What would you do if you couldn't run anymore?

to the original poster....... there is an option if you want to continue running. You could have a transtibial amputation and run with a prosthetic. While that may sound drastic, a leg with a fused ankle is pretty worthless- most of your leg muscles are now redundant anyway. Think about it: would you rather be crippled with a natural leg or active with a prosthetic one? Plus, if you were a good able-bodied runner you might be a candidate to set paralympic records..... something that could be pretty cool. Think about it.

This may sound extreme, but is amputation a possibility? I did a quick google search, and found a post where one guy chose amputation instead of having a fused ankle. Running with a prosthetic is possible.

You beat me to it.

I am not familiar with fused ankles, or how much weight you can put on it. I'm guessing that this would prohibit you from doing any type of running for any length of time (even sprinting)? If so, I kind of agree with the guy that suggesting going the weight training route. No kidding - I've found that the same challenges that would fire me up for long runs and speed workouts are what also draws me to weight training and body building. Additionally, with your(assumed) light weight, you could focus on strength competitions, which are segregated by weight class. Your probably low body fat would aid you as your strength to weight ratio is probably pretty good. Just a thought...of course, if you don't like it, it's not worth doing....just like anything else in life. I will say that having been very skinny and very muscular during the course of my life, there is a certain great primative feeling about having size and strength - hey, it's worth looking into, and it would eat up all that extra time you have on your hands.

"fused ankle" means you have no movement at all in the foot. You can't use your calves to push off and you can't use your front shin muscles to point your toe up. Your limb is good for nothing other than walking on flat ground. You cannot run or jump or do any type of lower body weight training other than knee extensions and hamstring curls.

I wuld say coach...amputating your leg to run i dont think is worth it. Because once u are an amputee you wont be competitve like u were. Coaching is a great way to stay close to the sport and by taking up a similar activity it will help heal a lot of what you miss about running.

Running was my life too. Due to injury, I went from 100 mile weeks to 0 in my mid 20's. I

I messed around for 6 years before finding something to replace the running lifestyle.

It wasn't easy, but now I regret not getting on with life sooner.

This story leaves so much to wonder about? How did fmr runner get injured permanently? What replaced it after six years? What kind of "messing around"? I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Fmr runner? Care to comment?

whoa. JEH still posts on this board? what's next, a comeback from Portland Runner?

Get certified to be an official and give back to the sport.

Nor swim.

I'd just take up jogging instead.

multitple knee surgeries have made walking even painful at times.

Since I can't run anymore, I joined a gym; lift some weights, do my cardio on the elliptical and the stationary bikes, etc....but still follow track and distance running as a fan. (and I used to run 120 mpw in my prime)

Post on Letsrun.

Get out the paintball guns!

yes, that too......As an 'old guy' who ran in the 70's and 80's, I feel I can 'give' alot of info. , that I learned the hard way, to the young guys, who are going thru the various things I did, at their age. (ie, training, injuries, etc)

Hey man, I can say I know how you feel...a year ago I was in a car accident where I broke my back...had a spine fusion, and had many internal issues including the removal of a kidney among other unmentionables. I was told running wasn't a great idea for my back...tried it anyways, it hasn't worked so great, with all my health issues it is just breaking down my body and I've had to stop running for now atleast. I bought a road bike recently and I have rode that thing into the ground and have found it to be really fun. I'm starting to get my competitive drive doing towards it and its awsome. Running is not looking great for the future, and its taken a year but I've realized the future. Running used to mean everything to me in high school but now I'm a freshman in college and college is great, and biking makes it even better. Take it a day at a time and it'll help.

Yes it is possible!!!!!

12 years ago I was in a walking cast, flipped my ankle, chip fracture, was able to CYCLE OVER 100 MPW, use the step machine, the concept 2 rower, go for long walks, almost everything except swim & run.

Maybe an intensive course in yoga might get some mobility, knew someone who had a plate put in his ankle and was able to jog very slowly on it, maybe no where near what he used to do butthey he was running on it.

All the best

Chris

start smoking weed