Knee Joints: Well, I have been running the Couch... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Knee Joints

HavantChap profile image
18 Replies

Well, I have been running the Couch25k program, and am now on W5D1. I'm 60. So far I have had no real issues beyond aching leg muscles, although a good stretch seems to mitigate that. I do remember the trouble I had tackling just 60 seconds in the beginning and already it feels like I have come a long way, I seem to have more energy, I sleep better and the general feeling of well being is fantastic. I look forward to my early morning runs every day.

I do have a question though: does anyone else get 'clicking knees'? I find that every so often when I walk now I get a 'click' when I bend my leg. It's new, and the frequency seems to have lessened as I go through the program. It isn't painful. I am guessing it might just be my age, and my legs adjusting to being used in a way that they have not been in a long time. Has anyone else experienced this, and does it go away completely after a while?

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HavantChap profile image
HavantChap
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18 Replies
IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

Clicking knees are just gas being displaced within the joint and if you are not suffering any discomfort then it is probably not a problem. If you are concerned then perhaps talk to your GP or practice nurse.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

HavantChap profile image
HavantChap in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thank you Ian. It doesn't sound like the clicking I experience every so often is anything to worry about, although if it gets concerning I will certainly make a GP call.

Thank you for administrating this site too, it is brilliant. When I first started I read the information on the page that your link points to twice, as it has a lot of information. In fact I would recommend everyone to visit it again every so often as a 'refresher'. It certainly helped me in understanding the need for a slow and steady pace, hydration, stretching, running shoes, etc.

Looking forward to making W9 eventually, and then onwards. Thank you for your encouragement!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to HavantChap

Great, so many people ignore the guide, so we do have to ram it down people's throats, as it does contain a lot of very useful info. The FAQ Posts have a lot more useful stuff too. healthunlocked.com/couchto5... Tim , by the way............but you are not alone.

HavantChap profile image
HavantChap in reply to IannodaTruffe

Whoops, thank you Tim. Totally take your point on the guide, I can see how it could be easy for a new runner to have problems without some of that info at the start, and ultimately be put off. I will have a look at the FAQs tonight. Thanks again.

Stuart

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate

Hello there! I’ve had clicking knees since I can remember - I’m 53. It always happens when I kneel down, and doesn’t hurt. I’m just used to it really, although sometimes other people get quite alarmed - it can sound a bit like a less noisy gun going off 🤣.

HavantChap profile image
HavantChap in reply to Frenc

Thank you, I'm glad that I'm not alone, although I've not had the gun effect yet! :)

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Hi, and welcome !I also have clicking knees !

They do it every time I do my warm up excercises but nothing to worry about .

One other thing I noticed from your post was that you said you run every day ?

You should be having at least one non running day after each run .

Remember, your muscles need time to repair after each run as mentioned in the program guide !

Enjoy the program 👍

HavantChap profile image
HavantChap in reply to Instructor57

Hi, thank you. I'm glad I'm not the only one then :-)

That was actually a mistake in my post, it should have said 'every other day'. My leg muscles usually ache a little after a run, so I couldn't do without a days rest anyway.

One question though: I do cycle into town every day, probably half a mile or so in total. Do you think this matters? Or is it better to have my rest days with no leg related exercise at all?

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate in reply to HavantChap

Ahh I see 😁👍

Cycling is fine as it's non impact !

A lot will cycle on non run days (a better name than rest days !)

HavantChap profile image
HavantChap in reply to Instructor57

Thank you, glad about that. Any excuse to leave my car at home and get some exercise :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

I've had clcking knees for years!Now..71 and still clicking!

Just follow the advice from IannodaTruffe ...take it steady and slow , and you will be amazed where it takes you..took me to a HM, aged 69... clicking knees and all :)

HavantChap profile image
HavantChap in reply to Oldfloss

Wow a half marathon at 69, you're an inspiration. Maybe clicking knees are a good sign then ;-)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to HavantChap

I think so..and after repeating C25K again this year after an October setback last year... I did a Race for Life 5K 2 weeks ago...30 mins!Go for it!

Blue_trainers profile image
Blue_trainersGraduate

Hi ,I noticed you said “every day “ do you have rest days for your body to recover ? I run every other day mostly .The clicking I have had for years now ,exercise seems to help my stiff joints ,as I’ve noticed I feel better on run days . Good luck .

HavantChap profile image
HavantChap in reply to Blue_trainers

Thanks for the reply, that was a typo - I run every other day too, then have a days rest. I too have noticed that my joints feel less stiff already, a good reason to keep running!

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoGraduate

After I pulled an ankle ligament it was clicking so loudly with every step that I worried it would bother other people! Don't worry 😁

HavantChap profile image
HavantChap in reply to Yesletsgo

Ha, thank you, I will stop worrying then. Hope your ankle got better okay 😀

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoGraduate in reply to HavantChap

Absolutely fine thanks, a bit less noisy now 😁

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