Topic: Any Road Runners on the Forum? (Read 1704 times)

ProWannabe88 · « **on:** March 12, 2014, 03:26:10 PM »

Hi Guys

Any road runners here on the forum?

I used to run a lot but never seriously, the usual 2-3 mile jolt round the village on a morning and evening. Got to covering around 9 miles when I really got into it. Never pushed myself to go any further though. I'm very keen to start running again - properly - and have a few questions to ask anyone that currently covers some reasonable distances and still enjoys it.

How do you plan your routes?
I have been running steadily again for a few weeks and after a while get a pain in my left calf - left leg is the weaker of the two - this does go away but only after I slow down or rest a little - is this a common issue with runners, is it an injury, my shoes, or am I just being a bit soft?
Can anyone recommend somewhere to have my feet measured and evaluated for free? Up and Running will do it but only if I purchase my shoes from there... I understand it's a reasonable request but I can't bring myself to paying �100+ for a pair of running shoes when I can pop down to the Factory outlets and get the same thing at half the price. Must be a Yorkshire thing that.
I think I over pronate but may be wrong, but could this, plus the wrong shoes be causing my calf pain?

The Palmist · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:32:35 PM »

Buy the shoes and then get a refund?

I plan my routes in a circular manner i.e. I don't like coming back the same way.

FattusCattus · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:33:28 PM »

I, as everyone knows, do a lot of running, and am a natural athlete.

It could well be the shoes, and that your left foot is pro-nating. If you are worried about spending lots on shoes, Saucony used to be an excellent brand at reasonable prices.

I went to Sweat Shop down here and ran over their machine which apprerently tells you how you run, and what sort of style and support you need in a shoe.

These machines are extremely accurate, as this one was able to tell the shop girl that i was very fat, and needed surgical support to make my legs function.

ProWannabe88 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:42:17 PM »

Quote from: FattusCattus on March 12, 2014, 03:33:28 PM

I, as everyone knows, do a lot of running, and am a natural athlete.

It could well be the shoes, and that your left foot is pro-nating. If you are worried about spending lots on shoes, Saucony used to be an excellent brand at reasonable prices.

I went to Sweat Shop down here and ran over their machine which apprerently tells you how you run, and what sort of style and support you need in a shoe.

These machines are extremely accurate, as this one was able to tell the shop girl that i was very fat, and needed surgical support to make my legs function.

helpful, comical and INSPIRATIONAL as always cattus. I have a sweat shop nearby so may pop in. I don't mind paying the cash for quality gear, but when I can see three doors down that the factory outlet store has the same shoe in, in the same colour, at half the price it's a bit of a no brainer really. They just don't have the super duper foot measuring thingy.

ProWannabe88 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:44:26 PM »

Quote from: The Palmist on March 12, 2014, 03:32:35 PM

Buy the shoes and then get a refund?

I plan my routes in a circular manner i.e. I don't like coming back the same way.

I hadn't thought of that... that may just work. But when I tell them I am returning the shoes I will need a damn good excuse considering the shop had about 13516546532 different pairs in stock.

Yeah I hated running somewhere to then run back the same way. That's when I got fed up with it. Used to run to the city centre outskirts, then turn back when I wanted a long run out. 4 miles there and 4 miles back lol easiest way to do it and know what distance I had covered.

FattusCattus · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:54:36 PM »

Quote from: Rob Pack Cricket on March 12, 2014, 03:42:17 PM

comical and INSPIRATIONAL

Which is precisely how my fans describe my running style.

bruggers100 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:56:55 PM »

Someone watching you running should be able to tell you whether you are pronate / neutral / under pronate. I once went to a sports shop to get tested. All they did was watch me run on their treadmill and advise from there. I though I pronated but was told I was neutral. Bought trainers at high price from them. After that I knew what I needed going forward, so now I am able to hunt out the bargains.

I've never had the machine with sensors type treatment so can't comment on that but it would seem sensible to get it done so you'll know what to get in the future. Plus it may confirm whats happening to your calf.

Also, running shoes have a mileage limit in which the work best. This could be causing some of your pains.

arsenal123 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:58:14 PM »

Think gait-analysis is the term you're looking for.

tim2000s · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:59:03 PM »

Quote from: Rob Pack Cricket on March 12, 2014, 03:42:17 PM

helpful, comical and INSPIRATIONAL as always cattus. I have a sweat shop nearby so may pop in. I don't mind paying the cash for quality gear, but when I can see three doors down that the factory outlet store has the same shoe in, in the same colour, at half the price it's a bit of a no brainer really. They just don't have the super duper foot measuring thingy.

Maybe there is your answer. Go into the shop with the measuring thingy, and tell them you can get shoes down the road at half the price then see what you can negotiate. I bet they'd reduce the shoe price and do the gait analysis.

Alternatively, do the tests, come to the till with shoes and whip your wallet out with out any cards or cash, then tell them you need to nip out and get them and "you'll be back"... That worked a treat for me. Pretty brazen though!

bruggers100 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:59:41 PM »

Quote from: bruggers100 on March 12, 2014, 03:56:55 PM

Someone watching you running should be able to tell you whether you are pronate / neutral / under pronate. I once went to a sports shop to get tested. All they did was watch me run on their treadmill and advise from there. I though I pronated but was told I was neutral. Bought trainers at high price from them. After that I knew what I needed going forward, so now I am able to hunt out the bargains.

I've never had the machine with sensors type treatment so can't comment on that but it would seem sensible to get it done so you'll know what to get in the future. Plus it may confirm whats happening to your calf.

Also, running shoes have a mileage limit in which the work best. This could be causing some of your pains.

By the way, do you mix up the running by going cross country etc. It's a lot easier on the joints.

ProWannabe88 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2014, 03:59:50 PM »

Quote from: bruggers100 on March 12, 2014, 03:56:55 PM

Also, running shoes have a mileage limit in which the work best. This could be causing some of your pains.

well my shoes now are neutral as I thought that was the best way to go with not knowing at the time.

I did not know that the mileage limit. I need to do more research before spending some pennies I feel

ProWannabe88 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2014, 04:05:54 PM »

Gait analysis - that's the bad boy!

No cross country but I could always mix that in as I live close enough to a fair few places to include them on a longer route.

I considered the 'need the bank' technique but after the Gait Analysis (I'm cleverer now - thanks Arsenal) I'd look and feel a right twonk doing that.

fasteddie · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2014, 04:06:08 PM »

Runners Need are good.
I tool fastereddie there the other week and they set him up nicely. Even said we didn't have to buy a pair from them! We used sportsshoes.com

The advice I was given when running, was to run on grass, turf, anything but the road. That was told to my by the rehab medics at RAF Headley Court. Advice from a world class source.

Softer impact, especially if you're new to it and maybe not quite up to speed.

Jogging on roads is very, very hard wearing to your joints.

Don't skimp on shoes and keep it soft underfoot.

jamielsn15 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2014, 04:16:22 PM »

I'm currently in week 12 of a 16 week London Marathon training plan - managed 19 miles in 2hrs 40 mins last Sunday, got a 3 hour run this weekend to check off

I'd done a half marathon some years ago, never really minded road running, just decided that at some point in my life I had to do the London Marathon. Luckily I work for a charity, so got in on one of their five places...

I plan my run on google maps - usually do a big lap of surrounding villages, but you can set maps to walking routes and work out a pace from the distances it gives you. I've got a Garmin watch which you upload onto their website and it analyses data - great for data geeks like me! Really does help with your strategy though.

I've had trouble with blisters and achilles/calf issues. Been to a physio twice - its all about the stretching and after a run, take a couple of ibuprofen and use arnica cream (natural muscle remedy) on your calves. I can also recommend Skins compression recovery tights - not cheap but definitely worth it!

Re; footwear, the research I've done and spoken to frineds who are serious runners (Mararhon vets, Marathon Des Sables runners) have said that as many who buy off the shelf shoes as those who spend �100+ on shoes as a result of gait analysis, get blisters and issues with their feet. Find a pair that's comfortable, about half a size bigger than you usually take (feet swell when running) and make sure to vaseline your feet before you run anything over 5 miles. That should avoid any issues. Go for a structured pair of shoes - they are the best all round and unless you're planning on changing your running style to planting the ball of your foot as opposed to your heel, avoid the 'free' running shoes. I've had both and would go with the structured shoe.

I've learnt a lot about running technique, re-fuelling and post-run recovery - there's some great info out there but you have to find what works best for you

Johnny · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2014, 06:48:32 PM »

On the gait analysis front, I think it's worth doing and take the hit on more expensive shoes (you are after all getting an extra service thrown in) once you understand your gait you can go to outlets for subsequent pairs. The alternative for saving money is to buy from a specialist (and get gait analysis) but pick something up in the sale section. Most specialist running shoe manufacturers seem to launch a new model each year so last years model tends to be discounted. Or, you could get a shoe like the Nike Lunarglide which has an adaptive sole that will adjust itself if you over pronate slightly

Author Topic: Any Road Runners on the Forum? (Read 1704 times)

ProWannabe88

Any Road Runners on the Forum?

The Palmist

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

FattusCattus

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

ProWannabe88

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

ProWannabe88

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

FattusCattus

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

bruggers100

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

arsenal123

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

tim2000s

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

bruggers100

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

ProWannabe88

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

ProWannabe88

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

fasteddie

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

jamielsn15

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?

Johnny

Re: Any Road Runners on the Forum?