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.

[Tri Girl]

Really slow, eh? That's the only speed I know- I can go on forever, it's just speed that I'm lacking.

Not that walking is anything bad, but just don't give up on running until you know how your body will respond. Who knows- you might be able to run 3 miles a couple times a week until the day you die and never have a problem. I'm a walk-runner most of the time (run a few minutes, walk a half a minute). Nothing wrong with that either. Whatever gets me down the road on any given day.

[KSH]

I didn't have any knee pain, but I was terribly slow.

Hey, I'm slow as a turtle. EVERYONE passes me on the run. I just get out there and do my thang. Run my race ya know?

Nothing wrong with slow.

[Over50Newbie]

I am also very slow.

But I know other chi runners that are really, really fast.

So I guess that means that it is just me, not necessarily the technique.

I only started running last year so that I could do triathlons, and it certanly isn't my favorite thing to do; although it is much more pleasant chi running than running the more conventional way.

I am thrilled that I can now run up to 6 miles without stopping, have had no injuries, and I keep getting better every day.

Now, the question is, will I ever get faster?

We'll see as time goes on...

Lynette

[Wahine]

I don't think you have to give up on running, if it's what you want to do. I know many runners that did not start until in their 50's and they are still going strong in their 60's and 70's.

Some other people have already mentioned that form is very important to prevent injury and I would strongly second that. I've coached some "grand masters" and I will have them do a drill workout twice a week. Then a longer workout following one of the drill workouts. I have them do all their drills on grass. As for speed, if you want to do speed work, do it in the pool using an aquajogger and do high intensity intervals of 2 to 3 minutes with 2 minutes rest after about 5 to 10 min warm-up. This is great for training fast turn over and muscle strength while not stressing the joints.

I know of a lady that was a nurse and at the age of 55 she tried to run for the bus one day and was so out of breath, she was mortified. She could not believe her lack of fitness. She started running by counting lamp posts. Each day she would try to add one or two to her very short runs. This same lady did her first marathon at age 63.

[anakiwa]

I don't think there's any evidence that running causes long-term damage to knees (though clearly there are common running injuries such as patellar problems and IT band problems). Obesity and a sedentary life style, on the other hand, are clearly linked to osteoarthritis of the the knees.

So while you need to be sensible (not go with a training plan that is too aggressive, make sure you have the right shoes, etc), age alone is certainly not a contraindication for running.

Divingbiker- what is your weight/BMI? If you're at or close to your ideal body weight there's no reason to think you'll have trouble running (if you haven't had trouble before). If, on the other hand, you're very heavy- that may put more pressure on your knees. If you're very heavy, you'll need to be more careful and consider starting with walking and lower impact sports (such as cycling and swimming) and then progress to running as you lose a little weight.

[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.)

[divingbiker]

Divingbiker- what is your weight/BMI? If you're at or close to your ideal body weight there's no reason to think you'll have trouble running (if you haven't had trouble before). If, on the other hand, you're very heavy- that may put more pressure on your knees. If you're very heavy, you'll need to be more careful and consider starting with walking and lower impact sports (such as cycling and swimming) and then progress to running as you lose a little weight.

I'm far from my ideal body weight, never have been close, probably never will be. I've never lived my life waiting to be smaller before I do what I want to do, so if I want to run I'll just do it. I'm sure my excess 40 pounds factors into my doctor's recommendation, but I know he is not a fan of running in general. At this point, I don't have any knee problems, and I'm sure he is just trying to keep it that way.

Thanks for all the advice!