Beginners questions about marathon running/shoes/aches n pains.

kingQuez

Hi Folks,

I'm planing to run the marathon this year. I just want to get around the course and don't mind too much what time I finish in. This was my plan last year, so I bought a random pair of runners that were the right size and seemed comfortable and started running. I'd never been running before in my life.

About a week or two after the 1/2 marathon the arches of my feet started to hurt (even when walking) so I stopped running and a few weeks later they were fine again. I put the injury down to 1) skipping some of the runs in the training schedule and 2) not having any real base to start running from. So i didn't do the full marathon.

I started training for this years marathon about a month ago. I usually run out by Sandymount on the sand and around the irishtown park on the grass verge or on the tracks in the phoenix park (since all generic advice seems to be to avoid running on concrete/hard surfaces). I can very easily run 5miles and aside from a bit of (good-pain) calf soreness after longer runs I'm usually fine. I'm following a training guide for novices that I've taken from some beginners marathoners book.

After the race in the phoenix park the other day the sole of my left foot, my ankles, just below the inside of my left knee, and my right shin are all a bit tender and feeling a bit bad-sore. It's nothing too serious, but I've got a few newbie questions

1) Should I be factoring running on hard surfaces into the training? The marathon itself isn't going to be on grass or sand, so should training be a mix of all surfaces?

2) I've been told runners make a huge difference and a random friend who occasionally goes jogging told me about Gait analysis and the wonders of getting properly fitted runners. Can you get this done in Dublin? Are there sports shops that don't just employ the school kids after hours? (my friend got his runners fitted when he was at home in another country, and tbh I rarely have cause to be in a sports shop ).

3) For random aches and pains like this I'd normally just rest and wait till the pain goes away before doing anything again. Is this what other people do, or do you go see a physio or...? (as an aside for the moderator: I'm not looking for medical advice, just curious what others do).

Cheers!

John

Peckham

kingQuez wrote: »

1) Should I be factoring running on hard surfaces into the training? The marathon itself isn't going to be on grass or sand, so should training be a mix of all surfaces?

Definitely should include some hard surfaces in the training - if you spend your entire training on grass/sand, the marathon itself on hard surfaces will do some damage to your body. Is there any way you can mix up the sessions a bit - i.e. do a bit on sand, and then a bit on road.

kingQuez wrote: »

2) I've been told runners make a huge difference and a random friend who occasionally goes jogging told me about Gait analysis and the wonders of getting properly fitted runners. Can you get this done in Dublin? Are there sports shops that don't just employ the school kids after hours? (my friend got his runners fitted when he was at home in another country, and tbh I rarely have cause to be in a sports shop ).

Two shops in the area do GAIT analysis - Runaways in Parnell Street, or Amphibian King in Bray. Highly recommended - you can't underestimate the importance of wearing the correct shoes when doing as much running as marathon training involves. They don't charge extra for it, and technical shoes are no more expensive than the sort of thing you may buy in Champion Sports or wherever.

kingQuez wrote: »

3) For random aches and pains like this I'd normally just rest and wait till the pain goes away before doing anything again. Is this what other people do, or do you go see a physio or...? (as an aside for the moderator: I'm not looking for medical advice, just curious what others do).

Random aches are a natural result of running. However, if you're getting the same ache time after time, or it's an ache that's getting progressively worse, then it may be a sign of something more fundamentally wrong and in that case it's worth seeking the advice of a physio, who may provide a solution either through specific stretching or a technical solution.

donothoponpop

kingQuez wrote: »

Hi Folks,

... I bought a random pair of runners...

... the arches of my feet started to hurt ...

... I usually run out by Sandymount on the sand...

... the sole of my left foot, my ankles, just below the inside of my left knee, and my right shin are all a bit tender and feeling a bit bad-sore...

Hi kingQuez,

welcome to the marathon board. Everyone will tell you its 100% necessary to wear proper runners, so I'll limit my comment to the quotes above. Although running on sand is a great idea for interval training (increased resistance), an excess of it can quite often lead to a tearing of the plantar fascias muscle, and wearing unsuitable shoes on top of this can only add to the problem. I've had plantar problems in the past, and your heel and arch symptoms sound suspiciously similar. While a good physio will correctly identify and remedy any specific problems, I've gotten some great advice from this fellow sufferer, on stretching exercises which will aid flexibility in this area of the foot. http://mountain-runner.blogspot.com/search/label/Plantar%20Fasciitis
Even if your injuries aren't plantar related, the suggested stretches are a good idea for all runners anyway.

-donothoponpop

ekevosu

Just a quick question while the topic is on shoes. I went into a running shop about six months ago when I was in Cork and the guy said I was pronating just by looking at the way I was putting pressure on the ground (while just standing and pressing foot down). The guys in there are former marathon runners so they know their stuff, is it that easy to tell? I presumed you'd need to do a jog on the treadmill? Haven't had any problems with them, just wondering.

Also are there any issues with getting a second pair that a different brand or is it safer to get the same brand again?

papamike

Regarding getting a second pair I'm not sure if you mean a second pair to alternate with your current pair while training or if you mean a replacement pair.

I'd imagine if its to alternate runners then I'd say if the same brand is working fine for you then stick with them.

If you are looking to replace your current pair I'd be a bit more careful if sticking with particluar brand and model. I got a pair of Asics Kayano's last year in Amphibian King and was very happy with them. Was in Amphibian King at the weekend getting the wife fitted for runners and I just happened to try on the new Kayanos. Didn't like them at all and on the video in the shop it showed that they weren't giving me the same support as I would have expected. I'm glad now that I went in as I was just going to order Kayano's over the internet. Ended up purchasing Mizuno Wave Inspire instead.

How Strange

ekevosu wrote: »

Just a quick question while the topic is on shoes. I went into a running shop about six months ago when I was in Cork and the guy said I was pronating just by looking at the way I was putting pressure on the ground (while just standing and pressing foot down). The guys in there are former marathon runners so they know their stuff, is it that easy to tell? I presumed you'd need to do a jog on the treadmill? Haven't had any problems with them, just wondering.

Also are there any issues with getting a second pair that a different brand or is it safer to get the same brand again?

I think you can do a crude test for pronating by looking at heels of your shoes/trainers. If they are worn more on the outside than the inside then you over pronate. I have this problem.

I'm currently wearing Asics kayanos as they are designed for over pronation. I was told last year (after I bought the kayanos) that the Asics 2130's are also very good for pronation and they are lighter than the kayanos. I got a pair of these in the sales and haven't worn them yet but will be interesting to see if that's true or not.

Regards a second pair or a replacement, if you're happy with what you've got then stick with it otherwise go to a specialised shop and get some good advice. The sales are still on right now so it's a good time to buy a new pair.

clem

I'd recommend Amphibian King as well. I bought Kayanos last year when I took up running and got shin splints, knee pain etc. I went to a physio and they recommended orthotics, which i found uncomfortable. I suffered up to the half marathon stage but could not settle into the runners at all. I tried different orthotics but still was not happy and so stopped running.

This year I went to Amphibian King. The confirmed I was neutral and recommended 3 types of runners. From the analysis in store (jogging up and down a track with a camera checking the form) we narrowed it to two brands.

They keep your info on file and give you a discount for repeat business. I found them very helpful. I'm running without a problem so far this year (touch wood) and am saving the fortune I spent on physios last year.

Happy running
Clem

geld

clem wrote: »

This year I went to Amphibian King. The confirmed I was neutral and recommended 3 types of runners. From the analysis in store (jogging up and down a track with a camera checking the form) we narrowed it to two brands.

Clem as a matter of interest what 3 types did they recommend? and what did you go for in the end? I'm also neutral and am just curious.Tks

clem

I went with asics nimbus in the end. The recommended new balance and mizuno's as well but i can't remember the names. I figured the nimbus would be easier to find the next time I wanted a pair. They did say that the next model may not suit though.