of these techniques and avoid burnt out, injury, and getting slower.

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode I’m talking about managing new pain that has come on for someone in the past few weeks. The example is she went out for a run Monday and got knee pain, knee felt fine on Tuesday, so she went for a run on Wednesday and the pain came back.

With this information I asked her:

How much she was running (distance/time), how often she is running (MWF), and what she is doing in regard to stretching and muscle recovery.

In this example I walk you through how I guided this person to what she can do after a run to manage pain, and how long and how often to do it, and when she can go out for her next run and how long it can be.

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.