I was always lucky and never had any physical limitations that prevented me from running my usual routes. But as life goes, things don’t stay that way forever – eventually, age catches up with everyone.
No matter how careful you are, at some point, the first signs of wear and tear or minor injuries appear, forcing you to take breaks from running. It has happened to me three times so far. In such moments, it’s crucial to listen to your body and not push through the pain. That’s also my advice to all runners: never train through pain or return to running too soon, no matter how frustrating it may be. The body needs time to recover, and ignoring this can lead to long-term problems.
The Sacroiliac Joint – A Painful Experience
The worst experience I’ve had so far was a sacroiliac joint (SIJ) blockage. It started with mild discomfort but escalated within a short time into unbearable pain, forcing me to go to the emergency room. Even strong painkillers through an IV provided no relief.
A subsequent course of physiotherapy helped a little, but the persistent pain remained. Sitting, standing, and even walking became difficult, and running was completely out of the question.
In the end, an unintentional movement solved the problem: While lifting a heavy box, I twisted slightly – there was a loud crack, a sharp pain, but two days later, the pain was completely gone. An incredible relief! What no doctor or physiotherapist had managed to do, a careless movement had accomplished.
After three months of forced rest, I cautiously attempted my first runs two weeks later. At first, I was skeptical, but it worked. Today, my SIJ no longer causes any problems – though the experience taught me a lot about my body and its limits.
Meniscus Tear – A Challenge for the Knee
Another unintentional running break was caused by my meniscus. At some point, I noticed increasing pain when running downhill. Initially, I ignored it, but when the discomfort persisted, I had it checked out. The diagnosis: a torn meniscus. Not good news for a runner.
Since the tear wouldn’t heal on its own, I had no choice but to take another break from running. I had to be patient, but fortunately, my knee adapted over time. The pain gradually subsided, and after a few weeks, I was able to resume running.
To support my knee, I now wear a brace while running. It provides extra stability and helps reduce strain. Thankfully, my meniscus hasn’t caused any further issues, but I remain cautious and monitor my knee closely.
Achilles Tendon Problems – A Warning Sign from the Body
The most recent issue I faced was with my Achilles tendon. After a few kilometers, it started hurting—at first just a slight discomfort, but over time, the pain intensified. Again, I had no choice but to take a break from running.
After a few weeks of rest, the problem improved slightly but didn’t completely disappear. The real breakthrough came when I switched to new running shoes. Apparently, my old shoes no longer had enough cushioning, which had put extra strain on my Achilles tendon.
Since then, I’ve been more mindful of my footwear and have avoided races or extremely long distances. My Achilles tendon is still something I monitor closely. I stretch regularly and pay close attention to any warning signs—if pain returns, I will react immediately.
Conclusion – Aging and the Challenges of Running
It remains to be seen how my body will continue to respond to running as I get older. I’m not an extreme runner, I don’t cover hundreds of kilometers per month, and I usually run at a moderate pace. But even so, I can feel that age plays a role and that certain physical issues are inevitable.
Some runners experience injuries at a young age, while others continue running well into their 80s—something I deeply admire and find inspiring.
My most important advice to all runners: listen to your body! It’s better to take a break than to push through an injury and risk long-term damage. Running breaks can be frustrating, but they are sometimes necessary. And most of the time, you come back stronger—with new insights about your body and an even greater appreciation for running.
