Ever?

See this thread for more info: http://www.transformation.com/forum/...ng-issues.html

Ever since high school, running caused severe knee pain. But, with this program, running seems like part of the package. All the talk of the 5K, 1/2 marathon, full marathon. Where do I fit in? Am I considered lazy if I do not run? Stupid if I do? What's the best option for my health -- to overcome the pain somehow? Or to excel in other ways? I really want to be "on the team."

Thanks for your input re. this.
~Kimberly

I am 53. I do not run. My cardio workout starts with 10 minutes walking on a treadmill. I then get on an elyptical machine and do 20 minutes varying the pace, getting to a 10 a couple times during the 20 minutes I am on this machine. I then finish off with a cooldown of 10 minutes again on the treadmill. 40 minutes total. I either listen to music or watch tv while doing this. I am too old to be running and being on an elypse saves the knees, hips, back and everything else. On your cardio day, you just want to get your heart beating and the engine burning calories. It is best to do this first thing in the morning. It sets the pace and gets your metabolism going for the rest of the day. I have no goals to become a runner. Hope this helps. Kudos to you runners out there.

Hey, Kimberly, did you listen to the radio show on Thursday?

Do you feel it is in your best interest to run at this time? Do you feel it in your heart?

You are a free spirit, what would you like to do?

Do you think there are other ways you can connect with others here that doesn't involve running and make you feel a little more connected (if that is what you are seeking)?

There are no requirements here, that's the beauty of t.com.

Kimberly,
If you think running is something you want to get into, maybe just easy yourself into it. Dont go into it wanting to run a 10K the first week, maybe make that your 6 month, 1 year, however long goal. Set smaller goals as you start and work your way up. Do you have knee problems (surgery, arthritis, injury, etc) already or do they just get sore after you run?

If you want to run then you can!!

Best,
Neil

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neilur Kimberly, If you think running is something you want to get into, maybe just easy yourself into it. Dont go into it wanting to run a 10K the first week, maybe make that your 6 month, 1 year, however long goal. Set smaller goals as you start and work your way up. Do you have knee problems (surgery, arthritis, injury, etc) already or do they just get sore after you run? If you want to run then you can!! Best, Neil

Thanks for the encouragement. (The link within the first post gives a lot of background info.) ~ Kimberly

I read your posts V09; can't offer much, but wanted to let you know I'm pulling for you. I do leg curls (and leg ext) one leg at a time; I hang the leg I'm not using out there and don't use it to assist at all. I use the same weight and # of sets for each leg, using the weaker leg as the guide. I'm 48 too, and have been doing martial arts for many years, and I've found that I need to do leg strengthening exercises weekly or I can get a loose feeling in my knees; I've read that 90% of folks with torn acl's can avoid surgery by strengthening their legs muscles which will help stabilize the knee joint. And I think the imbalance issue that Clara mentioned can lead to a host of other issues, which you probably would agree with. Wish I could offer more. Keep us posted, and best of luck. Joel

It does seem that most on here do run. The Denver trip seems to be all everyone is talking about. However, I do not run either. I have bad knees from back in the day when I did run and play sports. So, I won't be going to Denver physically but I will be there mentally cheering everyone else on.

I get my workouts either in the pool or on my mountain bike. If running doesn't suit you, just do what does.

Good luck!
Tom

I've had problems with my knees as well. I'm on week 5 of the Couch to 5K program - not sure if you've heard of it, but it's been good so far - you start with just 1.5 min of running and build up gradually from there, repeating weeks as necessary. There's a thread in the exercise forum for people using this method...
Hope this helps!
Liz

You don't have questionable knees. You have borked knees. You also have a chronic foot injury.

I can only base my comments here on my experience as a trainer. If you were my client, I'd say no. With a bit of emphasis. Then I'd send you to your orthopedist and ask to be a fly on the wall so I could see his response.

I do not advocate running for people with any history of lower body injury. Especially for people trying to lose weight. Running puts tremendous stress on your body and in particular your joints. I've had more people hurt themselves trying to run than I've had any other type of injury. There's a mystique that running is somehow the ultimate expression of fitness. I understand it well because I at one point in time dabbled with running.

Because I wasn't training correctly, I ended up with a knee injury. I'm lucky that I avoided surgery. Since then, I do limited sprinting, and focus on other types of exercise. I'm fond of my knees and I don't enjoy them hurting. Running hurts. Period. My life is too short to spend it in a constant cycle of recovery. I don't want to be limited in other areas of my fitness life. So running is off the list.

Does that make me any less active? Heck no. I've walked a 10k and a half marathon. I'm debating walking a full. I bike, swim, and lift. I have a well rounded fitness life. I just chose not to engage in workouts that will potentially result in a need for surgery.

Don't focus on what you can't do- look at what you can do. You can participate in a distance bike ride. You can engage in a lift-a-thon. You have a world of possibilities open to you.

Pushing past limits is vital in order to move you to the next level. There's a difference between pushing past mental barriers and ignoring some pretty significant physical issues. If you do want to run, then you really need to get in with your doctor and discuss it. Each individual case is different. If the doc comes back and says you can't make it worse- go for it.

Just make sure it's something you WANT to do, not something you think you SHOULD do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clara Just make sure it's something you WANT to do, not something you think you SHOULD do.

That's exactly it, Clara. I think I am somehow "supposed" to be a runner, if I am to be a Challenger on t.com. My history says, "NO WAY." But I put this out there to see if that's just a self-limiting 'excuse,' or a rational response to my history. Thanks so much for all your thoughtful help. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!!!

Best wishes! Kimberly

I have a lot of knee issues as well. I do OK on the treadmill once or twice a week, anything more than that (or if I try to run outside) really becomes painful and uncomfortable.

Hey Kimberly,

As people have been saying, there are no absolute requirements here at T-com. Running is not the only cardio workout you can do. Even those people on here who do run often use the eliptical, stationary bike, walking on the treadmill, rollerblading, swimming, etc, as alternative cardio. Running is just the simplest thing for most people to do.

Having said all that, you should probably have your knees checked out by an orthopedist or other specialist if running causes you that much discomfort. Who knows, maybe there is something simple that can be done to alleviate the discomfort.

Finally, my wife (WisdomCMT) was a runner until the combination of her last pregnancy, hereditary joint problems and a miniscus tear ganged up on her. She is back to running now, but shorter distances, shorter lengths of time, etc, but only because she loves running. So, if you WANT to run, check with the doctors and make sure its safe. If it is, find a way to do it that won't cause pain. If you DON'T want to run, don't sweat it. There are plenty of other great cardio options.

Mark

Just reiterating what everyone else has said....you don't need to run! Find a type of cardio you like and you can do the intervals with that. My cardio of choice used to be the rowing maching at my gym, then it was the elliptical, the it was a comibination of treadmill (walking) and elliptical. Now I'm running...but would I do it if I had bad knees? Nope!!

t

Hello,
Running is totally not necessary. If you are able to, use the elliptical - I have a long history of knee injury and too would love to be able to run. I have tried recently but it sets me back. I am in pretty good condition with doing the elliptical and spin classes, and there is nothing more frustrating than trying to run when my body says keep going and the knees are screaming STOP! My problem is after I run, my knee feels like it's full of fluid and I can't bend it completely. Then after the swelling goes down, it feels like everything is "loose" in there and I don't like that feeling of instability. One of these days I might be able to, but I'm not pushing it right now.

Years ago, I was told I had cartilege loss in my knees, and I should not climb stairs or walk alot. Since I had already been through back surgery (double fusion), I NEEDED to walk to stay limber and healthy. So I decided (against doctor's orders) to continue to walk at least a mile a day. I lived in a house with steps, so I couldn't avoid that. Well, that was 20+ years ago, and I really haven't had much in the way of knee problems to this date. Working out seems to strengthen as well. There are a few times when I feel a tweek in the knee area on stairs, but I really do feel like working out, walking, and strengthening all the muscles around the knees has helped me through the years.

There is going to be a large group of transformers walking the Denver marathon. You can join us. Cindy

Kimberly! You can still be a part of the team by being there if you can, being a cheerleader or a volunteer! Running is certainly not for everyone so don't feel like you have to do it.
I sure wish I lived closer to Denver (i'm in MD) I would LOVE to be there!