Running

[squiggs96]

For my first pair of good running shoes I went to the Running Room and the staff were excellent. After you buy your first pair of expensive shoes you will likely not go back to the cheaper (in price) ones. I buy the Asics Nimbus and update once each new pair comes out. The new pair become my gym pair, the gym pair become my outside running pair and the outside running pair become the ones I go to the park/hockey games/short bike rides etc. They are $180 in Canada but only $125 in the States. I travel a lot in the States so I do most of my shopping there.

[sevenarms]

If you're going to get into running I recommend read Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has ever Seen by Christopher McDougall.

The book was addictive, made me want to run more, and reevaluate my footwear choice.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6289283-born-to-run

As for the five fingers shoes, I think they're great but you look a goofball wearing them. Buy a shoe that's light, doesn't have much cushioning, and is comfortable. And take it easy when you start. It'll be like learning to run all over again.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

The running shoe business is a load of quackery. The University of Calgary has a world renowned running shoe clinic and their findings are debunking most running shoe "technology."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/...fort-nigg.html

I've done the full on $200 motion control shoes with full orthotics, and I now run in a simple set of Nike Free's (though I still have the orthotic inserts as my arches have become dependent on them.). I'd start with basic shoes and work up to the fancier doodads if you really feel you need them.

Gait analysis is also hokey. I've gotten completely opposite advice from two different stores on the same day.

The Running Room training programs are good, though it seems like the classes are often 90% middle-aged women.

The main difference for me between the cheaper shoes and the more expensive ones is the weight.

I notice a big difference running with my $60 reeboks or my $150 asics... I don't dig the whole running science, but I do understand what feels heavier and what feels lighter and allows me to run smoother and longer.

[Shin Pad]

I've been running since 1967 (yeah, that's a long time). I started in high school, and ran cross country and track. I was a pretty decent runner in those days - in grade 12, I was in the top 10 in the province (BC).

Anyway, to the subject of runners - when I was running outside, I'd go through about 4 pairs of runners every year. I was logging a lot of kms, and the shoes just got "pounded out". For the last 10 years or so, I've switched to running on a tread mill. I switch up my routine, so I'm only running every 2nd day for about 40 minutes each time (biking the other days). Now, a pair of runners will last me about 2 years or more. They just don't seem to get pounded out as much on the tread mill. BTW - I use Asics (have for years). Like Greenlantern above noted - they run around $150.00. I've gone through a lot of Nikes, Reebok, Newbalance, etc. - I ended up preferring the Asics to all of them.

[frinkprof]

I used to go jogging, but the ice cubes kept falling out of my glass.

[Devils'Advocate]

I just took up running 6 weeks ago. Joined the Running Room run club.

Started with the beginner 2.5K and it was too easy.
So I jumped to the 5K and still felt good afterwards.
Last week I did my first 10K and still think I could keep going.

I was thinking of challenging myself to the half marathon, but I'm concerned about hitting a wall miles from home. The Running Room takes us out on trails, so it's not like I could give up and hop on a bus. And going from 10K to over 20K seems like quite the jump.

[gargamel]

The majority of serious but non-sponsored runners that I know swear by Asics. Look at the heels of your old running shoes. If they're worn on the outside of the foot, get the Cumulus. If they're worn on the inside of the foot, get the Kayano (if they're severely worn) or the 21xx (if they're moderately worn). If they're evenly worn in the heel, go with the Nimbus.

I like the Nike Frees as a training tool once or twice a week, but they should not be your primary training shoe, especially for a beginner.

[SHOGUN]

Simple Aasics do well for me.

[SHOGUN]

Originally Posted by Shin Pad

I've been running since 1967 (yeah, that's a long time). I started in high school, and ran cross country and track. I was a pretty decent runner in those days - in grade 12, I was in the top 10 in the province (BC).

Anyway, to the subject of runners - when I was running outside, I'd go through about 4 pairs of runners every year. I was logging a lot of kms, and the shoes just got "pounded out". For the last 10 years or so, I've switched to running on a tread mill. I switch up my routine, so I'm only running every 2nd day for about 40 minutes each time (biking the other days). Now, a pair of runners will last me about 2 years or more. They just don't seem to get pounded out as much on the tread mill. BTW - I use Asics (have for years). Like Greenlantern above noted - they run around $150.00. I've gone through a lot of Nikes, Reebok, Newbalance, etc. - I ended up preferring the Asics to all of them.

Yeah, by far the most comfortable and durable shoes.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I just took up running 6 weeks ago. Joined the Running Room run club.

Started with the beginner 2.5K and it was too easy.
So I jumped to the 5K and still felt good afterwards.
Last week I did my first 10K and still think I could keep going.

I was thinking of challenging myself to the half marathon, but I'm concerned about hitting a wall miles from home. The Running Room takes us out on trails, so it's not like I could give up and hop on a bus. And going from 10K to over 20K seems like quite the jump.

You tackle it the same way you tackled the other distances. Just keep pushing your longer training runs out a few kilometres at a time. The gap will eventually close as your fitness rises.

If you can run 16 km or roughly 10 miles in your long practice run you'll probably make it the other five km to finish a half marathon . . . . . or you're close enough to get it done hopping on one leg.

Half-Marathon, I believe, is the fastest growing distance in North America.

It's within reach of most people and really means you only have to be a halfways fanatic, unlike a marathon which chews up a lot of your time and becomes a far more serious lifestyle choice.

There might be a time when you find the half-marathon starting to get too easy and try to step up to the marathon. Now THAT's a pretty big gap to leap.

Cowperson

Just for god's sake: don't push yourself too hard and too fast! Try to incorporate some weights to strengthen your glutes/thighs. This will help prevent injury to your knees. (I wish someone had told me this before I ran my first half... now I'm not sure my knees will handle the half at the end of the month.)

[macker]

^
http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Kn...megadrop_story

very true.....lunges, left lifts, squats, band pulls etc.etc.can never do too much. I also think that biking is a great way to build up your legs to help you run better and with less chance of injury. Mix in some swimming and you have a balanced approach to training....do that and start on some Triathlons. If you just run all the time and ignore weight training and cross training your chance of injury is compounded. Training and muscle groups need balance.

[Tron_fdc]

I've been running since I was 8 years old, competitive long distance and track. The only shoe that does not give me shin splints is an Asic. I've never gone over a half marathon distance though.

Nike's are garbage. Don't bother. Adidas I find too stiff in the sole. I've only owned one pair of Saucony, and didn't like the "feel".

Everyone is different though.

As far as a half marathon goes, for anyone that is considering it, I would go run a 10k that also has a half and maybe full marathon running the same day before you do it. Watch the people's faces as they come in; it's a strange combination of jubilation for finishing, and excruciating pain for kicking the hell out of your body. That's more pain than I need to endure, thanks. Not my cup of tea at all.

[Devils'Advocate]

I was looking at participating in a real half-marathon and saw that they are really, really expensive. For example, I was looking at the Bluenose Marathon in Halifax. Registration for running the half-marathon is $80!! Why is it so expensive?

[Shin Pad]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I was looking at participating in a real half-marathon and saw that they are really, really expensive. For example, I was looking at the Bluenose Marathon in Halifax. Registration for running the half-marathon is $80!! Why is it so expensive?

To pay for the insurance in case someone who has a heart attack during the race, sues them

[FireInTheHole]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

You tackle it the same way you tackled the other distances. Just keep pushing your longer training runs out a few kilometres at a time. The gap will eventually close as your fitness rises.

If you can run 16 km or roughly 10 miles in your long practice run you'll probably make it the other five km to finish a half marathon . . . . . or you're close enough to get it done hopping on one leg.

Half-Marathon, I believe, is the fastest growing distance in North America.

It's within reach of most people and really means you only have to be a halfways fanatic, unlike a marathon which chews up a lot of your time and becomes a far more serious lifestyle choice.

There might be a time when you find the half-marathon starting to get too easy and try to step up to the marathon. Now THAT's a pretty big gap to leap.

Cowperson

I overheard a conversation today waiting to start our run at the Running Room - they were saying that it's not twice as hard to run a marathon versus a half - it's four times as hard. I've run a half before but not the full. However I do believe it. I think running a half marathon is much more difficult than a 10k. Could you imagine running an Ultra (ie: 100k???) OUCH!

[Mayer]

Has anyone had any trouble with ITBS?

I ran a few 10km's over the past month to make sure I would be able to do the Sun Run in Vancouver. I started developing this terrible pain in the sides of my knees when I would go downhill and figured out after some research that it is called ITBS.

I haven't been able to make it go away for good.

[robocop]

I got some vibram's and have found a fairly big difference. Basically, if you can manage to land on the front of your foot, which takes substantially more effort, your muscles take way way more of the load than the joints and bones and you get much less pain. I could never go back to normal shoes now. The only thing is you have to take it very easy and progressively work your way up to longer and longer runs or you'll end up not being able to walk for a few days because your leg muscles are completely seized up, I did this and it sucks not being able to get up stairs.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by FireInTheHole

I overheard a conversation today waiting to start our run at the Running Room - they were saying that it's not twice as hard to run a marathon versus a half - it's four times as hard. I've run a half before but not the full. However I do believe it. I think running a half marathon is much more difficult than a 10k. Could you imagine running an Ultra (ie: 100k???) OUCH!

I've run literally dozens of half-marathons and three full marathons. I ran half-marathons in Oregon and California last year and others locally. If I'm going on a holiday, I'll try to wrap a race in it somewhere. It's usually a great experience and a nice add-on.

Yes, I'd say its true that a full is about four times harder than a half.

A marathon is just an entirely different experience where body management is absolutely critical, particularly inputs, far moreso than the other distances. Secondly, the preparation for a marathon becomes a pretty serious imposition in your life, unlike a half-marathon which requires some consistency in your training but is a far more enjoyable lifestyle experience.

Still, when I ran a marathon in Hawaii last year, they were introducing guys who were running their 600th, 500th, 400th . . . . . what the hell?

Just depends who you are. For some, a marathon is just flat out easier on them than it might be on me and that's because of who they are when they were born I think.

One of the more humbling things about running is seeing the various body shapes around you at the start line . . . . there are people there you'd never guess are going to smoke you in the race, in spite of their fat asses.

Getting ready for the start of the Pacific Half-Marathon near Agoura Hills, California, a little north of Malibu. The start is at the old Paramount Studios western movie set used for movies and shows like Bonanza and The Virginian with part of the route on Mullholland Drive. Extremely hilly course. I'm out in the crowd somewhere.



Love running in strange places.

I was looking at participating in a real half-marathon and saw that they are really, really expensive. For example, I was looking at the Bluenose Marathon in Halifax. Registration for running the half-marathon is $80!! Why is it so expensive?

Distance = cost for organizors.

One of the people who sets a number of these up in our local area was quoting me $1,000 per kilometre for taking care of it when I was looking at organizing one for a non-profit (it'll be there next year).

Half-marathon is the fastest growing distance in North America and sixty percent of participants will be women.

Cowperson

[Tilley]

Here's a link to a runner's world article regarding running form (heel-strike, mid-foot) and shoes type (minimalist vs traditional shoes).

http://peakperformance.runnersworld....shoe-type.html

The researcher is a good friend of mine (we're in the same program at UNC) and he has since doubled his sample size. This is the introductory phase of a larger study to examine running form and injuries.