Member Article

Gosforth podiatrist searches for a Great North runner for North East Children’s Charity

Running is free, you can do it anywhere, and it burns more calories than any other mainstream exercise. Regular running can reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can also boost your mood and keep your weight under control.

It’s hardly surprising that many people in the North East have ditched their monthly gym memberships, favoring outdoor exercise and running is growing in popularity day by day.

The Bupa Great North Run is firmly established as the world’s greatest half marathon. The event has now grown to a record 56,000 accepted entrants from over 122,000 applicants in 2013.

Gosforth-based podiatrists, Howlett & Dickinson are based on Ashburton Road and they specialise in Biomechanics and Gait Analysis for runners and those about to embark on running for the first time. They have teamed up with Start Fitness, Newcastle to search for a runner for 2014’s Great North Run to run for local children’s charity, Smile for Life.

Smile for Life is a charity dedicated to enhancing and enriching the lives of disadvantaged and disabled children.

Podiatrist Carol Howlett from Howlett & Dickinson says, “Running can cause many sports injuries that relate to podiatry and the lower limb. Plantar fasciitis, “shin splints”, pronation (foot rolling in), supination (foot foot rolling out wards) illio tibial band syndrome, ankle and foot sprains to name but a few. Foot structure can also cause problems in the ankles, knees, hips and lower back and so with proper podiatric biomechanical assessment and gait analysis and bespoke orthotics when necessary, we can control many problems faced by runners.”

Judith Dickinson from Howlett & Dickinson advises – “We always say when you start training don’t be too ambitious. It takes at least 4 weeks to run 20 minutes continuously and then after that add 5 minutes a week and build up gradually. Take breaks during training if you feel unwell and use other training options like swimming, cycling and Pilates. Remember, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t run well on race day. Learn from the experience and come back in better shape the next time.”

Judith adds, “There are thousands of people running or thinking of starting running and we wanted to give one person the chance to run the Great North Run this year on us. We decided to set a free prize draw where one lucky winner will win a free Gait Analysis on us, free trainers from Start Fitness and we’ll even pay the £200 charity registration sponsor fee so the runner can run for the Smile for Life charity.”

Paula Gascoigne from Smile for Life says “We are delighted that Howlett & Dickinson have chosen to support Smile For Life through their prize draw! The Great North Run raises thousands of pounds for charity every year and is crucial to enable essential work to continue throughout our region. The funds we receive will be used to support disabled and disadvantaged young people across the region with specialised equipment, new experiences, holidays and wonderful days out, enabling them to live a full and happy life.”

For more information visit www.chiropodistsnewcastle.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Stone Collective .