Frustration... osteoarthritis?: I'm (ahem) 5... - Couch to 5K

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Frustration... osteoarthritis?

juniperlake profile image
juniperlakeGraduate
14 Replies

I'm (ahem) 50-something (early fifties). Four weeks ago I sterted this progam and was thoroughly enjoying it. Week one went well. Week 2? My knees hurt more each time time and the final time just painful so I stopped. I've continued walking only and stretching. I've also started a glucosamine/chondroitin and gelatin routine. My knees felt better the last few days so I tried just a little light jog today. No go. My knees hurt again. So I walked only to make up the thirty-minute workout.

The pain (if I'm sitting in a chair, feet on the floor) is on the inside of each knee. About 1:30 for the left knee and about 10:30 for the right knee. Just below my kneecaps.

Any advice or suggestions would be great. I've registered for a 5k run in October, and I sure would like to be able to run it.

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juniperlake profile image
juniperlake
Graduate
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14 Replies
lottidog1 profile image
lottidog1

Hi Juniperlake - so sorry to hear that your knees are giving you so much trouble. I have osteoarthritis in both knees and ankles but my left knee is the worst. I had key hole surgery on it and now it will not straighten properly and it does like to lock up on me from time to time. I thought I was taking a risk doing C25K so kept it a secret from my partner for a couple of weeks until I knew that I could hack it. I have found that as time has gone on that my knees have really improved, to the point yesterday W5 I ran with very little pain. I think the programme builds up your leg muscles to take more of the strain on the knee caps. I always leave a good three days between runs to allow any inflammation to settle down, take ibuprofen straight after the run, and apply a frozen pack of peas to the knee. Then I have a hot bath. I also am an advocate of Condroitin and Glucosamine, if I don't take it or run out of tablets then I know all about it! Don't give up, perhaps give yourself more time to complete the weeks and jog very slowly. Wishing you well :-)

grannyjudes profile image
grannyjudesGraduate in reply to lottidog1

lottidog, please can you give me a link to Condroitin and Glucosamine plus dosages I need please

juniperlake profile image
juniperlakeGraduate in reply to grannyjudes

I've started a glucosamine/chondroitin combination. The capsules contain 500 mg glucosamine and 400 mg chondroitin. I take one capsule three times a day (according to bottle directions). It takes at least a month to see results if you're going to. So, I know I've got a ways to go there.

grannyjudes profile image
grannyjudesGraduate in reply to juniperlake

thanks so much

juniperlake profile image
juniperlakeGraduate in reply to lottidog1

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't plan to give up yet. I'll keep going slowly and wait for the glucosamine/chondroitin to kick in. Hopefully, sooner than later.

I'm happy to hear you've had a generally positive experience and that you're still running with little pain. That's great. There may be hope for me yet! ;-)

Thanks for responding. Best of luck!

grannyjudes profile image
grannyjudesGraduate

I have been exactly the same, week 1 was great, then R3 of W2 the knees started complaining, I was told it would get better but in meantime rest the legs, get a knee support ( £1 each from pound store, every bit as good as the expensive ones ) take ibuprofen and a pain killer, use ice bags and when you do try again, very gentle jogs, so as you can hardly tell your jogging ( I look like a sedated slug, thats how slow I am ) oh, and stretch afterwards. So, I did as I was told and my last run , W3 of R3 was no better, then today I went out, thought shall I do W3 R3 again or carry on with week 4, so did week 4, and lo and behold it was a great run, everything felt fine, I didnt feel awkward, just ok somehow. Plus I was running against the wind. So I do believe it wear and tear needing TLC. We are not a young as we were so poor knees get scared, I am 67, never run in my life, thought I wouldnt get over this painful knee period, but I have, oh, and I got a 5k in July, Good luck, dont give up, and remeber gentle jogs x

juniperlake profile image
juniperlakeGraduate in reply to grannyjudes

"Sedated slug!" Yep! I know what you mean. That was me today trying to run. :-) I'm not going to give. I just have to restart... slowly... and trust that all will go well soon. Thanks for responding.

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Might want o get a referral to a physio for a) a proper diagnosis

b) some expert advice

C) some strengthening exercises if appropriate

You don't want to be doing any permanent damage. Good luck!

juniperlake profile image
juniperlakeGraduate in reply to Ullyrunner

Excellent points. If things don't improve soon, I think I will look into your suggestions. No point living with pain. Thanks for taking a moment to comment.

Rockette profile image
Rockette

Have you got the correct footwear ? Because I had bad knees in the early days , I was wearing old worn out trainers , went to sweatshop had a gait analyst done purchased trainers for slight over pronating , after 2 runs , no knee pain it went & has never returned ( touch wood ) hope your soon pain free .

juniperlake profile image
juniperlakeGraduate in reply to Rockette

Hi. Sorry for the delay in responding. I think I have good footwear. I didn't do gait analysis, but I didn't invest in two pair of really good running shoes. Perhaps my problems were exacerbated by running in older runners for the first week. Never again!

ajwyld profile image
ajwyldGraduate

I have moderate osteoarthritis in both knees. I asked my gp to refer me to a podiatrist who fitted me for insoles. I take it very gently but have been able to complete the programme. Anyway best get it checked.

juniperlake profile image
juniperlakeGraduate in reply to ajwyld

Hi. Sorry for the delay in responding. See my response to Rockette (and below).

juniperlake profile image
juniperlakeGraduate

Hi everyone. Thanks for your support and encouragement.

UPDATE: I restarted the program on Monday at W1R1. I made the first four running intervals and my knees began to hurt a little. I finished the 1/2 hour walking only. I walked yesterday for a half hour. Today, I did W1R1 and ran all eight running intervals! Yay! No pain!

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