Any ‘runners’ in the house?

Seeing as I’m banned from the bike for a fortnight (damaged ligament in wrist) I need to do something to burn calories. So it looks like I’m going to have to try jogging/running and take a crack at the sofa to 5k thing.

Probably not the best idea to try and do it in my riding shoes soooo….

What trainers for a novice “runner”?

now you have opened a can of worms, no short answer to this one.

to begin with, google it. then go see a specialist shop.

What trainers for a novice “runner”?

seriously.

Hmmm, it is a tricky one this one…. but can I ask if you’ve run ‘much’ before? 5K isn’t really that far, but if you haven’t run much\at all then I can see how it will seem a long way. But I wouldn’t say top end shoes are needed, but good fitting ones are.

Another question would be, do you anticipate running in the future? Shoes prices vary considerably, I’m not one for spending say £80 for one run and you can get comfortable shoes for not much money from sportsdirect, it would be an idea if you had a runner friend who could go with you. If however, you do intend keeping it going then visiting a specialist shop and spending a bit more would be worth it.

I started running recently and bought some merrel ‘barefoot’ shoes from jones as they were half price. Started doing 3 mile runs once of twice a week and increased that by a mile a month. Did 7.35 miles this morning, I’m not fast but I’m more into increasing distance rather than speed. I’m not dead, I’m not injured and didn’t need to read any books on barefoot running techniques.

Can ‘o’ worms opened.

I come from the “only run for busses” school and as such haven’t run for at least 15 years, so 5k is a primary target that I can work up to then on from. As for will I carry on, it depends if I get on with it or not…

Go to a shop, and try as many as you can. Buy the ones that are most comfy.

Go slowly to begin with

In that case I wouldn’t be spending much, as nick says, buy what’s comfy

Gary, interesting.

I read somewhere about a study (scientific one involving RI scans and proper scientific method) that showed barefoot runners having a fr higher level of foot trauma and bone degradation than runners using conventional shoes.

How have you found it?

I read somewhere about a study (scientific one involving RI scans and proper scientific method) that showed barefoot runners having a fr higher level of foot trauma and bone degradation than runners using conventional shoes.

I suspect you might be thinking of the latest vibram study (as opposed to barefoot- the reason I make the distinction is that I suspect it’s quite a bit harder to stress the bones too much, skin feedback and abrasion probably being a limiting factor on excess)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23439417

BTW I got a meta-tarsal stress fracture when I first started running in VFFs – classic too much too soon. Still love running in them though!

How have you found it?

I’ve not had any issues at all, I can even walk the day after a run now.

it is an interesting article, but i’d suggest it’s flawed*.

19 (of the runners)…gradually transitioned to VibramFiveFinger running shoes over 10 weeks…

why the ‘gradual’ transition? – this suggest they were also running in their old shoes, probably in their old style.

that sounds like a really bad way to learn a new tricky technique.

(a bit like learning to snowboard if you’re used to skiing)

only 10 weeks of potentially inconsistent training to get used to fivefingers? and some of the subjects hurt their feet a bit?

no s**t sherlock.

want to start running? – take it easy.

want to start running in skinny shoes? – take it really easy.

(*edit: actually, no. i’ve changed my mind. their experimental method is a good way to look for the potential injuries runners may experience during the learning process. So, it’s a bad not a great way to learn, but maybe a fair representation of the way that many people will try it)

But why would you bother?

Also its not possible to scientifically test in the same way its not easy to test the effectiveness of a given training schedule over another.

what nickc says

that sounds like a really bad way to learn a new tricky technique.

Whats the tricky technique? Put shoes on and run? I wasn’t a runner before so started in ‘barefoot’ shoes, maybe I have nothing to unlearn?

Gary_M – Member
Whats the tricky technique? Put shoes on and run? I wasn’t a runner before so started in ‘barefoot’ shoes, maybe I have nothing to unlearn?

exactly.

it’s very easy to just run on your toes, but then you’ll over work your calf muscles.

it can take a while to sort your landings out.

try searching your area for a running club or your local parkrun

http://www.parkrun.org.uk/

I started running just shy of 20 stone with a local running club now 12 stone and smashing out ultra marathon distances and loving it. As for trainers all down to wether your a normal pronate runner, over pronate o under pronate runner. Have a look here

As for trainers all down to wether your a normal pronate runner, over pronate o under pronate runner. Have a look

Broken link. Try this.

excellent, Underpronation user here.

now where do i find a shoe for that?

Start with a neutral trainer, your running gait will change quite dramatically at first as your muscles learn the movements. Analysis of overpronation/underpronation is even more flawed for a beginner than an experienced runner.

Have a read up on technique, while IMO the “barefoot” fad is overstated there are elements that can be taken from it, such as having the foot land under the body rather than in front of it, and keeping a high cadence. I think that a shoe with a low heel drop can help, but still with a bit of cushioning while you get the techniques right, and technique can soon fade when tired.

Lightweights..

😆