For everyone trying to save a buck or two on running shoes...DONT...5 weeks away from basic and both knees are in bad shape because i was dumb for a day and thought 40$ shoes are the same as my usual 100$ shoes...Im about as far as materialistic as they come so don't take it that way, but i just had on knee injected with 2 kinds of serum and the other is having to go to phys. therapy 4 times a week and i still might not b ok by the time D-day comes...And if i am ok, im still not able to run for this last 5 weeks...Not posting this for pity, learn from my dumb mistakes so u dont have this happen. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif" alt="" />

Note taken...but keep in mind when you get to Basic, they're going to issue you running shoes that you and your whole flight are gonna have to use...and last I checked, they're basic New Balances', nothing special. As far as keeping up on your cardio...look into getting some extra time in the pool, not nearly as hard on the joints (if at all possible...it sounds like you're in rough shape...def talk to your doc first tho. That said, good luck to you on your recovery.

I don't know if you get to CrossFit, but there are a lot of advocates of the POSE running method there, which as I understand it, involves reducing your heel strike. I just got fitted for some hiking boots by someone who knew what there were doing, and he talked me into some inserts to eliminate pronation, which made sense. At the same time, he said that everything starts with how your heel hits. Logically, if you can reduce the heel strike, you ought to be able to reduce the EFFECTS of the heel strike. There are a lot of Africans that run with no shoes at all. I doubt their feet are genetically different than ours.

As far as rehab and staying in shape, keep pool running in mind. I've read that you can roughly maintain conditioning with it, and of course there is no impact stress.

I have talked with some guys i know because i was aware that they will not let me have my shoes and they said that u are allowed to fit your shoes with inserts, so i have that going for me...As for the pain, this is unbelievable i know, i can hardly believe it myself, but everything is gone after wearing these shoes for 1 day...Amazing...Im not gonna be running until the doctor clears me and have been going to the pool more because i also have heard of people having problems with running, taking time off and then coming back after swimming and not losing anything...I really appreciate your advice fellas, and this wont ever happen again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif" alt="" />

If we're on the same page, I apologize, but check this link out to be sure: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-78-82-0-5536,00.html

Pool running is excellent, specific cross training. Supposedly it actually tends to increase your range of motion.

MTIs at BMT can allow you to use you own running shoes. If they don't then they are only being overly anal about their dorm which is the norm.

Technically this is correct now that i think about it...my TI did say it's authorized, however, highly discouraged as it does tend to make you stand out like a sore thumb. I think (though not positive) that the shoes have to be 'color coordinated' with the rest of your pt uniform. I.E. - pick some shoes that are 'low key'...nothing that looks like you could stop traffic at 3 a.m.

ill take the sore thumb over sore knees anyday...a little extra pt and running will do me good...

Bandrus -

Depending on the extent of you knee problems and your ROM then you should still be able to aquajog. I know when you go to the pool and see the old ladies doing it you feel like you will be losing something. However, from experience (had to for 5wk due to a stress fx) it is possible to aquajog and maintain your current level of fitness, it is just a matter of staying mentally fit.

Hopefully things start imporving for you soon and you can try getting on a bike.

yeah i went and aqua jogged and the pain came right back...tryin to stay positive though, i guess im just gona haveta force myself to just swim, do underwaters, and the necessary upper body conditioning and hopefully 5 weeks is plenty. The doctors cant find anything wrong structurally with it which tells me its a muscle, so i guess well see... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif" alt="" />

A note on buying new running shoes. Everyone has different arches, so it is a good idea to go to a running specialty store where they have a treadmil to film you on. This way they can see how your foot strikes the ground and set you up with a pair of shoes that works for you. Good luck!

I haven't had a problem with this. I went to Big 5 and bought a pair of off-brand running shoes for like 20 bucks and I haven't had a problem with them, they've worked just fine. Had 'em for about 2 months now running 30 miles/week typically.

well just know that my problem literally came in one day out of nowhere...i was running one day and the next having trouble walking upstairs to my apt....better safe then sorry my friend

The only other idea that i can offer to you is to stay off of it as much as possible. When I say this I dont mean dont run or limit your walking. When other that I ran with in college, or even myself were hurt in season with a leg injury we tried to keep off of it. We would go into the training room get a boot for stress fx in your shin or foot and even get on crutches. The only problem with this is that you will lose some of your range of motion so you have to make sure you are stretching plenty, but not weight bearing.

As a side not make sure you are eating properly so that your body will be able to repair its self quickly, remeber that the joints in your body are contain a large percentage of fluid, make sure that you are hydrating even if you dont feel that you need to. Improper hydration can lead to joint problems.

yeah im trying everything i can...i get an MRI on thurs...gonna go get some crutches...very frustrated but a little faith can go a long way, i leave iowa city today and plan on doing nothing but commuting in between my couch and the pool until basic, ill be good to go..thanks for the advice

Have the Dr's given you any info on what they think it might be? I got an MRI on my knee yesterday and waiting to hear what the results are. Hopefully it's a tear. If it's PFS(Patella Femoral Syndrome), there isn't a fix for it. It just comes and goes. I've been doing a lot of research on it and can point you in the right direction. Just let me know. The main thing I've read and been told by my Physical Therapist is to stretch the ITB.

Anyways, good luck. I feel your pain w/climbing stairs.

no the x ray's for my knee look perfect and when he prods around he says all the ligaments, ACL, MCL are strong, the muscles are strong and the hammy is strong..I get an MRI on thursday...Whats with the wishing its a tear? I dont get it? And whats the ITB? Mine hurts at the top of the knee but doesnt hurt at the touch, it hurts alot more to go down the stairs than to go up this is all that i know of it,I dont feel it when im just walking, it feels better on some days than others...let me know if u have these symptoms and most likely u will get ur MRI back before me so let me know on that too..

and how long does that PFS take to heal before it decides to go away

Well it is PFS, no need for MRI...Doc also told me this sometimes ends peoples athletic careers...bummer...he said my hamstrings and calves were real tight...there isnt a way to predict how long it will take to heal..ive still got 3 1/2 weeks, hopefully thatll b enough

ITB is the illiotibial band simply runs down the side of your leg...when the upper end gets tight it rubs the outside portion of your knee that it rubs over...

As far as PFS ending an athletic career I am yet to hear of that in all the years I have been running..make sure you are stretching really good...something else you may want to look into is a massage (not a feel good massage, deep tissue to strip your muscles down, it will be painful and leave you bruised but it can do some amazing things if you go to the proper place. I'll talk to one of my friends and see where he used to go when he ran for Wartberg...not sure if that is close to you but I'll ask.

Check your yahoo mail for the message that I sent you.

jimmy