Any runners here?

[robin]

I've submitted my details to get an application form for London 2012. I think I'm guaranteed a place under the good for age times, but not done it this way before so not certain.

[tHomBleached]

Just about recovered from London. Almost got sub 3:30, but not bad for first marathon. Sub 3's the next target, gimme 2-3 years and I reckon I'll be in with a shot

[nightcrawler13]

Hey guys, I'm reentering the thread!!

Has anyone on here ever used Vibram Five Fingers shoes to run in? I'm intrigued by them and interested to hear people opinions :-)

Thanks in advance!

i've just ordered some

read a book called Born To Run (read it, it's amazing) which is about a guy who meets the Tarahumara (native american tribesmen who run ultra-marathons, 100 mile, in bare feet)

so it turns out the running shoe industry was invented by Nike, a runner and his economist friend invented the running shoe and all the "perks" of using it

according to the book, humans evolved because we can run, not FAST, but for a long time. So because most mammals (all apart from human? I'm not sure) don't sweat, they can only get to a certain body temperature before they just keel over and die. So before we invented weapons, we would just run after them in groups, always staying within eye sight so they would keep bolting, then BOOM, dead.

Anyway, the book says that our feet are perfectly designed, and "normal" running shoes cause us to run incorrectly, hence why so many runners get injuries. If we were meant to run, why would we injure ourselves doing it?

So i did some research on the barefoot running community, I've ordered myself a pair of Vibram Fivefinger KSO's, some Terra Plana workshoes, so i can feel barefoot at work , and sooner or later i'll be getting a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves for normal walking as well as running. With all the travelling i get up to my feet are always sore, sometimes hiking boots are just to hot, and barefoot is not an option is most cities due to the looks people give you and the crap people leave on the floor

will report back once i've tried them out

[robin]

I picked up a pair of Vibrams a while ago. They feel a bit odd when you first put them on but they are damn comfortable to wear after that. I've not actually got ass far as actually running in them yet, but have done a fair bit of walking around locally with them on and just around the house.

I'll get out and run in them eventually, but there is always something else going on that I don't want to "waste" a training session with just doing short slow runs in them until I am able to run further in them.

[themuel]

i've just ordered some

read a book called Born To Run (read it, it's amazing) which is about a guy who meets the Tarahumara (native american tribesmen who run ultra-marathons, 100 mile, in bare feet)

so it turns out the running shoe industry was invented by Nike, a runner and his economist friend invented the running shoe and all the "perks" of using it

according to the book, humans evolved because we can run, not FAST, but for a long time. So because most mammals (all apart from human? I'm not sure) don't sweat, they can only get to a certain body temperature before they just keel over and die. So before we invented weapons, we would just run after them in groups, always staying within eye sight so they would keep bolting, then BOOM, dead.

Anyway, the book says that our feet are perfectly designed, and "normal" running shoes cause us to run incorrectly, hence why so many runners get injuries. If we were meant to run, why would we injure ourselves doing it?

So i did some research on the barefoot running community, I've ordered myself a pair of Vibram Fivefinger KSO's, some Terra Plana workshoes, so i can feel barefoot at work , and sooner or later i'll be getting a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves for normal walking as well as running. With all the travelling i get up to my feet are always sore, sometimes hiking boots are just to hot, and barefoot is not an option is most cities due to the looks people give you and the crap people leave on the floor

will report back once i've tried them out

Oh amazing thanks yeah please let me know, am interested to see if they are long distance running capable.

[themuel]

i've just ordered some

read a book called Born To Run (read it, it's amazing) which is about a guy who meets the Tarahumara (native american tribesmen who run ultra-marathons, 100 mile, in bare feet)

so it turns out the running shoe industry was invented by Nike, a runner and his economist friend invented the running shoe and all the "perks" of using it

according to the book, humans evolved because we can run, not FAST, but for a long time. So because most mammals (all apart from human? I'm not sure) don't sweat, they can only get to a certain body temperature before they just keel over and die. So before we invented weapons, we would just run after them in groups, always staying within eye sight so they would keep bolting, then BOOM, dead.

Anyway, the book says that our feet are perfectly designed, and "normal" running shoes cause us to run incorrectly, hence why so many runners get injuries. If we were meant to run, why would we injure ourselves doing it?

So i did some research on the barefoot running community, I've ordered myself a pair of Vibram Fivefinger KSO's, some Terra Plana workshoes, so i can feel barefoot at work , and sooner or later i'll be getting a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves for normal walking as well as running. With all the travelling i get up to my feet are always sore, sometimes hiking boots are just to hot, and barefoot is not an option is most cities due to the looks people give you and the crap people leave on the floor

will report back once i've tried them out

Any news on the Vibrams?!

I'm reading that book now!

[nightcrawler13]

Any news on the Vibrams?!

I'm reading that book now!

urgggg

i ended up getting fake ones off ebay! There are loads from China sold as new for £50ish, so obviously fake. But there was a personal sale by a guy who said they were an unwanted present, bought them for £60 but when they arrived they didn't fit right at all and the stitching was so bad you'd expect them to be sold at Shoezone!

Got the money back, but i'm going to avoid buying any till i can physically get them from a shop to check the size and such....

Just got myself some Merrell Trail Gloves, supposedly the best barefoot running shoes going, been wearing them for a week as normal shoes, going for a 5k run this evening after work in them for the first time (pre pizza and 24 season 3 finale )

will let you know how these bad boys feel

how good is the book?! Really inspiring in regards to living a healthy life style, and the tale itself of his adventure is just so good

[themuel]

So how are the trail gloves treating you?!

[brighteyes]

I've decided to do the !0k again this year. Did it in 51 mins last year, but I was hungover and didn't do any training, so this year I'm going for 45 mins. I also want to be able to do 5k in 20 mins as part of my training, which I think might be possible as I ran home from work in precisely ten minutes the other day and that's about 2.7k.

Hopefully these challenges will be enough to motivate me to actually train!

Edited May 28, 2011 by brighteyes

[nightcrawler13]

So how are the trail gloves treating you?!

ok, so the first time i wore them it hurt, alot

i read up about barefoot running and realised that i needed to adjust my stride, instead of landing on your heel you land on the front of your foot FIRST, every minute a normal runner does 100 steps, a barefoot runner should do about 180, so half the stride and twice of them is the key....

watched tutorials and tried again, they say to not start out on same distance as normal because you need to build up the muscles you dont use, they recommended 0.5 mile, i did 1.5. It was GREAT! Surprisingly i kept up with my girlfriend (whose mom is a marathoner and made her a mini runner from a young age) and i really wanted to keep going, but i heeded to the warnings, very glad i did, my calves killed for 4 days after

i've been using the shoes as every day shoes, and they simply are lovely. Gonna go for a run after my hangover f**ks off in them as well. I LOVE these shoes, they weigh next to nothing, last a long time, make you walk "properly" and enhance my running. Viva la barefoot revolution!

[themuel]

ok, so the first time i wore them it hurt, alot

i read up about barefoot running and realised that i needed to adjust my stride, instead of landing on your heel you land on the front of your foot FIRST, every minute a normal runner does 100 steps, a barefoot runner should do about 180, so half the stride and twice of them is the key....

watched tutorials and tried again, they say to not start out on same distance as normal because you need to build up the muscles you dont use, they recommended 0.5 mile, i did 1.5. It was GREAT! Surprisingly i kept up with my girlfriend (whose mom is a marathoner and made her a mini runner from a young age) and i really wanted to keep going, but i heeded to the warnings, very glad i did, my calves killed for 4 days after

i've been using the shoes as every day shoes, and they simply are lovely. Gonna go for a run after my hangover f**ks off in them as well. I LOVE these shoes, they weigh next to nothing, last a long time, make you walk "properly" and enhance my running. Viva la barefoot revolution!

So it's been a couple of weeks.. Are they still the best thing since sliced bread?!

[Katster]

I am just starting out on the road to being a runner. I am currently doing the couch potato to 5k training plan and feel fine after my first outing last night. That is the furthest I have ran without giving up and walking since I was 15 and used to compete in cross country running.

[TheGayTent]

18 weeks til my next marathon....

...really should do some training...

[Katster]

How do I avoid getting shin splints??? :-(

[TheGayTent]

How do I avoid getting shin splints??? :-(

Rest, rest, and more rest is the only proper answer I'm afraid.

Though there are things you can do that should help. Firstly and most importantly, if you haven't got proper running shoes, get some. Ill fitted running shoes won't help either. If you go to a proper shop that have staff with specialist knowledge they will sort you out. They'll tell you whether you pronate, whether you need a neutral or cushioned shoe etc etc.

Shin splints often occur for beginner runners, usually because you're increasing your work out in length or intensity too quickly. You're far more likely to suffer from shin splints if you over pronate. So improving your technique may help too.

Do your calf muscles feel tight too? If so, improving the strength of your calf muscles will help, as tights calves usually results in more over pronation which will make shin splints worse. Strengthening core muscles should also improve your gait and therefore reduce your chances of shin splints.

Finally, rest, rest, and more rest! Hope some of this helps

Running off road on paths that are uneven or up and down hills will make your chances of getting shin splints higher. Best to keep to the flat and even paths to start.

[Katster]

Thank you. I have been running on flat pavement but I don't have specialist running shoes just my trainees. I presume specialist running shoes will be expensive??

I don't think I have done too much too soon, I have been going to the gym for three weeks before starting running, to improve general fitness levels. I am only running around 2 miles and it takes me around 20 minutes to complete. I am also still going to the gym in between but making sure I have rest days too.

I am not going to go again this week but me and the bloke are getting the bikes out this weekend and going on a big ride probably somewhere mental if he has anything to do with it.

I will see how I get on.

Oh, my calves are tight but not overly considering what I have done this week.

[TheGayTent]

Thank you. I have been running on flat pavement but I don't have specialist running shoes just my trainees. I presume specialist running shoes will be expensive??

I don't think I have done too much too soon, I have been going to the gym for three weeks before starting running, to improve general fitness levels. I am only running around 2 miles and it takes me around 20 minutes to complete. I am also still going to the gym in between but making sure I have rest days too.

I am not going to go again this week but me and the bloke are getting the bikes out this weekend and going on a big ride probably somewhere mental if he has anything to do with it.

I will see how I get on.

Oh, my calves are tight but not overly considering what I have done this week.

If you don't think you've done too much too soon, and two miles doesn't sound excessive, and you've been running on a flat surface then i'd wager it's probably your footwear that's causing the issue. I guess running shoes being expensive depends on the individual point of view. The RRP of the shoes I usually buy are around the £85 mark, though I always wait until there is a sale on and pick them up for around £50. Whether you deem that expensive or not I don't know, but IMO they will be value for money providing you use them regularly...though I suppose the less you use them the longer they will last!

There's a useful article here if you're interested though I'd stress again, the only cure is rest until they heal, and only then start again.

[TheGayTent]

Katser - how are your shins?

Anyone else in training. Am pleased to report my marathon training has started in earnest (about 5 weeks late...), have done 29 miles in the last 6 days on 5 separate runs, including a fartlek and (killer) hill session.

[amfy]

From what I have heard of the couch potato to 5k plan it sounds very good. I think if you follow it you won't overdo it. It's a nice feeling about 3 weeks in when you start to get a sense that you actually can run.

[themuel]

I REALLY want to know how Nightcrawler got on with the Trail Gloves!!!

[Kowalski]

New Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Edinburgh on April 15th 2012.

Promising live music at every mile and a post-race concert.

I've entered.

[nightcrawler13]

I REALLY want to know how Nightcrawler got on with the Trail Gloves!!!

ho'kay, so....

the trail glove, as i'm sure you're aware, is a a barefoot running shoe. Essentially a thin, yet really strong rubber sole. So normal running is NOT an option, you have to use the shorter stride with the front of your foot hitting the ground first. Even attempting at running heel first kills, it's like if you had to sprint across a pool with no shoes on....

It kills your legs for the first couple weeks, but eventually you get used to it. You end up running alot slower, but this of course allows you to go a lot longer, the temptation to run as fast as you can is replaced by a more controlled style of running. I've been getting faster in this new style, and my core fitness is improving.

To be honest though, i prefer them as normal shoes. I have some expensive sneakers that if i wear to london, my feet kill after a weekend of trekking for miles. Walking boots are pretty heavy and hot for warm weather, but the trail gloves are immense as they weigh next to nothing and allow me to walk miles and miles without a single pain in my feet

i fracking love them!

i frackin love them

[Katster]

Katser - how are your shins?

Anyone else in training. Am pleased to report my marathon training has started in earnest (about 5 weeks late...), have done 29 miles in the last 6 days on 5 separate runs, including a fartlek and (killer) hill session.

Better because I stopped training. I will get back into it again but I have a shoulder problem which goes into spasm every now and then and it happened few months ago and knocked me off my plan. That'll teach me to go clay pigeon shooting!!

[greenfairy43]

I'm not a runner (don't imagine I ever will be due to my knee giving me jip) but I've been going to the gym since January & I'm really enjoying training and feeling fit. It's even better now that the results are very visible ) I've lost 3 stone since the new year!

Any good tips especially for floor exercises (particularly abdominals)?

[TheGayTent]

Sorry gf, no idea on floor exercises as I don't do any.

Only 17 days til my Amsterdam marathon now. Training has gone abysmally so I'm looking at a very poor time. Shall be trying therefore to concentrate more on enjoying it and less on my watch.

Got my "Commiserations" magazine through today - didn't get a ballot place to next years London Marathon - which is annoying but not unexpected. So...charity place or alternative marathon?