Marathon Injuries

And to conclude "Boston-prep" week, the most common "marathon injuries" are (note: I don't consider some of these to be injuries, but they were classified as such by about.com):

1. Blisters (put Vaseline / Body Glide on your feet and wear moisture-wicking socks) and Black Toenails (make sure you have between a 1/2 and full thumb-width between your toes and the top of your shoes)

2. Chafing (apply Vaseline / Body Glide wherever there is a seam, or even where there's not, and wear moisture-wicking clothing)

 3. Sunburn / Windburn (apply sunblock with an SPF of at least 30)

 4. Muscle Cramps (make sure you're taking in enough fluids and electrolytes; compression gear *may* also help) and Sprains, Strains, and Stress Fractures (avoid literally hitting a wall, as pictured below...)

5. Hydration / Fueling Issues: Dehydration (make sure you're taking in enough fluids), Hyponatremia (make sure you're supplementing your fluids with electrolytes), GI Issues (be careful what you eat and make sure you're staying hydrated), and Hitting the Wall (take in calories)