My Knees

[Cuckoogoose]

So….. I have been unable to walk let alone run since I developed knee pain almost 2 weeks ago after completing week 1. I am now at the point where I can reduce the painkillers although the pain is still there I can tolerate it and ‘hobble’ around. I am unsure if I should try the C25K again in a week or 2 or just stick to my walking which I have missed terribly these past 2 weeks. I am 63 years old and fairly fit and active. I normally walk a minimum of 5 miles a day 6-7 days a week. I also enjoy gentle cycling. I would love to hear people’s thoughts.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I would wait until your pain has completely gone away and you can walk without hobbling before trying again, and even then you might want to consider building up to week one very gently. It must have been a miserable couple of weeks for you.

Have you had knee problems before? I’m absolutely not an expert but that sounds like quite an extreme response to week one and I wonder if it might be worth seeking advice from a physio or a medical professional about what’s causing the pain.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. ❤️

[Cuckoogoose in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hi MissUnderstanding. No never had any knee trouble before. When I walk I try to walk fast , I manage on average 15 minute miles, sometimes quicker. Yes it’s been very miserable, I like to be out and about no matter what the weather is like. I say there is no bad weather if you are dressed for the elements 😊. I did consider asking my GP but tbh I am not a one for bothering, I can’t remember the last time I was there , certainly long before lockdown As you say I will take things slowly and very gently, I won’t write off C25K because I would really like to complete it but I will get back to my walking first. Thank you for your response xx

[Comte Graduate]

Never run in pain. You should rest until the pain has completely gone. I believe that knee pain is common in new runners so it should be a temporary problem. If it caused by an inflammation you could an anti-inflammatory gel. on the knee. Once the pain has gone you should start up gently with whatever activity either walking or running.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Firstly, well done you for beginning this. The best advice that we are able to give is for you to go and get this checked out. Your GP maybe the first port of call and then a Sports Physio.

I understand your not wanting to bother, I too am not a regular visitor to my GP... they generally give me a full general, catch up, overhaul when I do appear there! But it needs sorting.

There could be an issue which the new running exercise has exacerbated or caused, but you do need medical advice on this. Certainly your walking and your cycling is important to you and if the knees are going to be causing problems, you would not want to impact that?

As MissUnderstanding has already said, we never run through pain and taking painkillers to mask the pain is not a great idea.

Please; do go and get some initial advice and a hopeful diagnosis of what is going on ... and the good news is, in all this, that the runs, thankfully do wait!

Keep us posted!

[Cuckoogoose in reply to Oldfloss]

thank you. Lots of good advice here. No I definitely won’t be running again until the pain is completely gone. I will be taking some gentle walks first to see how I go. I am hating seeing the miles clock up on the car having to use it for journeys I would normally not think twice about walking 😂.

[Benben21 Graduate]

My sports club has a couple of physios who are happy to see non-members. I know the NHS physios are under huge strain and it can take months to see one. But definitely see your GP if you can - that's what they're there for!

[mickimauser11]

I have the same issue when I exercise more it gets worse, so I stick with walking

[Cuckoogoose in reply to mickimauser11]

Hmmm, thanks for this. People tell me if I can walk I can run but having heard that you have the same problem so it’s not just down to me, maybe I should stick to the walking. I might give it one more go in a few weeks time and see how it goes. Just don’t want to experience the pain I have had ever again …..

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

It sounds like walking is a mode of exercise you enjoy and fits your body, Cuckoogoose. Why did you want to switch to C25K? I've done speed walking for years - and started the program because I wanted a new challenge... and I don't think there's anything wrong with walking. It can be a really good cardio workout, too. You can also make that (way) more challenging by adding some race walking elements (remember race walking is also an Olympic sport!). You could adapt the C25K program, for example, by using race walking instead of running.

Also, I found that the years of speed walking helped my body get ready for running. (Btw, I call it "speed walking" because I don't worry about using the strict race walking form... I'd be disqualified in a second!)

[Cuckoogoose in reply to ChannelRunner2]

Hi ChannelRunner2. Great thought prompting reply. Thank you. I guess I thought if I started running I could burn more calories and lose more weight quicker , I have previously lost 3 stone with my walking and calorie counting but having had a bit of an indulgence year a couple of pounds have crept on which I can’t seem to move, was aiming to lose 10lb by Christmas which will get me down to my target of 10 stone 😊. Walking will be my exercise for at least the next few weeks until I am at least confident my knees are healed. I am going to try a gentle short stroll today. 🤞

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate in reply to Cuckoogoose]

Ah, so there was a reason 😉 As Cmoi points out below, though, you won't lose weight by running alone, heck, by exercising more... Except maybe weight lifting - I've lost some weight by adding weight lifting to my workouts... More reliable, though, is to reduce the amount of chocolate or other deserts I eat, that's when my weight goes down 🤣

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi @Cuckoogoose, that must be very frustrating and unpleasant.

You say that you try to walk fast. Nothing wrong with that per se, of course. However, if you've been pushing beyond your natural walking pace, particularly 5 miles a day almost every day, I'm thinking that adding in C25K has simply been a bit much. I'm not suggesting you should stop walking - after all it's a great cross-training activity - simply that you take it a bit easier.

Also, forgive my stupid question, but are you wearing suitable shoes that offer both comfort and support? Particularly for running, but also for walking.

As regards losing weight, while C25K can help it's unlikely to speed up weight loss significantly, simply because the activity levels during the programme don't use up that many calories. You can expect to lose fat and gain muscle, and to become stronger and more toned, but it won't necessarily show up as a lower weight.

I'd also urge you to get advice from a health professional. Hope you feel much better soon.

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

I'd second the shoe thing! My body has told me (too) many times that I was using shoes that were just no longer suitable - in other words, I'd get all sorts of aches and pains because I had worn down the shoes... Problem is that you often can't tell that the shoes are worn out - because it's the internal structure that gives out long before, say, the soles...

[EHM29 Graduate]

Hi Cuckoogoose. Sorry to hear you have had problems with your knees but I do understand. I graduated from the C25K a while ago and was so pleased with myself, but then shortly after graduating, I went for a walk with a friend and whilst out, started getting pain in my knee. It became so painful I ended up seeing a physio. He gave me exercises, but it never seemed to get better enough for me to want to do a long run. I could do short ones and it would be fine whilst I was running, but then painful afterwards. In the last couple of months my other knee has gone the same way. I can walk ok, but I know they're not right.

I'm afraid I can't offer any advice and I'm sorry for jumping in on your post, but I really just wanted you to know that it's not just you. I do hope the pain eases for you and you can get properly out and about again soon.

[Cuckoogoose in reply to EHM29]

Hi EHM29, thank you for your reply. I am sorry you too have experienced this ‘knee pain’. I wouldn’t wish the pain, the restrictions or the inconvenience it causes on anyone. It does give me a little peace of mind to know other people suffer from this and it’s not just me, so thank you again for taking the time to share this with me. I hope you too manage to get sorted. At this point I think I will be happy with just being able to walk comfortably. X