I'm here but don't post much. Far too busy this summer. But I still run and walk every morning before work

Originally Posted by grneyedmustang:
Since ya'll mentioned shin splints, I know that running is hard on your body (was diagnosed with runner's knee a few years ago) - and I've noticed that since I haven't been running my knees don't bother me.

Does anyone have suggestions on dealing with runner's knee and overall joint issues? I take glucosamine and chondroitin, which seems to help some, but it's amazing what not running has done for my joints.

Also - how often do you run during the week?

Hi grneyedmustang. Running can be hard on your joints and muscles! I know for me, running happened late in the fitness/weightloss journey. I'm a foot shorter than you and began my weight loss at 220 lbs. I also have a compromised right ankle from a car accident years ago. For those reasons running was out of the question. I *think* began running when I got to 165 lbs. Prior to reaching this weight I power walked several miles a day every day, worked out on the elliptical, and did a regular Body Pump (lifting class with music) which really prepared my body to run. I've had some regain after reaching my lowest adult weight and I strongly believe that the extra poundage has dramatically impacted my joints and why I feel so sore and achy after most runs. Sometimes I get upset knowing where I was and where I am now. Unless and until I get my weight down again (at least a little) this is the norm. I DO NOT want this to be the norm. So while I still flat out run, I, like you, recognize how good my body feels when I don't run, so I'll run a mile or 1.5 miles, walk some and repeat. I find that this still keeps me running but also doesn't put all the stress and strain on my joints as if I only ran. I run 3-4 times per week depending on schedule. I'm also more apt to listen to my body, so if 1.5 miles seems too much, I'll run what I can and back off. I certainly could start and complete a run, but I'm thinking long term and I see no need to punish my body when I don't need to. I've also gone back to the workouts and activities I believe made me a strong runner in the past. FWIW, I read that every pound we carry puts 200 pounds on our joints. Not quite sure about the number but it's a lot. So when I think about my regain it REALLY hits home how much more pressure I'm putting on my joints, and of course how my mile time has slowed down. Ah, well. Just keep moving forward regardless, right?

Maybe power walking with intermittent running can be your thing right now. Also, check with your doctor to see if running will aggravate your runner's knee. Maybe as you continue to see the scale drop that knee will feel better and better. That's what I'm hoping for me for sure! And how are your shoes feeling? Regardless of what shape I'm in, a good pair of properly fitted shoes does wonders for my body and my perspective.

Runner's knee: Have you looked at any of the flexible braces that are available? Friends from my gym use different types and really find they help. I have something similar to this http://www.amazon.com/Bracoo-Breatha...es+for+running and a man in my kickboxing class uses this: http://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Jumper...+patella+strap

Would like to hear more about your experience taking glucosamine and chondroitin. I've thought about trying these myself. Any recommendations?

Good luck!

Originally Posted by curvynotlumpy:
Hi grneyedmustang. Running can be hard on your joints and muscles! I know for me, running happened late in the fitness/weightloss journey. I'm a foot shorter than you and began my weight loss at 220 lbs. I also have a compromised right ankle from a car accident years ago. For those reasons running was out of the question. I *think* began running when I got to 165 lbs. Prior to reaching this weight I power walked several miles a day every day, worked out on the elliptical, and did a regular Body Pump (lifting class with music) which really prepared my body to run. I've had some regain after reaching my lowest adult weight and I strongly believe that the extra poundage has dramatically impacted my joints and why I feel so sore and achy after most runs. Sometimes I get upset knowing where I was and where I am now. Unless and until I get my weight down again (at least a little) this is the norm. I DO NOT want this to be the norm. So while I still flat out run, I, like you, recognize how good my body feels when I don't run, so I'll run a mile or 1.5 miles, walk some and repeat. I find that this still keeps me running but also doesn't put all the stress and strain on my joints as if I only ran. I run 3-4 times per week depending on schedule. I'm also more apt to listen to my body, so if 1.5 miles seems too much, I'll run what I can and back off. I certainly could start and complete a run, but I'm thinking long term and I see no need to punish my body when I don't need to. I've also gone back to the workouts and activities I believe made me a strong runner in the past. FWIW, I read that every pound we carry puts 200 pounds on our joints. Not quite sure about the number but it's a lot. So when I think about my regain it REALLY hits home how much more pressure I'm putting on my joints, and of course how my mile time has slowed down. Ah, well. Just keep moving forward regardless, right?

Maybe power walking with intermittent running can be your thing right now. Also, check with your doctor to see if running will aggravate your runner's knee. Maybe as you continue to see the scale drop that knee will feel better and better. That's what I'm hoping for me for sure! And how are your shoes feeling? Regardless of what shape I'm in, a good pair of properly fitted shoes does wonders for my body and my perspective.

Runner's knee: Have you looked at any of the flexible braces that are available? Friends from my gym use different types and really find they help. I have something similar to this http://www.amazon.com/Bracoo-Breatha...es+for+running and a man in my kickboxing class uses this: http://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Jumper...+patella+strap

Would like to hear more about your experience taking glucosamine and chondroitin. I've thought about trying these myself. Any recommendations?

Good luck!

Hi Curvy!

I'm definitely going to try one of those knee braces, I might order both and see which one works better.

The glucosamine and chondroitin works - I usually only use half a dose, but my knees still feel a little "off" occasionally. I guess I could bump it up to a full dose. I usually get Flex a min or Flex all 454 from Kroger - Kroger usually has coupons on it along with buy one get one free specials which makes them fairly inexpensive.

I was doing a lot of strength training also before surgery - so I need to get back into that as well and maybe that will help me with the joint issues. I am down a few pounds since surgery - so that should help my joints as well. :)

Sunday, July 21: 4.14 mile run

Originally Posted by curvynotlumpy:
Welcome, beth1789! Ah, yes, shin splints...I struggled with those myself last year. They weren't horrible, but definitely noticeable enough to curtail my running for a few weeks. Along with not running I did R.I.C.E. therapy and that helped.

Sounds like you're getting back into things at a good pace and for what is good for your body. Great job on your run last night! I hope you keep posting :)

Thanks :) It seems like every time one running-related problem goes away, another appears!

Struggled with my 5k run yesterday after a weekend of mild over-eating (my excuse is that I was in a wedding!) but at least I got it in.

Exactly! I posted on one of the threads that this past Christmas ushered in the most compromised time I've experienced in three years of running. I don't get sick much but was flat on my back after the holiday with a really bad case of stomach flu. After that I tweaked my back muscle doing a twisting plank which was quickly followed by shin splints. Recently I had some minor knee issues. Up to Thanksgiving I was golden. I suppose it's inevitable that any of us engaging in regular running or any other kind of exercise will have to deal with the reality of injury of some kind major or minor. My experience made me grateful and appreciative of good health.

FWIW, celebratory eating is difficult to avoid. It's hard for me to willingly skip wedding cake :D:o

It feels like it's been forever since I've updated:

Friday, July 26: 4.09 mile run
Saturday, July 27: 5.93 mile run

8/7: 4.09 mile run

im still around...still doing run/walks in the morning....am going always to the gym now and not running outside in the early mornings....too many bears around this time of year now....

Good to hear from you alaskanlaughter! Bears...oh my! Both my brothers live in Colorado and recently they had a bear incident at a local restaurant. Apparently the same bear kept coming back to the dumpster to eat out of it. One of the surveillance cameras caught him in the act of standing up on his back legs and moving the 1,000 dumpster so he had easier access. That is one smart bear! The video went viral so maybe you saw it. These kind of bear antics are probably pretty common where you're from.

Regardless, I have a very healthy respect for nature and wildlife. Good to know you're keeping yourself safe.