couchto5k with dodgy knees - am I bonkers?

[basildonbond]

last year I had to get little bits of cartillage hoovered out of my knee caps as they kept on getting stuck and gumming up the works iyswim

I try to swim and cycle regularly and am doing pilates once or twice a week, but am pretty unfit and getting fatter (BMI now at 24.5 - middle age spread )

anyway, I've never really been into running but thought that it would be easy to incorporate into my week as it doesn't take up much time (well, the amount I'm planning wouldn't!) and I wouldn't have to get anywhere to do it, just put on my trainers and go

however, I know that my knees have had a lot of 'wear and tear' in the consultant's words, so is it a stupid thing to do?

any advice gratefully received

hopeful bump - anyone know anything about running and knees?

I have dodgy knees (have damaged the ligaments in both over the years) and thought I couldn't do something high impact like running but have been doing so quite happily for about a year. Can you get some medical advice? If not, I would just start slowly and you will soon know if it's causing you a problem - the key is to listen to what your joints are telling you and stop if necessary.

Big, big tip though is buy some proper running shoes - I went to a specialist running shop that analysed my gait (I 'over pronate' - feet fall inwards which puts pressure on my knees) so got a pair of runnig shoes designed to counter this and I am sure that has a lot to do with the fact I can run without knee problems.

Good luck with it. I found it really hard to start with but worth sticking with. As you say, so nice to just step out of your front door and get going.