MCSASSY
I like your new icon.. good for you for never quitting. Your quote at the top is very inspiring. I'm in the same boat that you were in June and I really found inspiration by what what you wrote. How're you doing so far?? 3430 days ago
I don't want to say "never" but a half-marathon isn't in the plans now. This year will be the year of 10ks. I'll run the Marine Corps 10k in October, maybe another one in early 2012 and one in early Summer.
Then! If 10ks start feeling easier, MAYBE I'll up the mileage.
Different people probably have different knee problems, so I'm not sure if my experience would help you or not. But, I'll tell you what I do.
1. become a strong walker first. 2. very gradually, add short runs to your workouts. 3. do your walk/runs consistently so that the support muscles of the knee keep getting stronger and stay that way. 4. allow at least 2 days of rest in between runs. (You can do strength training, or pure walks on those days.) 5. learn good strength training exercises for the knees, such as squats, and do them regularly. Learn to do them correctly and safely. 6. learn good stretches for the knees and knee support muscles. 7. follow an established program for beginning runners. I used the "First Day to 5k" podcast program to start. (You can google it.) 8. Take longer with each stage of the program than they suggest. (For me, they suggested 3 runs a week and I did 2. They suggested moving on to the next workout after 3, I didn't move on until I had done each workout 4 times.)
Hope these ideas help, or, at least, are food for thought!
WISSABEE
Yay!! I'm so glad to hear from you!! I kept checking back to see if you'd been on your page. I've been trying hard to maintain, but I'm expecting (due in Oct.), so now I know I'll be working hard again after this fall. I'm just sooo glad you're here again!!! 3515 days ago