Guess I'll be walkin' the run

[divingbiker]

I've had a hard time getting motivated to start running this spring, in preparation for the Irongirl triathlon in August. Today I went to my thyroid doctor and since I was there, I asked him about something he'd told me last year right after the triathlon. He had said that if I hadn't started running by my age (50) then I shouldn't start at all, because it would destroy my knees.

He's a former avid cyclist, doing centuries and such, who switched to running after his kids were born (takes less time for a workout). Now he's in his early 40's and his knees are shot, so he walks.

It seems that all my friends my age are having knee issues requiring surgery, physical therapy, etc., so I think there's some truth to what my doctor says.

Anyway, I guess that I'm going to take his advice and just work on walking fast, with the hope of preserving these knees into my old age. It's not like I was a gazelle when I ran, more like a snail, so I'm not sure my tri time will be affected all that much. It's just kind of hard to realize that it's time to start making some concessions to age in the interest of my long term health.

Sorry about the whine...

[tangentgirl]

You know, you might double-check that advice with a sports medicine doctor. While it's true that running can be tough on the knees, that can be at least partially countered by correct training, form, shoes and other factors. Have you actually had knee problems?

Is the Iron Girl tri distance the 0.62mi Swim - 17.5mi Bike - 3.3mi Run one? (I Googled Iron Girl Triathlon & found that.) 3.3 miles should not be a punishing distance to train for or complete.

If it were me, I'd get a second opinion from a doctor that is more familiar with body mechanics. I'm sure the thyroid guy is very smart, but knees and running and all that are not his specialty.

Good luck!

[Tri Girl]

I second what tangent girl said. Sure, maybe running marathons or ultras "at your age" (like it's old ) isn't the best idea, but I train regularly with men (and a couple women) who started running in their late 40's/ early 50's and are still going strong- with no shot knees. One guy is 72 and still does IM races. And if you're only running 3-6 miles at the most, the training for that isn't going to kill your knees. My 62 year old running partner had a total hip replacement a year ago, and the doctor said that if he HADN'T been a runner he'd have had to had it replaced long ago. Second opinions are a good thing (especially from and orthopedic doc or a sports medicine doc).

[rocknrollgirl]

I am 45 and just started running seriously last year. I have had serious knee problems in the past, but I started slowly and I stay off the roads and run only on trails, softer on the knees. I , knock wood, have had no problem.

Give it some thought, perhaps a second opinion is in order.

Ruth

[KSH]

Get a second opinion.

Just because his knees are shot... doesn't mean yours will be. There are so many factors there.

Where did he run (hard or soft surfaces)? What kind of miles did he put in each week (did he train for marathons? Or short distances?)? Did he have good form (poor form = hurt knees!)? How fast did he run (was a speed demon?) Etc. etc.

Look, he's not God. He doesn't have all the answers. Don't let what he said discourage you.

Have you started running? Do your knees hurt? Have you tried running slow?

Many people run into old age, and do OK. Go get a second opinion.

[Over50Newbie]

I will be 53 this September, and just started running last year. I use a technique called "Chi Running."

The website is http://www.chirunning.com

It is all about running without causing any injuries. You might want to check it out.

I "chi run" all the time, and have had absolutely no problems at all.

Lynette

[divingbiker]

Over50Newbie, I took a chi running workshop last year, and the running I did last year was using that method. I didn't have any knee pain, but I was terribly slow.

Re a second opinion, that's probably a good idea, even though I really respect and trust my thyroid doctor. He's certainly not an orthopedic doc, but he had a number of years as a primary care doctor before Kaiser switched him over to endocrinology exclusively, so he's seen a lot of injuries.

I'm not sure how I'd get a sports medicine doctor referral through my HMO, Kaiser, and I'm not so driven to run that I'm willing to spend a lot of money out of pocket going to a non-Kaiser doctor. Maybe I'll e-mail my primary care doctor and see what he thinks.

Thanks for all the opinions, ladies.

[anakiwa]

Oh- and as far as getting a second opinion- you could go to 10 different doctors and you'll probably get 10 different opinions on this one (many of them motivated by personal experience as much as anything else- as in the case of your thyroid doctor).

If you're having a knee problem, it makes sense to get it checked out. If it's just a theoretical question about running and knees- you're unlikely to find a single authoritative answer. Emailing your PCP sounds like a good idea (he/she knows you)- but remember the answer will be influenced by how the writer feels about running in general. (Running seems to engender strong opinions- there are those of us who love running- but also some who hate it.)