Running

[Temporary_User]

With summer almost fully upon us, I figure more and more of us are getting out for a good jog/run.

I am on of these people, except I am an absolute beginner at it.
I need a new pair of running shoes, and I need advice on what running shoes to get.

As for running outside, I just got a treadmill last week as well. Will the shoes I buy for running outside work well for on the treadmill too, or should i look into getting two different shoes? (The large majority of my outdoor running will take place on the city's pathways.

I was looking at those shoes that you can essentially roll up into a ball. Is this a good thing for myself, or is it just a new gimmick type thing?

So CP, please give me some advice on what shoes to buy, where to go, what to look for, and maybe on some more stuff.

[troutman]

Running Room - bring old shoes you have run in, and they will find you a pair of shoes ideal for your feet. Skip their advice on how often you should replace shoes - they want to sell you a new pair every couple of months.

http://www.shop.runningroom.com/?shoefinder=launch

[Old Yeller]

Seconding the Running Room recommendation. Be prepared for some sticker shock... a decent pair of running shoes can easily cost $150.


Also... there are shoes you can roll up into a ball?

[BurningYears]

I think he is talking about these

[ma-skis.com]

seems like your toes would get mighty sweaty in there

[Temporary_User]

Originally Posted by BurningYears

I think he is talking about these

ahh no. They actually look just like normal shoes, but can coil up. Ill search for an image online.



This is the best image I could quickly find. You could see though with a little more force how you could roll it up. They are also extremely light of a shoe.

[underGRADFlame]

Reebok Zigfly
These are my next running shoe. I'll be getting them on the 15th.

[Komskies]

I thought barefoot running was all the rage these days. It doesn't get more natural than that.

[Mass_nerder]

Serious runners will get upset if you talk about "jogging".
I would also suggest the running room. They analyze your gait, and give you some recommendations based on price point.
Most casual runners should be fine with one pair for the entire season.
Its only important to replace your shoes every few months if you're doing serious running.

[tete]

I've honestly never felt comfortable at the Running Room. There are a few other places you can go for good shoe fittings - Strides in Marda Loop and Gord's in the NW (19th St NW I think?) My friend loves Gord's because you can take them outside for a run even, and as long as they're not muddied and such, you can return them.

I tend to use the same shoe for treadmill and outdoor running - I tended to keep the treadmill for winter use, outdoors for summer.

Download the Couch to 5K program - there's a ton of podcasts if you want to run with timed music. It's a great starter resource that eases you into running. Don't try to go all gung-ho off the start or else you'll likely just get frustrated and quit.

Have fun!

[JBR]

I use the Nike+ with my iPod to keep focused towards a goal. It keeps me going to the gym every morning, or hopefully running after work once the weather improves.

You don't need Nike shoes, only a pod holder.. avail at most running stores.

[FireInTheHole]

I would also recommend the Running Room. Having said that, the first time I bought shoes there I was new to running and had no idea what I was doing. The person who did my gait analysis did it wrong and got me into the wrong shoe. You want to work with someone who looks/sounds like they know what they are doing. If they look new - then run away! Another place I would really recommend is the Tech Shop on 4 Street / 24 Ave SW. They have a treadmill with a camera hooked up and will record you running to give you the best advise on what type of shoe is best. Once you know what type of shoe is best (ie: neutral/cushioned; stability; motion control) then you need to try several different brands, as they all fit a bit differently.

Once you pick up your new shoes, don't forget to get some running socks. No cotton socks - use the proper running socks to help reduce the blisters.

As for pathway/treadmill running, don't worry about getting different shoes - the same ones will work for both.

Have fun and see you out on the pathways!

[FireInTheHole]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

ahh no. They actually look just like normal shoes, but can coil up. Ill search for an image online.



This is the best image I could quickly find. You could see though with a little more force how you could roll it up. They are also extremely light of a shoe.

These are Nike Free's. I tried some barefoot running on the beach when I was in Mexico last month, and one piece of advise is this: go easy. You really need to build up your mileage slowly with barefoot / minimalist shoe running. Maybe start out with a short 2 or 3 k run and take it from there.

[VladtheImpaler]

If you are running seriously (i.e. 5+ times/week), you want to have 2 pairs of shoes that you rotate to make sure they have enough time to "recover". Your shoes should last you 450-550km outdoors - make sure you don't stretch that too much - your knees will thank you. You can keep using "worn out" shoes on the treadmill as it has plenty of cushion (as compared to asphalt).

[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.

[HotHotHeat]

If a shoe doesnt give you blisters and has some arch support, it's basically doing all it can.

[macker]

A $20 Billion dollar industry based on nothing but empty promises and wishful thinking. Slice off the top of a 70's running shoe, and you had a sandal : the old Addidas and Onitsuka Tigers were just a flat sole and laces, with no motion control, no arch support, no heel pad. The guys in the 70's didn't know enough to worry about pronation and supination; that fancy running-store jargon hadn't been inveted yet. I log a fair number of miles but haven't bought a pair of running shoes in 3 years. With all the supposed advancements in running shoes why are the injury rates higher now than ever? You don't need to change your shoes every 500kms etc....I have some that have close to 2,000kms on them.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

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

That's good in my books.

[macker]

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.

http://izzitgreen.com/blog/2011/04/b...ing-shoes-101/
Reed Ferber has done some great research on running injuries/barefoot running etc and was in the Herald last weekend and constantly referenced in Runners World etc....It is worth going to see him as it will likely be only once that you need to go and he will set you straight. The Nike Free's were a game changer....

[Cowperson]

I use the running room but went in their last year and, because they didn't have the equivalent of what I had before, came out with something fairly different . . . . . and then developed a hairline fracture that put me out for most of the summer and early winter.

I've got the right shoes now again. I probably trade them up every three or four months and it does make a sizeable difference . . . . if you run a lot of miles.

A lingering cough is killing me for keeping distance up right now.

Never used a treadmill but I don't see the benefit of having the ground help you out and, you miss the great outdoors and rain, sleet, snow, heat and beautiful summer mornings.

Cowperson