Thread: Running kills my knees!

Greetings Gentlemen.

Recently I bought my wife a treadmill. Great idea I thought for improving my view! Anyhow, I have started to use it myself. Being the kind of guy who only runs if the cops are chasing him, this has been a bit of an accomplishment for me. Everything was going okay for about two weeks, then last week, after increasing my length to about a 4km jog, a consistent pain set in in my knees. This gradually increased to an agonizing pitch by Wednesday and I would hobble when I walked. I thought I may have overdone it so I backed off and stuck to the bicycle. This improved it somewhat to the point where yesterday I thought i could try a run again. Wrong move. The painful ache is back with a vengeance. I would like to know if any of you guys have any experience with running? Is this normal? Will it get better? Considering I have not run any sort of length in 20 years or more I was thinking a little bit of discomfort initially would be inevitable, but surely not to the point where I limp and need pain killers! Any advice would be much appreciated.

It could be a combination of things.


First because you haven't ran in a while it could be your body just getting used to new workload your putting it through. But even that shouldn't hurt as much as you say. Which brings me to my next point.

Which is it's most likely your treadmill. I used to be a personal trainer and I always told clients o do something else instead of the treadmill. This was because the impact on your knees is just to painful and could lead to some injuries. I always use the elliptical machine myself.

Of course some people really do like the treadmill so just becareful about te speed your running at. Te faster you go the harder the impact on your knees. Also try to wear some athletic shoes that have a good thick sole on them to cushion the impact.

Run barefoot or with Vibram Five Fingers (google them). Awesome.

Nothing against Philadelphs response, but if you are new to this I would take basil's advice, its probably the machine. 4k isn't far enough to cause that much pain, I would blame the machine first, the shoes second. Running is boring enough, I cant imagine doing a stationary run.

+1 on basil's and nun2sharp's advice. When I first began using a treadmill, my ankles hurt like the dickens. It was because my musculature was not toned. In short, I was out of shape. Try some warmup exercises before hitting the treadmill. Perhaps even some weight bags to drape over your ankles and perform some warmup exercises.

Keep in mind that cycling does not put as much stress on your joints as running. That is one reason why so many people opt for cycling over running.

You may also want to consider a fast walk on the treadmill at first, as opposed to running. After a month or two you can build up to a slow jog, then increase your speed from there.

Dr. Kenneth Cooper wrote a book called Aerobics many years ago that would be good to get hold of and read. You should be walking for a month for a mile to two miles to strengthen the muscles, tendons, liniments before you put the stress of running on them. Another valuable book is Stretching by Bob Anderson for after you start. Right now the best thing you can do is lay off for a week or two.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Run barefoot or with Vibram Five Fingers (google them). Awesome.

I teach at a law enforcement academy. I use these shoes ALL the time. They saved my career.

Your form will improve A LOT.

Is the pain on the outside of the knee or on the front of the knee? I am a triathlete and have run into my fair share of injury.

Originally Posted by sharp

Is the pain on the outside of the knee or on the front of the knee? I am a triathlete and have run into my fair share of injury.

It is tough to isolate but if you imagine a circular plane inside the knee it would be the front half leading around to each side of the knees.

Scotch seems to help it! As if I need another excuse.