Hi,

I never thought I would find myself in this distasteful position, but I have decided to give running a go (aged 34, 12 stone, last ran at school). I detest running (a hang over from school cross country runs that were no fun) and have not run since school. I have signed up for a 10k run in November, to have a goal to aim for.

I get out on my bike at least twice a week and don’t mind the hills, but my bike riding frequency can be erratic and my level of cycling is not helpig me rid myself of my middle aged spread. I would much rather be on the bike than running, but I need to do something to aid my fitness levels (and make me less of a popbelly sloth). I have bought a Garmin Edge 200 which has helped me motivate myself a bit more (on Strava etc), but still I think I need the additional training (especially since time is precious). I aim to mix running with cycling, as I don’t want to decrease my level of mountain biking at all.

I was looking for advice on running shoes. The training aspect, which I recognise is important, seems clearer in that there are useful online run/walk guides which help ease you into it.

With shoes I am not sure is whether I should be buying a ‘trail shoe’ or regular running shoe? I don’t really fancy running on the pavement much locally, but we have got some easily accessible footpaths and lanes, circa 1 mile or so from home. Would a ‘trail running shoe’ be better than a regular support shoe? Can I use trail running shoes when pavement is the only option (i.e. when staying in a city etc) or will this make me suffer?

Also any shop recommendations would be helpful – how do you rate Runenr’s Need? Any advice much appreciated, I am worried I will be turning into Jabba the Hut soon.

Find a proper running shop with a treadmill, electronic gait gizmo or one where they’ll allow you to run outside and with a decent member of staff to give an assessment of your gait and turn that into advice on suitable Clair Rayners.

I took up trail running 3 years ago it is addictive be warned .

I get sore if I run on hard surfaces so I stick to trails and aim for the soft muddy parts , so for me trail shoes are the best option, mizuno wave harriers for me have been the best

read born to run first. then think about what running you’re realistically going to be doing.

Read “Feet in the clouds ” also

Dont worry about going to a running shop and getting analysed to hell, but just get a pair of shoes that feel comfortable on your feet.

I use these

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/SAU869/saucony-grid-jazz-10,1-running-shoes/

They are cheap, fit me very well and the sole is good for a mix of road or muddy moorland.

IMO running off road is much more enjoyable than on road, but it does make your calf muscles ache like mad.

Dont expect much at first, maybe a coupl of miles or so ie about 30 mins max, and walk if you need to. You will soon be doing 5+ miles before you know it.

Oh and stretch lots afterwards!

sweatshop and runners need are both big chain running stores and should provide good service, though dont be fooled into buying their “insoles” that they try sell you with the shoes….

ofc there are smaller shops like run and become which have HUGE selection of shoes and good know-how though a bit exspencive.

Tbh when you start running you dont want to be running on the roads, it will cause you too many problems.

Start on the grass building up the level of set effort you can maintain for a given time, by this i mean, DONT JOG, jogging does bugger all to help you with running as you dont run the same way in which you jog.

Example, run for 1 min-3 mins then jog/walk for 30sec-1 min, and repeat, making sure when you run, you are running at a steady pace in which you could maintain a conversation at….

Good site i really do recommend is runningtimes very good advice is on there.

if you need more advice im more than up for helping you.

Shoe wise, i wouldnt buy a half trail/half road shoe as they dont give enough support for running, so either go full trail, ie salamon very good, and stick to running in woods ect (very good for building up muscles that stabalise your running)

Or buy proper road shoes and run along tow paths/river paths though no roads, as your bones wont be strong enough, so build up on the paths first in road shoes which will support you.

gl, you will enjoy running the more you do, and the more regular you do it

Trail shoes are fine on the roads, road shoes are fine on the trails. Don’t worry about it, just go do it. Sports Direct have lots of good shoes at cheap prices.

Would go to a specialist running shop myself. I’ve been through the “that’s a snazzy looking bargain” shopping cycle, and all I got was badly fitting shoes. What feels tolerably comfortable in a shop can get downright painful after a few miles of running.

The first time I went to a proper running shop, I didn’t even look at what was on the shelf. The guy measured both feet, length, width and arch length – and came back with a pair of Brooks that were both instantly and long-term comfortable.

I’d never have stumbled across those shoes on the sale rack or in Sports Direct, but I’ve been wearing successive versions of the same shoes ever since.

Doesn’t matter what shoes you buy, as long as they are comfy and supportive FOR YOU. It’s v v important that your shoes are right for you, try loads on, flat ones, support ones, off road ones whatever, as long as YOU are comfy that’s what matters. Get a comfy top and shorts as well, theyre just as important as shoes. You need to run slowly and for short distances to begin with, to get your legs used to it. If you cycle your probably fit enough, find a 3 mile cirlce and try to run it, don’t worry about times or anything, just run, if you need to walk for a bit then walk for a bit, then when you can, start running again.

keep running the same route until you can run it comfortably without stopping, and you feel like you could run some more. Only then either go fatser or go for a longer run.

You’re 12 stone… so unless your 5’0″ or some other short arse hight… you’re not really Jabba yet.

As for running… go to a specialist running shop.

For the first month… don’t worry about training… run for fun. Learn to enjoy it. My tip would be hit the bridelways and footpaths.

One person’s perfect shoe can be another’s nightmare. Echo above advice, get to a specialise running shop who will measure you, analyse your gait and present you with some suitable options.

Don’t choose based on colour, brand etc.

Also… have you thought of running barefoot?

I have these, I like these (Brooks Adrenaline ASR):

A similar ‘inbetweeny’ shoe seems like it would fit the bill.

My usual purchase policy is to try on as many pairs that Sports Direct have at my budget level and run round the room in them till I pick a pair. But I don’t have a decent running shop in easy reach, else I would go there. And I have been running on and off for a few years so I probably have an idea of what I expect to feel on my feet… by the time I get around to replacing a pair more or less anything is an improvement anyway.

I honestly think as long as the shoes are comfortable and fit OK it’s not a huge issue. More important is to build up slowly, and let your legs recover between. 3 weeks off hurts me more than new shoes, every time.

The Southern Yeti – Member
Also… have you thought of running barefoot?

I was wondering how long that would take…

But in answer to OP, road/trail shoe won’t make that much difference in summer at least. Do you know what surface your 10k will be on? Trying on lots and finding something that fits you comfortably is the most important thing. Start gently and don’t increase the distance by too much at a time and you’ll be fine. I started running reluctantly as a poor substitute for riding when away from home/crap weather/short of time etc. and have surprised myself by coming to it enjoy, as well as getting a lot fitter.

Total piss take BTW.

Thank you all for the advice. I will book some time out to go and get measured up for trying out some shoes – I have not had a pair of proper running shoes since Slippery When Wet was on rotation on my walkman, so have no idea how they are supposed to feel (apart from comfortable).

I will see what the running shop recommends and feels comfortable.

The Southern Yeti – you say 12 stone should not make me like Jabba the Hut, and at 6 ft 2 you would think not, but for some reason my belly spreads out every meal so much so in fact that I look like that alien character out of American Dad. Helps mountain biking though, keeps my centre of gravity low.

Gees I’m 5ft 6 and just under 13 stone and not exactly lardy !

Trail shoes are fine on the roads, road shoes are fine on the trails

Have you ran a cross country race? lol

If you get road shoes stick to grass if you can or river paths as running on road is never good to start off with, you just get injury very quickly.

Your wieght doesnt seem to be a issue given your height,but if you have a funky running style then it doesnt matter how heavy you are, doing the funky chiken for 10k isnt going to help 🙂

p.s dont buy some X-talon 212s for a first shoe, they are insanely good and personally love mine to death but they WILL make you think you are a african runner as you try running up silly hills then failing on the way down.

Haven’t read the entire thread but I’m sure there’s plenty of good advice.

What I will say though, is even if you hated running at school for cross-country you may find your attitude is totally different now as an adult and running just for yourself.

I used to hate it at school but really enjoy it now- finished a half marathon a couple of weeks ago and loved it (never thought I’d ever say that).

It’s great for de-stressing and releasing endorphins etc etc and has the advantage of being almost entirely faff-free. If it’s pissing down and miserable in winter I can find it hard to drag myself out on the bike but going for a run is pretty simple, straight out the door, an hour/hour and a half back and done. And running in bad weather I find is quite good fun whereas often cycling in bad weather can be a pretty tedious affair.

Some peoples’ belief in the biomechanics knowledge of a shop worker probably on minimum wage never ceases to amaze me.

Just get some Hi-Tec Silver shadows

12st = Jabba? 😆

Some peoples’ belief in the biomechanics knowledge of a shop worker probably on minimum wage never ceases to amaze me.

Me also.

Merrell Trail Gloves + Couch2 5k

No ones mentioned colour…..get ones that match your sunglasses or the piping on your shorts. You’ll look like a right dick if you choose a running kit in a matching solid colour.

For anything less than fell races (yes, I do plenty), road shoes will be fine for well worn trails and fire road.

But if I had £100 to spend on footwear i wouldn’t look past a pair of NB 110’s and a pair of Saucony Kinvaras……you’d still have change if you hunt and have a shoe suitable for most eventualities.

I got some Saucony trail shoes for cheap off amazon and they’re very comfy. However after 3 weeks of couch to 5k my knees were in tatters and walking was very painful,so i haven’t ran since 🙁 i was almost enjoying it as well.

Some peoples’ belief in the biomechanics knowledge of a shop worker probably on minimum wage never ceases to amaze me.

This may blow your mind, but most people in sports retail aren’t in it for the money – some of us actually enjoy what we do (and, shock horror, know what we’re talking about).

Hard to believe, I know.

Sorry steezysix, don’t want to cast aspersions.

I just think running is such a simple, beautiful, elemental thing, and i hate this perception that you need to go out and get analysed and spend lots of money and follow a training plan before you even try doing a few miles.

Hah, no worries, just low blood sugar – I’ve had dinner now so I’m alright 🙂

I do agree with you about fancy gubbins, however with something like running, having good kit when starting out can make the whole thing more enjoyable, particularly when the OP admits to a reluctance towards starting again. I see tons of people who have bought shoes off the shelf at JJB, etc, which haven’t worked then they go back and do the same thing again and again. Eventually they try the “professional” approach. If they’d taken the time to get some (free) advice to start with, they’d have saved themselves money and pain along the way.

In WORK, however a 50 min run round the woods at Dalbeattie at 8 this morning and now I am feeling relaxed and happy I love running it is as already stated faff free

I ran competitively for years (stick to the bike now in me old age) and always refused to pay silly money for shoes. So long as they fit comfortably and are well made they’ll be fine. I do concede though that it’s a lot easier after years of running, you tend to know instinctively what feels right.
The most I used to pay for shoes was for my Walshies for fell running, must have gone through a dozen pairs of them over the years.

I think you should think twice about paying ‘silly money’ though, as You might kick running into touch after your race 😈 Not everybody loves it.

Get the cheapest, lightest and most minimal shoes you can find.
Start doing very small amount of running preferably on grassy or dirt surfaces.
Gradually build up your mileage.

A shop will use their guidance but it can lead to problems.

Start slowly with walk/run and build a strong foundation.

You’ve heard of road bike errors and fitting?

You’re unique.

Get shoes that allow you run similar to how you run bare feet.

The US Air Force did a big study a few years ago – giving people ‘tailored’ footwear after gait analysis did nothing to reduce injury compared to giving everyone neutral shoes. Buy something cheap(ish) that fits and don’t slap away on pavements.

I went for my first run yesterday since… well …very long time

Went into Lidl on the way to work to buy some cake and ended up buying a pair of running shoes for £15

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_31414.htm

They felt ok considering i have wide flat feet and overpronate. Did a fitting at shop once and came away with some NB motion control shoes which felt like running on concrete but harder.

Oh and completely gonna take blablablacksheep’s advice on the run/stop but don’t jog thing… makes tonnes of scene to me.

Well, purchased a pair of shoes at the local sports store. Seemed relatively faff free and they didn’t pressure me into spending big money, but concerntrated on the fit. Went for a pair of regular running shoes in the end, I thought if I am that keen still in the winter I can then invest in a pair of trail shoes if really required.

Went out for a run in the woods close to home Saturday evening. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would – stuck to the run/walk mix. I was out over half an hour, nice views and the weather was pretty good, so might have added rose tinting to my specs.

Not yet put off, which is a good start, but by the power of greyskull it hurts like hell this morning. Next run probbaly going to be a bit shorter in length, just trying to find the right distance to ease in to.

Thanks to all for your advice – the book(s) mentioned above look worth reading.