I consulted a physical therapist and learned something that completely changed my perspective: it’s not running that harms your joints—it’s poor form and overuse without recovery.
So, I made some changes:
- Form first: I focused on keeping my posture upright and my knees aligned while running. No more slouching or overstriding.
- Strength training: I added exercises to strengthen my quads, glutes, and hips—muscles that support the knees and help absorb shock.
- Recovery: I took rest days seriously, foam-rolled after every run, and stretched more.
In just a few weeks, my knee discomfort began to fade. I wasn’t feeling that dreaded soreness anymore, and I was recovering faster. It turns out, by strengthening my muscles and focusing on proper technique, I was actually protecting my joints.
The Real Lesson: Running Doesn’t Have to Hurt
Fast forward to today: I’m still running—sometimes longer distances, sometimes sprints—but my joints are holding up just fine. I’ve run half-marathons, and my knees have never felt better. Running, when done the right way, isn’t bad for your joints at all. In fact, it can strengthen the muscles and ligaments around them, making them more resilient in the long run.
