Push through or bow out?

[Denbo64]

On W6 R3 on Monday, with only non stop runs ahead. Really pleased to have got this far but been plagued with knee pain the last 2 weeks. Mostly hurts after the run (though also ceases up during the recovery walks). Ran Thursday, hurt Thursday night, Friday and today. Will probably have subsided enough to run again Monday, but then the cycle repeats. Tried tubi grips and other. What to do??

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Other people will know more than me, but have you had gait analysis and bought appropriate running shoes? I think you should check with your GP or a sports physio so you can get this sorted out. 😃

[Denbo64 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Not at this point I haven’t, have considered though. Just seems a bit daft clogging up GP surgery and don’t feel I quite deserve new trainers yet, I’m no Zola Budd. Though anyone of your suggestions may be the difference being carrying on or quitting (or taking a break).

[Michele2017 Graduate in reply to Denbo64]

Massively get new trainers and gait analysis. i have bad hip and it has helped tremendously ( i'm at the end of week 4!). Cheaper that physio in the long run X

[Denbo64 Graduate in reply to Michele2017]

Thanks Michele

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Can you take a week off and give it a good rest before trying again?

[Denbo64 Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

May still consider that, the only thing stopping that is there are 4 of us doing this and I don’t want to get left behind. I already bring up the rear!!

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to Denbo64]

Can your friends repeat a week? If not, consider letting them go ahead, and maybe signing up for a group fun 5km in a couple of months. I redid the program after an injury this summer, and for the first time with friends. One fellow had terrible shin problems but he didn't want to miss out on any runs. He ended up stopping completely because his shins just got worse and worse, which was too bad as he was doing awesome.

[MickGJ Graduate]

My left knee gives me gyp all the time. I run with a support bandage but I'm wary of pushing it too much. Maybe give yourself a couple more days rest?

I think you "deserve" new trainers as well, no point in putting it off. If you were trying to learn the piano you'd get a good one.

[mrrun Graduate]

Ignoring a bad knee cost me time (three months off running) and money (forget about GP, good physio will fix it but will also charge you accordingly).

You don't need to be Zola to get gait analysis and compatible shoes. It saves you both of the above points.

My knee also hurt inbetween the runs.

Choice is yours.

[Hidden]

Ok...so i suffered alot with knee pain to begin with...i always wear a good knee support as a matter of course...stretch really well before & after each run...specific knee stretches...Ice packs after your run...good running shoes are a must unfortunately.BUT...i have found that since i started doing the non stop runs my knee pain has subsided & having just finished the whole programme for the first time ever i dont get any knee pain...just the odd ache afterwards.its as if my knees were adjusting & have been strengthened along the way

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Also...do you take supplements?i have been taking cod liver oil & glucosamine tablets(separate pills)for a few months

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I have also been taking glucosamine and doing squats ever day after meniscus (cartilage) problems in both knees - and knees have been fine(ish) ever since - so one or the other - or both, are working. A lot of people blaming wrong trainers, unfortunately there are a lot of other reasons for knee pain/problems - it is a very complex joint.

[jifflejack]

Have you considered dropping back a stage or two to help you get through this - might be a more beneficial health choice than giving up. You'll soon get back to this level and be ready to go ahead to the next.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

OK, clue... you are doing this with other people and it sounds as though your pace is being dictated by wanting to keep up. Presumably your location too (seems quite likely you are on a hard unforgiving surface)

Zola Budd famously ran barefoot. And you need running shoes, not new trainers. I'm no believer that you have to have the perfect footwear before you start - what point gait analysis if you've never run? also what point gait analysis if you are going to stick to off road running as it is not relevant to trail running shoes?.... but if you've arrived at the point where it looks like you might genuinely stop running, it is time for action.

My hunch though is that ditching the group may be the biggest factor in solving this problem. The programme is about building a sustainable habit and has nowt to do with pace but of course, that creeps in when you do it with other people. (Of course for some, the security of others is what gets them out in the first place... but again, if you are thinking you are going to have to stop, something needs to change)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

It does sound like, the shoes are the issue, that and it also sounds as if you have been running through pain and probably going too fast.

You want to finish this... so.. decision time... go get your feet checked... get the shoes to match... now is the time!

Rest and gentle knee exercises are needed too. Running with this pain is not a great idea. You say you don't want to be the last in your group... well, you are going to be anyway.. and if you drop out?

nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

Some sound advice from the other replies... the choice is yours now... a little time out. here, working on getting the knees back up to strength will pay dividends...

You can do this!

[Newrunnerliz Graduate]

Firstly do you have knee pain at any other time? If the knee pain is having an impact on your life in any other way then you need to see a doctor or physio. If running is the only thing that affects it then maybe running is not for you as you could be speeding up the process of something that is going to affect you in later life.......sorry you don’t say how old you are.

I have OA and have had 2 knee replacements, one was only a partial replacement and gives me gyp if I walk too far or too fast and also if I run. I wear a good string neoprene knee support which I strap very tight and this does the trick.

I run with the ok from my doc, never too fast and only for about 40 mins max but strangely this hurts less than hiking for10 or 12 miles which he is more than happy for me to do.

Having had knee pain for a good 15 years prior to surgery I can’t stress how important it is to look after your knees.

[Newrunnerliz Graduate]

*thats strong not string before you try looking for one! 😂😂😂😂

[Pc59 Graduate]

You are so close it would be a shame to give up & im sure your friends would wait for you if you took a few days off or maybe 2 days rest instead of 1 day rest. Lots of going advise given & the most important to me is you are worth it to treat yourself to a gait analysis & new trainers. I did after just week 4 as my knee & hip niggling & the new trainers made a huge difference!! The cost of trainers & physio worth it if you really want to run. Good luck on your decision 😊

[Razouski]

You have lots of great advice already: running shoe, rest, knee support, slowing down, running on you own/at your own pace, GP, physio etc. The only thing I could ad is to do some strengthening exercises on your rest days, no impact but to build up the muscles either side of the joint.

It will be sad if you have to drop out altogether but carrying on as you are sounds unwise, so get yourself a plan so that you can proceed safely.

Good luck. 👍🏽🤓

[Hillrunner2201]

I finished the programme about 3 years ago and have to confess that I've never had a gait analysis (just bought reasonable quality that felt light and comfortable to run in) and have never sought advice from a gp or physio when I've picked up an injury-I've just taken extra rest days and found some exercises online to help.

[Woo45 Graduate]

Ice packs. Ice your knee. I have a daily alarm set on my phone and while I sit down to watch the news or mindless TV, I use an ice pack.

[Denbo64 Graduate]

Loads of really good advise and things to think about. I am confident I am running at my own pace and the rest of the group are great and not too far ahead! Will keep tubi grip on, certainly look for some gait analysis (wherever you get that from-will ask around) excercise s before, after and in-between. It is certainly a possible age thing (i’m 53) but doing this has made me feel younger (aches and pains aside) so I’m not wanting to quit yet, so perhaps the supplements also worth considering. Let’s theow everything at it!!!!

Thank you everyone

[Hidden]

Definitely gait analysis and proper running shoes. And dont be daft re your GP 😊 They are paid to provide you with a service. I went to see mine to check it was ok to run with my old injuries (fractured femur and smashed knee) and ahe was only too happy to discuss it with me and incredibly enthusiastic about running.

[Denbo64 Graduate]

Gait analysis done

New shoes purchased

New knee strap thing on order

Nephew writing me some knee strengthening excercises

Onwards and upwards.....hopefully

[Newrunnerliz Graduate]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

[Denbo64 Graduate in reply to Newrunnerliz]

I will - thanks