Jogging / Running advice

[Boddie]

I want to take up running but need some advice on running shoes.

I have never really been into running but am thinking of a marathon maybe next year. I am fit with only 8% body fat but thats mainly through cycling.

Are there any runners amongst us? I really dont know where to start as far as trainers are concerned.

As for budget? There isnt one. I will spend whatever.

Thanks

Andrew

[Mark43]

Go to a reputable running shop .

If they try to sell you a pair of trainers without watching you run in them...........LEAVE.

Everyone runs differently so therefore lift off and land on different areas of there feet.......i think it's called pronation and supination..........the roll of the foot when running........so your trainers need to be padded in the right areas for your running style.

Join a local running group..........not one that has all the members trying to get a Gold everytime they go out together but one that enjoys running for runnings sake and are willing to take the time to help you........whether you are slow or fast.......fit or not.

[Boddie]

Thanks Mark

We have many running groups here as I see many people running in the park and around its perimeter usually with club clothing or staybright jackets. I have never really been into running before but need another interest now and a goal to set myself and obviously want to combine it with fitness so running seems like a good idea. I will search in Leicester at the weekend for a good shop and take your advice.

Cheers

Andrew

[Kev Lewis]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I want to take up running but need some advice on running shoes.

I have never really been into running but am thinking of a marathon maybe next year. I am fit with only 8% body fat but thats mainly through cycling.

Are there any runners amongst us? I really dont know where to start as far as trainers are concerned.

As for budget? There isnt one. I will spend whatever.

Thanks

Andrew

Dont do it !!!!!!

[Boddie]

Is it that bad?

[Kev Lewis]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Is it that bad?

buy a horse hair shirt and wear that instead if you must inflict pain on yourself

[henrya]

I'm with Kev on this. I see colleagues coming back from their lunch-time runs, gasping, red in the face and almost heaving their guts out. It can't be good for you, surely? Keep up with the cycling - it's non impact (unless you meet white-van man, as I did).

henrya

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Kev Lewis

Dont do it !!!!!!

Don't listen to them Boddie, I run 2 miles every morning with the occasional 5 miler thrown in if I feel a bit edgy - its a great way to keep fit, de-stress and increase your endurance (the latter has allsorts of benefits )

back to shoes - i'm with mark on this one you need a specialist fitting to see what is right for you, but in general terms it depends on where you are going to be running, if you will be doing roadwork you definitely need decent impact absorbtion in the heels and midsole. Budget wise you are looking at about £80-£100 minimum and you can go to £200 +

Also as far as training up to a marathon goes , if you don't already I'd get down the local gym at least once a week and work on general fitness, plus go swimming etc. The other thing to remember is to work into it gradually, and not to up your milleage too quickly. I'd say aim for a couple of miles twice a week to start with if you are starting from scratch. Also try and find yourself a running mate who lives locally as its a lot easier to stay motivated with a buddy.

For other advice try buying one of the running magazines, there are quite a few on the shelves.

Incidentally if you are thinking of doing a marathon as a fundraiser for WAB you can count me in. I havent done a 26 for a while but I came sixth in a thirteen last year.

[Boddie]

Its all that dancing that keeps you fit no doubt.

Thanks for the gen

I will look into it

Cheers

[eeyore]

you might also find this interesting http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=481 it is shoe buying advice from runners world magazines website - this is a pretty good mag to get you started generally too

and this, which is good advice for beginner runners http://www.serpentine.org.uk/advice/begin/tentips.php

you have inspired me as soon as it cools down out there I am kicking a 5 miler just for the .... of it

[pxl8]

I'll echo the advice of finding your local shop, my wife took up running this year (finished her first 1/2 marathon in April) and the local shop was very useful, they also had a running group thay met twice a week to train for the marathon. I would guess that most running shops will either run their own or have details of groups in the area.

The only other advice is to increase your distance slowly - never more than 10% or you risk an injury. I know because I've been suffering with a stress fracture for the last 3 months and it's taking ages to heal.

[nightshade]

Boddie ,I bought the lioness a treadmill which she does 5k a day it is safer than giving muggers a moving target.
Could I suggest you talk to a running club in your area (you do not have to join) just talk to someone on the phone to get a balanced picture of the type of footware ACTUALLY used by people you may get 2 pairs for the price of the one pair the shop would sell you
Good luck it is an extreme sport if the bug bites,theshoes are very important to prevent impact fractures as you know

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by pxl8

I know because I've been suffering with a stress fracture for the last 3 months and it's taking ages to heal.

sounds nasty pxl - you have my sympathy - I guess this means that you wont be joining us marathoning for WAB then - I know, you can be coach

[Boddie]

Thanks guys. I have been running up to 8 miles already but want to get serious. The trainers I have are OK but I want some really good ones as I need another challenge. I had no joy at the weekend but will speak to someone local here and maybe join a club as there are plenty around.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Thanks guys. I have been running up to 8 miles already but want to get serious. The trainers I have are OK but I want some really good ones as I need another challenge. I had no joy at the weekend but will speak to someone local here and maybe join a club as there are plenty around.

8 miles is decent, how often ? I mean like once a week, twice etc. I try for 2 mile every morning with 5 at least once a week (tho is been too blinking hot of late). Also where are you running, trackwork is useful as is gras but it aint a real preparation for hard surface road races. Also running on your own isnt the same as running in a big bunch like in a marathon so you ought to look at doing some shorter races for the experience before tackling a big boy.

I'm getting back into propper training too, so If we do want to marathon for WAB I'm really up for it (in fact I've decided that I'll do it regardless of whether anyone else do) - I'm going to enter a thirteen in the autumn (havent decided which one yet) which will give me a decent waypoint to aim at -you might want to do something similar.

[Boddie]

I was up to 8 twice a week but am suffering neck pain after my car crash. The third party is paying for physio soon so I should get back into it. I cant really do more than twice a week as its 90 minutes out all in. I realise I'll probably have to ramp it up but work is full on at the moment. I am going to see about training in the day as I often have to wait for cases and all of the changing rooms have showers so I could fit it in

[Jonny]

I used to do a lot of running, mainly long distance stuff, though I have never done a marathon. I prefered to go out through the fields and woods and I would run on a set course and I would time myself and keep on trying to beat my best time. As for trainers, I found saucony are good................Jon

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Jonny

I used to do a lot of running, mainly long distance stuff, though I have never done a marathon. I prefered to go out through the fields and woods and I would run on a set course and I would time myself and keep on trying to beat my best time. As for trainers, I found saucony are good................Jon

Funny there is a Saucony advert on this site at the moment. I was looking at them the other day. I am running on paths, alonside the road and also in the park, proper tarmacced ones and sometimes I go off-road. I am running with a heartbeat monitor at a steady rate and am feeling no ill effects at all after 8 miles but want to be careful as I have mates that have suffered badly

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Jonny

I used to do a lot of running, mainly long distance stuff, though I have never done a marathon. I prefered to go out through the fields and woods and I would run on a set course and I would time myself and keep on trying to beat my best time. As for trainers, I found saucony are good................Jon

I agree saucony are a great brand - tho it does depend what shape your feet are - my right is unusually wide ( I was born with a club foot which had to be broken and reshaped when i was about two- this meant I had a big cast on for almost a year and in turn that meant that I developed unsually large muscles in my right foot from waving it about - or so my mum tells me) and I find saucony's a bit tight - I usually wear nikes for x country and reeboks for roadwork but everybody (or even every boddie ) is different

nice smiley btw.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Funny there is a Saucony advert on this site at the moment. I was looking at them the other day. I am running on paths, alonside the road and also in the park, proper tarmacced ones and sometimes I go off-road. I am running with a heartbeat monitor at a steady rate and am feeling no ill effects at all after 8 miles but want to be careful as I have mates that have suffered badly

I have bad knees these days after attempting a 50 mile walk in a day and my podiatrist advised me to stop running. Impact is bad on your joints, so get some good fitted shoes with good cushioning, esp if you are going to do road running.................Jon

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I was up to 8 twice a week but am suffering neck pain after my car crash. The third party is paying for physio soon so I should get back into it. I cant really do more than twice a week as its 90 minutes out all in. I realise I'll probably have to ramp it up but work is full on at the moment. I am going to see about training in the day as I often have to wait for cases and all of the changing rooms have showers so I could fit it in

I'm certainly not going to give you medical advice as doubtless you know much more about it than me, but in my expereince for some reason impacts from the heals can really affect the spine and neck - I have to be careful of my shoulder which aint right after first dislocating it playing rugger in '92 then breaking my collar bone coming off a motorbike in '98, and my doctor was fully on my case to get the best possible impact absorbtion in the heels - I'm currently using a pair of airmax c's but as i said above everybody has a different fit, and what suits me wont neccesarily suit you (for instance my mate paul swears by running in boots but then he's in the RGJ so he don't know any better) at the end of the day the only way to be sure is to get them fitted at a specialist shop, and don't buy them unless they are absolutely right.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I agree saucony are a great brand - tho it does depend what shape your feet are - my right is unusually wide ( I was born with a club foot which had to be broken and reshaped when i was about two- this meant I had a big cast on for almost a year and in turn that meant that I developed unsually large muscles in my right foot from waving it about - or so my mum tells me) and I find saucony's a bit tight - I usually wear nikes for x country and reeboks for roadwork but everybody (or even every boddie ) is different

nice smiley btw.

Hi Eeyore........I have fairly narrow feet, so maybe saucony are better for that. As for hiking boots, I have not fitted in the better makes like meindl and scarper, but zamberlain, la sportiva and hanwags fit me well. Used to find that adidas fitted me well too.............Jon

[Boddie]

yep, I see some ghastly things in the ortho cases I work with and some young folk too, just from exercise. At least if I get tweaks I can pop into the ortho theatre and get some advice. My uncle is knackered from cricket as a yougster and my cousin is 18 with arthritis, not good.

[Boddie]

I have wide feet and tend to run on the front of my feet so it could be a challenge

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I have wide feet and tend to run on the front of my feet so it could be a challenge

Get into a proper running shop and get your feet measured and they will find something that will suit your feet...................Jon