Posted on 08/11/2008 8:52:51 PM PDT by Hacksaw
Trust me I’m not a couch potatoe. Actually, I’m far from it (competitive powerlifter). I’m just saying that there other ways to train than high-impact excercises.
I also recommend you visit a specialty store. I went to Fleet Feet last Spring after spending years running while wearing the wrong sneakers. My husband can wear just about any running shoe with no problem but the difference for me has been amazing.
There’s already enough advice about good shoes on here so I wanted to add that if you find it is just too difficult to continue to run because of your knee, try a Gazelle. I used to run and have a really bad knee too. It just got to the point where I could not run without having two weeks of agony after one run. I picked up a Gazelle at a Play It Again Sports for next to nothing and love it. It’s easy and fun and best of all, there’s hardly any pain involved. The only down side is that you really can’t replace the joy of your feet hitting the pavement, the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. .
Try Nike Airmax 360s
If the pain is only in one knee, your legs may be of different lengths, forcing you into a stride that is causing the problem. It is not particularly easy to measure your own leg lengths accurately, but you can try a small felt heel lift (start with one quarter inch) on one side and then the other. Try elevating the pain-free side first.
If you changed your training regimen about the time that the knee pain first appeared, e.g. you started running hills or increased your distance, then go back to the regimen that did not cause the pain. If the pain first appeared after you bought new running shoes, toss those shoes in the trash. Your knees are more important than the cost of the shoes.
When buying running shoes, pay attention to the way the shoes feel when you walk. If the shoes feel unstable, or if they force your feet to collapse, don't buy them. Be ridiculously picky about your running shoes. Don't search for a magic shoe manufacturer, just try on plenty of shoes and pay VERY close attention to how they feel when you walk and jog.
Of course you might consider getting medical help.
Take your running injuries seriously and give yourself plenty of time to heal. I never learned to do this, so now I ride a bicycle.
I’ve had good luck with New Balance. I have a fallen arch which degraded into a heel spur, and these are the most comfortable I’ve found.
I suggest you try them on when you next visit your shoe store.
New Balance Men’s 991 works for me. The toe box is roomy and with my milage I am able to go through 2 pair every 6 months. Pricey but easy on the knees. There is nothing like running... Godspeed!
Don’t listen to the couch potatoes.
I didn’t read any advice from couch potatoes.
You should consider yourself lucky that your knees are still good. Not everyone is so blessed. There are many ways to exercise that are not hard on the lower extremity joints and since I have bilateral hip replacements I do most of them - but I don’t run.
Please make that mileage, not milage!
Running will make your bad knee worse, as well as your good knee. Try cycling instead.
After years of knee pain after jogging, hiking or walking I’ve discovered by accident Adidas Supernovas are the best for me.
I found this out almost by accident. I bought a pair of Adidas hiking boots at Costco and found that I could wear these without pain.
So I tried their other shoes and found that they all work for me.
If you are not getting a good workout cycling it doesn't mean running is a better workout, it just means you aren't cycling fast enough. I cycle everyday and am in better shape than most runners.
But do you think I can squeeze the same amount of cardio into a 45 minute bike ride that I can in a 45 minute run? Don't get me wrong, I like biking, but it seems I have to ride much longer and further to get the same workout.
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