making running easier on the knees.

Anyone have sugestions about how to make running not kill my knees? I'll run for 2 days and then try running day 3 and my knees will protest all the way up my thigh. Now, I know that maybe this means I need to go see a doctor(which I hope to be doing once my health insurance is all figured out) but any other suggestiones?

What about switching to something that's not as hard on your knees until you see a doctor - like elliptical or bike?  Might just be me with a history of bad knee from sports injuries when I was young but you don't want to do further injury that takes longer to heal or sidelines you permanently.  Just my 2 cents.

yea, i am thinking i may have to switch back to elliptical for a bit. I was just excited because for a few weeks i was without knee problems running, I was doing really well, and then i got sick, couldnt run for 1 week and a half and totally lost it. now my knees are mad at me. I thought maybe I wasnt stretching right, but I do touching toes, hamstring stretch, frog stretch, calf, thigh... notta. i just dont want to say no to running, i really like it, and i've lost weight from running =\ i didnt lose any weight on the elliptical even when I did it for an hour, I only have to run for 30 minutes and i've dropped weight. wah.

I just started a "couch to 5K" running plan and my knees hurt too, although probably mostly from getting some use after all this time. 

All the things I've read talk about trying to avoid running on concrete as a major injury saver (especially shin splints).  I run on asphalt and dirt.  Also, they all say to run every other day and do upper body or other training on alternate days to keep injuries down.  Maybe you could try alernating days of running and eliptical until your knees feel better.

thats a good idea. yea i have been running on road, maybe thats done my knees in, but i mostly run on treadmill. i dont get how friends of mine can run every day, especially on road, craziness.

don't run every day either...  Especially if you are just getting going.  3 times a week is plenty!!!  you might consider replacing the insoles in your shoes with something with a little more cushion.  I like Super Green and Sof Sole myself, although I have used Dr, Scholl's Sports insoles as well.

I had similiar problems, the answer for me: Shoes!  I didn't believe the hype, but I was wrong.  Asic GTs, they cost alot (about $100), but will change your running life.  I continued running, and my knees/hip just stopped hurting after a few days.  Also, maybe run a little slower, less impact, but shoes are so important.

Shoes definitely help-if you are going to spend about 100-go to one f the places that watches you run and recommends shoes for your gait. Fleet Feet is one of them in my area-but there are others around.

Don't mess with your knees. I injured mine last spring in training poorly for a halk marathon and then proceeded to go ahead and do the half marathon. My knee has not yet recovered. Now I ride a bike and am lifting weights to make myself stronger so hopefully I will be able to run properly someday.

there is a thread on here with a link "You have no business running" that you may want to check out. I know that is why I got injured.

I second wesmckean - don't run every day! Unless you've been running for a few years then it will be too much. Three times a week is enough, at the very most every other day. Don't run 2 days in a row until you've been running a while either, if you want to exercise more do your cross training to avoid injury.

Also, shoes are worth the money ... even if you think they are relatively new, they break down with use, I need to buy new ones about 3 or 4 times a year.

Happy trails!

I just bought new shoes that are amazing. they are by Sacony(sp??) I have been thinking about getting cushion to put inside my shoes I just dont know where to get those types of things. I was at a shoe store yesterday and didnt see anything for running shoes. I will definitely take the 3 days a week advice. I was just walking outside and my knees feel stiff and sore. I just hope I haven't already done damage.
I exercise 4 days a week for like 1hr 1/2 doing weights and other body movements.

hey! just wanted to add- and i have had my share of knee pain (xcountry thru high school, just getting back into it)- is that I notice a difference when I stretch both before and after running (i used to just stretch before and i would be stiff the next day)... are you weight training, too? i also just used to do cardio and it has made a world of difference now that I've been working to strengthen my leg muscles that way... way less pain and I've been seeing great results :)

ohhh ya and i heart my Asics :)

Original Post by meowphotog:

I just bought new shoes that are amazing. they are by Sacony(sp??) I have been thinking about getting cushion to put inside my shoes I just dont know where to get those types of things. I was at a shoe store yesterday and didnt see anything for running shoes. I will definitely take the 3 days a week advice. I was just walking outside and my knees feel stiff and sore. I just hope I haven't already done damage.
I exercise 4 days a week for like 1hr 1/2 doing weights and other body movements.

 Not sure where you are but they have all kinds of different shoe inserts at the drug stores in Canada.

I would suggest using an elliptical or recumbent bike until you get your knees figured out.  If you're hellbent on running, get some REALLY good shoes and stay on the rubberized track.  Good luck!

I "feel your pain" too! For me, running on pavement seems to really cause my knees to hurt. I find that the softer surface of the TM is much easier on them.

Of course, if your knees continue to hurt and the pain is sharp and/or constant you need to see the doc to rule out anything structurally wrong, but you might also try icing your knees for 30 min to an hr after you run or when you go to bed at night to reduce the inflammation. Also as the other poster's mentioned, it's probably best if you don't run on consecutive days and maybe only 3 times per week until you biuld up your tolerance. Also, maybe consider that your form/body mechanics might be a little off, causing undo strain on your knees. Make sure you are walking some before you start to run to warm up those joints. I usually will walk for 8-10 minutes before I start a slow jog and then biuld speed slowly.

Anyway, this is a very common issue for runners and although if ignored or untreated you can do some serious damage to the knees, in general it's manageable. I feel the same way, that running is the only exercise that really seems to help me to lose weight! I don't care what anyone says. For me running is the key to weight loss. Of course, weight training is also key in ensuring that the muscles surrounding the vulnerable tendons and ligaments of the joints are well supported.

great advice - also, strengthen your quads!!  They are the muscle that keeps your knees in line and tracking properly.  If you continue to run, buy a foam roller (I've seen them at Target for around $10) to "roll out" your IT Bands (that tight band of tissue that runs on the outside of your thigh from your hip to your knee), and also use on the quads for self-massage.  Tight ITBs are a major culprit in pulling the knee out of line and causing the grinding away of cartilage and thus pain.

Good luck!  I hope you find a solution that works for you and can continue to run (if it's not a more serious medical issue, of course!)

thanks everyone for the awesome advice :) i walked to the gym today (2 miles there, 2 miles back) and my knees feel better and my muscles feel a bit loser, not as tight and contracted causing me knee pain, i will definitely try not run days in a row and run more sporatically.

glucosamine and an oil, like 3-6-9, evening primrose and/or vitmin e. Its worked for me and I have super poping, cracking joints

I am happy to report to everyone who kindly gave their advice that since I've stopped running every day and began alternating my knees feel ten times better! So thanks everyone!