I just got out of surgery yesterday for plica removal in my right knee, and it was apparently much more of a severe problem than the doc and i had thought. In short, i am 39 and this was my thrid knee surgery in the last 25 years.

I have been training for my first sprint tri and was up to 18 miles per week, and running 8:30 miles easily. The swim and cycle parts of the race are not a concern, but my doc told my wife (while i was still coming out of the surgery) that running was a very bad idea for me (suggesting a full knee replacement would be needed in at most 10 years) due to almost a complete lack of cartilage in my right knee.

i could give up running, but really like the format of the sprint tri's and was wondering if it was silly to think i could train for the running portion with very little actual running. I am thinking between water running and using an elliptical, i could do 80% of my running, and then take one day a week to actually run on a padded track or on grassy trails. since the impact is the issue with my knee, i figure that plan could be workable, but if it is just a silly idea, i am prepared to give it up and focus on cycling.

i'd be interested in any feedback any of you might have.

thanks!