I'm thrilled to introduce a valuable addition to Peregrune's expert advisory board, Janet Hamilton. If you're an avid Runner's World Magazine reader, Janet's name may already ring a bell. She's among the most frequently cited Running Coaches, providing invaluable advice to countless runners.

With over 25 years of experience coaching runners of all ages and abilities, Janet holds impressive credentials, including an MA, RCEP, and CSCS. Her exceptional coaching skills earned her the title of Best Running Coach in Atlanta, as recognized by Atlanta Magazine. Janet's expertise extends to her role as a regular contributor to esteemed publications like Runner's World, Men's Health, Women's Health, Self, Shape, Livestrong, Health, and Competitor Magazines, among others. Additionally, she proudly serves on the Advisory Board for Runner's World.

In our upcoming newsletters, we're excited to introduce a monthly Ask Coach Janet feature, where Janet will provide insightful answers to pertinent questions from the running community. Below you'll find a recent question that many of us can relate to.

To learn more about working with a running coach and explore Janet's wealth of knowledge, visit her website, Running Strong.

ASK RUNNING COACH JANET

SHOULD MILD PAIN HALT TRAINING - SARA

"I am training for a half marathon and have developed a mild pain in my glutes that I also feel in my lower back on the same side. Do I need to cease training?"

REPLY - COACH JANET

"Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is amiss. For that reason, it's important to heed the warning. I tell my athletes to not ignore "whispers" from their bodies... if they do, often the "whispers" will turn into a shout (worsening symptoms). With that said, sometimes simple adjustments to training rather than a complete cessation are all that's needed. Address the underlying cause for the symptoms and back off a little while your body works the magic of healing. Often glute and lower back pain is brought on by issues distant from the symptom itself -- things like tight calves, tight hamstrings, weak lateral core muscles, or even postural habits like prolonged sitting or wearing elevated-heel shoes can irritate the lower back and the symptoms often radiate into the glutes. Deal with those causative factors and make sure you're training at the right paces (most people push pace way harder than they need to). Hopefully, the symptoms will resolve quickly if you address them quickly!"