Torn Meniscus - Cross Training help needed

Don't sell yourself short...

I was diagnosed with a small tear about 10 yrs ago. It hurt just running
200 yards on pavement, but only a little on trails and soft sand.

I went very slow, found cushy shoes, got my feet aligned with orthotics, and
now 8 yrs later I have *no* symptoms. I run 70-85 mpw (mostly on dirt), and
race 30k to 50mile races without any problems. I just ran a downhill
section at 5:10/mile this morning, and not a peep from Mr. Knee.

It took about 2 years to get back to normal. It would have been faster if
I'd gotten softer shoes and orthotics sooner, I think. I was 44 at the
time.

If your feet aren't properly supported, your arch collapses with each
stride, causing the tibia to twist inward more than the 2 degrees allowed in
the design spec. This can cause lots of problems, and most likely caused my
injury.

Don't give up! Avoid pavement when possible. etc, etc.

-- Dan

"adimarco" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have received the unfortunate news that I have a slight tear in my
medial meniscus - too small for surgery big enough to affect my
running for the rest of my life. I can continue to run; however, have
to keep my marathon running to a minimum. I can do all the running I
want in 10 mile increments - anything over that needs to be done
minimally. Anyone have any cross training suggestions that would help
me train for marathons without 3 hour training runs. Thanks!

Dan-

Interesting post... I have had orthotics for 2 years, and they appear to
have helped me get over plantar fasciitis (slowly), but a slight knee
complaint keeps persisting.

I have always had trouble getting a straight answer regarding what kind of
running shoes are suitable for use with orthotics. I had heard that a
motion control shoe is required to provide a stable base for the orthotic.
However, it appears that the shoe companies are going more toward a motion
control shoe that acts as an orthotic. In that case, wouldn't the
correction be additive?

Have you found that a straight cushioning shoe works well w/ the
orthotics? Does it feel as stable as a MC shoe?

Thanks,
Harry

"Dan Stumpus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Don't sell yourself short...

I was diagnosed with a small tear about 10 yrs ago. It hurt just running
200 yards on pavement, but only a little on trails and soft sand.

I went very slow, found cushy shoes, got my feet aligned with orthotics,

and

Quoted message said:

now 8 yrs later I have *no* symptoms. I run 70-85 mpw (mostly on dirt),

and

Quoted message said:

race 30k to 50mile races without any problems. I just ran a downhill
section at 5:10/mile this morning, and not a peep from Mr. Knee.

It took about 2 years to get back to normal. It would have been faster if
I'd gotten softer shoes and orthotics sooner, I think. I was 44 at the
time.

If your feet aren't properly supported, your arch collapses with each
stride, causing the tibia to twist inward more than the 2 degrees allowed

in

Quoted message said:

the design spec. This can cause lots of problems, and most likely caused

my

Quoted message said:

injury.

Don't give up! Avoid pavement when possible. etc, etc.

-- Dan

"adimarco" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have received the unfortunate news that I have a slight tear in my
medial meniscus - too small for surgery big enough to affect my
running for the rest of my life. I can continue to run; however, have
to keep my marathon running to a minimum. I can do all the running I
want in 10 mile increments - anything over that needs to be done
minimally. Anyone have any cross training suggestions that would help
me train for marathons without 3 hour training runs. Thanks!

Well, I should add that I have also customized my insoles, adding a second
layer along the inside 1/3 or so.

I have a complex kind of flat foot problem. My podiatrist has never seen
such "bad" feet in a runner. He still shakes his head when he sees my
feet -- but I got my revenge when he saw me beat a couple of Athletics West
sponsored guys in a race. I had to experiment. The orthotic wasn't strong
enough, and podiatriasts are conservative.

I've found that if my foot turns inward more than a tiny amount when I put
weight on it, it needs more support. (no warranties implied, ymmv, etc)

When I finally gave my feet enough support, all kinds of aches and pains
went away, and my downhill running improved markedly.

As far as shoe type is concerned, I found that a soft shoe was needed to
heal my knee, and I've stuck with them ever since. I train and race ultras
in my Nike Air Pegasus shoes. I figure that the orthotic gives me a pretty
stable base; it works for me, anyway.

I've stuck with this model for about 4 years, and am not one of those
runners with 8 different types of shoes. No one but you can figure what you
run and feel best with.

-- Dan

"Harry" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:v4WSc.7378$K82.5178@trndny01...

Quoted message said:

Dan-

Interesting post... I have had orthotics for 2 years, and they appear to
have helped me get over plantar fasciitis (slowly), but a slight knee
complaint keeps persisting.

I have always had trouble getting a straight answer regarding what kind of
running shoes are suitable for use with orthotics. I had heard that a
motion control shoe is required to provide a stable base for the orthotic.
However, it appears that the shoe companies are going more toward a motion
control shoe that acts as an orthotic. In that case, wouldn't the
correction be additive?

Have you found that a straight cushioning shoe works well w/ the
orthotics? Does it feel as stable as a MC shoe?

Thanks,
Harry

"Dan Stumpus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Don't sell yourself short...

I was diagnosed with a small tear about 10 yrs ago. It hurt just

running

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

200 yards on pavement, but only a little on trails and soft sand.

I went very slow, found cushy shoes, got my feet aligned with orthotics,

and

Quoted message said:

now 8 yrs later I have *no* symptoms. I run 70-85 mpw (mostly on dirt),

and

Quoted message said:

race 30k to 50mile races without any problems. I just ran a downhill
section at 5:10/mile this morning, and not a peep from Mr. Knee.

It took about 2 years to get back to normal. It would have been faster

if

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'd gotten softer shoes and orthotics sooner, I think. I was 44 at the
time.

If your feet aren't properly supported, your arch collapses with each
stride, causing the tibia to twist inward more than the 2 degrees

allowed

Quoted message said:

in

Quoted message said:

the design spec. This can cause lots of problems, and most likely

caused

Quoted message said:

my

Quoted message said:

injury.

Don't give up! Avoid pavement when possible. etc, etc.

-- Dan

"adimarco" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have received the unfortunate news that I have a slight tear in my
medial meniscus - too small for surgery big enough to affect my
running for the rest of my life. I can continue to run; however, have
to keep my marathon running to a minimum. I can do all the running I
want in 10 mile increments - anything over that needs to be done
minimally. Anyone have any cross training suggestions that would help
me train for marathons without 3 hour training runs. Thanks!