Riaz sent the question for today the Ask Coach Parry Podcast and it reads ‘hi guys. thanks for a wonderful show. I completed the 2014 Comrades Marathon. Subsequently to finishing the Comrades Marathon I was involved in a motor bike accident where I have broken my tibia.

Most people I speak to indicate it will take a year before I can get into running. Some are also of the opinion I will have to start by walking first before I get into any sort of running. I understand it is going to be a long process and difficult road back to running. What is your advice for getting back in running?

Brad Brown: Riaz sent the question for today the Ask Coach Parry Podcast and it reads ‘hi guys. thanks for a wonderful show. I completed the 2014 Comrades Marathon. Subsequently to finishing the Comrades Marathon I was involved in a motor bike accident where I have broken my tibia.

Most people I speak to indicate it will take a year before I can get into running. Some are also of the opinion I will have to start by walking first before I get into any sort of running. I understand it is going to be a long process and difficult road back to running. What is your advice for getting back in running?

Lindsey Parry: He needs to let pain be his guide. Obviously the medical people who are helping him will give him an indication of when he can start running.

As soon as he can start doing any kind of exercise, be it swimming or stationary cycling, I would encourage him to do that. Even though the stress from those activities is not as much as running or as walking, that stimulation (particularly if it’s not causing pain) will also help the healing process and will help that bone to remodel faster and stronger.

Let pain be your guide when coming back from a major injury

Then once you are walking, you really just need to let pain be your guide, back off when it’s not feeling right and build up slowly. Everyone is going to respond differently to treatment, but the reality is it could be anywhere from 6 – 12 months before he’s running.

That is a really wide range and by nature with this kind of injury everyone is going to be conservative so that is why they are giving him the 12 month scenario. If he is really confident and gradual in his build up and uses pain as is guide – does some cycling, does some strength training – he may well find that he can shorten that time to 6 – 8 months.

I think from where he is now, even 11 months is better than 12. So be diligent, but just listen to your body.