Fairly new walker

Daisygee · #1 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 12:38 PM

Hi everyone - I'm just saying hello, and want to also say that I've just been on my very first walk for well over 30 years! I loved it and it has rekindled a love of the great outdoors. I'm not very good at it, and am now suffering with knee trouble, something I've never had before, but it was so totally worth it. We went to the Lakes and did the Fairfield Horseshoe one day and then went to Easedale Tarn the next. It was wonderful. Any hints from you experts out there on what to do with poorly knees? Thanks, Daisy

david156 · #2 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 12:41 PM

Hi Daisy, can't help with the poorly knees but welcome to WAB from another who's just started walking for fun again after about 15 years

Cheers David

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 01:05 PM

Welcome to WAB Daisy. And welcome to the love of the great outdoors. It gets addictive mind.

Deb London · #4 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 01:06 PM

Welcome to WAB Daisy. And welcome to the love of the great outdoors. It gets addictive mind.

Not sure about the knees. Sounds like you need some physio.

Paul mabbott · #5 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 01:16 PM

There could be all sorts of reasons for the aching knees such as being overwight - but I'm sure it's not that! Quite possibly it's simply that you're out of practice. If you're not used to distance walking (more than a mile or two) especially over rough terrain, then do shorter walks and choose ones with smooth surfaces. Between big walks make sure that you do lots of smaller walks in between: at a certain age your muscles and joints 'seize up' after even brief periods of inactivity - one of the reasons I hate Xmas - imprisoned with neither shopping nor pleasure walks to keep the legs healthy! I think at least a mile a day is essential just to keep in trim.

Other points are to check that your boots are comfortable: the knees and ankles are the first to suffer if your feet aren't properly supported.

Daisygee · #6 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 01:18 PM

Thank you David and Deb for your welcoming messages. This looks like an interesting group to be part of.

Daisygee · #7 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 01:21 PM

Thank you Paul - I'm hoping that it's simply lack of practice, although my daughter did say there could be an element of 'wear and tear' too. Oo-er. I'm gong to go to the Doctor's if they don't get better soon, and see what the best thing to do is. On the plus side - I didn't ache anywhere else!

Deb London · #8 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daisygee

Thank you David and Deb for your welcoming messages. This looks like an interesting group to be part of.

It is indeed. So addictive that before long you'll be seeing double.

(What happened there, LOL

).

Paul mabbott · #9 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daisygee

Thank you Paul - I'm hoping that it's simply lack of practice, although my daughter did say there could be an element of 'wear and tear' too. Oo-er. I'm gong to go to the Doctor's if they don't get better soon, and see what the best thing to do is. On the plus side - I didn't ache anywhere else!

That's a big consolation! Yes, always worth a check-up with the GP to eliminate rheumatoid arthritis and other things. Hopefully, you can reduce the aches by simple treatments - cold compress (keep a stock of frozen peas in the freezer), massage with deep heat ointment. One thing that makes people ache when they go out walking is not protecting joints from the cold - all of these aches and pains are made worse by cold, sometimes even caused by it so keep your knees wrapped up!