Posted on 03/25/2012 6:01:19 PM PDT by mamelukesabre
I used to run a lot...in my younger years.
In the mid 90s I was running 20-25 miles every sunday afternoon, and around 10 miles the other days of the week. It all ended in '96 when I developed knee problems and iliotibial band friction syndrome, snapping hip syndrome, and chronic tendonitis of the iliotibial band, and also serious problems with the muscle attached to the iliotibial band...and a few other things like ganglion cysts in my feet and meniscus issues with the knees, and some other stuff. I went to doctors. I took pills, took supplements, did strengthening excercizes, stretching...nothing worked. I had to quit running. I ended up with ulcers from the pills I was taking.
I started back into running around '99-2000 but only mildly, like 2-4 miles 3 times a week, but I was overweight and screwed up a knee real bad on a steep hill after only 3-4 months back into it.
I decided then I had to quit for good. The knee problem appeared to be permanent.
Around the year 2009-2010, one day I noticed my knee had not been bothering me for quite a while. I kept testing it on stairs for several months. I would use it more when carrying something heavy. It appeared to be 100% healed for everyday ordinary activities. It seemed like a miracle.
So, after thinking about it for a very long time...I got back into running again in the spring of 2011. Very gently at first. I walked for a few months before attempting to jog. Then a mixture of jogging/walking. Then I jogged only very very slowly and only 1-2 miles. Then 2-3 miles. Never more than 3 times per week. I was content to just stay at that level indefinitely then something went wrong. I started getting unusually severe muscle cramps in my feet and calves so I quit...didn't even walk.
Then I got back into running again this January. Again, I started out walking only, and being very cautious. Then a mixture of walking and jogging. Then jogging only very short distances and only 3 times a week.
Well, something amazing happened. About a 4 weeks ago I started having incredible amounts of energy(and no, I am not taking pills or drugs or hormones). Towards the end of my 2 mile jog, I would get an overpowering urge to run very fast. So I did. It felt good. I started running every single day and sometimes twice a day. I started increasing the distance. I started running faster and faster. I had to fight the urge to run my jogging route a second time after reaching the end of the route. I started feeling like I was 20 years younger. My waistline started to slim. The veins in my arms and legs began bulging. I started running up steps two steps at a time whenever there were stairs in my path anytime during the day. My skin looks younger, tighter, smoother and more resilient. I have the color of a 20 year old now. I have a girlfriend that is technically young enough to be my daughter.
Then I went too far.
One day I got the stupid idea to go run 10 kilometers to see if I maybe could enter a 10k race sometime this year. I've been in pain ever since. The old iliotibial band problems came back within hours after running that 10k, and they came back with a vengeance. 6 hours afterwards, I could barely walk.
My question is, how the hell do I make this crap go away AND STAY AWAY! Its been over 15 years now and I am sick of it. I do not want to quit running again. I refuse to start taking pills for inflammation.
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Einstein
Do weight training and yoga.
get a prescription for stupid pills.
At some point we all have to realize that our bodies can no longer do what they once did. I’ve had to realize that several years ago when I had my hip replaced and my running ended. Walking and bike riding are replacements.
You just wanted to rub it in that even with all your problems, you still are in better shape than 99% of all other FReepers. :->
kettlebells..! yaaay..!
for later
I believe our bodies are like our cars. They are only good for so many miles and then they start falling apart.
Work them too hard and they fall apart early. If this were not true men who worked themselves to death, for example farmers, would be in such good shape they would live forever. Ever see an old time farmer? They were physical wrecks in their old age.
YMMV.
Aging is tough. Our parts wear out or just stress and strain and hurt.
Some people change sports. I have 14 marathons behind me - half of those are racewalking. I converted both out of interest and in the reduced impact.
I have become a very good coach of new racewalkers, many of which are broken runners. I also know former runners who are swimmers or bicyclists or who have moved from the track to the field, becoming throwers or jumpers.
As a walker I have still suffered injury. I turned to chiropractic and massage for assistance. I changed my warmup stretching routine. But despite those measures I am still almost 60. Can’t change that.
Embrace sloth and drink heavily.
What you need to do is turn nineteen next birthday. That will solve most all of your physical problems and your wife might like it too.
LOL...Spend more time with your honey. Trust me. It’s better than running.
Keep your heart rate below 185-your age. Always stretch after running. Always ice down anything that hurts.
Fools run where angels fear to tread.
Give up on the running, and get on your bike and ride!
LOL - Heeee Heeeeee!
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