[Karen]

Hi all,

I'm just over 40, and have, about 9 weeks ago, had an operation on my left knee to remove some broken cartilage. For the first time in about 10 years, I feel that I can start running again - without the pain in my knee that I used to have before the operation. My right knee had a similar operation about 20 years ago, although that operation did not go as well as this more recent operation. I still have a lot of hesitation about running, and the effects of pounding the pavement; but feel that this is the activity that I'm most keen on (more than cycling or swimming).

My question is: Having a healthy respect for injuries, I need some good advice on shoe-buying. Can somebody please recommend me a good shoe shop where I can buy trainers in my local area? I live in Oxford, but am mobile enough to get to neighbouring towns if I need to like Milton Keynes or Reading (but don't particularly fancy a trip to London though).

I think I pronate (if I understand that term correctly), but really just want good cushioning to prevent excessive shocks in my knees. What are the best brands around these days: Nike? Brooke? Asics?

All shoe advice gratefully received.
Karen

 

[batman]

bourne sports stoke on trent are very good they are on the net and if you get in touch with them they are good no i dont work for them but i have used them many times

 

[Steady Edwina]

As you've had knee problems in the past it might well be worth your while seeking advice from a podiatrist and getting a biomechanical assessment.

 

[steepler]

There is an Up and Running in Oxford and also Fit2Run in Wooton.
Both are excellent running specialists who would be more than able to help you.

 

[Karen]

Hey guys,

Thanks everyone. I found the Up and Running store in Oxford, and yes they were superb. Assessed my running style on a treadmill, and I'm now the proud owner of some Asics Gel Nimbus VIII's. Expensive, but definitely the ones I was most comfortable with. Have been running with them too yesterday, and yes, my knee still hurts a little, but the pain was gone by this morning.

On the recommendation of seeing a podiatrist - as part of the recovery from my knee op, I had several sessions with a physiotherapist - those sessions are now over, but they, and the surgeon, have cleared me for running again, as long as I start slowly.

So that's what I'm doing - 45 secs running, 90 secs walking - x12 repeats. Can't be too bad?

 

[ajn]

Sounds good - you didn't say if you were running on grass or not- but grass would be advisable I think. It would also be worth stregthening the medial glute as this will help your alignment when running. You can do exercises to stregthen every day for a couple of weeks then reduce to just maintenance work by doing a few times then just once a week.
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/ might be helpful.

AJN

 

[Karen]

Thanks AJN,

At the moment I'm running through my local woodland - so sandy paths and stuff like that. There's no local park where I live, and I don't particularly fancy the concrete pavements, as I know that's not the best surface to run on.

Improved my times on Saturday - I guess all the dog walking over the last few years has given me amore fitness than I thought I had.

Where is the medial glute? Somewhere in my bottom? Thanks for the website, I'll take a look through that.

Karen