My challenge

[triumphbabe]

I've just joined this forum. I started running with Couch to 5k in January (aged 67) and completed it in March. I continued consolidating my runs but then was struck down with tendinitis in my knees - ouch! Had to stop running for a while whilst I had treatment for that. During that time I had a flare up of arthritis in my neck, which was excruciatingly painful. To cut a long story short, I've had to give up running completely for a while.

So, my new regime is to do a brisk 5k walk every other day. I've also bought a turbo-trainer for my bike (turns it into a static exercise bike). On the days in between walks, I'm cycling for 20 minutes. Then on the 7th day, I go to a jive dance class. I also do stretching and neck exercises first thing every morning.

I don't especially want to lose weight, although I am a bit podgy round the middle, but I do need to tone up and get all my joints moving freely again.

So, that's my challenge for the next 6 weeks and I hope to be able to start running again after that. Time will tell!

[runswithdogs]

Welcome. I joined this forum when I was benched from running and was having troubles walking as well. I think you've got a fantastic goal, and I'm sure you'll have a lot of tips and tricks to share with the rest of us on how we can improve our walking and how to keep up motivation.

Happy walking (and running in the near future)

[Hidden]

Wow triumphbabe, what an impressive load of achievements! So glad you've joined us, here on this forum - you'll be an inspiration to many of our lovely members. And you'll be supported and encouraged on your way back to full fitness! Win win all round!

[Realfoodieclub]

Welcome to our friendly little forum. Sorry about your running, We will help to keep you exercise motivated on here. I’m really interested in the turbo trainer. I keep looking at them, are they better than an exercise bike or just different?

[triumphbabe in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I've never used an exercise bike so don't know how they compare. If you already have a bike then a turbo trainer is cheaper to buy than an exercise bike. You also have the advantage of being able to disconnect it and go for a proper bike ride. It's harder work than proper cycling because you don't have the opportunity to coast along but you also don't have to slog up hills!

You can buy all singing, all dancing ones that connect to your smartphone but if you just want a basic one then I can recommend this one from Halfords. It was easy to set up (or so Himself told me!) and it's easy to disconnect. it has 6 different levels of difficulty - I find that level 3 is more than enough for me at present.

halfords.com/cycling/turbo-...

[Realfoodieclub in reply to triumphbabe]

Thanks for that. I will look into it. I have A very old exercise bike but I have a feeling I wouldn’t get much more from a turbo trainer. I think I really must force myself to use it rather than replace it. 😀.