New runner advice

traco

Just starting to try and run myself - found the "couch to 5k" somewhere on here and it sounded about right for me. I was never a runner as I am built for comfort and not speed

Anyway went searching for "shin splints" as my legs, knees and shins are sore after Tuesday night, running on beach in Portmarnock so not sure if the sand might be a factor. I have a pair of Asics but wasn't sure if they were correct or not so I tried to look at the videos of pronator and supinator online at a recomended site which I found in another thread.

The videos on the site didn't work for me so I tried good old youtube and found this video which I got a lot of information from "Run Mechanics" From this is appears that I have been running with bad technique. Could that be the case - am I so bad bad that I don't even know how to run?? I tend to come down hard on my outside heels and follow through rather than landing more forward on the flat of my foot, bit of a supinator I think.

Could this be the reason for the sore ankles, knees and shins? Comments gratefully apprciated as I want to stick with this as there is a great sense of achievment afterwards but don't want to go out and cause more pain and throw in the towel. Should I hold off for a few days and go back out again try with a better technique?

Thanks

Khannie

I'd say the best thing to do is have a go on a treadmill and try to get someone to record you if you're concerned with your technique. I've been having some trouble with pain during running recently myself so might do similar.

There is a triathlon / marathon forum and an athletics forum. You might get a better answer in there.

There's nothing wrong with not running properly btw.

elainee

i used to work in sports shop their were 3 types of asics runner 1 about e40, 2nd about e80 and the 3rd asics gel which is the best for running cost about e120.what u need to do is look at the sole and along the side of the runner if there is writing like gel numbers on sole they are the good ones if there is nothing on the sole they prob the cheap ones. also nike pegasus i find are the best for running cost about e100
hope that helps or else call in to sports shop the people are trained in all the info in runners and whats best for you they will help no prob;)

traco

Thanks - they are Asics Gel, I travel over and back to the US so bought them over there, can't remember the price but around USD100. That was last year but they are like new as only worn now and again. I am back over there in two weeks so I may just get checked out when there and buy another pair.

rovers_runner

Why is every second thread in this forum an ad for that shop in Bray?
The shop in Parnell St. does the same thing now too.

I'm in London for the weekend and will be calling into adidas there to get fitted and I mean properly fitted for mi adidas supernovas.
They actually measure each foot individually and also your pronation and you can choose the cushioning you want too.

http://www.adidas.com/campaigns/miadidas_teaser/content/index.asp?strCountry_adidascom=com

http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/miadidas/

hunnymonster

elainee wrote: »

i used to work in sports shop their were 3 types of asics runner 1 about e40, 2nd about e80 and the 3rd asics gel which is the best for running cost about e120.what u need to do is look at the sole and along the side of the runner if there is writing like gel numbers on sole they are the good ones if there is nothing on the sole they prob the cheap ones. also nike pegasus i find are the best for running cost about e100
hope that helps or else call in to sports shop the people are trained in all the info in runners and whats best for you they will help no prob;)

This type of advice is actually quite dangerous. The best runner for a person will depend on a number of factors: gait and weight being the two primary ones. The cost of the runners is irrelevant!

traco

Thanks for all the input - so now that I have removed the store link can anyone help answer my original question.

Should I stop until I get properly checked out or is the soreness natural when you start. My legs and knees are still killing me and I spent a lot of last night awake with my hamstrings.

As for stats, I am aout 6'4", 115kgs, 36" waist, 48" chest. I am heavy, hence the start of a fitness regime, bit of a gut but nothing too dramatic, just a big guy. Drink very little, don't smoke, diet - not to bad to be honest.

rovers_runner

Apologies traco, wasn't a dig at you, mostly people come on here within 2/3 replies of a question asked to promote that shop.

traco

rovers_runner wrote: »

Apologies traco, wasn't a dig at you, mostly people come on here within 2/3 replies of a question asked to promote that shop.

No problem, I have never set foot in it so know nothing about them, it was merely intended to explain how I got here. I really enjoyed the few outings I did and this pain thing is really annoying me as I want to go back out.

I should have gone out last night but decided to rest and I don't know if I should do the same tonight, maybe I'll just walk tonight or take the bike out but I want to stick with this. I have joined several gyms and they all work great. I like weights but I travel a lot and I figured that the easiest way to maintain a regime is if I run.

I can run in any city anywhere and all I need is my runners and shorts. This important as I could spend 3-4 weeks on the trot travelling and thats what seems to have been my downfall before, schedule gets interupted and falls away.

sfhawke7w

i used to suffer from this problem when i started out running. it does go away. i was told to take it easy, run and walk, make sure you stretch the msucles before and after each workout. there should be plenty of advise online to deal with the problem. is there a running club near you or a gym ask someone that knows what there are doing for advise.

hope this helps.

hunnymonster

sfhawke7w wrote: »

i used to suffer from this problem when i started out running. it does go away. i was told to take it easy, run and walk, make sure you stretch the msucles before and after each workout. there should be plenty of advise online to deal with the problem. is there a running club near you or a gym ask someone that knows what there are doing for advise.

hope this helps.

sorry bad advice again, stretching cold muscles is only going to get you in trouble.

How Strange

IMO, shin splints are a sign of a problem with pronation. I used to suffer from them quite badly. I'd say go to one of those shops mentioned and get your gait analysed. Go to an oesteopath or chiropractor who will take an x-ray of your lower back/hip area to see if there is another problem that gait analysis can't detect.

Also, I was advised to take glucosamine with chondritin for 6 weeks prior to starting running and I've found it helped but I still continue to take glucosamine every day.

If you find your legs are very tight when you're out running; stop after 2k and do some stretching exercises. Also, always do a good stretch at the end of your run regardless of distance.

IMO, stretching rarely gets rid of shin splints as it's related to something amiss in the alignment between your hips, knees and feet rather than muscular.

blue_merc

hunnymonster - seriously instead of just criticising the advice on the page, why dont you set the record straight with your expertise?

littlefriend

rovers_runner wrote: »

Why is every second thread in this forum an ad for that shop in Bray?

I have recommended that shop in Bray a few times. Don't know who owns it or anything like that - I just think that, apart from the gait analysis stuff itself, they give a really good service and actually know what they are talking about as well as being really nice to deal with. I also like to give them a mention because whoever opened it was taking a bit of a risk with it being a little off the beaten track. Surely this sort of business should be encouraged? Its a billion times better than going to one of the chain sports stores where there is some hung over teenager trying to avoid serving you.
Also, you say that the shop in Parnell St does that stuff now too - how could ppl have recommended there in the past if they are only starting to do it now?

sfhawke7w

sorry if my advice is wrong, when i suffered from shin splints what i was told to do was

is walk for 5minutes to warm up then stretch the muscles - do workout, then cooldown which including stretching muscles again,

so sorry if I got it wrong - it worked for me and have no longer suffered with shinsplints!

anyway you might be better off going a proper professional and asking their advice.

Johnny Storm

littlefriend wrote: »

I have recommended that shop in Bray a few times. Don't know who owns it or anything like that - I just think that, apart from the gait analysis stuff itself, they give a really good service and actually know what they are talking about as well as being really nice to deal with. I also like to give them a mention because whoever opened it was taking a bit of a risk with it being a little off the beaten track. Surely this sort of business should be encouraged? Its a billion times better than going to one of the chain sports stores where there is some hung over teenager trying to avoid serving you.
Also, you say that the shop in Parnell St does that stuff now too - how could ppl have recommended there in the past if they are only starting to do it now?

+1

Krusty_Clown

rovers_runner wrote: »

Why is every second thread in this forum an ad for that shop in Bray?

You mean Amphibian king? They are not ads. They are endorsements of having had a good experience in the shop. I would imagine that the reason they pop up in threads so often, is a reflection of satisfied customers.

rovers_runner wrote: »

I'm in London for the weekend and will be calling into adidas there to get fitted and I mean properly fitted for mi adidas supernovas.

Why do you feel the need to advertise Adidas' services? Same thing.

Roper

hunnymonster wrote: »

sorry bad advice again, stretching cold muscles is only going to get you in trouble.

That's wrong too. It depends on the type of stretching. Mobility work and dynamic stretching can be used as a part of a good warm up.