RESEARCH--Don't Use NSAIDS Frequently Or For Long Term

Avoid excessive NSAID use. 

(8-18) You couldn’t be a lifelong runner without at least occasional muscle aches, joint pains, and lower-back stiffness. All of which bring us directly to the use of NSAIDS--Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac, among others.

A recent paper in the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice found that 70.9 percent of runners used NSAIDS, primarily for its expected anti-inflammatory effect (a reason named by 88 percent of users) and for pain relief (named by 40 percent of respondents).

But should runners use NSAIDS for these and other reasons? Most physicians and sports medicine experts agree that

PROFILE--Anne Audain has been running for 48 years

Anne Audain, left, and Lorraine Moller
at the 1982 Commonwealth Games

Anne Audain’s life is a story of struggles and triumphs. A native of New Zealand she was given up for adoption by her teenage birth mother. After setting numerous records in NZ she came to the USA to race in 1981 and became a USA citizen in 1995. Audain has been inducted in the Running USA Hall of Champions (2008) and the NZ Sports Hall of fame (2009). Her autobiography, Uncommon Heart, was published in 2000.

What month/year were you born and where do you live now? I was born in Auckland, New Zealand, November 1955 so that makes me 62. I now live in Evansville, Indiana, where I taught school.

When did you start running and why? I joined an athletic club at age 14 after having reconstructive surgery for bone deformities from birth on both feet at age 13. I wanted to be like all the other

PROFILE--Hal Lieberman has been running for 60 years

Hal Lieberman

(8-18) Hal Lieberman is 75 (in August, 2018) and started his running career in high school (60 years ago) as a middle distance runner.  As a member of the Manhattan-based Central Park Track Club, Lieberman has won national masters medals, and in 2014 set an indoor world record as a member of a 70+ 4 x 800m relay.  His advice to younger runners who want to be lifetime runners is to: train smart, have a bit of luck on your side, and come to terms with the aging process. He views his running not only as a competitive sport but also as a lifelong hobby.

Started running/years: age 16, 1959, 60 years ago.

Why did you start running? My competitive nature and a bit of talent is what got