See thing is I rarely run, once a month would be alot. I 4000m sprints from time to time. But this came from alpine climbing or hiking in general I am told. Runners knee is just a nickname for CHONDROMALACIA PATELLAE. You dont have to run to have it. Its when the pattela moves or grinds mainly steep uphills, high steps, and steep down hill. It has bothered me on and off for a while but now its just on..