should I stop and find something else?

[Tubbyrunner]

Having run on and off for quite a few years, never far or fast, but pretty regularly, I’m now at a cross roads. Injury last year took me out completely for many months. Recent bouts of accident proneness- lots of trips and falls have ( along with my family )suggested I should reconsider. I’ve lost my confidence, feel less steady but I feel this is completely defeatist. I want to be fit, protect myself against old age and poor mobility, but all my accidents, struggles to recover, then re injury is taking its toll. Ido Pilates and gym work to try and get a balance of benefits. Feeling quite depressed at the prospect. Any wise words of wisdom?

[Jancanrunagain]

a crisis of confidence is one thing a loss of balance and stability quite another. All family and friends want to protect you but may not have the medical background to know whether what they’re saying is right or wrong. This sounds to me well worth talking to your GP / other medical professionals to see if there’s an underlying reason why you shouldn’t recommence.

You could always start by walking C25K as others have done and this will surely complement your gym and Pilates work.

I’m with you on the premise of use it or lose it, but the main thing is to check first that it’s okay to do that….

good luck

[Tubbyrunner in reply to Jancanrunagain]

Thankyou for your reply. Maybe we just have to adapt to getting older and accept to adjust accordingly. I’ll think about a gp visit, but can’t imagine what they could uncover that could be mended!!! Maybe a physio/gait analysis? I think, because I’m no athlete it’ll seem quite petty to the professionals. Strange how little things can affect your whole sense of well-being.

You are right- family, I’m sure have my best interests at heart! Or maybe my husband is getting tired of picking me up!🤣

[Jancanrunagain in reply to Tubbyrunner]

I had a slight infection in my inner ear once and it was a nightmare my balance and spatial coordination went to pieces.

But easily resolved with meds - alternatively co-opt your husband ad your body guard on your runs once you know you’re ok!

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

You may be getting older (we all are) but it affects us in different ways.

If you're having more incidents of tripping and falling it's well worth speaking to your doctor. It could be a matter of the medicines you're taking...or need to take (I was put on something that made me very dizzy and when I stopped the dizziness stopped too). It could be a matter of needing physio to strengthen particular muscles. It might be that your footwear isn't helping.

The only way to find out is to get proper medical advice. Just because your age reaches a certain number it doesn't mean that you have to just accept that your fun will be limited.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[nowster Graduate]

As others have said, it's not the running that you need to talk to someone about, it's the new-found clumsiness.

There's plenty of stuff you can be doing instead of running. Long walks are great too. The gym will have various activity machines (eg. static bike, treadmill, rowing machines) which you can use to keep your fitness up without fearing falling over your own feet. Swimming is good too.