I want to be a runner!! Advice??

meganlynn1014

I want to be a runner and train for a race someday... but sometimes it is hard to run for long stretches because I have had knee surgeries and other issues! I managed to jog for about 15 minutes today, but the pain started to get bad (I can power walk with no problem, and I walk for an hour a day). The doctor says there is nothing wrong with me running and it doesn't damage my knee, it just hurts. Is there any advice on how to combat the pain? I am thinking that once I lose weight that it will ease the knee pain. Does anyone have any experience with this? Advice? I will take anything

EDIT - How does one go about training for their first race? What is involved? I am so clueless about the whole thing... and when I research everything comes from people who have done it for awhile. I need some beginner's advice!

Maputi

I am training for my first half-marathon. I am going to walk it. Try walking longer distances/times and see if it gets better.

Elzecat

try running for a few minutes then walking for a minute, then running again. If you use walking breaks you can usually run for longer distances and times. Also make sure you have a good pair of shoes and stretch after (not before) your run. Maybe try a foam roller? Does your doctor have any suggestions to ease the pain (since they gave you the go-ahead to run)

Try icing your knee afterward as well.

karenwill2

google couch to 5k. that is what I am doing.

meg0013

its probably not your weight, because you don't look overweight at all. do you wear any kind of brace? i tore my MCL last summer and have to wear one when i run. and before races, i take 2 motrin.

gbelltx

Go see a doctor let them know what your plans are then once you get cleared make sure you get a good pair of shoes

bregalad5

Definitely try intervals, and look up Couch to 5k. That will help a lot. What kind of knee issues do you have? I have subluxing patellas (basically my knee caps pop out). On Saturday, I ran with a lady who tore a meniscus in both her knees and is back running. It can be done! Feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like. I know how frustrating it can be!

Edited to add: I run with a patella stabilizer on one knee and an Ace bandage on the other (until I can get a second stabilizer)

PlunderBunneh

C25K! love this program. Couldn't even run the mile back in highschool, now I can do 2.5 miles. I comfortably run a mile just about every day thanks to this program.
http://www.c25k.com/

melbaby925

You probably need to strengthen the muscles in your legs as well - I have problems with my knees, and a sports medicine friend of mine suggested doing some squats and lunges to work the leg muscles.

Also, stretch a lot! I started C25K before I broke my foot (unrelated injury to running) and was loving it! Hopefully you can do work into something like that and have some progress without pain.

meganlynn1014

try running for a few minutes then walking for a minute, then running again. If you use walking breaks you can usually run for longer distances and times. Also make sure you have a good pair of shoes and stretch after (not before) your run. Maybe try a foam roller? Does your doctor have any suggestions to ease the pain (since they gave you the go-ahead to run)

Try icing your knee afterward as well.

The doctor said that pretty much I am out of luck as far as easing the pain goes. He said when I am about sixty I can get knee replacement surgery.... hahaa. So in the mean time I just try to listen to my body, take some advil once in awhile and see how much I can do before it gets unbearable. To no surprise, the doctor did say that exercise would be good for my body as a whole, so I am trying really hard to exercise each day, which includes one hour of power walking.

bregalad5

The doctor said that pretty much I am out of luck as far as easing the pain goes. He said when I am about sixty I can get knee replacement surgery.... hahaa. So in the mean time I just try to listen to my body, take some advil once in awhile and see how much I can do before it gets unbearable. To no surprise, the doctor did say that exercise would be good for my body as a whole, so I am trying really hard to exercise each day, which includes one hour of power walking.

I was told, when I first blew out my knees, and also by several doctors after that, that I would never be able to run again unless I had both of them replaced. I ran with that (pun intended :embarassed: ) for almost 12 years only to find out that they're not always correct

meganlynn1014

its probably not your weight, because you don't look overweight at all. do you wear any kind of brace? i tore my MCL last summer and have to wear one when i run. and before races, i take 2 motrin.

I am overweight, even in my picture my BMI is almost 29... I am just tall (5'10) and I guess it distributes the weight? haha. I need a good brace... the one I have falls off all the time. They all seem to. I am not sure if I should get a smaller size or what. I have never consistently exercised in my life prior to two weeks ago and I am still learning a lot.

margojr4

I've had knee issues for years and this past Feb, I had a lateral release surgery to correct out of track knee cap.

Best advice is to strengthen your leg/glutes and muscles around your knee. Ask your doctor for a script to see a physical therapist? My PT made running possible for me again with proper strength training!

I agree about shoes, too - good shoes are a must! lol

daffodilsoup

More Couch to 5K love (recent graduate here!), along with heavy squats. Welcome to the club!

Pebble321

Yup, C25K is magic... Took me from the couch in January to running a 12k race in August and training for a half marathon now!
There are lots of beginning runner programs out there - google it and you'll find heaps. Or just go straight to C25K!

rmb8

Couch to 5K - iPhone app - I just started it last night!