By Kara Anderson

I?ve always been told that the best thing to do when injured is rest until the pain goes away. It?s a kernel of advice that made sense to me, and I?ve heeded it ? as much as can be expected anyway ? for years.

But it turns out that advice may be outdated and outright counterproductive. According to an article in the Jan. 11 issue of The New York Times, a number of leading sports medicine specialists are starting to realize that staying active is often the best medicine for injured athletes.

''We want to keep you moving,'' Dr. William Roberts, a sports medicine specialist at the University of Minnesota and a past president of the American College of Sports Medicine, told The Times. ''Injured tissue heals better if it's under some sort of stress.''

Some physicians suggest their patients cut back on exercise while injured by going slower or for fewer miles. Others say the safest bet is cross-training at least some of the time or all of the time until the injury heals. ?But unless it's something as serious as a broken bone or a ripped ligament or muscle, stopping altogether may be the worst thing to do,? writes Gina Kolata in The Times.

The important thing to remember is to use common sense. If you have tendonitis or a similar overuse injury, don?t jump right back into the same exercise at the same level. But if the injury is not severe, resting is likely to simply prolong your recovery.

All of this sounded like hearsay to me. Then I took a look back at my own chronic pain, which started in early May and has centered in my lower back, piriformis muscle and right hamstring. I realized that the pain never really got better ? even when I stopped running and cycling entirely. It?s only been recently, as my Ironman Arizona training has stepped up, that I?ve noticed a decrease in the pain.

Does this work for every injury? Of course not. As always, it?s best to consult your physician when injured. But the good news to come out of this article is that a little spin on the bike or a dip in the pool may well do more for your injured body than a few miserable weeks on the couch.

We Arizonans may avoid the brunt of winter, but that doesn?t mean we don?t get a good taste of it. With morning temperatures in the 30s and the suns rays playing coy, here are some tips for winter riding brought to us from our colder-weather neighbors, Bicycle Colorado:

Brake early ? Start braking early to allow for the increased stopping distance on slick roads. Take this opportunity to practice your cornering technique by braking early and coasting through the turn - just don't practice this at stop signs.

Be Visible ? Motorists must deal with fogged windows, poor visibility, and glare. Make sure they see you by wearing bright, reflective clothing and even using lights on overcast days. Good headlights and flashing taillights are a must for night-time or early morning riding.

Dress the Part? As any seasoned commuter will tell you, dress in layers. Start with a layer next to your skin that wicks moisture away, then go with an insulating layer such as fleece or a heavier jersey. On the outside use a shell to block the wind. To keep your hands and feet warm, wear long finger gloves and shoe covers - keeping your arms and legs warm help too. One common problem is to sweat and then get cold, so shed layers as you warm up.

Drink Up ? You may not feel thirsty, but when you see your breath, that's water leaving your body. When it's really chilly out, some riders even start with warm water in their bottles - never mind the plastic taste.

Triple Sports is growing, and so is our team! Most of you know us, Brian and Kara Anderson, and some of you may already know Holly Miller and Kim Portelli, who?ve worked with us since last spring. Now we?d like to introduce you to our latest addition, Jen Kopecko.

Jen is new to Arizona, but she?s not new to triathlon. Jen has competed at all distances and is a USAT certified coach. She is also a bit of a speed demon, having completed Ironman Florida in just under 11 hours. We?re still marveling at the carbon saddle she rides to work, but we?re glad to have her on board.

Kim is a long-time athlete who completed her first marathon while still in high school. Today, she is eagerly training for Ironman Arizona ? her first at this distance and a truly ambitious goal as one of a select few women with diabetes to compete at this level. Kim also runs her own graphic design company, called Naked Design.

Holly is our gadget guru - whether it's electronics or nutrition, she's always up on the latest. She is also an avid marathon runner ? completing three marathons in the past four months ? and short-course triathlete who has her sights set on long-course races. In her spare time she teaches a mean spin class, a soothing yoga class, and is a massage therapist and aesthetician at The Fairmont.