My running career is over

Best of luck man. Hope you find a way to run again, but if not I bet you will find a replacement that brings you satisfaction. There is something about the natural rhythm of running that is amazing, but in time I bet you could come to love biking, swimming, hiking, xc skiing, kayaking etc. There are a lot of fun activities out there.

Have you considered a knee replacement? You're not really supposed to run on them, but you could probably go for an occasional jog and at least be more active in general.

I'll retire when paula radcliffe retire. anyways paula never retire.

Sorry for your loss, but good God man get yourself together. Running is fun, enjoyable and good for you in a lot of ways, but it's a freakin' hobby, dude.

Runners are so f*ckin weird.

Is pool running an option? If so, then consider purchasing a waterproof ipod and take it up.

I had to get in the pool after a hip stress fracture last fall. I swear it's the next best thing compared to real running. You can also burn a ton of calories and get a great resistance workout.

Good luck. Please keep us posted.

another guest wrote:

Is pool running an option? If so, then consider purchasing a waterproof ipod and take it up. I swear it's the next best thing compared to real running.

No it's not. It's effin boring.

The next best thing would be cycling but with a destroyed knee that's probably not a good idea either. Take up weightlifting...

If you live near water, kayaking seems like a good idea to me. No pressure on the knees and it's a lot of fun. Get to see some cool scenery too depending on where you go.

I'm so sorry to hear of your situation; it could easily happen to any of us and of course we all hope it never will. I remember being devastated when my PT told me I'd have to take a month off for Achillies Tendonitis; I can't imagine how it would feel knowing you can't run EVER. Best of luck to you.

Of course, besides the social network and the lifestyle, you're also losing a sport at which you've gained considerable mastery. You have to go through a period of mourning -- it's natural -- kind of like losing a loved one, only its kind of a death of yourself. However, you don't need to go it alone. Maybe talk to a sports psychologist -- yours isn't the first career ending injury. Cultivate a more expansive social network. Amazingly, you really can find lots of people who are living wonderful, admirable lives without running. Spend some time with them, doing things they like to do. I don't mean that you abandon your old friends -- maybe they can give you some support as well -- but look at this as an opportunity to find new adventures, not only in athletics but in the world.

SMJO wrote:

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?

This is actually quite a good point.

Maybe replace running with coaching? With a little studying plus your experience, you can maybe find purpose in life and still stay involved in running. I'm faced with the same outcome...depends how my leg injuries heal after an accident.

SWIM

Okay, the youtube video gave me my first good laugh in a long time. And the link was a good one. I was told we could try microfracture, but that it "probably wouldn't help". At this point, I'm considering it because, hey, I already can't run, so it can't get any worse.

Those of you telling me to get over it and move on, yes, that's what I'll do. It's just that right now, I am deeply saddenned by this. I'm sure that in 10 years, I'll have a new life with new activities, but the thought of life without running is very, very sad for me.

No real advice, but just want to send best wishes your way. I'm totally a hobby jogger, but I'd be devastated if I was told I had to stop. I hope you find a way to run or at least find something to fill that void.

In mourning wrote:

Anyone else delt with the involuntary end of their running? How did you cope? How did you stay in shape? What did you replace running with, both for exercise, and for general fulfillment in life?

Signed,

Depressed and crying

Similar situation. I'm 45, started running at age 11, did the typical Xc & track all the way through college. I've had a knee issue that just will NOT go away. Foam rolling, PT, injections, squats till Im blue in the face...

I'm coming to the realization that this may be 'the end' And yes, it is a very very sad time.

For everyone saying "just go hiking!" That's great, but in running you have your running friends and you have competition. When you lose running, you lose all that. I still enjoy hitting local road races to see what I can do. Sure it's quite a few clicks slower than my college days, but it would be insane to expect my 45 self to run like my 25 yr old self. You still set goals and work to hit them. It's fun and it drives you.

To lose running is to lose a lot, especially if you are really invested in the sport. And I will add that it's one thing to have it taken, another to step away due to boredom or the need for another challenge. But as Ive heard about baseball, everyone wants to retire on a walk off HR, but usually it's a dribbler up the center field.

I feel ya man.. it sucks.

you want slap in the face honesy. It's probably good that this happened, it's clear you were addicted to the running lifestyle.

to limit yourself with only one activity is kinda sad.

Time to grow up a little too. sounds like you need it.

You let running define you, instead of you defining running.

no matter how bad it gets....dont shoot your girlfriend.

I would also recommend buying an expensive bike and get into cycling. I recently got hooked due to a running injury and have really grown to love cycling.

I am not a fast runner but I love doing workouts, covering long distances, and participating in local races. You can do all of these things on a bike (and cover huge distances) but with zero impact. I can ride a hard workout, hammering hills and riding at my lactate threshold for an extended period of time and not be sore at all the next day.

In my area there are tons of group rides, both social "ride for fun drink beer afterward" and serious "go out and hammer" type groups. While I'll probably never get into track cycling or riding in criteriums, riding in a road race is an absolute blast. Taking turns at the front absolutely hammering and pushing yourself to the max, then tucking in behind someone else while they take their turn suffering...very much reminds me of the college days cranking out mile repeats on the track or a long tempo run.

I think the key here is to buy something high end and get your money's worth (use it!). If you buy an entry level bike you can get a workout but you aren't going to be able to keep up with other fit guys until/unless you develop some serious fitness yourself. Spend $1500 - $3000 on a carbon fiber bike with good components and if you live in a cold area, buy a Kinetic Road Machine or CycleOps trainer so you can get some fitness going indoors. Seriously, you will be amazed at how hard you can work and recover so quickly with no impact exercise.

www.bikeforums.net

is a good resource to find out more

Walter P. Cronkite the Master wrote:

you want slap in the face honesy. It's probably good that this happened, it's clear you were addicted to the running lifestyle.

to limit yourself with only one activity is kinda sad.

Time to grow up a little too. sounds like you need it.

You let running define you, instead of you defining running.

Yes, I realize all you say is true. I did let my hobby running define me, way too much. Now I feel like almost every conversation I have has me answering, "why aren't you running anymore?" That tells me a lot. I didn't even realize how wrapped up in running I was. Thus, it REALLY hurts when it's over.

I know I made a HUGE mistake in wrapping so much of myself up in my hobby, and now I'm paying the price. As much as it hurts (and it HURTS!), maybe being broken of it may in fact make me a better person. That's just tough to see now because I'm still mourning the loss of something that I loved so much.