If you carefully follow the advice offered in this beginning runner's guide, hopefully you can avoid injuries. The easiest way to remain injury-free is to train at a level somewhat beneath your ability. If you don't overtrain, you lessen your chances of getting hurt. Unfortunately, we all aren't created equal.
Some people are more injury-prone.
Careful training may allow you to remain injury-free, but many of us make training errors. Sore muscles are normal when you begin to run, but if soreness or pain persists for more than 72 hours, that may be the sign of an injury for which rest or treatment may be required. It is not the intent of this guide to provide a complete set of instructions for curing every injury a runner might encounter. If you suddenly feel pain, stop running immediately. If you pull a muscle, you will delay your recovery if you continue to run.