From Waffle Trainers to Two Wheels: How Knee Trouble Turned Me Into a Cyclist for Life
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
And if you were a runner back then, you probably remember the Nike Waffle Trainer — one of the first shoes ever designed just for distance runners. I wore them with pride and pounded out hundreds, even thousands of miles in those soles.
But here's what none of us knew at the time: those early running shoes didn’t offer the support or science that modern footwear does. No arch support, no shock absorption, no stability control. Just a flat slab of rubber and foam between you and the road.
The First Signs of Trouble
By my late teens, I was already experiencing knee pain. Before I’d even graduated college, I was on the table for open knee surgery — back then, arthroscopy didn’t even exist for the kind of damage I had. Recovery was long, the incision was significant, and the results were mixed.
I returned to running, because that’s what runners do — we lace up and push through. But the pain came back. Stronger. More persistent.
Another surgeon later told me that the small amount of remaining cartilage in my knee had acted like sandpaper over the years, gradually grinding away more of the joint as I kept running on it. By this point, the technology had improved, and I underwent a second surgery — this time arthroscopic. The result? A hard truth:
“You probably shouldn’t run anymore.”
Letting Go of Running — and Finding Something Better
At first, I didn’t listen. I kept running until the pain made the decision for me. That was when I turned more seriously to cycling. It started as a replacement, a way to stay active. But it soon became something much more: a new passion. A new path forward.
By my mid-40s, my knee had become bone-on-bone. I saw a respected orthopedic surgeon in Lubbock, who confirmed what I’d feared — I’d eventually need a total knee replacement. But he encouraged me to wait as long as possible to preserve the lifespan of the implant.
So I rode. I rode through the pain. I tried acupuncture to manage it. I did everything I could. And finally, at 58 years old, the pain was just too much.
The Best Decision I Ever Made
The day I had my knee replaced, everything changed. I woke up and could tell instantly that the pain — the deep, bone-grinding ache — was gone.
Just five months later, I completed a 234-mile ride at the 24 Hours in the Canyon event in Palo Duro Canyon. A month after that, I rode my bike from Lubbock to Albuquerque.
Since then, I’ve logged over 40,000 miles, completed multi-day tours, and chased elevation, wind, and freedom across the American Southwest. That knee replacement gave me my life back — not as a runner, but as a cyclist.
Lessons Learned (and Passed On)
Shoes are better now. Surgeries are less invasive. But injuries still happen. And the best thing you can do is listen to your body early.
I may never run again — and that’s okay. Cycling is now my joy, my challenge, my lifelong sport. I’ve done more with that new knee than I ever imagined possible, and 11 years later, it’s still going strong.
My surgeon estimated it might last 10–15 years, and he wasn’t sure how all the cycling would affect it. But so far, so good. And when the day comes that something doesn’t feel right again, I won’t hesitate to get it checked out.
Because I’ve learned this:
You can’t always choose what happens to your body, but you can choose how you respond.
And for me, that response is always going to involve two wheels and an open road.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
If you're still riding with discomfort, know that you’re not alone — and you don’t have to give up the bike. These small changes helped me stay in the saddle, even after surgery and decades of wear and tear.
Want to prevent knee injuries before they start?
Check out my post: Preventing Knee Injuries in Cycling — it covers the bike setup, technique, and habits that helped me ride pain-free for over 11 years after a knee replacement.
🚴 Gear I Personally Use
-
Renpho Smart Scale
Lost 17 lbs since buying — motivating and full of great info.
👉 See the One I Have -
Giro Fixture MIPS II Helmet
My most important piece of gear — a must-have for every ride.
👉 Lots of Colors -
Outdoor Cooling Arm Sleeves
I wear these every ride to protect my skin from cancer.
👉 Check Price -
Cosmos Cooling Leg Sleeves
I had cancer cut off my leg — I refuse to have more problems and wear these now.
👉 See Them -
Przewalski Bib Shorts
I have multiple pairs — more comfortable and last longer.
👉 See Them -
Premier Protein Shakes
I drink one after every ride — low sugar, high protein.
👉 Amazon Price
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Comments
Post a Comment
This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission if you buy through links on this site — at no extra cost to you.