Posted on 03/25/2012 6:01:19 PM PDT by mamelukesabre
I used to run a lot...in my younger years.
In the mid 90s I was running 20-25 miles every sunday afternoon, and around 10 miles the other days of the week. It all ended in '96 when I developed knee problems and iliotibial band friction syndrome, snapping hip syndrome, and chronic tendonitis of the iliotibial band, and also serious problems with the muscle attached to the iliotibial band...and a few other things like ganglion cysts in my feet and meniscus issues with the knees, and some other stuff. I went to doctors. I took pills, took supplements, did strengthening excercizes, stretching...nothing worked. I had to quit running. I ended up with ulcers from the pills I was taking.
I started back into running around '99-2000 but only mildly, like 2-4 miles 3 times a week, but I was overweight and screwed up a knee real bad on a steep hill after only 3-4 months back into it.
I decided then I had to quit for good. The knee problem appeared to be permanent.
Around the year 2009-2010, one day I noticed my knee had not been bothering me for quite a while. I kept testing it on stairs for several months. I would use it more when carrying something heavy. It appeared to be 100% healed for everyday ordinary activities. It seemed like a miracle.
So, after thinking about it for a very long time...I got back into running again in the spring of 2011. Very gently at first. I walked for a few months before attempting to jog. Then a mixture of jogging/walking. Then I jogged only very very slowly and only 1-2 miles. Then 2-3 miles. Never more than 3 times per week. I was content to just stay at that level indefinitely then something went wrong. I started getting unusually severe muscle cramps in my feet and calves so I quit...didn't even walk.
Then I got back into running again this January. Again, I started out walking only, and being very cautious. Then a mixture of walking and jogging. Then jogging only very short distances and only 3 times a week.
Well, something amazing happened. About a 4 weeks ago I started having incredible amounts of energy(and no, I am not taking pills or drugs or hormones). Towards the end of my 2 mile jog, I would get an overpowering urge to run very fast. So I did. It felt good. I started running every single day and sometimes twice a day. I started increasing the distance. I started running faster and faster. I had to fight the urge to run my jogging route a second time after reaching the end of the route. I started feeling like I was 20 years younger. My waistline started to slim. The veins in my arms and legs began bulging. I started running up steps two steps at a time whenever there were stairs in my path anytime during the day. My skin looks younger, tighter, smoother and more resilient. I have the color of a 20 year old now. I have a girlfriend that is technically young enough to be my daughter.
Then I went too far.
One day I got the stupid idea to go run 10 kilometers to see if I maybe could enter a 10k race sometime this year. I've been in pain ever since. The old iliotibial band problems came back within hours after running that 10k, and they came back with a vengeance. 6 hours afterwards, I could barely walk.
My question is, how the hell do I make this crap go away AND STAY AWAY! Its been over 15 years now and I am sick of it. I do not want to quit running again. I refuse to start taking pills for inflammation.
Ride a bike or swim instead. Running is really tough on the joints.
see a professional about your need to stay in tip-top physical condition.
:You’ll be better off if you gain a few pounds before the coming famine.
Music to read the replies by...(FReeper humor BUMP!)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tWvYaiOmRs&feature=related
Patient:
“Doc, it hurts when I do that!”
Doctor:
“Don’t do that.”
It may be a tear in the meniscus, easily repaired with a simple arthroscopy. If it is tendon damage the surgery may be more involved...but still fixable. Pounding your joints on a regular basis may be counter-productive.
I did cycling for several years, then had a major accident. I broke my nose, both cheekbones, upper jawbone, a tooth, and a bone in my neck. That was 5 years ago and I still have issues with pinched nerves in my neck.
No more cycling.
Take up cycling. Running will kill your body. You know the old joke among cyclists: "If running doesn't kill you, it will bore you to death!"
Bikes are far more entertaining too, cover a lot more ground and plenty of breeze to cool you off.
Problem on FR is all the exercise avoiders that hate people riding wearing bright Spandex.
http://www.runningplanet.com/training/iliotibial-band-syndrome.html
http://www.joshstrength.com/articles/attention-endurance-athletes-do-not-resist-resistance-training
I hate Standford but they have an answer.
Also, make sure you don't always run on the side of the road; the crown can wreak havoc on whichever knee faces out.
Running was made obsolete by Smith & Wesson.
What’s the adage? ... “getting old is not for cowards”. Simply put, we aren’t as young as we once were. I would say run if it doesn’t hurt but in short distances... say a mile or two. Just my two cents but I hope you feel better soon.
Oh my! Some of the people I speak of are stationary cyclists.
Thanks! I will try some of that...especially the part about running faster. I will make my runs shorter and faster, and try doing the strengthening exercises. As soon as I get healed up I will start on those ideas.
Try this book:
Specific Stretching for Everyone
http://www.amazon.com/Specific-stretching-everyone-Aaron-Mattes/dp/0965639622
I’ve found that the older I get, the more crucial a good stretching routine has become.
As suggested, I would give up running if I were you. Try brisk walking-like 15 min. miles. Swimming and biking are also easy on the joints. I hate pool swimming as I like scenery, so I walk mostly.
Are you in an area where you can hike (hills, mountains if possible)? Great exercise. Have you tried backpacking? Keep your pack below 25 lbs. Great for clearing your head and giving you self confidence.
Are there bike paths nearby so you don’t have to ride with traffic?
Take care of yourself.
Never really been a runner (it bores the s**t out of me), but I lifted weights for quite some time. One simple rule I learned during my weightlifting: If it hurts, don’t do it. That is your body telling you something, and you’d best listen.
Simple....but kept me from getting seriously hurt in a weightroom (in fact, never got hurt). I’d advise the same when it comes to your running or whatever else you choose to do for exercise.
I just tried the hip shrug exercises. No way can I do that in my current condition. Hurts WAY too much. I’ll try it again in a few days. But the fact that it does hurt so so bad tells me there is something to it. I think it really is zeroing in on the problem.
I was an athlete back when dinosaurs ruled the Earth.
Busted my ACL playing football and kept running on it for 26 more years. Finally, a torn achilles tendon put an end to running.
After 4 years of barely being able to walk, I discovered NutriJoint from www.vrp.com It works well with fish oil caps (keep them refrigerated after opening). Tendon grew BACK in 3 months!
I am still avoiding the knee replacement. I want to wait and get the one with the power assist.
Talk to you DR about doing your training in water... Did a good job for me..
Consider high-intensity interval training or sprints instead. Otherwise, choose a low-impact workout.
Osteo-Arthritis is yet another issue you may wind up with.
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