Running Form help

[Ariel484]

There you go! Very nice.

I would definitely pay the money to get the right shoes. The most expensive arent always the best, however, I am a believer that you get what you pay for the majority of the time. If you are having impact issues, try to get a shoe that has maximum shock and cushioning to help reduce impact shock. i would give you suggestions, but I would suggest you go to a real running store, and let those guys tell you. Be careful of the shoe they try to push to you. Make them give you 3 choices, dont look at the price, color, or style, just go with what feels the best.

Good luck.

YES. I think this is up there as one of the most important things a person should do before they start running. So look for a Fleet Feet or something similar, not just a generic sporting goods store.

Some places will actually watch you run for a bit on a treadmill before making recommendations. At my place they have me take my shoes off and just look at how my feet are when I stand. They'll also look at the wear pattern on my old shoes if I bring them in with me (this was funny because the guy last time said the wear pattern showed I was running with good form, so I was like "Oh wow, I have great form naturally!" and he goes "...actually the shoe corrects for it, that's why you have good form." Oh...haha! But the bottom line is that he could tell that the shoe I had already was working well for me by looking at my old pair and recommended that I didn't switch to something different.) They'll ask questions about what I'm training for, what surfaces do I run on, how I feel when running, etc. Then they'll bring out 3-4 different pairs of shoes for me to try - different price points, different brands, but they all have similar build. They have me try them on and I go for a jog around the store and outside for a bit and from there I pick the winner.

So you can see this is a long process, and it can be pricey - my shoes cost about $100. But it's totally worth it if it gets you running pain-free.

 

[joel_maxwell]

YES. I think this is up there as one of the most important things a person should do before they start running. So look for a Fleet Feet or something similar, not just a generic sporting goods store.

Some places will actually watch you run for a bit on a treadmill before making recommendations. At my place they have me take my shoes off and just look at how my feet are when I stand. They'll also look at the wear pattern on my old shoes if I bring them in with me (this was funny because the guy last time said the wear pattern showed I was running with good form, so I was like "Oh wow, I have great form naturally!" and he goes "...actually the shoe corrects for it, that's why you have good form." Oh...haha! But the bottom line is that he could tell that the shoe I had already was working well for me by looking at my old pair and recommended that I didn't switch to something different.) They'll ask questions about what I'm training for, what surfaces do I run on, how I feel when running, etc. Then they'll bring out 3-4 different pairs of shoes for me to try - different price points, different brands, but they all have similar build. They have me try them on and I go for a jog around the store and outside for a bit and from there I pick the winner.

So you can see this is a long process, and it can be pricey - my shoes cost about $100. But it's totally worth it if it gets you running pain-free.

I almost had to quit running due to the crap shoes on the market today. They were killing my legs. I found a company and pair that work for me. My shoes are $150 (use to be $170), but they keep my running.

 

[disneygirl76]

There you go! Very nice.

I would definitely pay the money to get the right shoes. The most expensive arent always the best, however, I am a believer that you get what you pay for the majority of the time. If you are having impact issues, try to get a shoe that has maximum shock and cushioning to help reduce impact shock. i would give you suggestions, but I would suggest you go to a real running store, and let those guys tell you. Be careful of the shoe they try to push to you. Make them give you 3 choices, dont look at the price, color, or style, just go with what feels the best.

Good luck.

Thanks! I went to Pacers, a running store where I live and they fit me for the ones i have. They are Mizunos for that reason. But for some reason, a running coach from there said he thinks I need to be looked at again. So I'm going to go in and talk to a different person and not wear the Mizunos and see what they tell me. Testing them. Thanks!!!

 

[joel_maxwell]

Thanks! I went to Pacers, a running store where I live and they fit me for the ones i have. They are Mizunos for that reason. But for some reason, a running coach from there said he thinks I need to be looked at again. So I'm going to go in and talk to a different person and not wear the Mizunos and see what they tell me. Testing them. Thanks!!!

I wore Mizunos once. Keyword is once. They lasted about 200 miles before it felt like I was running in cement slippers. Make them give you three matches because every shoe company will have a shoe designed for your style.

 

[Mr mom]

I almost had to quit running due to the crap shoes on the market today. They were killing my legs. I found a company and pair that work for me. My shoes are $150 (use to be $170), but they keep my running.

Every year or less I buy two pairs and alternate and find that every single year I end up with completely different shoes than the year before. Those stinsons I tried last may in florida though were freaking awesome. I may break down and order them, no local store has them, hell I have not found one local dealer that has even heard of them.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Every year or less I buy two pairs and alternate and find that every single year I end up with completely different shoes than the year before. Those stinsons I tried last may in florida though were freaking awesome. I may break down and order them, no local store has them, hell I have not found one local dealer that has even heard of them.

Boulder Running Company. Free shipping. Free 30 day return policy, no matter what.

Do it. You wont regret it. I got stupid about two months ago and ordered some Salomon's. Great product, but they hurt to walk around the house in. They were a trail shoe, supposedly. I apologized to my Stinson's the next morning.

 

[disneygirl76]

I wore Mizunos once. Keyword is once. They lasted about 200 miles before it felt like I was running in cement slippers. Make them give you three matches because every shoe company will have a shoe designed for your style.

Thanks for the tip!! I am going in a couple of weeks to get fitted again. I looked at the bottom of my shoes and I can tell where they are getting really worn. Thanks again!

 

[Sumrdog]

I agree with everyone about not over thinking your form. I probably have terrible form, but it works for me.

I just wanted to add one more thing, I find that if I distract my brain with some kind of complicated riddle or how much interest I would earn a year on my 401k at 6% interest compounded over 20 years...I run easily and pain free. I am not saying you need to do math problems, that just seems to work for me. My point is if my mind is occupied, I seem to forget that my shin hurts, that I am out of breath, that I still have another 14 miles to go...I just run and the miles just fly by.

So if you find some way to relax your brain, you might find that your body finds its rhythm.

 

[ChristaH]

Great advice, @Sumrdog about occupying your brain. I do the same thing...math problems in my head! I tried running while listening to an audio book for a while, but I missed the inspiration of my running playlist. I might try it again when I get to longer runs and maybe listen to a book for a while and switch to my music when I get tired.

My shoes are Mizunos and I like them. They have about 200 miles on them so they won't last me through training for the WDW Half. Should I get new ones sooner or later? If I get them sooner, I have more time to break them in/get used to them. But if I stick to my training plan, I'll run close to 300 miles between now and January, so I don't want them to be dead near the end of that. So what would be the optimum time to get new shoes?

 

[LindsayLoves]

Great advice, @Sumrdog about occupying your brain. I do the same thing...math problems in my head! I tried running while running to an audio book for a while, but I missed the inspiration of my running playlist. I might try it again when I get to longer runs and maybe listen to a book for a while and switch to my music when I get tired.

My shoes are Mizunos and I like them. They have about 200 miles on them so they won't last me through training for the WDW Half. Should I get new ones sooner or later? If I get them sooner, I have more time to break them in/get used to them. But if I stick to my training plan, I'll run close to 300 miles between now and January, so I don't want them to be dead near the end of that. So what would be the optimum time to get new shoes?

You should break the new ones in gradually, use both pairs for a month or so that way your mileage won't kill your shoes. 200 miles isn't that much but if you are feeling that they are starting to let you down you should start looking for a second pair. The amount of miles you get on a pair is very dependent on your style and injury issues, some people get 500 miles a pair meanwhile I feel like I need to start getting a fresh pair around 350-400 because my heel is wearing out the back and the slight cushioning is basically all broken down by that point.

 

[ChristaH]

200 miles isn't a lot, but I just remember how great they felt the first time I ran in them. Plus I'm itching to spend money on new running stuff! LOL! I think I will satisfy myself with a spibelt and think about new shoes in the fall.

 

[Phonedave]

As far as shoes go, I have been running in Asics Gels (different models) for 4 years now. I originally went to RoadRunner Sports (A running store) and they did the whole video taping while on a treadmill running barefoot, then the standing on a pressure map, etc. and fitted me. Whatever shoes you need depend on your feet.

As far as gait or form - you cannot concentrate on everything at once. Just run. You WILL have pain when starting, listen to your body and if you have pain, cut back. Pain is not soreness. Soreness is OK. Injury is not. Shin splints, hurt knees, etc, that all happens as your body is getting stronger.

I one thing that I had to work on as far as form was I would run with a tight upper body - think clenched fists. You want to be loose, but not floppy. What helped was pretending I was holding a potato chip in the fingers of each had. Tight enough not to drop the chip, but not so tight to break it.


-dave

 

[Ariel484]

...I one thing that I had to work on as far as form was I would run with a tight upper body - think clenched fists. You want to be loose, but not floppy. What helped was pretending I was holding a potato chip in the fingers of each had. Tight enough not to drop the chip, but not so tight to break it.


-dave

Great point about the upper body. That gets me into trouble sometimes, except it's not tensing my fists, it's tensing my shoulders up. And I never realize that I'm doing it until it's too late and I'm sore for the rest of the day.

 

[disneygirl76]

Great point about the upper body. That gets me into trouble sometimes, except it's not tensing my fists, it's tensing my shoulders up. And I never realize that I'm doing it until it's too late and I'm sore for the rest of the day.

I get that way too. I was taught a trick to put your hands behind you like you are doing a super man while running to reset your form if you feel like you are clenching and doing the right thing. I am working with a personal trainer for 4 weeks, maybe longer, and she is going to help me. Because I want to do a run / walk combo to get me through the race. But I get pains in my legs - like shin splints or knee pains - when I do that. So I need some help. I just don't want pain anymore.