I've started 2 new things recently - a new job and running on the treadmill (well, trying to teach myself to run, at least). The problem is, I now have sore knees, and I'm not sure what the exact cause is, and what I can do to avoid it.
First of all, they're not really bad. I can still walk, without limping, but they are sore.
Obviously, I've been running, but not all that much yet. Every other day or less often, 30 minutes of half running (5.5 - 6mph) half walking (4mph). Yesterday, I stepped it up a bit and did three quarters running. It's all on the treadmill (ie, cushioned surface), but in my trainers, not running shoes. I didn't want to spend money on running shoes for something I might not stick at.
My new job has me sitting all day, driving a bus. It's automatic, so only my right leg is doing any work, but the position of the pedals pushes my leg out to the right from the knee down. My knee joint is kind of twisted a bit sideways, I think. My right knee hurts most.
I'm not sure whether it's the running causing it and the job agravating it, or the other way around.
Obviously, I can't stop the job, and I don't want to stop running, so I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to at least control it. I always have 1 or 2 days off between runs, but I generally do something else, such as cycling on those days. I'm thinking of wearing knee supports while exercising, and maybe at work as well. Would that be worth it? Would it be worth wearing them all the time to give my knees time to recover? Is this likely to get worse, or go away as my knees "get used to" the extra strain? Should I run on an uphill gradient to ease the impact with each stride?
I've had knee problems before, 10 years ago when I was line dancing regularly. I think that was caused by the twisting movement, and I kept dancing through it, and it went away. But I'm 10 years older now, and I don't want to risk damaging my knees.
Suggestions, anyone?
First of all, they're not really bad. I can still walk, without limping, but they are sore.
Obviously, I've been running, but not all that much yet. Every other day or less often, 30 minutes of half running (5.5 - 6mph) half walking (4mph). Yesterday, I stepped it up a bit and did three quarters running. It's all on the treadmill (ie, cushioned surface), but in my trainers, not running shoes. I didn't want to spend money on running shoes for something I might not stick at.
My new job has me sitting all day, driving a bus. It's automatic, so only my right leg is doing any work, but the position of the pedals pushes my leg out to the right from the knee down. My knee joint is kind of twisted a bit sideways, I think. My right knee hurts most.
I'm not sure whether it's the running causing it and the job agravating it, or the other way around.
Obviously, I can't stop the job, and I don't want to stop running, so I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to at least control it. I always have 1 or 2 days off between runs, but I generally do something else, such as cycling on those days. I'm thinking of wearing knee supports while exercising, and maybe at work as well. Would that be worth it? Would it be worth wearing them all the time to give my knees time to recover? Is this likely to get worse, or go away as my knees "get used to" the extra strain? Should I run on an uphill gradient to ease the impact with each stride?
I've had knee problems before, 10 years ago when I was line dancing regularly. I think that was caused by the twisting movement, and I kept dancing through it, and it went away. But I'm 10 years older now, and I don't want to risk damaging my knees.
Suggestions, anyone?
) and slowly worked my way up. I have talked to a lot of other runners and even some pros lately and the general concesus is, it will hurt when you start. It will be sore. I will take time.