knees...

**JoeBAR** · June 19th, 2006, 08:23 AM

I've been running for a few years on and off, but I've really stepped up the distance since last December. I can now run 16 miles without too much problem (I can breathe through it) in around 3 hours (no marathon record breaker here). However, I have developped in the lst 2~3 weeks some problems with my knees. 2 weeks ago, I ran 16.5 miles after 4 weeks without any serious running (save some cardio on x-trainer/treadmill in the gym) and after around 2 hours and 45 minutes, one of my knee became very painful and kind of stiff to move. I pushed though for a bit longer and about 5 minutes later, the other knee starting feeling the same. I decided to walk the rest, I was only about 800 yards from home anyway. I attributed the pain to lack of training, and left it at that. The following weekend, I ran only 12 miles coz it was really hot, and since that's about 2hours for me, felt no pain in the knees, though I have stiff joints for the rest of the day. I jogged short distances during the week, like 4~5 miles twice, and went for the big one on Sunday. Again, after about 2h 40 min, my left knee kinda gave up. It's ok to walk, it's ok to touch, to massage ... just can't run. I stopped a minute, jogged again, 200 yards and it went stiff as a board again. I pushed for a while, jogging real slow, and once I got around 800 yards from home, walked, calling it my cool down period. My shoes ain't in their prime anymore, would that have a definate effect? Or am I just starting to feel age (35)? Or am I just too heavy for this kind of distance (~190lbs)? Or any combination of all of them? Or should I see a doc and ask for a knee scan?

**engr** · June 19th, 2006, 08:34 AM

Hey JoeBAR. Having been some knee trouble myself the best advice I can give you is to go see your doc. If you use a general practitioner have him recommend you to a good orthopedic doc. One thing you do not want to do, under any circumstances, is have to deal with knee issues for the rest of your life. Without knowing more about you it is too hard to answer the questions about age and weight in regards to running. I know a guy who is well into his 60s who runs between 20-30 miles per week with no issues, but my long distance running days are done and I'm 32.

So a lot of it depends on your physiology. Some good things to think about however are shoes, how far out of their prime are yours? That can have an effect as well as how well the shoe fits your stride and style. What is the running surface? All pavement running lends itself to a lot of joint pounding. That's my thoughts, there are others around with more experience than me, but the best advice is to go chat with a doc who knows his stuff about knees and running.

**JoeBAR** · June 19th, 2006, 08:52 AM

Shoes: Nike Pegasus... About 2 years old. Done all my running in them, maybe quite a few hundred miles by now. I also used to wear them as everyday shoes(not anymore though). They seem to have a lot of 'give' these days, and not as much bounce as they used to. I got a brand new pair of Nike Air Max Plus TN, but I can'tr see myself running in that for long distance. My short runs (4~6 miles) in them is like they have NO 'give' NO 'bounce' and I feel I'd be better running in flip-flop's. I have some fancy soles in the shoes I run in, as well as wearing 'running' socks (the one witrh elatics everywhere that don't roll around). I have a slight mmmh-nation (I ought to search which): my feet lean outside a bit, but don't roll all the way flat unless I really think about it (see what I mean?). I'd be happy to get a new pair of shoes on recommandation. I'm not as bothered about the price as I am bothered about not making the same mistake as with the Air Max Plus (they ok to go lift, though I'm sure I'll explose the air system one day on squats).
Surface: mostly gravel/dust track... hard-ish but no tarmak. Some grass patches, some brick paths. (I run along a canal

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jediracer · September 13th, 2006, 01:28 PM

sore knee :(

same ting happened to me while training for my first marathon. i went to pt and basically they just helped me build more strength in my legs. quad strengthening and lots of stretching and you should be fine.

**stephenlavin** · September 13th, 2006, 06:46 PM

Good stretching can never be underestimated ...and yeah ..if i were you joe ...i'd purchase a new pair of runners buddy

**Doughboy** · September 13th, 2006, 08:11 PM

This is from the Navy Seal Fitness Guide I have :

Since I was bored I copied more running info from the fitness guide :

**liza larence** · September 13th, 2006, 11:24 PM

Get an orthopaedist to take a STANDING A/P Xray of both knees...that will show you if you have any significant loss of joint space from cartilage wear on the bony surfaces. Make sure you are standing up, not sitting on an X-ray table. Unless you are weight bearing, your X-ray is not going to show the true condition of your cartilage thinning (if any)