I'd really appreciate any advice about this because there seem to be two schools of thought about this sort of thing - carry on exercising to make it stronger or give it up to stop it getting worse.
I had an MCL/ACL something or other in 2020 and during covid used a stationary bike until it got better. However, my current issue is both knees so I think it's unrelated. It's worst when I'm sat down, particularly when driving, and when I stand up, I'm incredibly stiff and have to walk like a cowboy for a minute or so. I went to a physio and they gave me some exercises which help but it persists.
I think it's either runner's knee or the beginnings of arthritis.
I know various people who've stopped running at a certain age and I don't know whether that's what I should be doing to protect it from further damage. I like but don't love running - I do it because it's convenient, I have a regular catch-up with friend and it's fun when you're abroad or in a new city. I'm always counting the metres until I can stop and feel good rather than high when it's done.
In terms of speed, I currently run a c27-28 minute 5k and the 10k is comfortably under an hour. My big love is tennis and I do pilates and strength because I feel I ought to rather than any great inclination. I walk a lot too and the odd bit on a Peloton. Almost everything that gives me joy in life involves my knees so I really don't want to knacker them out.
Give up or keep going? What do you reckon?