Worrying

[Alvor]

Looks like we will be in lockdown this week. An announcement tomorrow....... so gyms will shut. Having had to stop running outside due to crippling pain in my left knee, I went to the treadmill and never looked back. I’ve only completed one consolidation run, hope to get the second one in before they shut. Tips please or anything to get me through running outside again. There is a local running track that open to the public. Quite spongy, will that help as much as a treadmill?

[Rennur Graduate]

See my response to Tismoi.

Also running on pavement is a double edged sword: impact affects your joints but only if you overdo it, but also impact can be good to prevent osteoarthritis, I understand.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

There is advice in the guide to the plan on minimising impact.

[Sh53202 Graduate]

Was it pavements you were running on when you had a problem before? Maybe just experiment with short runs on different terrain until you see what works?

[Alvor Graduate in reply to Sh53202]

Yes. Total nightmare! I’ll try grass ( dodging the poo) and the local track. I’ll maybe just need to build up to 30 minutes again 😳

[RedheadedOne Graduate]

Spongy track will definitely be gentler as you get a bit of cushion and rebound.

As was also mentioned, running on asphalt can strengthen bone but also hurt joints. In general, blacktop (asphalt) is easier on your body than cement sidewalks or pathways or a brick surface.

A few things to consider:

Have you been fit for proper shoes? I found once I did that when I started running years ago it made a HUGE difference.

If you're running outside is the surface even? Where I live the road is bowed to help with drainage which means that if I consistently run on the left side (against traffic in my country) my left leg is going to always be lower than my right and after a while that wears on things.

Are you paying any attention to your gait? If you're heel striking very hard it can be a strain on your body. If your foot is not landing under your body this can also cause issues.

Treadmills are easier than running outside because they propel you forward. The way to correct that is to run on a very small incline (1-2%) - if you haven't been doing that running on a regular surface will automatically seem more difficult.

Best of luck figuring things out!