And you happen to be one of them. This isn't even about 'moderation', but about plain common sense. The athlete I used to be didn't live with these knees, though she did help to create them. Some days, 'designated walking days' I wake up and they scream on the way down the stairs. We then have a chat about whether this is about fear, timing, or too much schedule rigidity. It can be about anything, even over-worked psoas muscles whose tightness is not sore but pulls on back and knees.

My body knows and will let me know. My mind's frustrations about no longer having the identity of an olympic-level martial artist are irrelevant. What my body knows will keep her healthy and functional, and that is how I choose to live.

Brava once again, Julia. We need to find what makes sense, and do just that.