HappyGrace Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I'm taking up running again, but now that I'm 42, I want to protect my knees, etc. I started taking glucosamine/chondroiton. What else do other runners do? I LOVE to run but I don't want to end up with knees that are shot as I get older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I'm in my forties too, used to run quite a bit when I was younger. Haven't done much besides walk since baby #1 almost a dozen years ago. My mother-in-law tells stories of someone in their group who was a devoted runner. Even when they took a trip, he'd be up early in the morning to get a few miles in. Well, now that he's in his seventies, both knees are shot, he had them replaced. His thought: if he had to do it over again, he would've walked. Personally, I loved running. You don't quite get the same effects from walking. And walking takes longer. But I live in Florida and do a lot in the pool. Every time I'm tempted to return to running, I think of that guy's knees. I'm no longer in training for sports, so what's the point of stressing my knees when there are so many safer ways to get exercise? That's my thought. But heck, I suppose even couch potatoes can end up with knee replacements, so you just never know! Good luck with your exercising no matter what you decide to go with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I suppose even couch potatoes can end up with knee replacements, so you just never know! Boy, is that ever true! I am still in contact with a number of my late grandmother's friends. There are plenty of knee replacements in the bunch, and this is a group that was never terribly active. Happy Grace, I have very little experience in the area of running, but a friend of mine is a podiatrist. He has helped me with my hip and back pain. It seems that the proper shoe for your foot is the best protection you have against injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Probably that guy didn't have the technology we have now in our shoes. Actually, since I started running, my knees have become stronger, thereby reducing the amount of pain I had before I even started running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 My 300+lb husband has been running regularly for almost 6 months. I think what is protecting his knees is good shoes. He wears New Balance 993s and will replace his running shoes every 6 months or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rootsnwings Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 my knees are already really, really bad. :glare: I have to use the elliptical and can NOT run on solid ground. But I can scoot on the e-machine! ;) I do agree about the shoes, 500 miles is when you need to replace. That's about 6 months for most average runners. HTH! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katemary63 Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I agree with excellent shoes. But personally, I don't think running is particularily good for anyone's joints. Having already had a hip replacement at the age of 39, I am sensitive to this issue and cringe when I see older and especially heavier people running. Walk really fast for a little bit longer. You'll save your joints and burn plenty of calories. My ortho says glucosamine/ condroitin does nothing to save/ preserve your joints. It's an anti-infamitory, but does not prevent wear and tear, does not rebuild and does not prolong joint health. It may just make you hurt less while you take it like ibuprofen or any other anti-infamatory. He says, ibuprofen is cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I switched to rollerblading, it is much easier on the knees. I also enjoy it more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted March 19, 2011 Author Share Posted March 19, 2011 I do wear really good shoes. I'm bummed about the glucosamine :( See, the guy with the knee replacement-I don't want to be him!! But after being a casual runner ever since I was younger (took a ten yr break having kids), I TRIED last fall to go back to walking to save my knees. I literally walked as fast as I could, pumping my arms as hard as possible, and I could NOT get my heart rate up. I am really fit and the walking just won't work aerobically. I just started doing some cardio dvds but I love the running so much more. A gym is not an option right now-my dc are too old for child care but too young to take with me, and it is too $$ for us at this point. Maybe I'll plan to run for a few more yrs and then the dc will be old enough I can leave them for an hour to go to a gym and do elliptical. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 How do I protect my knees? Honestly, by not playing basketball or tennis. :tongue_smilie: Like many things, the truth evolves. So sometimes, we have to check our notions of what is good and bad at the door and look at some of the more recent info... http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1948208,00.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJinLOCA Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Wearing excellent shoes and replacing them often is the absolute best protection. I've heard mixed reports on glucosamine/chondroitin and I suspect they probably aren't going to help much. Fish oil is also supposed to be good for joints ... I take it, but I've never really noticed that much difference! I had to quit running in the last few years because the arthritis in my hips got too bad. :( I still walk long distances, but I definitely miss running - it's much more time-efficient! I do love hiking, though. It's much better at raising your heart rate than walking around a flat course! When you hike steep trails, you get plenty of aerobic work on the way up, and then you get to cool down (and work your quads!) on the way back down. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I'd love to be able to run outside but the terrain is murder on my knees, so I only run on the treadmill. Gotta love those shock absorbers. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire in NM Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Asphalt and dirt roads are more forgiving. Claire in NM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryMom Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 My legs used to hurt from the jarring when I wore my high-quality running shoes. No longer. It's about the stride, as far as I'm concerned. I used to run with a typical heel-first stride. Now I now run in Teva sandals with a mid-foot, gliding stride. DH runs barefoot. No, we're not crazy. :) http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted March 21, 2011 Author Share Posted March 21, 2011 I've been reading a lot about barefoot running, know people that do it, etc. Haven't read Born to Run yet though! I will say I have adjusted my stride to be midfoot rather than heel strike, after reading about it in Runner's World. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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