Azatol Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Go, Ruthie! Hills are sooo intimidating! There's one that I've mucked around a few times near the beginning but now I'm avoiding it because I am still working on endurance (and don't want to burn out my calves climbing the giant). Congrats on your success! My run schedule is odd. My Monday runs feel amazing (after the 2 day weekend), but I'm usually very tired/need recouping by on Tuesday (having run after a 2 day break). Then, I've been running on Wed, Thurs, and Fri with each run better than the last and feeling great. My body is weird Yep hills are scary at the start but I've actually grown to love them. What many people don't know is they are the magic elixir of running. It helps strengthen your legs, build better cardiovascular fitness which leads to increased natural speed. It's also the bane of many runners and a great place to catch up to and even pass faster runners who don't train on them. Good stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Thanks guys!knew u would understand I am exhusted and off to bed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Finally bought shoes. Went to a shop a few towns away my doc recommended. The owner is a runner and seems to know his stuff. He put me right on the treadmill with and without my current shoes, and funnily enough, when you see a movie of your feet walking - things you never knew about pop out at you. For example, that my left foot slightly pronounces, and that only my left foot does. That explains why my left side is less flexible than my right, and also why the muscles in my left calf always cramp when I am running. He brought me several shoes to try on, one neutral (which he said might work) and a couple of ones with support for the pronouncing foot (I was really surprised that there was an issue with my gait). I ended up buying the second pair he bought out for me to try, a saucony omni, and it will be interesting to see if it makes any difference. They are much more roomier than my current shoes, and feel nice. I hope the roominess will not be an issue (I had to decide between a tighter pair and this looser fitting one.) Anyway, I photographed the box with the brand, model, size etc. for future reference, and if I like them, next time I need shoes I can try buy them for less online. I will try them out tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendell Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 I think they will make a big difference. They did with me I know, and I think it's good you got the ones with extra room, because your feet swell a little when you run. I was surprised my right foot swings left of center when I run, something I'm trying hard to correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azatol Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 He brought me several shoes to try on, one neutral (which he said might work) and a couple of ones with support for the pronouncing foot (I was really surprised that there was an issue with my gait). Don't think overpronating is a problem. It certainly sounds like it and neutral pronation sounds like the "proper" form but it's totally untrue. Overpronating is like being left handed. It's not an ailment. It's perfectly normal. In fact, Overpronation is the most common type followed by neutral and finally suprination. Stability shoes (For overpronation) are actually the most abundant type. It just means your style is to roll your foot a bit inward when you run just like the vast majority of runners. Kudos for getting properly fit!! You'll benefit from it. Let us know how you like the shoes. You'll probably learn to love NSD (New shoe day). It's always exciting LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Lang Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 yay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Overpronating is like being left handed. I am left handed too! Anyway... Came back from W6D2 and first-time-ever-in-my-runner-shoes. Of course me being me, I could not make myself do my old route round and round my street, and had to go and face the hill again. First ten minutes were really easy, but really really easy. I thought it was a bit strange (maybe the fact that part of it was down hill and only part was uphill was the reason for the ease). The second ten minute run started at the bottom of the steep incline and I felt it right away. When I made it to the top I couldn't believe I had, and was seriously drained but did not give up. I kept running but I was worried because since this street is also circular, I was running towards the incline again and I didn't feel like doing it again... so I thought I would be smart, and take a shortcut....In between the circular streets we have steps and or zigzag paths for pedestrians. I thought I could run up a zig zag path, up to my street thus save myself the steep hill again. BIG mistake.... turns out I started this zigzag only a couple of minutes before the end of the run, and it also turns out that it was as steep as stairs at the end, so I walked for about 30 seconds at the very end... by that time, both my calves were cramping (as opposed to in my old shoes, when only my left calf would cramp :-)) but I still made myself run the last minute... so that I wouldn't feel as bad about walking the few seconds that I did. (walking? It was more like crawling...) Anyway, new shoes are interesting in a good way. I am not used to having any space in my running shoes, or to my feet moving at all but I will get used to that. My left calf didn't cramp at all, like it usually does, except when the right one did too, which means that the shoes are correcting whatever it was that was giving me a hard time.... Jeshi and Anne Lang 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Lang Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 oh my what an adventure glad about new shoes sad about cramps but u found a new challenge to takle when you get a wee bit stronger and hey you did it so you can do it again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Haha Anne, actually, my adventurous side has been cured for a while... sticking to the straight and narrow at least for the next run. Anne Lang 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azatol Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 I am left handed too! <Giggle> Hill running tips: Uphill: Swing your arms more in an up and down motion then a front to back. Imagine you are throwing pebbles at your feet. Downhill: Focus on not slapping your feet on the ground. Land as gently as you can and it's ok to speed up a bit but also don't use the downhill to pick up time because you'll wear your quads out. Most impoarantly is to land soft when going downhill. it's the greatest impact you can put on your knees. Love your knees!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 I will try that. Also read to make sure to take little steps and try not to bend the knee... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Lang Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 read and learn thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azatol Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 I will try that. Also read to make sure to take little steps and try not to bend the knee... Taking smaller steps increases your cadence and shortens your stride. EXCELLENT thing to do. NEVER ever ever lock your knee though. ESPECIALLY downhill. When you lock your knee it can't bend like a shock absorber and all the shock of hitting the road goes directly into that knee. Not good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 When I said not bend the knee I meant on the uphill, not on the down hill. Down hill might be easier to run but there are a lot of potential injuries, even walking down hills, depending how steep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeshi Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 My left calf didn't cramp at all, like it usually does, except when the right one did too, which means that the shoes are correcting whatever it was that was giving me a hard time.... Hurray! I'm so glad that your left leg didn't have the protonation cramping issue. I think both sides cramping would be your muscles unused to the terrain and are not rebuilding themselves to be stronger for the next time you tackle the hills. Way to go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 Hurray! I'm so glad that your left leg didn't have the protonation cramping issue. I think both sides cramping would be your muscles unused to the terrain and are not rebuilding themselves to be stronger for the next time you tackle the hills. Way to go!! My thoughts exactly. Glad to see you back Jeshi, I was starting to get worried about you :-) Jeshi 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azatol Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 Hurray! I'm so glad that your left leg didn't have the protonation cramping issue. I think both sides cramping would be your muscles unused to the terrain and are not rebuilding themselves to be stronger for the next time you tackle the hills. Way to go!! This is fairly accurate. Another possibility of sore calves is when the drop of your new shoe is considerably lower than the drop of your old shoe. Uses the calves differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Lang Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 nice information J and A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Week six done. Quite astounding really - that I can actually run now. The hardest thing about this run were my shoes, which I just can't seem to tie so that they are comfortable. They are either too loose or too tight. I have the feeling that I should have got the pair that was a snugger fit. Anyway, there is no way I am not going to find a way to make these shoes work for me. I have never spent so much money on a pair of shoes before (yes, I am that girl with only two pairs of shoes in her closet). Next run, I am going to lace them differently and see if that makes a difference... and also, I will have to make peace with the fact that they are roomy. I tied my left shoe so tight today that by the end of the run my foot was numb .... Anyway, week seven and week eight are straight through runs... so I thought that for the first two runs of each week, I would run around my street.. and the third run of the week I would go down and challenge the hill again... Can't believe this is almost done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Lang Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 i cant believe it either have you tried thicker sox or running sox i have one pair of thorlos i love them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 No I haven't actually. Good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azatol Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Some good thick running socks (and comfy) are Swiftwick Pursuit and Balega No Blister. Running socks makes a huge different. Your feet will be happier instantly. Any brand of quality running sock is just fine. The two I just mentioned I know to be rather thick and cushiony. I use the pursuits for my long runs but I'm stocking up to use them all winter because they are part Merino Wool = warm! Also if you find problems with consistent tied shoes check out Nathan Lock Laces. They are elastic and keep a constant consistent steady tension. The problem is you may regret them later (only 7 bucks a pair). I used to like my shoes crazy tight and now I prefer them rather loose. Can't lengthen laces you cut to size LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeshi Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 My thoughts exactly. Glad to see you back Jeshi, I was starting to get worried about you :-) Thanks for your concern, Ruthie! For your shoes, I remember you purchased your current pair which were looser than the tighter fitting option. Most running stores have a return policy, even if you've ran in them outside. Since you just purchased them, you should be able to exchange them and try the other shoes without losing credit. I know the store was a couple towns away, but maybe call the store first to find out? It doesn't seem right that you would have to run in uncomfortable shoes that you spent so much money for. I'm also a girl who only has a few pairs of shoes and I want the ones I have to work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azatol Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Thanks for your concern, Ruthie! For your shoes, I remember you purchased your current pair which were looser than the tighter fitting option. Most running stores have a return policy, even if you've ran in them outside. Since you just purchased them, you should be able to exchange them and try the other shoes without losing credit. I know the store was a couple towns away, but maybe call the store first to find out? It doesn't seem right that you would have to run in uncomfortable shoes that you spent so much money for. I'm also a girl who only has a few pairs of shoes and I want the ones I have to work well. True story Most running stores will take shoes back and it wont even cost them anything. They just send it back to the manufacturer for a replacement pair to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Lang Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 strange how a lot of us running girls hate shoes and only have a few pair Ruthie u have nothing to loose and everything to gain by trying to return the shoes good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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