Running (like with your feet)

[AJ]

Wondering if anyone else here does any running and has any 5k or similar experience. I have recenly started the C25K (Couch Potato to 5K) programs and I'm in week 3. I haven't ran like this since we were required to run a mile for gym in high school. Back then I could run a 7 min mile. I'm actually happy to say that I'm currently at a 10 min mile as of right now.

The C25K has been great to mix walking and running into a program that I can easily stick to, doesn't wear me down, and only requires me to run 3 days a week. I'm curious if anyone else has done this. I have to admit, these last 2 weeks at least, I feel great after a run, and I'm looking forward to completing a 5k in Sept, the first time I've even ran anything over a mile.

Shoes are a big thing I need to look into. I bought a pair of Nike's with some great support after the first auto x since my feet where killing me, but now I realized I need to continue looking at this as part of not getting hurt.

 

[DrWebster]

Shoes are very important when it comes to running. There are multiple kinds of running shoes, each tailored to the way your foot tends to land:

http://www.zappos.com/running-shoe-fit-guide

Or you can go to a dedicated running store (like Running Room or Run N Fun) and they can take a look and make suggestions.

Also, if you plan to keep running long-term, remember that running shoes are only good for about 300-400 miles. They may look fine on the outside, but if the padding in the sole wears out, you'll end up hurting yourself. I've done this a couple of times, went running with worn-out shoes, and each time I ended up hurting my ankle or knee bad enough that I couldn't run for a week due to the pain.

 

[jr6290]

I've recently gotten into running. I've love my nike lugarglide+ 3. They are the most comfortable shoe I've ever had. The lunarglide+ 2 was the most successful shoe nike ever sold!

Either finishline.com or runningwarehouse.com they'll both have coupons for 10%-20% off

 

[AJ]

Jana and I hit up the Running Room in Maple Grove and I left with a pair of Asics Gel-Nimbus 13s. The guy had me walk without shoes and suggest form there. I can feel the big difference these have over my current Nike pair in the heel support alone.

 

[DrWebster]

Good to hear AJ, I had gone to a Running Room back when I started running and they did the same thing. I've been rocking Asics for a while now and have been very happy with how they're designed and wear (just bought a new pair today in fact). I think you'll find that running suddenly seems a bit less fatiguing now that you have shoes with the proper support.

 

[niterydr]

I will typically run .5-1mile for a warm up prior to lifting on my lift days at the gym. I also take Scotty for walks for 1.5-3 miles depending upon the heat.

Congratulations on finding a program that works with you and I wish you luck sticking with it. A 5k is a little over 3 miles, so if you combined running/walking you should get it done no problem. Do you have a time goal with the first one, or is it to finish?

 

[AJ]

no time goal set, just want to finish. I'd love to be able to run it completely, but I'm not holding my breath. I figure if I mix some running and walking up a bit, I'd like to hit it below 40 min, but we'll see.

 

[Turbotalon1g]

Nice. I've been running on and off for a few weeks, i end up covering 2 miles in about 17-18mins.

I just bought some new reebok running shoes i forgot what they are called, but they are all mesh and super lightweight. The first time I did a sprint with them i felt like my feet were moving faster than I could control them.

Good luck with the running, let me know if u want to get together on the weekends and do work!

 

[AJ]

My legs are hurting fairly good now that I'm in my forth week so I've had to scale back a bit on the running.

 

[Tauni]

Glad to hear the shoe factor is covered so that I don't need to preach (I work in a store similar to places like Running Room and Run N Fun). Anyway, for someone who isn't used to the rigors of running, I highly suggest cross training (biking, swimming, etc), as it helps take a bit of the abuse off your joints while still building the muscle base. Also, NEVER force it...while following a program is helpful, it is also not advised to run if you really aren't feeling it that day, be it pain, motivation, etc. If you go into the run feeling like it's just not what you want to do that day, it makes it a chore, and running, like many other sports, is largely a mental battle as well as a physical one.

Also, do not listen to all of the "fad" type of stuff that you might read in magazines. Don't trust big chain stores (such as Champs, Sports Authority, etc) for information on what you need. Talk to your fellow runners and talk to the employees of the running specialty stores if you have questions about socks, clothing, accessories and the like. I am always willing to answer questions, just let me know!