The All New MSE Running Club.

BunnieJ

Get your gait analysed. Any decent shop won't sell you the most expensive shoes. It would be worth going in with a realistic budget too and go from there. You should also be able to get advice regarding your flat feet from them too.

What Indie Kid said. The running shop people should have a good idea which trainers will work with low arches. They'll probably ask you about your mileage and what surface you run on, then fetch a few pairs for you and stick you on a treadmill to try them out. Then you can watch a video of how your feet strike the ground when you run in them. It would probably be worth bringing your New Balance ones along for comparison and it might be useful to the running shop people to see the wear patterns on the sole.

Thanks for the advice! I'll take a look in some sports/running shops this week

Ok, now I'm not in any way qualified as a PT, sports scientist or anything like that, and in addition, I don't know you or your medical history so maybe there's something I'm missing. BUT, this advice to stay away from the weights because you're not fit/strong enough yet goes against everything I've ever heard from any PT or anyone who does know what they're talking about, ever. It rings alarm bells the size of Big Ben. All the weights can't possibly be too heavy for you. Don't they go right down to 2kg or so little hand weights, or about 5kg on the machines? Frankly I'd look for another PT. Otherwise, ask about doing some bodyweight exercises (press ups on your knees etc.)

He's not my PT. I can't afford to have one! He was just giving myself and somebody else an induction to the gym. He did try and get us to sign up with him (as they usually do) and gave us lots of speel about fat loss and diet etc. I've got a free session with a PT to use, but I won't be using him again.

Apart from having flat feet, I don't have any problems that stop me using the gym. So far I've just used the treadmill/bike/cross trainer.

Indie_Kid

When you do go to look at schools, ignore the brand and the colour. That being said, there was a pair of Nike running shoes I tried on. I would not be seen dead in them. They were ugly!

I currently run in these and these

Lizling

BunnieJ wrote: »

Thanks for the advice! I'll take a look in some sports/running shops this week

Running shops, not general sports shops if at all possible.

BunnieJ wrote: »

He's not my PT. I can't afford to have one! He was just giving myself and somebody else an induction to the gym. He did try and get us to sign up with him (as they usually do) and gave us lots of speel about fat loss and diet etc. I've got a free session with a PT to use, but I won't be using him again.

Good. No money wasted then!

Indie_Kid

Lizling wrote: »

Running shops, not general sports shops if at all possible.

Agreed. Whilst Sports Direct and the like do stock running shoes, their staff don't have the expertise that places like Sweatshop do.

BunnieJ

I've done my research and their are a few running shops just outside town. I'll try and visit them this weekend

Tonight I'm trying one of the free classes at my gym called "Tone & Burn" sounds like it could be exhausting! I had my lunch at 12:30 today, the class is at 18:30. Would you advise eating something beforehand? I was planning to eat dinner when I get home at 19:30?

Indie_Kid

I may just have a banana around 4. I wouldn't eat too much beforehand though.

BunnieJ

I may just have a banana around 4. I wouldn't eat too much beforehand though.

I'm at work till half 5 so can't really eat Will walk home, get changed and then head to the gym. If I'm feeling really hungry I've got fruit/yoghurts at home that I can eat before I leave.

andyg9053

Just found this and some great tips on here. I will add a few bits, but start with my history, done about 6 marathons 10 halfs, and 5 or 6 10 k's, I am a slow plodder who is overweight and over 50. Been running since a teenager.:beer:

Did a slow 10m this morning as preparing for Berlin marathon in September, must have a goal every year to get me out of the door.

DOMS, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.... this is you body saying well done you have worked really hard now REST and let me rebuild all the micro tears in the muscles so we can run faster/further next time. Have a rest or go swimming or cycling, it will pass after a couple of days. If you dont you cause more damage and start running using the wrong muscles and it wont help. (Suffered with this regularly but do take my own advice)

Shin Splints, pain in the front of your shin, unless you are flat footed this is a sign of increasing mileage too quickly, take an easy week or 2 then start building the mileage back up, never increase more than 10% a week and evry 4th week drop back a few miles. (Suffered this a few times years ago because I didnt take my own advice!)

Most importantly get out and enjoy it and if running or jogging is too hard then walk as this is still great exercise.

Indie_Kid

One thing I've never understood at all:
I do a mixture of short runs and long runs. I've never had DOMS with longer runs; but get them often with shorter runs. Very odd indeed.

fufu_banterwaite

Indie_Kid wrote: »

One thing I've never understood at all:
I do a mixture of short runs and long runs. I've never had DOMS with longer runs; but get them often with shorter runs. Very odd indeed.

Now I am well into my training for this ultramarathon my legs just ache constantly as I don’t really get any respite, but at the beginning I found that when I went for a short run (say 4 to 6 miles) I’d push myself pretty hard (say 7 minute mile pace) and my legs would ache. When I went for a longer run (say 10 to 12 miles) I’d go very slowly (say 9min 30second miles) and my legs wouldn’t ache as even though the run was longer, the intensity was much, much less.