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Running

post #1 of 34
11/1/09 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 
Does anyone do regular running here? Whether on treadmill or outdoors?

Anyone join competitive marathons? Or any kind of marathons for that matter? 5K runs? 10K runs? Longer?

I've noticed that running has been gaining attention recently (maybe just in my area though) and I don't know why. I think I'll be taking up running seriously now. Going to a local runner's store tomorrow to see what they've got and maybe take a gait test on their treadmill to see what shoes are right for me.

Any advice what the best shoes for running are? All I've got are mid-cut basketball shoes and those really weighed me down when I used them for a 5K run.

Tips? What to focus on when buying running gear? Anecdotes?

And how true is it that regular running wrecks havoc on one's knees?
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post #2 of 34
11/1/09 at 4:02pm
I'm an avid runner currently training for my first marathon this month. In the past I've run mainly mid-distance: 5k and 10k's.

*Knock on wood* I've never had any knee problems and have been very conscience of it. For example, I never run concrete and do a lot of trail running. If knee problems run in your physiology, I would consider running exclusively on trails. That's my favorite type of running for the varied terrain. I never could do the treadmill thing. In the winter, I do speedwork on indoor tracks or brave the elements, which is a great calorie burner since your body has to metabolize faster.

There's a running shoe thread in the gear form with discussion of gear. But you shouldn't need that with a gait test. The shop should hook you up fine. Wear what you like. In my experience, most of the sweat wicking farbrics are comparable. Running is like any other hobby. You can geek and tweek to your heart's content with the latest and greatest. I like to keep things simple.
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post #3 of 34
11/1/09 at 4:19pm
3 marathons to date:

Canberra Marathon X 2 (road) easy

6 foot track X 1 (bush) Australia’s toughest
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post #4 of 34
11/1/09 at 10:16pm
I've just gotten into running earlier this year and have been running a routine 10k route every Sunday. Ran my first 22k half-marathon in the summer but injured my knee in the last stretch (tweaked IT band) and needed some physio done. Still get a bit of irritation every once in a while.
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post #5 of 34
11/1/09 at 10:59pm
I had the intention of starting running this summer, but it turns out that working as an electrical apprentice is usually exhausting. I've always had trouble getting a running shoe to feel right, too. The local running store recommended that I use some kind of insert, but it felt like it put most of the pressure on my arch. I thought possibly it would wear in to feel right, but the aforementioned working kind of put that consideration on hold.

Edit: perhaps I'll read up in the gear forum and try again in the spring.
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post #6 of 34
11/1/09 at 11:11pm
I run track in HS (100m & 200m sprints), but that's more of a supplement to swim and cycling for me. Especially Cycling..
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post #7 of 34
11/1/09 at 11:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fuseboxx View Post
Any advice what the best shoes for running are? All I've got are mid-cut basketball shoes and those really weighed me down when I used them for a 5K run.
If you haven't started running yet do yourself a favor in the long run (no pun intended) and pick up some of these...



Vibram - five fingers

You will learn to run properly, build muscles and have better balance, agility and proprioception... something you lose with the traditional shoe.

Vibram Five Fingers: Discover the Barefooting Alternative
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post #8 of 34
11/2/09 at 4:46am
Thread Starter 
Just came from the local shoe store and ended up buying a pair of Asics GT-2130:



Will run around the park later for what's hopefully a 5k run (if I estimated the length correctly).
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post #9 of 34
11/2/09 at 4:51am
I'm one of those who could never do the treadmill thing. Having scenery fly by is so much more interesting, even if you're running in circles around a track.
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post #10 of 34
11/2/09 at 5:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenix View Post
I'm one of those who could never do the treadmill thing. Having scenery fly by is so much more interesting, even if you're running in circles around a track.
That's what the TV is for, silly!
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post #11 of 34
11/2/09 at 6:52am
I run between 75 and 100k per week and IMHO, running form is the most important thing to running fast and staying injury free.

The Vibram`s mentioned by Graph are fine, and they will do everything that he (she?) suggests, but what is more important, is that they prevent you from running with a heal strike and locked knee on impact. It`s virtually impossible when wearing them (just as it would be when running barefoot). You are automatically forced to run with good form when you wear Vibrams or go barefoot. Avoid heel striking at all costs!

The important thing is to educate yourself about proper form and then it really doesn`t matter what kind of shoes (or no shoes) you wear. I personally prefer racing flats, even for my long runs of 20+ kilometers, but with proper form, you should have no problems even with beefier shoes like the Asics you purchased.

Some good books to read on form are:

Running Fast and Injury Free, by Gordon Pirie
ChiRunning,　by Danny Dreyer (this is my personal favourite)
Pose Running, by Nicholas Romanov

Running has changed my life and I think I would be devastated if I ever got injured and could no longer run. So I have worked very hard on my form to stay injury free.

One word of caution. Don`t try to do too much too fast. That is also a sure-fire road to injury. Take it easy at first, and build your mileage slowly over time.
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post #12 of 34
11/2/09 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlanger View Post
I run between 75 and 100k per week
Wow, that's logging distance right there. Form is important to a point, but may I offer that when you resist your own body's natural mechanics, that can create a new set of problems. For serious distance running, there are some that simply aren't built for it.
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post #13 of 34
11/2/09 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fuseboxx View Post
Just came from the local shoe store and ended up buying a pair of Asics GT-2130:



Will run around the park later for what's hopefully a 5k run (if I estimated the length correctly).
Running wise well, I don't have experience with all the runners, but you'll have to go for something that is rather 'flexible', by this I mean picking up the shoe and trying to 'fold' it in half.

Asics to my knowledge and experience are probably the best shoes to go for in terms of comfort, quality, etc. I've tried Nike's and they are nothing comparable to a pair of Asics. That being said, I haven't done running for a while cos' my knee is more or less worn out and I spend most days wearing a thermal knee guard now; and yes, I used to run a fair bit for school and stuffs.

hope ya run went well by the way =) Runs are good as you release stress, etc and if you actually run by the beach and believe in negative ions and things like that, there's another plus point for ya.
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post #14 of 34
11/2/09 at 2:49pm
Any alternatives to the vibrams that don't look so goofy?

I have reoccurring shin-splint problems that creep up every time I push the miles more than 6-7 a week- so it really puts a damper on my running. I would be running more like 10-15 without the shin splints. I do think the traditional "cushy" shoe is part of my problem.

Do the thin soled shoes work OK on pavement? I have to run about 1.5 miles to get to the nearest gravel/dirt path (so 3 miles pavement minimum).
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post #15 of 34
11/2/09 at 3:41pm
i'm not sure but won't those thinsoled shoes wreak havoc on your knees and lower back with less cushoning?
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