Retiring from running. What can I do instead?

[Knitjob]

I need to stop running. I have arthritis in my feet and I feel I've run as long as is sensible. My arthritis is in my big toe joints meaning I can't stand on my tiptoes, or bend my toes in that direction.

I will still do the odd triathlon but not do much running training.
I like cycling but I live in a city and have been hit by a car so i have the fear a bit. I also have the beginnings of arthritis in my elbows so that's not great either.

I enjoy swimming a lot. There is no swim club or anything near me though so that feels a bit solitary. I quite like being able to say 'half marathon' to people and they have an idea of how far that is. If I say 'I swam 1.5km today' people don't really get that. I underdtand that's a shallow reason for choosing a sport but it's part of the satisfaction of it I think. And I quite like having people to rank myself against.

So what other sports can I do? What haven't I thought of? My sons do martial arts but I think that's too much bouncing about on my feet, I'm not nimble or quick enough with my feet any more, and too much potential for someone to bash my feet by mistake which is really sore.

I want to keep up my cardio fitness, that's important to me. But any sort of hiit, step class, I can't do those. Too much jumping on my toes.

It's so depressing. But I have no choice about the things I can't do. Please help me find something new to love.

[squifflybobs]

I do Boxercise. If you do a class with gloves and pads ( rather than actual sparring or kick boxing) feet don't come into it much. Not sure how much stress it puts on elbows though, I've had no problems with mine.

Or have you done spin? No worries about cars !

Although not team activities, I find there's good camaraderie in both these classes- you might get to work with a partner in some boxercise . It's amazing for arm and core strength too.

[greencatbluecat]

Rowing? It's sitting down. Good strength and cardio workout.

[Weathergirl1]

Not sure about rowing as you will need to bend your feet at the front end of the stroke to get to full compression. You can row shorter keeping your feet flat but you're not going to be as effective at getting as much power down. Also, rowing does move the elbows, although the pressure on them will be different to cycling.

Whereabouts in the country are you? Are you near a river with a rowing club? Indoor rowing is obviously a lot more accessible, but if you want to be competitive you really could do with being taught how to move properly (most gym instructors have zero idea). I do know of rowers with arthritis who cope with it okay (one of the Paralympian rowers in the GB team for London and Rio has arthritis) but obviously it could be in a different place to yours.

If you could cycle, then I'd also suggest getting a decent turbo trainer and Swift as a safer alternative to road cycling.

[Weathergirl1]

*Zwift not Swift

[Knitjob]

I've only ever rowed on a rowing machine in the gym and it's the worst thing because you have to bend your feet like someone above said. I guess it's the same in actual rowing.

Don't you have to bounce around on your feet a bit for boxing? It's hard to explain exactly how it hurts me. If my feet are flat it's fine, but anything remotely standing on my toes is really sore.

I think it's going to have to be some sort of swimming thing. I just need to find a way to make it feel more competitive, if that's the right word.

[CMOTDibbler]

Open water swimming - I absolutely love it and when you tell people you swam 2 miles in a river they are amazed. 10km is the marathon of ow swimming and there are loads of events

[Knitjob]

How do you get started with that? I don't know anyone who does it. Is it not really cold?

[Ethelswith]

Kayaking, if you like being on water. You do press your feet into the oit rests, but youndon't have to flex them at all. Clubs are usually very friendly

[CMOTDibbler]

You can look for venues on Wild Swim and on the websites of local tri clubs. Theres also a very active group on FB which is vvv supportive.
Its starting to get cooler now, but swimming in cold water is really good for you physically and mentally. When its warmer I don't wear a wetsuit, but do now, and will add gloves/socks/neoprene hat and so on during the winter (first year I've swum through)

[SwanneeKazoo]

Is there a Masters swimming club near you? I think you can be as competitive as you want - I'm not a member but they meet three times a week at the pool I go to and tear up and down the pool. There seems to be some coaching as well, but I suppose that may vary between the individual clubs.

[Knitjob]

The other thing I love about running is how easy it is. If you've only got half an hour you can still do something worthwhile. There's no chance of getting to the pool for half an hour.
Maybe I should think about some sort of indoor bike. Exercise bikes seem like such a joke thing though, everyone is always going on about how they end up as clothes horses.

[CMOTDibbler]

You could put your existing bike on a turbo and then either drive your bike outside the city to ride or find a group to ride with which feels safer.
If your elbows are an issue, try some clip on tri bars as they let you take all the weight off, and no pressure on your hands.

[squifflybobs]

Yes boxing is pretty flat footed. I did it today- you kind of shuffle back and forth. You can also do it standing still- although there is a bit of ducking and twisting. When I started we didn't move feet at all to allow us to learn the move combinations without worrying about feet- sure you could just carry on doing it like that

[lljkk]

Can you find a pool to go to that offers Swimtag?
www.swimtag.net/
They have challenges, competitions, league tables, the lot.

[lljkk]

Isn't Zwift social, league tables, challenges, competitions, etc.? All from an exercise bike iirc.

[lljkk]

Zwift: www.tri247.com/uncategorized/kitchen-sink-zwift-workout

[WhatIsThisTomfoolery]

Running for me is appealing because it's outdoors

Walking netball?
Outdoor bootcamp?
Horse riding?
Water volleyball?

[WhatIsThisTomfoolery]

I also quite fancy golf...does that appeal?

[Knitjob]

I've read about zwift and it sounds great. I'm a bit wary about spending all that money though then not using it enough.
I also read this article in a cycling magazine reviewing turbo trainers and it put me right off by talking about sweat dripping everywhere and how you shouldn't do it on a carpet.
I wish I knew someone who had one. I'll have to see if there are any you can ride on in the local sports shops

[CMOTDibbler]

Sweat drips if you use them somewhere unventilated and ride really, really hard. Ours goes in the dining room with the patio doors open and on a mat and its really not that bad. We all watch TV on the ipad propped on the bars while doing turbo

[unsaltedmixednuts]

Local gym may have Watt Bikes which are an upmarket version of a turbo trainer, that you could try out? Zwift is brilliant. You can put towels around the bike for sweat (yuk I know) big fan in front of the bike too. Obvs if you did it in the gym you don't have to worry about their carpet! How about some of the Les Mills classes they are brilliant, loads to try out.