I want to start running but...?

Question

I am afraid to get arthritis in the knees?

I want to do it everyday for 40 minutes at 7am.

What do you guys recommend? Also, how do you stay motivated? Do you feel way better afterward?

Thank you very much!

Answer 1

If you are worried about your knees, this is all more reason to gradually build to your goal.  I am not sure what kind of shape you are in, but you may want to try a two month buildup where you run 3 times per week and gradually get to the point where you can run 3 miles 3 times a week.  From there you could start adding some extra days and mileage as long as you do it gradually.  It may take you months to get to the point where you can safely run everyday for 40 minutes, but as long as you build gradually, arthritis in the knees will be the last worry on your mind.

Here are things that keep me motivated to keep running:

1) Run with others.  I am on a running team and run with others 2-3 times per week.  There are many clubs out there nationwide that have runners of all abilities.

2) Enter a race.  Road races have runners of all abilities too, so you're not going to finish last.  They are a fun way of meeting other runners and it solidifies your reasons for training.

3) Train on a variety of courses.  Don't run the same course all the time.  Mix it up with some trails, parks, and roads.

I hope this helps.  Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Be sure to have good shoes and stretch properly and you shouldn't have a problem with the knees. I run each weekday (1hour) and haven't had a problem so far. If you're not running at all now though 40m might be too much to start with - you might want to work your way up to that time. :)