Going backwards

[ksmith]

I laid off running for a week because of the knees. Stopped by the fitness center near my house yesterday, and spoke with the trainer. She advised not trying to run until the knees feel good for about a week. She also showed me the ellipticals, which look pretty interesting. I will likely go back early next week--assuming we're not snowed in--and give one a try.

I did walk tonight. The trainer suggested an incline, so I worked up to 3.5 mph at a 3-5% incline. 3% is noticeable. 5% is work. I broke a sweat, which was nice. Felt it a little bit in my knees, but nothing like last week. No pain, just...a sensation. I should ice them, I guess.

In other news, we could get another pounding of snow Sunday into Monday. No snow since the December 1st blizzard, a record 41 days without. Now, the next snow we get could bury us again.

This is ridiculous.

Update: I should say that the trainer likely would have advised me to lay off walking as well. But the knees felt ok and I was starting to feel antsy. I will no doubt pay for this later...

Comments

[equesgal.livejournal.com]

I have bad knees, very bad knees. Had surgery on my left one back in the 80s when I lived in NYC. I find that if they're sore it helps if I walk with long, easy-going strides instead of walking briskly with short strides. Less pounding, I think. I used to run marathons when I lived in NYC, but those days are long gone. It's not just my knees, its also the joint in the big toe on my left foot. It doesn't quite bend all the way back so my foot rolls to the outside. Even foot surgery didn't help.

Last year I finally broke down and bought a treadmill. That way I can walk in slo-mo on the days when I'm really aching. It doesn't help that I also have a touch of stiffness in my right hip. Lordy, I'm getting old '-0

Good luck with your knees.

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

I've found that never actually locking my knees when I walk...i.e. a bent knee gait helps with the impact issues. It also is less efficient and consumes more energy.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

One good thing about an incline is that it forces me to keep my knees bent.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thanks--good luck with your hip.

Jeez. We're both old...