'Join my run challenge: How far can you go in 2014?' blog discussion

kevsan

Another 14km in the bank today, in the daylight, which was a novelty.

Indie_Kid

Another race for me today - 10k. Bit outside PB; but at least I wasn't last. And I beat my club mate, which is always a bonus.

InDebted2U_2

I've had a good week running. Discovered that I've already done 10% of my year's target 500 miles, so I'm well on my way.

I also don't have anywhere local for gait analysis so I'm thinking I might get it done when I'm away some time. What does it involve, and more specifically, what do you wear on your feet? I have slight support shoes for running and it occurred to me that if I wore these it might skew the results. However, I also have PF so I won't be running barefoot!

danothy

InDebted2U wrote: »

I've had a good week running. Discovered that I've already done 10% of my year's target 500 miles, so I'm well on my way.

I also don't have anywhere local for gait analysis so I'm thinking I might get it done when I'm away some time. What does it involve, and more specifically, what do you wear on your feet? I have slight support shoes for running and it occurred to me that if I wore these it might skew the results. However, I also have PF so I won't be running barefoot!

In my experience the process just involves running in a few different pairs to see which your ankles respond best too. I've always just started off with a supposedly neutral pair and moved from there, but if you start with a support pair and it looks okay then you've just hit the right answer first time.

Indie_Kid

InDebted2U wrote: »

I've had a good week running. Discovered that I've already done 10% of my year's target 500 miles, so I'm well on my way.

I also don't have anywhere local for gait analysis so I'm thinking I might get it done when I'm away some time. What does it involve, and more specifically, what do you wear on your feet? I have slight support shoes for running and it occurred to me that if I wore these it might skew the results. However, I also have PF so I won't be running barefoot!

If you wear those shoes, they can look at how you are with them and then go from there.

You run on a treadmill and they video how you run. They then bring out several pairs of shoes and you run in them on the treadmill. The third time I had mine done, he bought out some hideous bright green and white Nike running shoes. :rotfl:I stood there and laughed. And no, I didn't buy them.

Bean83

I'm a little late to the party, but I'm in!

Age: 31
Fitness level: Good
How fast you typically go: Around 8:30 min/mile
Whether you have any official races planned: 8k in Feb (done), 10k in March, 10k in April, 10k in May, 10k in June, Tough Mudder in September
Running App Runkeeper - I like the way it talks to you during your run to tell you how fast you're going!
Aim for this year: 625 miles

Completed my first race yesterday, it was a 5 miler that I've done for the last 6 years and I got a PB, so very pleased! Every year I promise myself that I'll keep up the running after this race but it never happens and I don't run at all from Feb to Dec. But this year I am determined to keep going, so have got a group of friends together and we've all agreed to take part in a number of races throughout the year, culminating in Tough Mudder in September.

I've previously done a couple of half marathons so have done a fair bit of running over the years, but I lack motivation so I'm hoping that by doing it with a group of friends I will feel more encouraged to keep it up. Aiming for roughly 15 miles/week, can't wait for the evenings to lighten up so I can run in daylight for a change!

Bean83

Indie_Kid wrote: »

You run on a treadmill and they video how you run. They then bring out several pairs of shoes and you run in them on the treadmill.

When I first took up running about 6 years ago, I just ran in my ordinary trainers. After a couple of weeks I started to develop serious pain in one knee that stopped me from running altogether. Knee supports were no help whatsoever. Someone suggested I go to a shop to have my gait analysed, and I was diagnosed as an 'over-pronator' with a low arch. I bought the appropriate trainers and started using them - all pain in my knee disappeared literally overnight and has never returned! So I would highly recommend getting your gait properly analysed to avoid doing yourself any real damage.

The first pair of trainers might be expensive if you buy them from that shop, but once you know what type of gait you have you can buy future pairs off the internet to reduce costs, which is what I do. My latest pair cost less than £30, so they don't have to be super-duper expensive ones, although the shop might try to persuade you that you need the top-of-the-range ones!

macca64

Haven't updated this since my first post, however I managed 12.8 miles in January, so a little over 5% of my target. Not a great start, but I do normally run more when the weather is better!

Indie_Kid

Bean83 wrote: »

the shop might try to persuade you that you need the top-of-the-range ones!

I never had this. My first pair (well, the ones that didn't cause pain) were £65, second were £70 and third and fourth pairs were £75 each. My trail shoes were £40. Can't wear them though - in the stupid situation of my feet being right near the end and the next size up is far too big.

Dizzy_Ditzy

I went to a little independent running shop the other day for gait analysis.

They put me on a treadmill and set it to walk briskly.

He then showed me the video of my feet and gave me an explanation as to what was what.

He then brought out a few different pairs of trainers to try on, and walk around in on both soft and harder surfaces. I couldn't decide between two pairs so he said to put one of each on and said to walk around without looking down, so it was going with feel on my feet alone.

At no point ever did he mention price until I'd decided which shoes were right.

I would very, very heartily recommend using an independent wherever possible. The bigger sports chains are generally only trained in where the sizes are out the back