My running career is over

see another doctor. fight like hell.

How bad is it? Can you still jog at all? Hike? Walk?

Try Hoka's. 3-5x the foam of a usual running shoe, yet still light weight. http://www.hokaoneone.com Have helped several people with cartilage loss in their knee and these shoes are what enabled them to run again, at least a bit!

Bummers.

On the other hand, Bernard Lagat, Bob Kennedy and Frank Shorter had running careers, you had a running hobby. Life will go on and you'll find something to fill the void and get used to not running.

Have you thought about walking? Movement is good for osteoarthritis, and walking is low impact and natural to the body. Walk/hike at scenic areas, and bring a camera. Rowing is great too-- great cardiovascular workout, and it's thrilling once you get the hang of it and working in sync with others.

3/10

Mountaineering and climbing. The greatest.

Point well taken on the career versus hobby thing. That said, this hobby meant A LOT to me. I am physically miserable not running - it's like my body aches.

The shoes mentioned - what the heck? It can't hurt to try - or can it?

Even walking is painful at this point. The elyptical machine hurts. Even the stationary bike presents some pain.

To the troll rater - I would give almost anything to be a troll right now. Unfortunately, I'm not. I honestly wish I was trolling.

Yeah, give the Hokas a shot. Try the Bondi B.

Adopt a plant-based whole foods diet and fight osteoarthritis with all you got.

Osteoarthritis ended my career at 23, and like you I was devastated at first. I even got involuntarily committed to a psych ward over it. Six years later, I now realize that it was a huge mistake to have organized my life around an activity as silly as running, and I'm much happier and better looking without it. I hate to say it, but most people who depend on running lead vacuous lives devoid of other values. As for other exercise, you need HIT strength training. In conjunction with proper diet (no more male bulimia of using running to purge calories), you can develop a much better physique than you ever had as a runner.

Not to sound like a troll, but seriously barefoot running.

You probably never had much of a career running anyway. Buy an expensive bike and start cycling. The chicks are usually hotter and it is more social than running.

Figured about 50% d-bag responses, I was close.

Sucks, no doubt. Potential solution? Motorcycle.

It sounds stupid, but I have a friend who had to give up cycling, and he said buying a motorcycle and getting outside to ride on beautiful days was what kept him sane.

Cry me a freaking river!

A piece of grissle goes pop and its over. That is basically how all running careers end. You knew that, deep down you knew that.

Nut up and find another outlet.

I suggest cycling.

How do people suddenly get to the stage where they are crippled with what appears to be no build up of pain leading up to that point?

So life as a runner was all sunshine and bliss with no warning signs at all?

I feel for you - I have no idea how I would order my life without running. No idea.

But you know what - I would find something. Swimming, cycling, hiking, something that does almost the same thing.

You have a window here - you are young and can find something to do for decades - grab it and go, man.

there is no crying in running!

Take up bowling. Don't diss it - it is a very good workout...the nachos are usually warm and tasty - the pitchers of beer usually warm too but cheap. The women are warm but - alas - they are cheap too. Not sure why I do bowling.

On serious note - you have nothing to lose - I had to give up running 20 years ago - your condition maybe much worse than mine - but had bad arthritis in knees - took gluscomanine - and was running 6 miles 2 weeks later - did 15 yesterfday at age of 52! Never had to take that stuff after 2 weeks. Again - you mabye much worse than I but wont' hurt. Good luck!

Hoggish, then why are you on Letsrun? I'm guessing you're story is fake since you're life still revolves around running as does anyone's who posts on letsrun.