Running v2

[Dmoney]

So... I'm sat in work waiting to clock off so I can run home. I was just searching this site for an old thread about running and found myself saying....

I have work 12noon - 10pm for 5 days starting tomorrow. My rather idiotic plan is to make my way to work on foot a few times. its 10miles away from my house. I've done it before as a casual stroll but I want to push it. i really really doubt I'd be able to run it! power walk maybe... ha

A while ago I actually ran this. It's my longest run to date. No rest stops. New Cross to White City.

back in January I was sat in work thinking "what do fit people do?" and I decided they did marathans. So I downloaded the Beginners trainings program from the London Marathan website and just started working through it 6 days a week or whatever. I had to take a few weeks off after I over did myself running 18 miles back to back over 2 days (two 9 miles runs). I managed to start and keep in up in winter, through the snow and rain. Yesterday I figured out I'd lost 2 stone (I'm 14 stone now and technically overweight still according to my BMI, which doesn't mean much!). I've changed my diet as well. trying to eat healthier since I started running. Some times I slip but as long as I'm thinking about what I eat, them I'm ok. I've also kept up going to the gym invested in an ez curl bar at home. Anyway!

Running is something I've found that I really enjoy. I find i go into quite a meditative state, and South East London turns out to be a good spot to explore on foot if you plan ahead.

Which brings me to...SHOES!

When I started out, I got from Nike Free Run 2's with the 5.0 soles. I didn't realise they were meant to be a sort of partial barefoot feel shoe. Probably why running was hard at the start. I recently got some newer Free Run 5.0s which are quite an offensive colour, which I like, and they are super comfy too. I just took a gamble on some new 3.0 which have less cushioning and a more flexible and flat sole. I'm looking forward to getting some use from them. The worst thing about these shoes is when I run up north at my dads, I get LOADS of stones stuck in the grooves of the soles (which are really deep). I need something with a solid sole for dirt, which also make me wonder about running trails.

Any more runners here? Ever run trails in or around london or have some good routes?

[JJretroTONEGOD]

I used to run a massive amount, my favourite brand of shoes are New Balance, Asics and Saucony, they seem to last for ages and are well made and never had any problems with stones getting in, have you been running in this insane heat? ...

I haven't been on a run for around 1-2 years now and need to start again soon when I get some new shoes.

[Philly Q]

I admire your dedication, wouldn't fancy running at this time of year (...or any time of year, to be honest)

I did a couple of 10k runs a few years ago, but running doesn't agree with me at all - I get shin splints and it screws up my lower back (which already gives me trouble anyway).  I probably have a bad running "style" but that's not something which is easy to fix.  So it's indoor exercise bike for me.

There's my totally useless tuppence ha'penny worth.  Keep it up!

[Dmoney]

There was a period when I got really bad shin splints for seemingly no reason. I wasn't at my heaviest and I wasn't running. I used to get them stood while watching bands. SO horrible! I also have no idea what I did to make them stop.

Since it's been really hot I've actually been working 12noon - 10pm. Shut in a box. It's been really frustrating other than monday when I walked over the Dover cliffs with a friend. That was sunny but pretty windy.

Last night was the first run I'd done for a while set off after work and got home just after midnight so I wasn't in the heat or sun and in new shoes right out the box. 11 miles in 1hr 43mins. White City to New Cross via Marble Arch and Vauxhall.

[_tom_]

I keep trying to get into running just as a break from all the cycling I do. Problem is each time I try, the day after I have terrible pains in my hips and knees and they feel grindy and clicky. Back aches as well. I guess it's from all those years I was morbidly obese, must have messed my joints up!

Oh and I have Saucony trail shoes and they're really comfy.  Though I think I bruised my heels last time I ran with em but probably more down to poor running form than the shoe.

[Dmoney]

I don't really know anything but my assumption would be if you do a lot of cycling then maybe the muscles in your legs have developed to suit that, rather than running. Different forces and levels of impact and all that.

The shoes I ran in last night are meant to be a minimalist 'barefoot' style shoe. More so than my other Nike Free's. I could feel my feet and legs working a little harder but it was ok. I used to get really bad knee pains quite frequently but now even with running that is pretty rare. I have been very aware of how I run though and do try to land on my mid foot rather than land hand on the heal. I have wondered if that has helped a lot. When I go to the gym I also do resistance training with my legs which probably helps too.

I'm recovering from last nights run before I try another 10miles. Starting at my gaff, then over to Tower Bridge, across the bridge and back along the other side of the Thames down the Isle of Dogs to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, through that and then home. Should be some quite nice views... other than the Old Kent Road.

[JDC]

Been thinking of going on a cut due to the fat I gained from my bulking phase I did while building muscle at uni last year, will be mixing up 3 HIIT sessions on the gym bikes after resistance training my upper body, legs being my strong point so I hardly train them and HIIT should maintain their size. The rest of the week I plan 2 LISS sessions of 20 minutes (LISS being low intensity steady state cardio) to increase total energy output if needed as I'm aiming to lose 2lb a week so long as I don't lose strength

After sessions on the gym bike I always do hip flexor stretches to fix my anterior pelvic tilt which helps reduce lower back problems, most of this can be attributed to sitting down for too long. Really wish the gym had a foam roller so I could relieve tension from tight hip flexors and lower back by foam rolling them.

[Mr. Air]

I do a good deal of running. Nothing extreme but i like to og running often. I can really recommend a running test that will tell your running style and what shoes that fit it. I am a neutral runner and i got two pairs of shoes that i really like and it is a pair of Mizuno wave rider and a pair of Nike lunar glide 3.

If you like the barefoot running style and experience you should check out Vibram fivefingers. I haven't tried a pair, but they are supposed to be excellent.

[Dmoney]

I've never had a close look at my gate. I have looked at old shoes and tried to see where they are worn on the bottom. I find the Nike Free's really comfortable though so I've just stuck with that. I think if I wanted to go closer to barefoot after looking at some reviews I'd probably try the Merrell Trail Glove's look decent. 5 fingers would probably annoy me. I feel like I'd stub my toes and get stuff stuck between them a lot.