Runners face and knees

[CarmenSanfrancisco]

I took up C25K in lockdown 1. I’m a pretty poor runner but I really enjoyed it, not a huge amount of exercise as such but it clears my head.

However, I’m also 35 and starting to age. I mentioned I was running to a (very beautiful, well maintained) acquaintance and she said she’d never run to avoid the risk of a droopy runners face. My gym instructor is also extremely anti running for the impact on knees.

I guess I just wanted to ask about other peoples experience of running. Do you regret it? On the one hand, I really enjoy it but obviously don’t want to bugger my face and knees for the future. I’m not sure if these concerns only apply to serious runners or the occasional 5k as well? I’m desk based so I really struggle to fit in enough steps in the time I have each day without a run. I’ve tried researching it but most research seems pretty inconclusive.

I think some runners who do marathon type distances carry so little body fat that they look quite gaunt.
I highly doubt running 5km a couple of times a week will have that effect.

Oh and I splashed out on proper running shoes fitted at a running shop where they check your gait, they helped.

@UrAWizHarry

Running being harmful to knees is a myth.

DH's background included making metal knee joints. He would disagree with you.

For PF - get a ball and roll out your feet. Helps tremendously.

For boobs - shock absorber run bra. (I am currently in a 36G so I understand these issues)

Good luck! Join parkrun and start doing the Saturday 5k when we are allowed in the meantime, "not-parkrun" and strava keeps me going.

Op you need a face bra

Answering your questions, I have naturally tight hamstrings and tight achilles which is a contributory factor. I also over pronate

I ran on and off (mostly on) from about my mid twenties up until about 18 months ago (am now 52)

Probably 3 x per week, around 12-15 miles weekly - although there were some periods of 20-25 miles per week.

I ran > 1000 miles in 2020 and am medical so know a bit about faces and knees.
I think there are far greater risks to knees in being inactive and/or overweight. And any sagging of my face is vastly outweighed by the massive smile on it because running makes me so happy.

If you enjoy running, go for it.

Allotmentgardner - it's gone way beyond that I am afraid. There's plantar fasciitis and there's plantar fasciitis if you know what I mean.

Also I bet there are no men worrying about "runner's face". Yet another stick to beat women with.

I missed answering one question - yes I started to get niggly problems with my feet (including moretons neuroma) and the PF came on gradually

Took up running at 50. Now 58. Have fibromyalgia and it’s helped hugely. No problems with knees and face is better than many my age lol! Ignore the nay sayers!

Runner here. Runner’s face is total nonsense but tbh even if it wasn’t, I’d rather have all the benefits of running in terms of cardiovascular and mental health and a saggy face. Running can be problematic for people who are carrying a lot of extra weight due to the impact - but there are ways to do it safely. A really good PT would engage you in strengthening exercises and prehab (flexibility, stretching) to compliment your running, not just say ‘it’s not good’. I would strongly suspect anyone who said that of not being a particularly confident trainer tbh.

@LimitIsUp

I regret it. I ran for years and it contributed to my severe and debilitating plantar fasciitis- which means I can't walk without heel pain

Oh my gosh, I have developed this also. Wearing insoles has gone some way to helping, but it can be very painful. Sorry to derail op, but what have you found helps? Will it have been how prone I am to injury when running that has brought this on? My plantar fasciitis seemingly came on from nowhere.

Everyday is painful.

Don’t run too much too fast, if you go from nothing to daily you may not develop the strength to support your knees. Try to run on grass/trails some of the time so you aren’t on concrete/tarmac the whole time. But it will do you way more good than harm.

@TheClitterati

The 'face bra' is hilarious!

OP, have a look at 'barefoot running, or running with a fore/midfoot landing. The impact injuries come from landing on our heels (bang!) rather than using the body's natural suspension system (bending at the metatarsophalangeal joints and the ankle. Boing!)

I think runner's face is a myth, but would also be helped by smoother landings even if it were true. Doesn't fat cause jowly double chins anyway? So if runner's face is true, we're damned if we do and damned if we don't. I'd rather be jowly and slim than jowly and overweight. And that's without even bringing sanity into the equation...

Oh Christ never heard of runners face, what is this fresh hell 😂. Mid thirties I think everything starts to sag so just do what makes you happy. Sadly caught a glimpse of myself in the window reflection the other day flailing about to a dance video and there was many a body part flapping about, and am aware I resemble an angry asthmatic piglet while running but I’m not going to stop dancing or running because it makes me feel good!

I’m so impressed you still run long distance - I am wheezing my way though c25k in my 30s.

OP I wheeze! I'm asthmatic and fairly slow but aim to run around 30 miles a week in training for ultras. I only started in my 40's, keep going, maybe join a club (when we can) if you struggle with motivation. Made great friends and had fantastic adventures over the years. Yes some people get injured but not everyone, doing strength training helps a lot not to. Lunges and squats are great to strengthen your glutes etc. Forget the face thing! Good luck!

P.s. some actual advice: start v slowly, make sure you warm up and stretch, and stretch after as well (lots of nice YouTube videos for this), make a good playlist or if you have Apple Music etc they have lots of workout playlists on there. Don’t be afraid to stop halfway and walk for a bit, I always do.

Ultimate - re what has helped:
*I have insoles with arch support

• I now never go barefoot and wear trainers in the house
• I have had to cut down my activity dramatically (even pay people to walk the dogs);resting my feet has helped *I have had private podiatry (NHS were utterly useless - wouldn't see my face to face and just sent me a page of exercises) and have paid £360 for a course of shock wave therapy which has improved things by around 80%
• regular heel drops

My podiatrist is current treating a youngish personal trainer who developed PF during lockdown whilst exercising at home with bare feet

I actually felt so depressed when it was really bad as I could only do as much as your average 80 year old. But now it's improved and I can do a bit more before pain kicks in

I think that when people talk about runners face it's not always about the wrinkles or saggy jowls, but the weather beaten outdoorsy look that can appear. So I wear a SPF50 always but in the winter I add rose hip oil for protection.

I ran for years including competing at a high level in my teens. I’m 46 with stage 4 arthritis in both knees due to running and need knee replacements.

@LimitIsUp me too.... barely been able to put weight on it for 6 months -after several physio sessions it is slightly better but am seriously considering asking for s steroid injection. Awful.

Mincepie - I'm sorry, it's grim isn't it

Maybe try this https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/54159Pplantarfasciitis.pdf]] - but might not be able to get it on the NHS at the moment, they are gatekeeping quite hard

Thank you xx l lost 2 stone during first lockdown but even walking is painful some days so most of that has gone back on

Cycling has thrashed my knees but running no issues with knees.

Dunno about the face, think the sun trashed that thoroughly when I was a child (grew up in Southern California).

My hands really haven't aged compared to California people. This is quite remarkable.