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

It's not the end of the world. It's a terrible thing to happen, but over time you'll realize that there are other things you can do in place of running. I don't have a career ending injury, but I have been chronically injured for over a year now. At first, it was the worst thing in the world to not be able to run. But gradually over time I've discovered that there is more to life than running. And while I still miss it, I realize there are other enjoyable things in life. It won't be easy, but over time, hopefully you'll see that this is true.

hey man,

I'm in a similar situation, and though I'm not completely sure I wont be able to run again, its been a year and things dont look good. Ive heard the "take up another sport" spiel, and I agree with you. F*** that. I have just been doing stuff that I genuinely enjoy doing when I can't run. I fish. A lot. It brings me peace and enjoyment - the same stuff I'd get from running. Hang out with a girl you like and go out for a nice meal. But don't dwell on things, its just not worth it. The short of it is you have to do stuff that will make you happy, and while not being able to run is a big loss, its not the be all and end all. Lets face it, most of us aren't going pro and at some point or another, you gotta hang em up. Keep your head up and focus on getting healthy and enjoying other areas of your life aside from running - they do exist, you just might have to dig a little bit. Good luck.

Look on the bright side, you bought yourself a valid excuse to get fat and avoid exercise. So, to answer your question, I'd eat mexican every night and drink lots of margaritas. Sure you'll die early, but you would rather be dead anyway, right? Why not booze it up first?

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I can understand how you feel, there was a time that running meant everything to me too.

However, losing running as not as bad as say losing a parent when you're a teenager.

I would look at things more closely. Why are you not excited about school? Why are you not excited about getting a job you like, if possible? You need to work out why running was the single most important thing in the world to you. How about love?

You sound depressed so I would actually say seek help.

Hope it all works out.

i got a permanent injury several years ago while trying for the oly mara trials standard. it sucked royally. but you discover there are other ways of getting the competitve juices flowing. or if you really love the sport, do what i did - become serious about coaching.

Kinda in the same boat. I have a knee problem that won't go away. I am scheduled to have surgery on it when I get the approval from my insurance carrier. But, I have been a competitive runner for over 30 years. My daughter is running competitively for her high school and it is very hard to not be able to run with her. I hate to swim and do ride bikes on occasion but, it will never replace running especially trail running. I never thought I would be in this position but, I've got alot of miles on my knees and I guess it was a matter of time before they said "No mas!" Good luck with whatever you do.

Coach? Guy I trained with got chronically injured and started helping our coach out with sessions. Ended up taking responsibility for one of the groups we had. He ended up moving away with his job, but in theory he could have gone on to take his badges, develop a group of his own etc. Depends on whether your coach or any coach you know is willing to let you help, whether you want to be that close to running when you can't do it yourself, and whether you have the right temprament for coaching - but it's a good way to still see your mates at the track, pass on some knowledge and help other people.

I would finaly get some sleep.

Swimming, biking, rowing, boxing, grappling, any kind of really intense cardio that gets the HR up to 160-70+ is eons better than doing nothing. You will acquire a taste for it and metabolically it can kick your ass as hard as running. There are cyclists for example who are in phenomenal shape who never run a step. My case was not as bad as your deal but I did get accustomed to other activities when I partially tore an achilles way back when and missed six months and tore a calf another time with a similar lay-off.

Learn all you can and become a great coach.

well man, i can honestly say i am in the same EXACT situation as you.

just a year ago i was running 80 miles a week, building up to a stellar senior year i was hoping to acheive. i did everything to be great, changed my running form, switched to flats, ran barefoot on golf courses at night, the lydiard way,etc etc.

so anyways, long story short. i was doing a hard 9 miler (first 4 in 27, last 5 in 30, i can still remember those splits to this day)and i turned onto my street, and heard a pop in my knee. from then on ive never been the same. i can still "run" like 7-8 minute miles, but after 20 mins or so my knee gives out, and forget about sprinting, i can turnover my right leg fast enough to do so. so i was crushed. i thought about suicide (why live if you cant do what you want right?) but eventually ive come to accept my fate.

theres alot of good things that ive learned from running:

1) hard work = great success

2) ive already had a "great" body so now its easy to maintain it

3) my personality (independent) was largely developed from my experiences with running/training

so now that i cant run, ive learn that i no longer want to be skinny, so now after 2 months of working out, ive bulked up and im the one getting the "muscle man" or "swoldier" routine. thats what i do now, i just workout to stay in shape, and live life man. its hard but you move on

I'd take up dirt biking. Sounds like you have room for improvement in that sport.

look into cycling. the main reason you like running so much is the endorphin release, whether or not you want to admit it.

because of the non-impact nature of cycling, you can workout a lot longer per day than running too.

It is situations like this that test your character and faith.

You are in the middle of a miserable battle.

Win this one, you will be better for it.

I am sorry this has happened to you.

Put your efforts into finding a way to run. You weren't a world record holder, so continue to channel your efforts into runnng as fast as you can. I imagine there is a way to run, regardless of your fused ankle.

While you are healing, kick your ass on the stationary bike.

Go buy one, or get your parents to buy one for you.

Crank on that mother*ucker until you are dead everyday. Play speed metal and get pissed on the bike. I AM SERIOUS DUDE. You will get into shape and be able to kick some ass.

Pull the trigger

study the sport and then coach

Redneck wrote:

It is situations like this that test your character and faith.

You are in the middle of a miserable battle.

Win this one, you will be better for it.

I am sorry this has happened to you.

Put your efforts into finding a way to run. You weren't a world record holder, so continue to channel your efforts into runnng as fast as you can. I imagine there is a way to run, regardless of your fused ankle.

While you are healing, kick your ass on the stationary bike.

Go buy one, or get your parents to buy one for you.

Crank on that mother*ucker until you are dead everyday. Play speed metal and get pissed on the bike. I AM SERIOUS DUDE. You will get into shape and be able to kick some ass.

It is physically impossible to run with a fused ankle.

oh and i dont think you can cycle properly with a fused ankle either