The active, athletic lifestyle that has accompanied Diana Roberts since the age of five connects her with the patients and athletes she coaches.
“I think there is a definite benefit from being part of the community you’re treating. I have the perspective of being In that community combined with the medical expertise,” said Roberts, a physical therapist at Olympia Orthopaedic Associates.
Roberts finds joy in seeing others accomplish their goals. “In my career, some of the most exciting things are to be part of other people getting into something and accomplishing their goals,” she said.
“I like working with beginners,” she continued. “I think the most exciting and memorable experience is the first of anything. I live vicariously through athletes on their first marathon, their first triathlon. I would say competing in my first marathon in 1982 and competing in my first Ironman in 1989, those were my most exciting competitions. You like seeing that same excitement in others.”
Citing the contributions from Nona Snell and the Capital City Marathon along with the charitable practices from groups such as Guerilla Running, Roberts believes the Olympia athletic community stands for more than just competition.
The popularity of recreational and competitive long distance running in the area, even during the cold and wet months, is not lost on Roberts. Here are a few pointers on how to stay safe while winter running:
- Dressing in layers is important. Remove layers as you warm up.
- Be cognizant of daylight and how early it gets dark. You might think you will be visible when you start out but it can get dark quickly.
- When you run in the dark, your ability to see the ground is decreased. Your proprioception (your brain’s ability to prepare for your foot to plant and utilize you muscles as shock absorbers) is also reduced. Your risk of injury is increased as more stress is placed on soft tissues and joints of the lower extremities.
- In the winter, run on sidewalks when you can and if you can’t, run facing traffic. If cars cannot see you coming, at least you can see them.
- Don’t run on ice. Weigh the risks of breaking an arm or sustaining an injury.
- Even as the day warms up, certain areas may stay frozen. Painted lines, metal grates, or shadowy areas all take time to thaw. Be wary of footing on routes with these obstacles.
- Skip the headphones, year-round. You can’t hear what’s going on around you and your body’s warning system is thrown off.
- Even through it’s cold and rainy, you are sweating. Hydration remains very important. Dehydration increases your risk of hypothermia.
- Get out of your wet running clothes as soon as possible. When not running from home, always remember to bring a dry change of clothing.
- Stay active!
An athlete’s safety is the main concern for Roberts and she’s been able to be part of an industry wide improvement on the treatment of injuries and the rehabilitation process. Practicing correct injury prevention and rehabilitation is why she got into sports medicine and therapy in the first place.
Roberts was inspired to study in an emerging field by the tribulations her younger brother faced growing up.
“I had a younger brother who had been mishandled. He was a great athlete but at age 50, he’s had nine knee surgeries,” said Roberts, who studied at Seattle Pacific University before attending University of Health Sciences Chicago Medical School. “In the mid-70s, sports medicine became a field. Arthroscopic surgeries were developing and it was something where I could still be involved in athletics.”
Following her time in Chicago, Roberts returned to Washington and started a high school sports medicine program in the Seattle area. Roberts began her career working at the Ballard Sports Clinic, started by Dr. Keith Peterson. (Peterson’s son, Jon, is a physician in Olympia.) During the first five years of her professional career, Roberts was involved with the first clinic of its kind in the state.
Roberts then moved to Santa Cruz, California, where she organized the entire athletic training program for area high schools.
“When I went to Santa Cruz, they didn’t have any trainers in the high schools,” said Roberts. “By the time I left, they had a trainer for all ages at the same schools.”
Roberts returned to the Olympia area and promptly began a five-year stint at North Thurston High School, followed by ten years as co-instructor for the sports medicine program at Olympia High School. She was the OHS trainer until 2012.
Now at Olympia Orthopedics’ Eastside Olympia clinic, Roberts has the opportunity to treat a wide variety of patients, most who share her passion for athletics.
“My primary clientele is the active person. That isn’t limited to young high school athletes. I have some patients in their 80s who are trying to get to tennis or golf,” said Roberts. “I’m helping everyone get back to their lifestyle and what they want to do. It’s unique to the individual, but each person has goals.
Roberts, an avid triathlete, is also a certified USA triathlon coach and bike fitter. Roberts ran her first marathon in 1982 in Chicago. She has since competed in many more marathons including the 100th Boston Marathon in 1996. Coupled with her extensive marathon career, Roberts has also competed in 13 Ironman competitions and a collection of cycling events.
“My whole goal in life was if I can keep one kid from knee surgery, then I’ve done my job,” she said. “As I see my career moving forward like this with all the years of experience, it’s so exciting to take all the things I’ve learned and be able to help people meat their dreams and goals. What makes it even more exciting is that it makes me feel like I haven’t been selfish for the last fifty years.”
For more information on Diana Roberts and Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, click here. You can also connect with Roberts via the Black Hills Triathlon website where she has an “Ask the Coach” blog.
