I recently received the following comments from a reader:

"Hi. I needed to tell someone who understands...I am a runner and I absolutely LOVE it. Unfortunately I ran the New Year's Day race and on the third mile, I had a terrible pain in my leg I was not able to run through.I stopped and hobbled to my car. By the time I reached my car I could not put any weight on it.So now I have a stress fracture and won't be able to run for 6-8 weeks.That's bad enough, but at work there are a lot of "anti-exercise" people and they keep telling me running is no good for anyone and that I'm too old to run (I'm 37).It's irritating.I just needed to vent."

There's no doubt that running is good for you -- from your head to your heart to your bones. Every study says so. Honestly, people put down running and dismiss your accomplishments to make themselves feel better about their own lazy habits. In my personal opinion, it all boils down to jealousy. You are what they wish (but can't find the courage or strength) to be.

Ignore their comments and resist the urge to defend yourself or the thing you love most -- arguing with jealous people is futile. It's not about running, it's about them tearing apart something that makes you feel good and kicking you while you're down (literally). Rise above. You know the truth.

And...too old? Are you kidding me? Tell that to all the 70- and 80-year-olds you see toeing the line at the marathons and triathlons. Too old? At 37? Hell, you're still a baby in the racing world. Everyone knows the real competition doesn't heat up until you're in your 40s!

So…the stress fracture stinks. I live in fear of one of those because I know it means MONTHS off running and…I also know that running on it could put a permanent end to my running.

The good news is...if there's a good time to have a stress fracture, it's now. Let's face it, this is hardly prime running time here in Erie. The weather stinks, it's cold, it's miserable. If ever there is a good time to be laid up, it's now. These winters are a gift to runners here…it's the perfect excuse to kick back, relax and allow our bodies to rest and heal.

So, follow the doctors orders and come spring when you actually WANT to go outside and run, you'll be ready to go.

In the meantime, read up on stress fracture prevention and causes to be sure you don't make the same mistakes again (though, I'm absolutely sure you won't!).

Rest up, let your body heal and set your sites on spring.

BTW -- for the newbie runners, stress fractures are usually caused by doing too much too soon, i.e. running too far or too fast or doing both at once. The general rule is to never increase your distance or speed by more than 10 percent in one week -- and never, ever try to do both at once.