Hello, just joined up and introducing myself...

[jaybro28]

I'm 45 and quit smoking (30 years of two packs a day) a couple of months ago. I've always been fairly active, but I haven't ever been a runner or 'exerciser'. Outdoors activities, hiking, fishing, that sort of thing. At any rate I decided to start exercising to help my cardio recovery when I quit smoking. One thing led to another and I find myself having just completed week 3. I've got some pretty good knee pain going on in my left knee though so I'm going to take next week off and just do walks + strength then start back in to week 4 the week after next. Anywho, that's where I'm at, good to meet ya'll!

[KimLoulou Graduate]

Sounds like a plan. Go for a walk and look after your knee.

[Littlehannahg]

Sorry to hear about your knee, hope it sorts itself out soon! X

[doubletap Graduate]

Welcome , you are a runner There are some knee strengthening exercises on web site that will help

[jaybro28 Graduate in reply to doubletap]

Thanks Doubletap. I'll look for those exercises here.

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Welcome. Wise plan to have a rest and then make sure you take it really slowly. Good luck.

[jaybro28 Graduate]

This was my first post a few years back. As an update, I've had the usual 'real world' setbacks and complications. Mostly related to my struggle with nicotine addiction. Regardless, 3 years+ on from this post, I run over an hour twice a week with shorter runs thrown in and haven't had nicotine of any kind this year. I'm not fast, but I've cut 10 MINUTES off my 5k time and now can race pace it at around 27 minutes and still improving and with a 10k time breaking 60 minutes. Not so bad for 30+ years of two packs a day! Anyway, I'm posting this partially for me (fighting a nicotine urge) and partially for you new folks who are struggling or have experienced a set back. This is not a task with an end date. It's an iterative process where you are improving yourself just a little tiny bit each step of the way. Setbacks are not to be feared and are to be expected, use them to recommit to the process. Best wishes!