06/18/2026
When should a runner actually STOP running? This is a common question we get from runners and the honest answer is.. almost never.
Our goal is almost always to keep you running.
We'll modify the intensity. We'll cut the speed work. We'll take hills out of the equation. We'll reduce the mileage. But the goal is to keep you moving.
There is one exception. Stress fractures.
If we suspect a bone stress injury, we stop running. No exceptions. The criteria for everything else might allow for some manageable discomfort but bone stress injuries require zero pain. That's non-negotiable.
Here are some signs that raise the red flag for a stress fracture vs. a muscle or tendon issue:
→ Pain that doesn't warm up and improve during a run
→ Pain at rest or at night
→ Pain that stays the same whether you're running or not
→ Specific, pinpoint tenderness over a bone
Tendons and muscles usually feel stiff at first, loosen up mid-run and get sore afterward if you overdid it. Stress fractures don't follow that pattern.
If you're dealing with something and you're not sure which category it falls into.. that's exactly what we're here to figure out with you!
