Mid America Events & Expos

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Training for your first marathon?
Three-time national tri-athlete and sports medicine physician will share her top tips for an injury-free race at the Sports and Recreation Expo for Women

Marathons have become part of the American culture. Nowadays it’s not unusual for women to participate in their first marathon as a celebration for losing weight, hitting a milestone birthday, or just as an activity they can share with their friends. But along with the exhilaration of running comes the possibility of injuries; even for those who are in excellent physical condition.

Amy Stromwall, a non-operative sports medicine physician at Summit Orthopedics and a three-time national tri-athlete, will give her tips for getting the most out of your marathon training at the upcoming Sports and Recreation Expo for Women (www.101expos.com), to be held March 24-25 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

“Women are discovering that anyone can run a marathon, and for a variety of purposes,” comments Dr. Stromwall, who also is a product tester for Nike running and a team physician for U.S. Swimming. “Some women do it for social reasons, and others start running marathons for more philanthropic causes. Organizations like Team in Training and the Susan G. Komen Foundation have raised millions of dollars by encouraging everyday people to participate.”

“Most of the injuries I see in marathon runners are stress fractures, which can be pretty debilitating,” she says, warning although even if you’re in good shape you shouldn’t assume you can avoid this common problem. “Even Lance Armstrong suffered a stress fracture after running a marathon.”

Others typical injuries include pain in the feet, lower legs and knee caps, chronic bursitis, and exacerbating arthritic conditions that may not have been much of a problem before you started training.

Whether you are training for your first marathon or your 21st, Dr. Stromall has a number of tips for helping you remain injury-free. These include:

Wear good shoes. “Running is a fairly cheap hobby. Spend your money on shoes. Most people make the mistake of buying the most expensive shoe, which may not be the right one for you. Proper shoe selection and fit can compensate for physical abnormalities, and decrease injuries.”
Start slowly. “I always recommend taking nine to 12 months to get ready for your first marathon. Have a very loose timeline. Maybe even have one or two target dates picked out so that you don’t panic and feel like you have to push through any injuries. Remember it’s not the end of the world if you don’t make your first goal date.
Listen to your body. “Get plenty of rest. Be smart about your training. Any kind of persistent pain is not normal and should be evaluated by your primary care physician.”

The Sports and Recreation Expo for Women will feature hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest in sports, fitness and recreational gear and equipment, clothing and related accessories, plus nonstop seminars to help attendees stay at the top of their game. With industry experts and women sports participants such as Dr. Amy Stromwall, PGA Master Professional Jock Olson, Teaching Professional Andrea Kellar, Minnesota Lynx Assistant Coach and four-time Olympic gold medallist Teresa Edwards; the show is intended to inspire women to achieve their goals, and find even more fun and challenges in their recreational activities.

This year’s sponsors include the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, KSTC Channel 5, KSTP Channel 45, AM 950, the Minnesota Lynx, and Stressfree Living.

Media Note: For additional information, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Stromwall, contact Media Relations, Inc. at 612-798-7220.

Biography – Amy Stromwall, MD

Dr. Stromwall works as a non-operative sports medicine physician at Summit Orthopedics. She completed her undergraduate education at Hamline University and her medical degree from the University of Minnesota. She completed an emergency medicine residency at Methodist Hospital of Indiana and a sports medicine fellowship at San Jose Medical Center. Dr. Stromwall is a product tester for Nike running and a team physician for US Swimming. She enjoys running, swimming, surfing and outdoor activities. Dr. Stromwall has recently been inducted into the Hamline Sports Hall of Fame.