You should worry, but not to extent that it would keep you from running completely.

You need to learn proper running style/technique, find shoes that work for you, and most importantly, pace yourself, depending on your fitness and weight. Don’t overdo it.

It’s worth it to find a good trainer in your area and start under a professional guidance - if only for a first few months.

Who knows how many people have convinced themselves to stay on the couch by believing that it’s better for their knees.

I seem to remember using this as an excuse for years. I can’t run I’ve got bad knees. Turns out running had actually been quite good at rebuilding strength and haven’t had many problems in the last 2 years! I did start at 56 years old and have lost 30kgs in the process so that might have helped!

I keep hurting the top of my left foot, and I don’t know what to do about it.

Changing the type of lacing has definitely helped, but I swear it’s a recurrent issue, like it might become chronic. It’s not like I can leave my shoes unlaced, I feel like too loose is almost as bad as too tight.

God I’m getting annoyed by it. I can’t do enough miles to improve because this keeps flaring up. It wasn’t a problem before, I have no idea what started it.

Edit: to be honest my assumption is that it’s extensor tendonitis.

I know that this not related to the knees and it’s just from personal experience but, running actually reduced my sciatic pain. Especially when I started my training to the point where I’m almost cured now. Kudos to my physicist who helped me to get back on my feet and teach me what to do to maintain a physical activity despite the pain.

Had ACL surgery 10 years ago. Running has reduced the load on my knee so much that I can’t even tell I had surgery on it.