Holly B. is an active professional in her late twenties who spends her free time playing recreational flag football and league basketball. She shares her experience with us as she explores the world of sports.

Recently, I've had several friends pick up marathon running as a hobby.  They are all fairly active in other sports as well.  But strangely enough, it's the jogging that's starting to give them issues with injuries.  Many joggers experience injuries in the first 4-6 months of running.  Risk of injuries increase as the distance and speed are increased as well.

Here's some of the jogging injuries they're starting to experience now:

Runner's Knee - Also known as patellofemoral pain, runner's knee is caused from repetitive bending of the knee.  That's why it's common in runners, but it can also occur in other physical activities and sports as well.  The pain occurs behind the kneecap and can make it aggravating to continue running.  Check out some knee braces that help prevent runner's knee.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITB or ITBS) - ITBS is another common injury in runners, which one of my friends is experiencing now. The iliotibial band connects from the hip all the way down to the shin. When it gets inflamed is when runners and other athletes start to experience pain in the knee. It can sometimes be prevented with better shoes and running techniques, as well as wearing knee braces for Iliotibial Band Syndrome.

Ankle Instability - Another one of my friends is experiencing ankle pain and instability since picking up jogging.  Because of the repetitive nature of the activity, and also the recurring force against a hard surface, jogging can cause old ankle injuries to come back full force. Athletes need to train carefully in order to make sure prior injuries don't come back to haunt them from jogging.  Check out some braces for ankle instability.

If you're a jogger and you're experiencing injuries, check with your doctor to determine the appropriate treatment for your situation.  Don't get fooled by the simple nature of jogging - make sure you protect yourself by wearing the appropriate gear and take the time to properly ramp up your training regiment!