Quitting C25K....

Hey! Being about 19 stone i tried c25k a few months bak, i took it easy at first then once i got into it i pushed myself and too quickly ending up with a torn ligament in my knee. not fun! Are you used to running? Definitely warm up before hand as this is somethin i stupidly didn't do? I hope your feeling better soon Im gonna try it out again in a week or so. Please don't give up! X

Get a bicycle and get out there! You don't need to run to get cadio!

( I personally alternate my running and biking days so I don't have an issue with my knees)

I tried to do the C25K and I had to stop. I have always had bad knees. I dislocated my right knee for the first time when I was in 7th grade. I tried to lie to myself when I was doing it. I wore my braces constantly because my knees hurt so much (braces that I normally only wear when I'm snowboarding). My husband insisted that I stop trying to run because he could see how much pain I was in at the time. There are lots of other choices for exercise that aren't going to put you in pain. As great as it would be to be able to say I ran I 5k, it just isn't worth it to do something that is obviously hurting my body.

I have tried running numerous times....turns out that I just don't like it! I want to like it, but I don't. My shins and ankles dont hold up well, even when I was lighter. But I love swimming, so I started training and I now do ocean swims. They are a lot of fun and it makes for a really good day. Enjoy your lifestyle and find what suit you, don't try and squeeze yourself into a box not meant for you

i quit the challange but only because i did the 5k in only a month after starting running (100 yards i started with and at 17 stone that was not easy). i must just be lucky as i have no probs with my knees or ankles (yet)

i did have a problem a couple of years ago but it was without dout the shoes i was wearing were no good for running

dont give in it will come

the best advice i could give is DO NOT RUN DOWN HILLS OR BANKS, (slow right down) as this will hurts your knees big time

Is it your entire knee that is killing you are is there a particular side of the knee that hurts? If it is the left side or right side of the knee, it could mean two very different things as to why you have that pain and may be remedied.

Have you looked into an ITBS band? That might help with some of the pain. Also, have you seen a specialist about it? They could give you a better diagnosis as to what is going on.

Perhaps running isn't the best source of exercise for you? I have the same issues with my knees when I run; I have since high school. I was on the cross-country team then and started having knee issues then to the point I took off my junior year, and ended up being on the "red cross" list for my senior year after the first month. However, I could run track (shorter distances) without any issues. However, I can do Jazzercise with doing the low impact alternatives to not hurt my knees and TaeBo has not hurt my knees. The key is to finding something you love to do that is still good for your knees. Check with your local library to see if they have any DVD's that you can checkout to find what works best for you.

You definitely don't want to cause problems for later on down the road!!

Good luck!

I posted this on another thread about a month ago, something else to consider:

"If you're "pounding the pavement" you're doing it wrong. I don't know about where you live, but where I live it's a bit cold to try this, but... Go outside in bare feet and run a short distance on the pavement in bare feet. Concentrate on landing softly and gently. Pay attention to how your feet hit the ground. Then put your running shoes on and do the same thing. The difference is that you can't swing/stride your feet out in front of your hips and land with your heel first when you run in bare feet because it just freaking hurts to do so. Landing on your heels is what causes that jarring feeling - and you can do it in running shoes and not know you're doing it. Take shorter strides, don't worry about how fast you're going, just work on moving as softly as you can, landing on the mid- or ball of your foot. You CAN do this in shoes, you just have to pay attention and trying it barefoot will help you feel it more easily. If you struggle to find the proper form, some minimal shoes like Vibrams will offer enough protection from stones etc. but not offer the cushioning that allows heel-strike. It'll take you a while to get used to this running form. The running/walking interval design of the C25k program would be an excellent way to train yourself to run with proper form, without doing so much running at one time that you over do. Don't be afraid to repeat weeks. You may want/need to walk more than the program calls for. Do so if necessary - you want to think of it as setting up a base for long-term success as opposed to something you have to accomplish right now."

Could be you are heel striking and that is contributing to the pain you are feeling in your knees.

Best of luck!

May be worth talking it over with a Physio, but find one with experience with runners. They may have some added insight, as well as being able to check your running technique.

I'm with this guy. It may be that running just isn't for you, but it shouldn't be causing you pain, and if it is, you should probably see a doc and find out why. Otherwise, don't stress out over it. Sure, some people adore running and it's a great cardio workout, but don't hurt yourself trying to do it when not only does it kill your knees and you don't enjoy it.

Maybe you need to wok on your form while running? I'm no expert but I hear it's important. I did a lot of research before I started C25K.

There is a reason the C25K programme is only three times a week, and it's that your body needs time to recover.

So why punish your body with Zumba classes on your C25K rest days?

I'm not saying that if you don't do Zumba, your knees will magically be restored, but you're not giving your poor old body much of a chance! Zumba is high impact, if you must work out on rest days, then do something low impact like swimming or cycling.

The other thing to make sure of, whether walking or running, is to invest in a pair of shoes that have been 'fit' to your feet and how you walk. Don't go cheap, either.

When I started running I finally broke down and went to a local shoe store where they watch you walk to see how your feet land, if they rotate in or out, how your legs look, etc. They presented me with specific shoes that 'fit' my feet and they have been awesome. First pair of shoes I've ever owned that didn't hurt AT ALL the very first time I used them.

Proper fitting shoes make a world of difference.

An Orthopaedist I used to work for would tell people "not everybody is born a runner" . If you hurt to do it, try something else.

OK, I am long in the torso and have shorter legs relatively speaking for a 5'6" person. I do not fit the runner sterotype but I am really benefitting from it and I have/had only lost 34 pounds when I started it. I have 70 I think to go. I am older too. However I run very slow. In fact MFP says it is a very fast paced walk but that is what seems to injure me, very fast paced walks. My slower smooth jog is really easier on me than trying to walk fast with my relatively short legs. I have a long neck too. The point is I don't worry about any definition about what I am doing and running. I know for me right now I am running. I am also getting faster but at my pace. I do not think that you should continue with C25K if it isn't good for you but on the other hand there is often something that you can change about how you are going about it to make it work right for you which is why you posted this. It has been great for me and I love the way I can do it almost when and where I want. I don't use the treadmill much. I do Aquafit too and it has been great for me. In fact I know that it works well for me with running because I can stretch in the water so well. I am suipposing you have searched the web for this. Recently I asked my brother-in-law, who is the fittest 60+ year old I know and now can't run due to arthritst in his toes if he regretted running. He said no way. He said it wasn't the running, he would have gotten it anyway and running kept him in good shape so now he is an amazing bicyclist. It quieted my fears I got from so many people saying they can't run or that I shouldn't run etc. etc. If you can't find the answer yes quit but if you do, run if that is what you want. Just find your way and don't worry what others call it.