Is running bad for your knees?

The weather yesterday was unbelievable. Another false spring day worthy of shorts. The only thing that made sense was a nice long run with my friend that is training for a spring half marathon. Throwing all rules of easing back into running from my two week break, I went for it, running just under 8 glorious miles. It felt so good. The fresh warm air and great conversations. As the day progressed, the wind came tearing in with the feeling of winter and a great tension. By the end of the day, I felt overwhelmed and overloaded. I couldn’t nail down the reason. Then just before bed after I let the dog back in, it happened. IT HAPPENED. Something that I have managed to not let happen since my post 40, post baby running journey began. My knee blew out.** FUCK!

If you know me, you know that this had been a normal occurrence since I was 13. My knees had always been a point of contention and a reason to not do a lot of things in my life. I quit figure skating in middle school, I quit playing field hockey in high school and coached middle school instead. I avoided running because, you know, “it’s bad for your knees*.” This continued for years, I would sneeze and my knee would blow out, walking down the street, again, getting the mail, you get the picture. It was never a blunt force trauma, but always traumatic. Then in my 40’s, I discovered that running was what made me feel good and finally in control. It made me feel like me. My chiropractor helped me with an adjustment just below my knee. And, I discovered an ease into running approach with a couch to 5k program. I have spent the last 7 or 8 years managing various other injuries, following training plans, falling in love with endurance, studying anatomy, obtaining certifications and, now, coaching other runners with this approach. I also learned to really listen to my body and to differentiate the cues I was receiving. I learned this through running but also through yoga. Two things that have come together for me and make me feel whole.

So what happened? Why am I right back where I started? The plain truth, I over did it. I can be angry at myself. I can throw a pity party. I can wallow in the thoughts that I will never run again, that my body just isn't meant for running or yoga. Or, I can choose to listen to the cues from my body. And guess what, my knees never lie. I can hear my body tell me you went too fast and too far this time. It’s not over,

you need to adjust. You need to make the right choices for you. I listened to Adam Goldston interviewed on Jay Shetty’s podcast, yesterday. He talked about bad decisions we make in life. He said something to the effect that our bad decisions can usually be linked to self sacrifice. That we make those decisions based on what we think works for someone else, rather than putting ourselves first. (The irony is not lost on me.)

After a good cry, what’s next? Back to the chiropractor, of course. A couple of days off from running. And, finally, a good ease into running plan.

*Running is not bad for your knees. Bad decisions are bad for your knees.

**I have had a number of friends reach out. This is me using high drama. Luckily, I don't think I tore anything because I was able to catch myself before falling. But I know no other way to describe what happens when my knee does this. It feels like I am hit with an invisible baseball bat with all the force but no impact. (Ok, also a bit dramatic.)