Ok, so I’ve been a runner off and on for many years. I have a dream of running a half marathon in memory of a boyfriend that passed away. For now, though, I just want to be able to walk or run a 5K.
But… Here’s my health issues. I have a knee that is bone on bone and needs replaced, however, I have to lose about 80 more pounds before I’ll be in the correct weight range to do so. Also, my other foot/ankle has tibial tendinitis for which I wear a brace.
As I’ve been losing weight with the help of a GLP-1, I’ve gone from walking with a cane 24/7 to one time in the last 3 three months. Most of my pain comes from hills and stairs. I really want to do this. Imagine that I found a race with no hills where the course stayed open long enough for me to walk. I do have a rollator that I could use just in case something happened along the way.
I really, really want this to happen, but I know that my family will be very worried about me if I try.
I think it’s a great goal, but for now it’s better to focus more on other things first. First and foremost, your diet: eat better, and eat less. Change your style of eating, with the goal of achieving a normal BMI. At the same time, do some daily exercise, especially ones that get your heart rate up.
Trainers are great at training the fit. Trainers for the mostly infirm are called "Physical Therapists
OP: This desire is a huge motivator for you. Wring all the juice you can out of it. When you’re light enough to not cripple yourself w a defective knee.
IANA orthopedist. But you can damage that knee bad enough the cant replace it. And now you’re scooter-bound for life. You’re waaay too young to be sentenced to that.
How about low impact exercises, such as in a swimming pool? I agree that given your health issues, you need to discuss this with your doctor or doctors. How, for example, is your heart? Wouldn’t want you to collapse from a heart attack halfway through the 5K.
Excellent point, and it’s something should have mentioned in my first post.
Seeing that the OP has some significant heath issues, including physical pain, the OP really needs to discuss any exercise regimen with an appropriate health care professional. The primary care physician is a good starting point, but some good advice can additionally come from a personal trainer or physical therapist.
My late aged MIL found herself in a similar spot due to an injury. Knee too screwed up to walk on very far and her age plus blood pressure plus weight disqualified her from immediate knee replacement surgery.
She got older faster than she got skinnier & got her BP under control. No new knee for her. She drove a scooter for 20 years until her death at 96.
If you think losing weight is difficult now, it’s 10x as difficult when chained to a chair.
Don’t go there. PLEASE. Get smaller / healthier, get the knee, then walk the 5K.
I feel for you. I lost one knee after years of problems and then the one soon after, then came the lockdown and I had to wait 9 more months to get surgery. You need to find some low impact way to exercise and lose that weight as soon as possible because you could end up not running or even walking with months to go before you get any relief. I can tell you it’s really hard to lose weight once you’re off your feet.
My way of looking at bone-on-bone knee is the same way I look at any bone-on-bone joint problem. It’s a condition of wear and tear. It’s certainly not going to be better after walking 5K. Before you wear out what little is left of your knee to honor the memory of a late loved one, first ask yourself whether that’s a reasonable use of your remaining mobility.
Is there a cause that he was concerned about that you could work toward instead? Donate money to research in an area that may have been meaningful to him?
There will be many years ahead for you to do something in memory of your boyfriend. Don’t risk disabling yourself for life because you feel you have to do this right now. You can set a goal to do the 5K after you lose weight and have knee replacement surgery. That can be a long-term goal.
You could participate in the 5K that you have in mind, just not as a runner or walker. You could be one of the people who hands out water, or T-shirts, or just cheers people on the way.
I’m guessing your boyfriend would want you to take care of yourself first and not to risk a long-term injury.
I’ve run a TON of 5ks, and a few 10ks. I also have bad knees, both from running and from my volleyball days.
About 10 years ago I had a really bad ankle sprain, and spent 3 months in a walking boot. As I progressed in my recovery, I learned about running intervals - I was doing 1 minute run 30 second walks, but other values work just as well. I was amazed at the difference it made, and I decided to see how far I could push it. I did my first half marathon that year.
By the time I was training for my third half marathon, my body was hurting. I spent way more time on the exercise bike than on the road. I did get some road work in - I think I maxed out at 6 miles. I set a personal record for the half marathon.
My overall point is that the run/walk method can make a huge difference in what you can accomplish, and it is possible to “cheat” on the road miles. But doing that for your first time out might not be a good idea.
Build up slowly. Do the small races, like you are talking about, when you are ready. Walk a lot as you get into better shape. And take strength and stretches seriously along the way. It all matters.
Yes, please see a physician.
Running is one of, if not the most stressful things you can do as far as stress to your lower body. Walking is better, biking is probably the least stressful, most bang for your exercise currency of choice.
My wife has a bone on bone knee and is probably going to get a knee replacement in the next year. After a recent cortisone injection she is able to walk short distances without much pain for the first time in several months. If she told me she was considering a 5K, I would think she’d lost her frickin’ mind. I am sure your boyfriend would not have wanted you to cripple yourself in an attempt to honor his memory. Get your joint fully functional again before attempting anything like this.
