Knees and running

[StantonHyde]

This is what I only run on trails. Got a knee injury when I was 25 from over use--started using an orthotic and that really saved me. And then when I was in my early 30s I switched to trail running only. It makes a huge difference. Your foot never hits the trail the same way twice so there isn't so much repetition. I tore my hamstring a few years ago and had to really rehab it. I can now run on all sort of surfaces and up/down hill. But I have to stop every 10-15 minutes to give it a break for a minute and then get going again. I found that strengthening your hips actually has the biggest impact on your knees. I have worked very closely with a physical therapist the last few years. And I do run only 1-2 days a week. The other days are swimming and biking--that helps a great deal as well. Good luck!!

[hellokitty]

I wrecked my knees when I was running, literally a week after I turned 40, my knee blew up to a size of a football. They wanted me to get surgery, I refused, had to basically let my knee rest for a year, now I don't do anything higher impact than walking. It sucks, I wish I would have started running when I was much younger so I could have gotten better at it to avoid some of these issues. And yes, listen to your body, after my knee injury, I'm so scared to re-injure again, as soon as I feel as if I've slightly tweaked my knee, I back of drastically to let it rest.