As runners are used to training through discomfort - and if you're training for a race, chances are you've had a few aches and pains lately. Through it all, many of us ask the question - is it OK to run if I have...?

Use the following guidelines on when you should NOT run or race:

- You have a fever of 101 degrees or higher

- You have pain that is effecting your running form

- You are experiencing new medical symptoms (headaches, chest pain) that have started since your last physical

- You have any type of stress fracture on a weight-bearing bone

*From Dr. Lewis G. Marham - Runners World Online

• Currently 4.0/5 Stars.

Tags: traxee tip, injury

Thanks for catching the typo...should be a temp of "101" :-) Posted by: bmoore on Sep 25, 2010 at 06:46 AM

LOL I don't think anyone will have any trouble not running with a temperature over 110...considering they'd probably be in a hospital by that point anyway! Let's replace "don't run if your fever is above 110" with "if your fever is above 104ish, you should probably seek medical attention." Posted by: MMarie on Sep 25, 2010 at 04:28 AM

Yes and this is a lesson once learned is never forgotten. And what's interesting is that you really have to learn to listen to your body and what it is doing. I know that more than once I have been overcompensating for something going on with my knee or back (and now my achilles) that puts stress elsewhere in the body. When you're doing high mileage the effect of this is amplified. Being totally down for rest (even if it is two or more weeks) is so much better than worsening an injury that will take months and months to heal. Brutal! Posted by: bmoore on Sep 24, 2010 at 05:15 PM

Beth...as you stated, we as runners at least once in our career run through pain thinking it is a normal discomfort. I learned the hard way this past Spring. I pushed myself through a 14mi run adjusting my form that took me out out the game for 10 weeks. I failed rule 2 listed. I learned my lesson and WILL NEVER do it again. I finally know the difference between discomfort/ache and real pain. Posted by: gspaulding on Sep 24, 2010 at 03:32 PM