Gait analysis and form

Tasden

Quick question, may be stupid but gonna ask anyway!

I'll keep it short, I started the couch to 5k recently and am loving it so far, only issue is my knee started hurting and so I think I need different runners and gait analysis done. Thing is I had only began running and have not yet found my "form" for want of a better way of explaining it. I was only getting into the swing of things when my knee started acting up. Should I get the gait analysis done based on how I run now? I understand that better runners will help with form but considering I'm only new to running it seems strange investing in runners based on how I flail around atm whereas if I continue running for a bit and get to grips with stride and posture etc I can get the analysis done based on how I will be running properly. I don't know if I'm making sense because to me it seems I should get it done asap and then my form will improve but I'm worried if I'm running "incorrectly" while getting it done then its not a true analysis and a waste of money.

Thanks

Ososlo

Tasden wrote: »

Quick question, may be stupid but gonna ask anyway!

I'll keep it short, I started the couch to 5k recently and am loving it so far, only issue is my knee started hurting and so I think I need different runners and gait analysis done. Thing is I had only began running and have not yet found my "form" for want of a better way of explaining it. I was only getting into the swing of things when my knee started acting up. Should I get the gait analysis done based on how I run now? I understand that better runners will help with form but considering I'm only new to running it seems strange investing in runners based on how I flail around atm whereas if I continue running for a bit and get to grips with stride and posture etc I can get the analysis done based on how I will be running properly. I don't know if I'm making sense because to me it seems I should get it done asap and then my form will improve but I'm worried if I'm running "incorrectly" while getting it done then its not a true analysis and a waste of money.

Thanks

I got my first pair of runners just before I started Couch 2 5k (2 years ago) and I'm still using the same type of shoe. My gait hasn't changed. I don't think it does for most people.
If you're serious about sticking with running (and you sound as if you are!) then get yourself to a reputable store to get the analysis done and it'll make your running journey an awful lot more comfortable. If you need suggestions as to where to get it done just let us know your location and someone will jump in with a suitable suggestion. Best of luck!!!!

Tasden

Thanks for that, am looking into AK but without a car its a bit awkward so might try elverys as they're local and the place in Parnell street, running something or other, and see if they give the same result.

I have a habit of turning inwards and then my feet are landing at the side (I don't know the terms off the top of my head) but I notice if I focus on landing on my toes more as opposed to heel-toe I turn less. I guess a good runner would help with my natural stride though.

Thanks for your help.

Ososlo

Tasden wrote: »

Thanks for that, am looking into AK but without a car its a bit awkward so might try elverys as they're local and the place in Parnell street, running something or other, and see if they give the same result.

I have a habit of turning inwards and then my feet are landing at the side (I don't know the terms off the top of my head) but I notice if I focus on landing on my toes more as opposed to heel-toe I turn less. I guess a good runner would help with my natural stride though.

Thanks for your help.

An expert in a running store will be able to help you out with that and suggest a suitable shoe. Could you get a bus out to AK? They've a branch in Ashtown (train stop there I think?) as well as Ballymount. Runways is the place in town and while I had a good experience there and got my first pair of shoes there, I know of 2 other people who had bad experiences, whereas I've honestly never heard of a bad report from AK. I think it might be worth the trip. I'd tend to avoid Elvery's too to be honest. I've read plenty of negative things about their "experts" in gait analysis. Maybe they've improved. Best thing I did when starting out was to invest in a really good shoe. It made me stick with it. They did cost about 100 euro but it pushed me out the door as I felt guilty about spending the money and not using them! Good luck!

shane1981

Ososlo wrote: »

They've a branch in Ashtown (train stop there I think?)

Connolly train will bring you to Ashtown.

Tasden

Ososlo wrote: »

An expert in a running store will be able to help you out with that and suggest a suitable shoe. Could you get a bus out to AK? They've a branch in Ashtown (train stop there I think?) as well as Ballymount. Runways is the place in town and while I had a good experience there and got my first pair of shoes there, I know of 2 other people who had bad experiences, whereas I've honestly never heard of a bad report from AK. I think it might be worth the trip. I'd tend to avoid Elvery's too to be honest. I've read plenty of negative things about their "experts" in gait analysis. Maybe they've improved. Best thing I did when starting out was to invest in a really good shoe. It made me stick with it. They did cost about 100 euro but it pushed me out the door as I felt guilty about spending the money and not using them! Good luck!

Actually i just realised i was thinking of somewhere different and its easy to get to so decision made i guess! Ah I don't mind spending money on them cause I know its cheaper in the long run than physiotherapy/gp visits if I continue running dodgy with the knee. Thank you for sharing your experiences with the stores, good to get some guidance as its all new to me

Tasden

shane1981 wrote: »

Connolly train will bring you to Ashtown.

Thanks I was thinking of a different store location, ashtown is grand!

ecoli

Ososlo wrote: »

, I know of 2 other people who had bad experiences, whereas I've honestly never heard of a bad report from AK. I think it might be worth the trip. I'd tend to avoid Elvery's too to be honest. I've read plenty of negative things about their "experts" in gait analysis. Maybe they've improved.

To be fair I think with Elvery's its a case of where you go, there are alot of branches where you will have bad experiences but Suffolk St. and Arnotts are pretty good in that regard as many of the staff are runners themselves. Similarly AK have a great reputation (and well deserved also)

HelenAnne

I had great experiences in AK as well, and have always found Runways helpful too. Obviously, I can't guess what your knee problem is but it's possible shoes alone won't fix it. I had knee pain when I started running, and it turned out to be a knee structure thing along with weak thigh muscles. I was able to keep running, but I had to do a lot of strengthening exercises. Good shoes will definitely help, but really you need your muscles to be working to protect your knees / joints, you can't leave it all to your shoes. Hope it settles down & new shoes help, but if it doesn't, don't be afraid to go to a physio - it could prevent problems further down the line & keep you running!

Tasden

HelenAnne wrote: »

I had great experiences in AK as well, and have always found Runways helpful too. Obviously, I can't guess what your knee problem is but it's possible shoes alone won't fix it. I had knee pain when I started running, and it turned out to be a knee structure thing along with weak thigh muscles. I was able to keep running, but I had to do a lot of strengthening exercises. Good shoes will definitely help, but really you need your muscles to be working to protect your knees / joints, you can't leave it all to your shoes. Hope it settles down & new shoes help, but if it doesn't, don't be afraid to go to a physio - it could prevent problems further down the line & keep you running!

Yeah I'm already working on the quads and stuff but am pretty sure its the way I'm landing on my foot so gonna try the runners and see if they keep it at bay now that it seems ok, great advice though on the strength exercises. It seems a lot better now after ice and rest for a few days, was a killer going down stairs! Got some glucosamine too as it couldn't hurt.

ecoli

Tasden wrote: »

Yeah I'm already working on the quads and stuff but am pretty sure its the way I'm landing on my foot so gonna try the runners and see if they keep it at bay now that it seems ok, great advice though on the strength exercises. It seems a lot better now after ice and rest for a few days, was a killer going down stairs! Got some glucosamine too as it couldn't hurt.

Without going into to much detail as the charter prohibits medical advice what I would say to you is that it is probably a good idea to get looking at by a sports physio/ therapist as I reckon that even with the shoes more than likely as you resume training this may crop up again.

HelenAnne made a good point, a good pair shoes will not cure any underlying problems, but they will prevent additional problems cropping up which poor footwear can cause

Tasden

ecoli wrote: »

Without going into to much detail as the charter prohibits medical advice what I would say to you is that it is probably a good idea to get looking at by a sports physio/ therapist as I reckon that even with the shoes more than likely as you resume training this may crop up again.

HelenAnne made a good point, a good pair shoes will not cure any underlying problems, but they will prevent additional problems cropping up which poor footwear can cause

Oh ok, I was thinking see how the runners go and if it crops up again then go to the physio as it obviously rules out what I thought it is but you reckon its best to go to physio first to rule other things out?

Thanks again everyone