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.

Ive noticed my face is a bit more wrinkly. But ive run countless half marathons, fell races and a few marathons so im not gonna look insta perfect!

Runner's face is a badge of honour! Reclaim it! I'm a runner so my face is a runner's face.i like the way I look!

Its only used as a derogatory term by jealous bitter people!

What is a runner's face? O.o

I get very good blood circulation in my face when running - I turn bright red.
I tell myself that that's a good thing for my skin

make sure you use a high spf when out running and you will be fine.

Runners knee is so much a myth that I’d be tempted to change the gym instructor on the strength of that alone

You can get weather beaten from being outdoorsy, whether it’s work or play. Good moisturiser and sunscreen and you’ll be fine

I’ve never heard of runners face before MN. I’m in a running club that has over 200 members and I can’t think of one woman who I would describe as having ‘runners face’. One man may have it but he lost a lot of weight very quickly (over 8 stone in less than a year); he is the only person I can think of to fit that description.
Also, in the club, the only people I know who have had knee issues are people who have also played football or hockey regularly.

Never heard of the face thing and as for knees running is supposed to strengthen them, not do them harm. To hurt your body with exercise you have to be doing too much too soon or just too much, period.

I second changing the instructor! I prefer one who uses science...

I had to give up running in my 20s.

It gave me knee problems.

Runners knee isn’t a thing! Many new runners get injuries because of bad form, bad shoes, upping mileage too quickly, running too fast beyond their capability etc etc etc. And then they blame “running”. Now, running isn’t the most forgiving sport but you can do it well and avoid injury.

I ran 1,000 miles in 2020 and picked up two “injuries”:

1. “knee injury” which was in fact my illotibial band. I wasn’t doing enough strength work and had got lazy with my stretching, frankly. I amended that and sorted it within a week.
2. “Hip injury” which was a tight hip flexor. Its been cold and so I haven’t been warming up or cooling down well because I want to get out and back in ASAP!

In short, both were/are preventable and easily solved. Other causes of niggles have been bad form (I don’t run with a backpack anymore as it makes me stoop), bad shoes (I now replace every 500km religiously) and general silliness on my part. Running has actually cured my back pain 100% which is just amazing.

No idea about runners face - wear spf I suppose?!

I used to run a lot (around 40 miles a week). I've had to stop now due to full thickness cartilage loss in my knees. I'm only 28, diagnosed when I was 27. Feels a bit shit to be honest. I miss it so do go for the occasional short, gentle jog with knee supports these days, but mostly I've been advised to stick to swimming/cycling/walking. I keep pretty fit that way and, whilst I'm not as light as I was, I'm also not overweight and have had a baby in the interim.

Consultant did say running was very likely a contributory factor to the knee problem, but I also have a family history of arthritis, and an historical bad injury to an ankle that probably impacted everything else, so that's probably part of the cause. I do wish I'd been much more sensible about taking rest days/building up slowly/not training through soreness, though. Face wise, probably still a bit young to assess, but I'm out in all weathers riding and walking these days and I do look a bit weatherbeaten, it's something I'm noticing more and becoming much more mindful of. Don't think it's a running thing, though, think it's a being out in the elements thing.

I mean, I am 19stone so I have no doubt that running would be murder on my knees. Going to walk until I am at least 5stone down but after that I intend to get into running

I'm back to speed walking. Done couch 2 5 k and hurt my knees.

'Runner's face', if it exists could also be caused by exposure to extreme weather? Just make sure you look after your skin, good moisturiser and suncream etc.
I agree that the benefits will outweigh any cons. Some people just like to piss on your chips OP.

Good for you, keep it up!

Another thing: pelvic floor. This might not affect every woman who runs but I can't run any more after having two kids. I've spoken to other people who used to do long distance running and had kids and their pelvic floor was busted.
I miss being able to run in the fresh air but it's not worth peeing myself.

@likeamillpond

Runners Face is definitely a thing but it usually only happens to hard-core marathon runners. People who are constantly training and running a couple of marathons a year.

Otherwise I think that if you don't go overboard about it, the benefits of running outweigh any risks.

As for knees.
Dancing can be far more damaging to knees than running especially if you're not doing it right. You can twist and damage the knees.

Which marathon runners are you referring to, though? Do you know specific ones, or are you just guessing? I only know 2 marathon runners. I'm one of them. Neither of us has anything wrong with our faces. We both look well, and younger than our overweight peers.

Knees can be damaged by anything that uses them, depending on whether the things are being done with good form, and whether the knees are predisposed to injury. A blanket 'dancing is worse for knees than running' is... well, unfounded? Unless you have any foundation for it?

I know this isn't AIBU but some people do spout tripe as if it's fact, which is a shame when someone is asking for good advice from people who know what they're talking about.

Unless you run for miles and miles and MILES on the daily your face will not droop! It's sun exposure and genes. That's all.

I run a few times a week and I am still stunningly beautiful and youthful at 50. Ok I look fine and my face is not dragging on the pavements.

As for knees no problems as yet.

I think the reference to "runners face" is most likely a reference to women being outside without makeup, and sweating. I am a runner, and rest assured I look better when I am fully made up and not running!

I run in a ladies club, and they all look fab (aged mainly 30-65).

Poor technique and pounding roads can definitely be bad for your knees

Never heard of runner's face. If she means that slightly gaunt look I think you have to be a serious marathoner/ultra-runner/professional athlete. Most people look much better and glowier with regular exercise.

Knees (and ankles, feet, hips) - yes you have to be careful. Proper running shoes are THE necessity - measure your gait at Runners World or similar. STRETCH before and after!

Listen to your body and rest any minor niggles. They're tedious and probably inevitable but if you think you've tweaked anything don't make it worse.

[quote Mincepiehangover]@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.[/quote]
I had one of those. All it did was hurt like fuck that the particular spots the needle was wiggled around into didn't hurt afterwards, but the spots exactly 5mm away from the multiple sites continued to do so. The only injection more painful than one shoved into the side of your foot and wiggled around is when you have intraarticular ones into your ankle, in my experience (and I've had a fair few of those both there and into my shoulder).

What actually sorted it was wearing a removable cast for three months, combined with those old fashioned Skechers rocker trainers on the other side so I didn't bugger up my hip, knee and back from being lopsided. Plus strengthening and stretching exercises (barre is good once your foot isn't actively trying to pull itself apart) and sodding myofascial release/attacking scar tissue before it forms in big chunks. Then going back to properly fitted trainers and a custom orthotic for both feet.

Unfortunately, my Psoriatic Arthritis decided to have a go at my tendons last year and over the period, I've been almost completely off my feet, what with Covid meaning I couldn't have the scan they referred me for a year ago, so Physio won't countenance dealing with me; I'm left with MFR at home with a DP who thinks 'fuuuuuuuck me, that hurts' is a cue to stop doing whatever it is that's helping - no, if I'm swearing, that means it's working, dear. No, it's supposed to hurt. Just press harder. Harder. FUUUUUUUUUUUCK - there, that's it NOOOOOOO DON'T STOP.

Roll on actually getting moving again. I miss the pool, I miss the rowing machine and I miss the ability to choose to exercise outside or stay in with heating, air con, showers and nobody asking me what I want for tea.

I don't think people are generally hat good at assessing how young they look themselves. To me, people who aren't in shape look older than thuse who are not. You can literally see in some people that they have a sluggish metabolism or blood suplly. Carrying excess weight isn't as a to-ageing as some imagine it to be.

I'd also be wary of orthopaedic consultants telling stories about running being bad for your joints. Unless you have been an elite level runner logging hundred mile weeks since your junior days, you are unlikely to have caused significant additional damage from running alone, unless you have joints that pre dispose to arthritic-related conditions.

There is one London based orthopaedic surgeon in particular who likes to be quoted in the newspapers pontificating on how much damage women (not men) are doing to their joints, because they're not designed to do stuff like Tough Mudder, etc and a few have been injured.

I saw him privately and was diagnosed with severe, bone on bone osteoarthritis on both knees and a meniscus tear and told I would have to sit on my bum for a couple of decades until I was old enough for a knee transplant.

What actually happened is that I corrected my weak VMO muscles with daily exercises and continued to run 5 days per week, but on softer surfaces when posdible. 5 years later, I'm still running 5 days per week. I emailed him a year ago to tell him this and that id got quite close to my pbs after spending a Sumner doing quite high mileage and hard track sessions twice per week. Never received a response. I dont think he liked my attitude.

I've actually run competitively since I was 9 years old and I'm still going strong. I know many other women who do the same and who are incredibly tough. I know many more men who have fallen by the wayside due to injury coupled with lack of mental toughness. So take SOME orthopaedic surgeons' rhetoric with a pinch of salt, as they are overly cautious. Thankfully, more of them now realise that keeping moving and active are much better for you and needn't involve a pink fairy cycle pedalled gently along the path, or an indoor rowing machine!

Droopy face?!? WTAF?? Most runners I know look younger than their age not older and I don’t know a single one with knee issues.

There's definately a thing called "runners' photo face" though. That awful photo taken mid stride where youre caught gawking at the camera, sweaty and windswept and bright red with an expression as if a herd of zombies is chasing you.

I often think the key division between elite and non elite athletes is not their times but their ability to look good in running photos.

Im late 30s and also started running in lockdown, May to be precise. Now I run 5k every other day and it's perfect for me. Clears my head, keeps me feeling healthy and has made me look healthier too. I have actually suffered with a dodgy hip and back since I had my first child 8 years ago but since running I have not had any pain! I read up on the health benefits of running and apparently running every other day or even every 3rd day is best, and running every day long distances can actually have a detrimental effect on the body. But each to their own, running is ace!