In middle school – when I was in track – I loved sprinting as fast as I could, until my lungs felt like they might explode.
In high school, my cheerleading squad had to run a mile at every practice, and I felt strong and athletic and part of a team.
In gym class, we’d run as soon as the weather got nice, and it was always a point of pride with me to be one of the fastest girls in the class. (Notice I said “one of the” not “the” fastest.)
In college, I’d run to escape my crowded four-person dorm room… to drown out the sound of my heart breaking… to take the edge off the stress of finals… to compose essays and poems in my head.
During an internship in Atlanta, where I knew no one, I’d run for hours and hours, the pounding of my feet against the pavement and the songs on my walkman (this was before MP3 players, people – the Dark Ages) keeping the loneliness at bay.
After that, running was something I did with my husband, for exercise, back when he was my boyfriend.
Then, at some point about four years ago, I started feeling pain in my right knee. It hurt when I ran, and then it started to hurt when I walked. So I babied it for a long time. When it felt better, I hit the pavement again. And the pain came back.
I admit I never saw a doctor about it. (What could they do?) But I found that I had to be very careful. Anything remotely high impact left my knee aching for days, sometimes weeks.
It doesn’t bother me normally. Maybe if I’ve been in a car or on an airplane for a long time. If I do squats or lunges or kneel for any length of time. But if I run… the pain comes crushing back.
Running always felt so good. It felt healthy and athletic and active. It was solitary and thoughtful and got me outside. And now I can’t do it anymore.
I miss it.
I’m sorry about your knee 🙁 I’ve never been a fan of running, but I can understand how you would miss it if you did it for a long time and as a stress reliever in the past. I hope you can find something you enjoy to replace running with.
Would a knee brace help with the pain? I’m sorry it has kept you from running, but hopefully you can find a way to go ease the pain, or another activity that will bring you a release.
I am so sorry you’re not able to do that anymore…I hope that you are able to find an activity just for yourself, too, that makes you feel the same way.
My husband has a similar issue. I bought him a couple of knee braces from the drug store (nothing special), and those have really helped. He also went to a store that specializes in running gear (we’re in Chicago–he went to Fleet Feet). They watch you run on a treadmill and make recommendations about the appropriate shoes for your feet. Those have also made a huge difference for him.
That sucks that you aren’t able to do what you love. My mom is dealing with the same thing right now, only it’s not her knees that bother her, it’s her back. She’s been a marathoner for years – we’re talking a big runner – and just last week, after battling back pain for a couple of years, was told that she has arthritis, squished discs (they called it something more technical, obv.), and pinched, inflammed nerves. I feel so bad for her because she really really loved running, and now she can barely run across the street without major pain.
I always ask her if there’s something else she can put her heart into, so I’ll ask you the same – have you found another hobby that you can feel great about? Biking, rollberblading, hiking? She tells me that, no, she’ll never love anything like she loved running, and maybe that’s the same for you. And if that’s the case, I’m sorry 🙁 That sucks 🙁
I have heard so many people complain about knee problems that prevent them from running. Me, I never got that runner’s high that people enjoy so much – so running was always work for me. But I’m sorry that you can’t do something that you love.
That sucks! And I’m so impressed with your running background! I was on a track team for one hot second in elementary school because my best friend was a hardcore runner. I went to exactly two practices.
I never thought I’d be the person who enjoys running as an adult but here I am, looking forward to early-morning runs and reading up about breathing techniques and fuel belts. And so I get what you’re saying. I’d be majorly bummed if I couldn’t just go outside and pound the pavement, injury-free.
Your knees are important, though, so can you replace running with an activity that gives you the same kind of feeling of accomplishment, minus the pain? I’ve heard swimming is fantastic for people with joint issues. (Says the girl who can barely doggie paddle… but that’s a whole other fitness goal for me.)
You DEFINITELY need to have it looked at by a doctor!! Silly girl… I bet they could get you re-habbed and back into the swing of things as far as running is concerned 🙂 DO IT!!!
You’ll be so happy to be back to hitting the pavement 🙂
That’s how I feel about our nightly walks pre-baby. Now we’re lucky if we can convince her to walk with us, and that is usually a very slow pace that frustrates us.
Now I do yoga by myself in the mornings and I feel that’s something.
I miss running, too. I used to run a lot, and played extremely competitive volleyball for years and there was tons of running in that, of course, and it was my escape during college too.
Mostly, though, I miss volleyball. I sustained a major ankle injury my junior year of high school and missed the entire season and, since I wasn’t willing to undergo surgery for it, lost quite a bit my last season too and ended up not going on to play in college. I played beach volleyball for fun last fall and I just missed it so much I ached. I feel you.
But I second Ams–maybe a doctor (or, even better, PT) could maybe help? I’m hopeful!
Oh dear, I’m so sorry! I wish that it could all be better! Maybe the doctors COULD do something about it? I don’t know. Major bummer. Really and truly.
I miss running, so I start again and then get distracted by life things. I miss running because I want to, not because I feel I need to be better or faster. I miss running for me.
Go see someone about your knee. Maybe it’s fixable?
I used to hate running, but a friend got me started about 9 months ago. It took a lot of baby steps but now, nothing provides the kind of stress relief and emotional release that running does.
My knee recently started bothering me and my friend, who is a smart girl and an avid runner said there is a good chance that if I push through the pain that it will go away. (Not medical advice, but maybe you should see a doc to see if it is something that is safe to push through.)
Also, have you considered better shoes? Just an idea!
That’s hard. I can’t share the runner aspect of this, but I share the sore knee. For me it hinders backpacking and hiking trips. I found a triathelete podiatrist who made me fantastic orthotics and I’ve recently started going to Physical Therapy. I don’t think I have the right therapist cause he’s just trying to strengthen leg muscles without addressing my fallen arch/weak ankle and subsequent whacky body mechanics.
I would suggest figuring out what your options might be. It sounds like running was a wonderful part of your life. It doesn’t have to be gone forever (I hope).
OH NO!!! I really think you should go see a doctor and most likely they’ll refer you/ write a prescription for physical therapy. Knee pain isn’t something crazy or unheard of, in fact it’s probably the number 1 complaint of runners.
I’ve had some AWESOME PTs and some not so good ones, but really they can work miracles. I was a gymnast and I had one PT who worked with me and my back pain for 5 straight months and by the end, I was freaking healed. She explained everything that was wrong and how she was going to fix it. A freaking miracle worker. Seriously, if you really love running and want to continue, go see a doctor. You shouldn’t give up something you truly love without trying to fix it.
I am sorry that you have had to stop doing something you love. But you know what? You could totally pass on that love to me and I could give you my loathe for running back! That way I can work off my extra few cupcake pounds and you would not miss it! Deal?!
Thanks for your encouragement with my “Beggar” post. I was a little hesitant about posting it… and even lost a follower right after i posted it. So thank you…
Evie
Holy Cow! Sometimes, other people can articulate my thoughts and experiences so much better than I can. You’ve described my situation perfectly. I’m tying to get back into running, but–like you–my right knee is opposed to the whole process. My doctor mentioned something about the fact that the strength of your legs has a lot to do with how your knee reacts to lots of running. She suggested that I weight lift and do all that I can to strengthen my quads. The muscle in turn will pull the knee cap back to where it should be.
Oops…I’m rambling. But thanks again for sharing your experiences.
oh if you find out what it is, let me know. I’ve been experiencing nagging pain in my right knee (particularly behind my knee) whenever my leg is bent for an extended period of time. I’ve tried stretching and not sitting for too long but it’s grown from a pain I felt every now and then to something I have nearly daily! 🙁