Knee protection advice

[Bach-mad]

I’m Lis, 67yrs old & had Type 1 Diabetes (the autoimmune type) 55yrs. Am well but pretty unfit. Just done Wk 1 run 3 & concerned about knees! Jarred them 2wks ago hiking down v steep slopes so wonder if I should wear support? Started leg muscle strengthening exercises y’day but any other advice welcome; did choose to run on grass today & got SOOO muddy! Are running tracks best option as there is one locally? (Am rather dreading dark, cold mornings re motivation too 🤦‍♀️)

[Seaside22 Graduate]

Hi - I'm same age and was quite worried about my knees, especially when the right one got very painful in Week 2. Went to physio for some strengthening exercises, rested a few weeks until it felt more or less OK (not perfect) and then started the programme again. Amazingly the running itself seems to have done the trick. My knee isn't giving any problems at all now and my leg muscles are noticeably stronger from top to toe, so they're presumably providing the support my knee needed.

I think you've aleady spotted the dangers - uneven ground, slippery mud and so on. My advice would be to stick to nice predictable solid ground if at all possible - I'm lucky in that I live by a seafront promenade so can run for ages on tarmac. Then the C25K credo - drink lots of water, trust the programme and go really, really slowly. Hope it all goes well.

[Sook2 Graduate]

I second physio advice! Running on grass good if you can but leg strengthening will be the best thing you can doz

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Well done on completing week 1. I hope you are enjoying the journey. This course really is great. Build up muscle using strength and flex along with running as much as possible on flat. Walk/run downhill causes massive strain on knees. As you progress through the weeks the muscles in your legs will strengthen helping to support your knees. Check your shoes are suitable- gait analysis can check you are wearing right shoe for the way you run otherwise knee problems can get worse.

[Justpegs]

I run on a treadmill, it is nit as hard as road running. My knees also give me pain, but my motto is motion is lotion. Having said that best check with professionals

I am 58