Frustrated and disappointed.

[feva]

Hello everyone. I'm a 52 year old woman who hasn't exercised for a while but I decide I should do the c25k.

I struggled with week 1 and of course Christmas hasnt helped but I can now feel real progress and I'm raring to go. But my knees are giving me problems.

I've never had knee problems before and am gutted that this is going to get in the way. They've actually been hurting since about the second or third run (I've done about 7) but I've soldiered on as I thought it would pass. But after yesterday, when I managed the run great but the knees were really quite painful, I thought I'd better stop.

If anyone has any advice I'd be grateful. The pain is on the inside of my knees just below the kneecap. It hasn't been terrific pain and there's no swelling but I don't want to ruin my knees by continuing.

[crox Graduate]

Perhaps another rest day between runs would be good, think of the plan as a guide rather than a strict regime.

What I found really useful was tubigrip doubled over each knee for support. You could look on the internet for ways to strengthen your knee.

Also think about how you run, take your shoes off and run down the hallway, notice how you run barefoot and try and replicate that outside. What you should notice is that you'll shorten your stride and land on the fore part of your foot, which takes a bit of pressure of your knee.

Other great advice is to slow down (no matter how slow you go to start), it's not a race

If it doesn't go away, get advice, proper running shops are great, but (wealth warning) you might come away with a new pair of shoes...

[feva in reply to crox]

Thanks I was thinking of trying tubigrip when I start again after I've rested it.

[Rockette]

I got to about wk 3 when I started with knee problems , they where killing . I went to doctors ( I'm never away since I started running ) he examined them & said nothing wrong , it was just getting used to the running & to run on grass when I could . I don't & went & had gait analysis done at sweatshop , got trainers & never looked back after a few more runs knee pain went . I'm 55 & I think in your fifties you can expect all sorts , when you start running if your like me &you have never run in your life ( only if I had to lol) I would go to docs if I was you , get your self checked out first . Hope all goes well .

[feva in reply to Rockette]

Thanks I think new shoes are definately in order as well as the tubigrips that the other person mentioned. Thanks for the fast replies.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I agree extra rest day and good shoes. Also if I don't stretch after a run my knees hurt. Its a reminder as I walk home if I haven't stretched my knees start hurting so I stop and stretch. Hope you get to the bottom of it.

[ajwyld Graduate]

Its best to get it checked. In my own case my GP thought I'd probably just bruised something but sent me for an x-ray "just in case". The x-ray showed moderate arthritis due to a congenital malformation of my kneecaps (basically they're in the wrong place so rub where they're not supposed to). So then I got a podiatrist referral and very snazzy individual tailored insoles to realign my legs and knees and hooray, no more pain. (I've been ignoring niggly knee and foot pain for years). I also take codliver oil capsules as my parent's neighbour swears by them and he's 80 so I figure he might be on to something.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to ajwyld]

I had dodgy knees to start but was told it was probably new runners knee. I take an Omega 3 fish oil capsule every day too. I think running small steps, keeping everything under the hips, seems to help too. I run on trails which are softer under foot and might help painful knees. You need trail shoes for it though! I hope you knees get better soon. Don't give up though!

[feva]

Thanks for the help everyone, it's all noted. You're all very friendly and helpful here.

I know I should rest for now but I'm determined not to give up.

[Eebahgum Graduate in reply to feva]

Give glucosamine and codliver oil capsules a try.

[lizziebeth57 Graduate]

Hi feva. I am another 50+ runner and had bother with the insides of my knees to start with. Really after the first run or two. I was surprised as I have always been a 'walker' and regularly walk 10 miles at a time. Different movements and muscles involved though. I kind of knew I hadn't damaged them (my knees) but they felt almost bruised and pretty sore.

I went and got fitted for new shoes and never had a problem since, and that's 5 months or so now. I do think it makes a big difference and it's the only major outlay I've had.

[feva in reply to lizziebeth57]

Thanks, shoes are definately my first port of call.

[Fattytumtum Graduate]

Another vote for glucosomine and cod liver oil from me.