Is this cheating?

Carfoodel

my brain is trying to rationalise it but it feels wrong lol

I am on week 8 of C25k -28 mins jogging - but my knee is inflamed and I tried resting it for a few days by staying off the treadmill and just doing tiny wee run alongs with the dog. I started the next slot today and the brisk walk was fine but my knee felt on fire when I tried to speed it up.

I knew it would be silly to try and push it as my wee voice in my head said "you must be crazy" - anyhoo I went on the crosstrainer instead (elliptical) and I continued on that and kept the same pace I usually use but pushed a bit more for longer - do you thing this counts as training for it? I am that slow on the treadmill that I only get up to about 3k but went for over 5k on the crosstrainer.

it doesnt feel like I have done the training in the spirit its intended - so feels like I can't count it - but I know if I didnt do that it just wouldnt happen.

not sure if I should go back to the start to try and get stronger or maybe my knees just can't take it and I should consider stopping? or if the crosstrainer is ok to build up the stamina and I know its not painful so its still getting me stronger.

dunno what to do - any suggestions?

dhakiyya

See a doctor or a physio about the knee injury. If you keep training on it before it has a chance to heal properly you can make it worse and end up unable to exercise for a longer time. The doc/physio should also be able to advise about getting back into exercising safely and that includes doing things that are more gentle than your usual training.

No, it's not cheating if you are resting, or exercising more gently, or exercising in a different way (e.g. skipping particular body parts on weight training) if you are doing it because of an injury. It's not cheating at all, it's common sense and looking after your body.

If you're doing an exercise programme where the difficulty increases the further you go with it, it's probably not the best thing to take up exactly where you left off after you recover, but this depends on how your strength and fitness levels have been affected by the injury and period of rest. If you're able to go at the same intensity as where you left off, then go for it. If it's too difficult, then back up a little and return to an earlier phase. There's no need to start from the beginning again if that's going to be too easy for you. But make sure you've healed up properly beforehand, follow a doctor or physio's advice. And also if you want to continue with the programme in the meantime, e.g. working the rest of your body without putting any strain on your injured knee, a physio should be able to advise you about how to do this. It may mean following an alternative exercise programme until your knee is better.

Sharyn913

See a doctor or a physio about the knee injury. If you keep training on it before it has a chance to heal properly you can make it worse and end up unable to exercise for a longer time. The doc/physio should also be able to advise about getting back into exercising safely and that includes doing things that are more gentle than your usual training.

Good advice. My back was starting to hurt so I went to the doctor and found out I pulled a muscle. Nothing big but I had to stop my C25K and lifting for a week and a half.

Feel better and kick butt!

fitpilatesqueen

Don´t feel like you cheated on your exercise. Ok you did a different type of exercise but still you did some exercise so of course it counts. I have problems with my knees and using support helps alot and I don´t feel pain when taking walks or even when I take my very brisk walk. Have someone take a look at your knee, get some good advice and don´t quit.

decdav

Seeing a doc is excellent advice! Also, ice after you workout even on the elliptical. Make sure you stretch after (before only if you warm up the muscles first.) I had knee issues, doc told me it’s nothing but old age :laugh: so I went to the Chiropractor and she got the knee to stop hurting but uncovered the real problem was very tight calf muscles (so tight, they’re making the Achilles’ hurt, but she’s working on it.)

Good luck!

dward2011

See a doctor or a physio about the knee injury. If you keep training on it before it has a chance to heal properly you can make it worse and end up unable to exercise for a longer time. The doc/physio should also be able to advise about getting back into exercising safely and that includes doing things that are more gentle than your usual training.

No, it's not cheating if you are resting, or exercising more gently, or exercising in a different way (e.g. skipping particular body parts on weight training) if you are doing it because of an injury. It's not cheating at all, it's common sense and looking after your body.

If you're doing an exercise programme where the difficulty increases the further you go with it, it's probably not the best thing to take up exactly where you left off after you recover, but this depends on how your strength and fitness levels have been affected by the injury and period of rest. If you're able to go at the same intensity as where you left off, then go for it. If it's too difficult, then back up a little and return to an earlier phase. There's no need to start from the beginning again if that's going to be too easy for you. But make sure you've healed up properly beforehand, follow a doctor or physio's advice. And also if you want to continue with the programme in the meantime, e.g. working the rest of your body without putting any strain on your injured knee, a physio should be able to advise you about how to do this. It may mean following an alternative exercise programme until your knee is better.

^ THIS! Excellent advice. Listen to your inner voice and slow down/stop if you need to do so. A doctor will be a valuable resource to have.

froeschli

If its an issue with a tendon, you should stop exercising for twice as long as it takes to not hurt anymore...
Yeah, it's weird adjusting to not exercising for a week, and it sucks, but no point in causing long term damage just so you feel you kept going...

Carfoodel

Thanks for all the responses. I have been to doctors and got referred to a specialist who gave me this long name for the problem with my knees - but apparently my kneecaps roll to the sides instead of forward and the muscles on the side of my knee gets shredded - so it flares up from time to time - but I am wondering if its the treadmill and recent attempts to run outside that may be have to wait until I lose more weight.

I really want to follow the c25k and getting frustrated with my puny body lol - maybe time to look at my inserts and see if they need replaced.

plus yes good advice not to start where i left off - I am too impatient by half lol

DavPul

Resting, rehabbing, and generally avoiding injury is not cheating. It's the opposite, really. Because if you keep pushing yourself you may end up out the game for a much longer period than a couple weeks. If the elliptical doesn't hurt your knee at all, use that for 2 weeks. After that, alternate elliptical and the normal routine for a few days and see how it goes. Gradually work your way back to your normal routine.

If the ellipical does hurt, then get complete rest for a couple of weeks and then work back slowly. If you still have pain, then I would see someone. As a general rule, I try to rest a trouble spot before I book an appt with a doc about it. Otherwise I'd be paying for a new wing on the guy's summer house.

Carfoodel

Thanks, I will avoid the treadmill and see if it eases off, then gradually try and work back up to it - sigh - I guess that really is the best approach - just love exercising and am at the twitchy stage if I miss a session.

great advice thanks - don't feel as much of a failure now.

RunMyOregonBunsOff

It's ok to feel achy or to have something hurt a little when you exercise but if you feel real pain then you need to stop what your doing and if it doesn't go away or feel a lot better within a week or two then it's time to get it checked out!

Lynxie83

Hey!

You sound like you've got the same thing I have with my knee! Which was Patella Femoral Dysfunction. My Ilotibial band -ITB, was too tight which was pulling my kneecap to the right which caused sharp pain around the petella on the left side when moving my leg in normal motion.

To fix this I needed to improve the endurance and strength of my Vastus Medialis Obliquus -VMO and my glutes.

It's taken me 5 months, but I'm back into weighted squats in most of my work outs and tiny tiny static lunges.

It is definitely not cheating! You pushed yourself harder speed wise than you do on the treadmill, the cross trainer just takes out the impact on your joints, which is really good for recovering knees!

The best advice would be to go and see a physio, they may jab you with needles (I had dry needling done) and do all the stretches they give you to do! ALL of them!

Best of luck :bigsmile:

geordiegirl27

Get some advice on building up your legs & glutes properly sounds like the muscles are not strong enough to support your knee. I have a bad right knee & am going seated leg lifts to build inner leg muscles.

Maybe do some swimming/ cycling as well it's easy to get carried along with a program but the bigger picture helps overall - its took me 5 years to figure this out!

It's not a race to build up its about getting there safely & injury free don't let it become a long term problem back off slightly to the point where you can run without pain the next day & x-train the rest. Good luck