Knee Injury Is Holding Me Back From Running

• For years I have been running long distance since the age of eleven years old. I remember our Elementary Coach would have these long distance runs probably close to a 3/4 of a mile or more. I loved those days to go out and participate in all kinds of physical activities. Even in those days without training I would do well, third over all behind two boys. Over the past 30 years or more I never had an operation on knees, Achilles, or leg related running  injuries. Don't know what's going on with my knee but it is stopping me from running. At one of the track practice where I was showing the athletes drills (doing butt kicker) my knee did this pop sound. It hurt a little but I believe that was the beginning of my right knee problem. I was not running on it for a couple of week icing, elevating,  and sometimes putting heat on it. After two weeks I tried to jog again and I think I got about 3/4 of a mile in and it started to hurt again so I took more time off. Within the next few months I think I got in maybe 20 to 30 minutes in slow jogging but it was still weak and hurting. I was running maybe twice a week. So it was time to get my knee x-rayed and was diagnosed as having osteoarthritis in the knee at the age of 62. My doctor said that I shouldn't run anymore or I'll probably just make it worst and I wouldn't be able to do other exercises. The impact of running was just to jarring on the knee so I listened and started walking. Believe me I was very disappointed because I was training for another Nationals in the 5K and 10K for out doors that year and the 1500 meters and 3000 meters indoor Nationals. It was all over just like that. But I am grateful that I had the opportunity to reach the goal of National the year before so it made it a little better. Now that I look back I am glad that I quit running because I am still doing Personal Training with my clients and Line dancing online.