I'm 4-weeks post-knee surgery and have a short-leash on running (~20-miles/wk) but have been given the go ahead to knock myself out on the elliptical. I'm training for a 50-miler in May and 100-miler in June (both hilly). Since I'm brand spanking new to elliptical training, any advice from anyone out there?
You'll ruin your knees!
I had knee surgery on Dec 14 and was cleared for elliptical by mid-Jan (whick I chose to subject myself to a bike Nazi versus elliptical because I believe nothing good comes from the elliptical), treadmill "jogging" the week after (which I did for one day for a 'confidence' run, then went outside to single track trails).
I completed a trail marathon on Feb 20 and am building my way up to 50+ mile weeks later this month with a target of full-on training for a mountain hunnerd in July. I guess I would suggest the bike over the elliptical, as I feel the bike is better (for me) prep for getting back to running.
That said, listen to your doc...
Also, it's hard to really give you any feedback without seeing your log and withoug knowing more about your surgery. My surgery was with a scope and focused on cleaning up old crud in my knee (my knee crud is older than you... found a license plate and some old Mt Dew cans in there) and they did a procedure to help my kneecap track better... whatever that means. If you had ligament work done, you may have a different outcome, but my running is going OK for now.
Good luck with it,
Lynn B
MTA: which races are you contemplating?
""...the truth that someday, you will go for your last run. But not today—today you got to run." - Matt Crownover (after Western States)
The biking is good advice. The snow/ice is finally melting, so should be good to go outside...I can't bring myself to bike at the gym.
I'm planning on the Dances with Dirt in Gnawbone, IN then the Mohican 100 in Loudonville, OH.
...yep, I was the same way until I jumped in a spin class (...that's where the bike nazi came in)... I found it to be challenging and a great way to pump up my legs without undue pressure on my knee. I could never get that out of the ellipitical (that's me). Listen to your body, regardless.
Good luck,
Good question. I am in a similar boat, just started running a couple weeks ago after a tibial stress fracture. Mileage will be pretty low for a bit, but I have intend to run a 50 miler in June, a 50 miler in July, and a 100 miler in August. I'm still not confident that I will be at any of those starting lines, but I need something to shoot for. So far the leg seems great.
I have been supplementing with the elliptical and it's boring as hell. It seems like all it does is make my toes numb. Sounds like I should get on the bike.
~Sara It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great. ~ Jimmy Dugan