“Spoiler: I Didn’t Quit Running.”

Act 1: The Doctor’s Doom Scroll

I honestly thought it was all over. The knees had been screaming at me early last year, so I did the sensible adult thing: went to a specialist, got the MRI, braced myself for answers.

The verdict? Arthritis in both knees. Cause of death: too much mountain running. The advice? “Probably a good idea you stop running and take up cycling.”

Right. That’s like telling Keith Richards to switch to chamomile tea. Thanks, doc. Don't get me wrong, I love cycling but my passion has always been running.

Act 2: The Great Rebellion

I sulked for a bit, then got to work. Strength training, rehab, rebuilding the legs. Nicky and I then decided—because why not—to sign up for the Rat Race trilogy of Sea to Summit races (Scafell, Ben Nevis, Snowdon), with a little mid year adventure in New York where we ran, cycled, and kayaked the entire length of the Hudson River. Also meant Scafell had to wait until next year as New York was on the same date.

The knees? Uncomfortable, sure. Painful? Not really. More like that annoying uncle at family parties—you know he’s there, but you can tolerate him.

Act 3: Hardmoors Dreams & Hard Lessons

Feeling cocky, I eyed the Hardmoors Triple Ring: HM55, HM110, and the HW80. My deferred entries were sitting there from 2024, practically mocking me, so I thought: “This is my year.”

The HM55? Glorious. Sub-11 hours, knees holding up, ego inflated. Next stop: the HM110.

Except… disaster struck on a training run. MCL strain. OMG. If arthritis is a dull ache, the MCL is like a car alarm in your knee that never shuts up. Cue more rehab, more bike miles, more swearing.

Race day came, and I gave it a shot. But 40 miles in, the coastal steps chewed up my knees and spat me out. DNF. Game over. I hobbled away like a man whose dog just ran off with his last piece of steak.

Walking was tough for weeks. Confidence? Shattered. The doctor’s “cycling” comment was starting to echo a little louder.

Act 4: The Stubborn Bounce-Back

But here’s the thing: I do love a medal. And I had unfinished business with Scafell.

After a chat with my sports massage therapist (read: someone who takes joy in finding new ways to make me squeal), the plan was clear—strengthen my adductors and vastus lateralis. Basically, the inner and outer thighs that most people only notice when jeans get too tight.

So I went back to work: targeted strength training, lots of cycling, and a whole lot of Hyrox. Because if you’re going to suffer, might as well get “engine building and general badass fitness gainz” out of it.

Act 5: Scafell Showdown

September 6th. Scafell day. And I do love the Lakes—they just bring out the best in me. My plan was humble: power hike the route, aim for 10–12 hours, keep expectations lower than my bank balance after a visiting Let's Run in Great Ayton for just one new pair of trainers (if you know, you know).

The first 14 miles? Flat, road, boring. So I shuffled along with my best “ultra jog.” Shockingly, it felt good. The climb? Solid. Descents? Well, that was where things could’ve gone sideways.

And they almost did.

A couple of sketchy moments, but nothing race-ending.

So I played it safe: climbed strong, tiptoed the downs, and lived to tell the tale.

The final six miles? Road again (boo), plus bonus cramping adductors that kept tag-teaming each other like WWE wrestlers. So it became a run-walk shuffle that only an ultra runner could call “progress.”

But I got it done. Medals in hand. Knees still attached.

Act 6: To Be Continued…

A few days of stretching, foam rolling, mobility work, and my legs actually feel alive again. Tight, sure. But not destroyed.

So maybe, just maybe, the doctor was wrong. Maybe there are still a few more miles in these creaky knees yet.

And if not? Well, at least I’ll go down swinging. Or hobbling. Or limping.

“Turns out arthritis isn’t a full stop—it’s just an annoying comma. My knees still work, my medal wall still has space, and if all else fails, I can always crawl the descents. Not elegant, but it gets the job done. Ultra running: it’s basically stubbornness with snacks.”

Run Long, Run Strong, Run No Matter What

John Withinshaw Running Coach

JDW Fitness