beginner - questions and shoes

jsabina

Hi everybody,
I've started running around 1,5 months ago after a long inactivity (never ran long distances, but did sport years ago).

I started very slow alternating few minutes running with 2 minutes walking and now I am following a program for the 10K (I want to do the mini marathon).

I am running 4 times a week and since last week the days of rest I am going to work by bike (15km).

It's going quite well, it's hard but I see that I am improving and I like that!

The only problem is that after yesterday (3.2km) and today (6.5km) run I started to have a sort of back pain (not lower back though, more behind my shoulder).
I go to run in a local park with my dogs, but I run on the concrete because the grass is very muddy.

I have a pair of adidas, no idea about the model, entry level running shoes that I bought years ago and almost never used until now.

Could it be caused by bad quality shoes? or should I run on softer surfaces? or maybe it's just the beginning? or stretching?

any advice is appreciated!

Thanks!

viperlogic

Are you running with your dogs on a leash as that awkward position and possibly pulling can certainly be the root cause? Otherwise, when running do your arms cross the center line of your body? Ideally they shouldn't. A few tips would be every so often let your arms dangle by your sides, so as to shake them out. Also pretend you are holding an egg in your hands, its the most natural position, others can cause strains all along the arm.

jsabina

Thanks,
no it depends, sometimes they are off leash other times I am using a belt connected to the leash, very confortable and they are not pulling a lot.
I will try the shacking arms, at the moment I keep moving them I hope in the right way.. I'll pay more attention!

Slow_Runner

You would be surprised what could possibly cause aches and pains when running - my advice would be go to a sports physio and get them to analyse your gait - they will get you to run on a threadmill and video it to see if there are any imbalances. My physio told me about a patient who had a similar issue to you and couldn't figure out what was causing it, when recorded they saw she was basically running on a tightrope (one foot directly in front of the other) which was causing the back pain as she was twisting her hips.

Spend a bit of money now on a physio and some decent runners and it will pay you back ten fold in the long run (pun unintended).

jsabina

I've been to a sport shot and they analyzed my gait.
They said I overpronate, especially with the left foot.
I bought a pair of shoes, asics gel zone, for stability. I just started running so I bought a medium level..
The stupid pain in my upper back is still there, not sure if it's related to the running now.. maybe the bicycle or whatever else.
At least now I should have a bit more serious shoes!