Running.

[vat_man]

Bit of a heavy pronator, are we?

I've found the Asics, particularly the Gel models, have a significant comfort advantage over other brands - I swap between a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS's and a pair of Asics 2080's (I have traditionally run in Kayanos), and the Asics are far softer, with probably the same degree of motion control, and so are far better for long runs - I won't run further than 10-12k in the Brooks.

You should be fine to run in the Kojis - they're one of Asics premium shoes.

I haven't tried the NB's in a while - I was looking at 1220's, but they're like hen's teeth here.

I have generally found that the Asics seem to wider in the forefront section of the shoe - I'm particularly wide across there, so they fit me well. If you're narrow, you might struggle for fit there.

Asics are producing some of the better shoes out there at the moment - I've heard some recommendation for Saucony as well, you might want to look at the 3D Grid Hurricane.

Mizuno are worth a look as well, although I'm not familiar with their range - I think the Wave Legend is their overpronator shoe.

 

[advanR]

Yea, the asics really fit me well also. I noticed the width in the forefoot, and I dont even know what a forefoot is!!! haha, anyways......

Do you know some of the differences between the kayano and the koji? or last years kayano (8), and this years (9)? I think it might have been the 8 that i tried on, because as i said, it was only $85. Before I take these suckers outside, I want to be sure of my $110 purchase.

One thing I have noticed while wearing them here while i type (hehe), is that the inside part of the shoe (where it arches) feels protrusive. Perhaps too much arch for my foot. Is it like this because it is a motion control shoe? While running I cant imagine it bugging me, I am only noticing it because theyve been on for over an hour. Anyway, itd be nice if you could help me be happy with my shoes

 

[advanR]

sage, i was running in $30 new balances before. they were extremely comfortible, but when I ran in them the inside of my knees really hurt, and they just didnt feel right. They are also almost 2 years old. I dont think they had support where i needed it. they are very light and comfortible, but not for running. anyway, I just started running 2+ miles, and I need and deserve some motivation. I cant wait for morning so I can test these ****ers out.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by advanR
Yea, the asics really fit me well also. I noticed the width in the forefoot, and I dont even know what a forefoot is!!! haha, anyways......

Do you know some of the differences between the kayano and the koji? or last years kayano (8), and this years (9)? I think it might have been the 8 that i tried on, because as i said, it was only $85. Before I take these suckers outside, I want to be sure of my $110 purchase.

One thing I have noticed while wearing them here while i type (hehe), is that the inside part of the shoe (where it arches) feels protrusive. Perhaps too much arch for my foot. Is it like this because it is a motion control shoe? While running I cant imagine it bugging me, I am only noticing it because theyve been on for over an hour. Anyway, itd be nice if you could help me be happy with my shoes

Forefoot refers to the front half of the foot - where it widens in front of the arch, up to your toes - the widest part of your foot.

I haven't run in the Kayano 9's - I started off in a pair of the 7's, and had two pairs of the 8's. The 7 was a great shoe - very soft, broke in quickly. I found the 8's a lot firmer, and took a long time to break in. I understand the 9's are a touch softer than the 8's, which may have stemmed from changes to gel (rumour). I'm actually wearing a pair of my retired 9's now.

Given that you severely pronate, it would make sense that all the support would be on the inside of the shoe - that because through your footstrike, you would land on your heel and your foot would roll inwards. It's okay to do that a little bit, but if you do it a lot, you place a lot of strain on your calves, the sides of your knees and your ankles.

Where did you get them fitted? At a specialist store, or just a general shoe/sports store? Did you get any advice?

Shoes generally need about 100km to break in - I would recommend against just wearing them around to walk in, for two reasons:
- walking is different to running, and you might be placing strain on your legs
- each km walked in a pair of running shoes is one km less you can run in them. You'll prematurely age them.

The Kojis are pretty high mileage shoes - you should expect to get 500-600 km out of them.

 

[advanR]

I went to a ****ty sporting goods store a couple days ago because the only running store was so far. There was actually a guy that knew a bit about running shoes there. He helped me understand stability, motion control( I previously only read about them on runningworld, didnt make much sense), and all of that. He also described some of the shoes in detail that i asked.

They didnt have the 855 so i had to go to a running specific shoe store. They sell all of the running goodies. I walked in and told the guy what I knew about running shoes and told him I needed help. I told him I was probably looking for a motion control shoe. Maybe I shouldnt have made that decision on my own...... He shwed me the 855 and some other motion control shoes. He told me what a good shoe should feel like, I ran a bit in them, and made my decision.

100km break in? I wont run 100k this year, haha. can I strap these things on a robot to break them in? I dont think i need to start worrying about mileage for shoes yet. I will probably be running 8-10miles a week this summer, probably less through the rest of the year.

 

[vat_man]

I'm talking full broken in - they'll loosen up once you've got about 30-40km on them.

Sounds like you went somewhere decent. Once you're starting to look to replace them, you should go back there with your (now old) shoes and then you'll get an idea of what you need - then you can start shopping at the cheap shops!

 

[Max Powers]

I use these as my training shoes. I can only usually use New Balance because I have a wider foot, and they fit me a lot better than the rest. Nike/Adidas are out of the question they just don't fit me right. I do like Aasics, though, they seem to last pretty long and are very comfortable. If only they were wider.

 

[vat_man]

Quite pleased with myself this morning - ran with a running club I've been thinking of (and will be) joining round the Sydney Domain - pretty solid 10k, with some pretty decent hills - and got home in 42:54 (I was aiming to get under 45 mins, and hoping to sneak in under 43. Quite pleased with that, a 4 and a bit minute improvement over the last 10k race I did back in September over a much easier course. First time under 4:30 a kilometre pace.

Jeepers it was cold, though - 6 deg C. I wasn't game to take a full stride warming up, in case I pulled something.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by SublimeDood10
I use these as my training shoes. I can only usually use New Balance because I have a wider foot, and they fit me a lot better than the rest. Nike/Adidas are out of the question they just don't fit me right. I do like Aasics, though, they seem to last pretty long and are very comfortable. If only they were wider.

I've heard the 1220s are good shoes. I tried on a pair of NB's when I first started running seriously, but I don't recall which model - they were the value pick of what I tried on, but a little firm for my tastes, compared to the Kayanos (I was going to buy the best shoes I could at the time).

I've heard Adidas are doing some decent running shoes at present - don't know which model though - and I think Nike have a new one out that's okay, but the rest of their stuff is crap for longer distance running. I reckon the 'Air' shoes are dangerous, very poor stability control.

 

[viperman]

Nike has some spring shoes, i have thought about geting them, my running coach has them.I have had adidas and they were pretty good.But my foot got too big. I have some new shoes, they are really light. I could throw them 30 feet

 

[Formula1racer]

3 miles once a week usually on wed.

 

[Sage]

I've been doing pretty well with running lately... last Monday, CC training started, and I did pretty well. (Not to sound sexist, but I'm quite surprised at how poorly the girls were doing!) Training at a higher elevation (my house, which is 3000 feet) helped a lot-- It used to be that my limit was set by how much oxygen I could get into my lungs (at the end of races, I still had plenty of energy left in the legs), but now the limit is set by my leg strength, like it should be.

I'd forgotten how much I hated running through grass though...

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by Sage
I'd forgotten how much I hated running through grass though...

Yeah - it's a bit different. I did three laps of the (mostly) dirt and grass trail around the outside of Sydney's Centennial Park with a mate of mine yesterday - it's kept cut pretty low so you don't get that 'sponge' effect, but it's certainly a lot easier on the lower legs! I had bad shin splints the week before but the legs felt pretty good afterwards.

 

[Sage]

The park we run in has pretty high grass and it's always soggy... It's amazing how tiring it is to just run a mile in that stuff (and even worse when we have to run a total of 6 miles there! )

 

[Formula1racer]

ill stick to my 3 miles. i wouldnt last for 6. those cramps start comming to my gut and some pain to my sholders (spelling?) how can i stop this before soccer starts??

 

[Max Powers]

If you're cramping up, you might want to take a look at what you've been eating and drinking in the hours before you took your run. Cramps in your shoulders can sometimes be attributed to your running style, I remember I used to cramp up in my shoulder area a lot, and my coach helped me loosen up my running style, and work with my arms more, and it made a world of difference. Cramps can also start to go away as you gradually get in shape. You say you run 3 miles only once a week? Why not try running 2 or 3 miles for a couple more days during the week, and gradually increase your distance. I notice that when I'm out of shape, I always cramp up, but eventually when I begin to get in shape, the cramps will start to subside, just stick with it and they'll go away.

 

[wee_man]

Just spotted this thread and thought I'd drop in.
I used to be heavily into cross country running and general track until I strated finding other interests and got distracted. I've forgotten my times, but one time I remember is when I ran a 10k in 50 mins I think. Be it it was a sponsored chrity event I was the third under 18 home. I think overal I was in the top 20 out of about 100. 30 kids and 70 adults. I was quite chuffed with that. I should really get running again. Do you lot run for clubs, privatly or independantly (BTW haven't really read more than the first page of this thread)?

 

[vat_man]

I started out independently, in Jan '02 - I had lost a fair bit of weight in the preceding two years, and my fitness was good (rode my bike a fair bit, plus weights and cardio at the gym). I had a particular fun run as my target. Since I was already pretty fit, my endurance came up pretty quickly and I was able to complete a half marathon in mid-May '02. After doing the fun run I was aiming at, and the Sydney Bridge Run 10k in Sept '02, I decided to aim at doing a marathon in September this year.

After getting under 100 mins for the half marathon in May this year, I started to take it a bit more seriously. I joined a running club earlier this month (pretty casual group, mostly centred around training, but they run 10k events the first Sat of the month, plus participate in big events as a club). I ran my first 10k event in 43.06 (well, it was 42.54 by my watch, but I lost a bit of time at the start getting over the line as I was at the back of the pack). That was all paved surface, though.

I do most of my training by myself - I tend to be a bit of a mood runner, in that I don't like, particularly on the weekends, to have to run at a specific time.

 

[Talentless]

i ran for like 10 or so seconds earlier. i couldn't take the pain. ah, well.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by Talentless
i ran for like 10 or so seconds earlier. i couldn't take the pain. ah, well.

Guess it's not for you then.

 

[Talentless]

Nope. Actually, I had pain, nothing terrible, for a couple of days. Where my left leg meets the pelvis hurts when I walk or run too much.

 

[advanR]

got back to running after a 2 week break. outta commission from surgery. initially it was real f'in tough. lungs outta shape after only a mile, was running over 2 easy before.

im in a lot better shape now. been running every day almost. down to 185lbs now from 205 at beginning of summer. couple days ago i timed myself, ran a mile in 7:30 or so. kept a really quick pace (for me) the whole mile, perfect rhythm. then the day after i did 2.5 or so at a slower pace easy.

I think running at a quicker pace for long periods of time really gets my lung in shape. being at my aerobic limit (huffing and puffing for air) for a whole mile was tough, but i thnk rewarding.

 

[quicksilver1122]

Hey, when you guys run. Do you run at a constant steady pace for a long period of time? Or do you slowly build up pace until you're running (guess you could say) near max, or just at an "impresive" pace for a shorter period of time?

What's the best routine you guys do to strengthen your heart? And what's the best routine you do to increase your speed and times? Build endurance? Thanks.

 

[Max Powers]

Well my summer running is my "base training" for the cross country season ahead, so I just establish a solid base by just running a lot of distance at a constant pace, I don't worry about increasing my pace until cross country practice starts, and by then from all of the distance I ran over the summer, it is pretty easy.

By the way, I've now run 270 miles since school let out (June 6) 30 more to go before practice starts.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by quicksilver1122
Hey, when you guys run. Do you run at a constant steady pace for a long period of time? Or do you slowly build up pace until you're running (guess you could say) near max, or just at an "impresive" pace for a shorter period of time?

What's the best routine you guys do to strengthen your heart? And what's the best routine you do to increase your speed and times? Build endurance? Thanks.

Well, your questions touch on a lot of issues there.

As mentioned in my other threat, "Vat_Man tries the marathon", I have a specific timetable I run to. Basically, I run Tue-Thu-Sat-Sun

Sunday is my long, slow run, that currently's between 20-36km. This builds up endurance.

Tuesday is my easy, recovery run, to work out the lactic acid left over from Sunday - that will usually be 5-14km, depending on the program and how sore I am. I'll usually start slow, and as the legs come good I'll pick the pace up, but certainly nowhere near race pace

Thursday - start to free up, run at a reasonable pace, usually same distance as Tues. If I have a race on the weekend, I might do so interval training (where you alternate between jogs and sprints). I'll often do what's called 'fartlek' (or literally, 'speed play'), where you vary your speed according to how you feel - i.e. you might cruise for a while, then sprint to the next street, then cruise, then pick the pace up for a bit, then sprint, cruise.

Saturday - again, same distance as Tues and Thurs. Run at a reasonable pace, to get you set for Sunday.

The strengthening of your heart will come as you increase endurance and strength. Hill and sprint work will also help this - but you need to be careful with them, as the harder you work, the easier it is to get injured.

As mentioned, I'm a much longer distance runner than the other contributors to this thread. Programs are very much tailored to the objectives of the runner.

Oh yeah - on the shoe front. I ended up abandoning the Brooks Adrenalines. I'm convinced they gave me the shin splints. I gave them to the other half (she has the same size foot as I do - and I don't have small feet for a bloke!).

I bought another pair of Kayanos - the update of the IX. In typical style, they're taking forever to break in. I've already got 70-80km on them and they're still pretty stiff! The old 2070's are holding up pretty well, though.

 

[Max Powers]

Well I just picked up a new pair of shoes this morning. New Balance 765's. Got them on sale for $75. I was pretty pumped because they normally go for about $90. I also bought myself a new pair of arch supports/insoles, they are made by Sof Sole, and I got them for about $15. I had the same exact pair before and they lasted me 2 years. I was very pleased with how they gave me a lot of support, and also lasted through the hundreds of miles I put on them.

 

[Formula1racer]

now tht soccer training/conditioning started i run bout 10 miles a day and i dont mean to slow runs all out sprints

 

[Sage]

Originally posted by Formula1racer
now tht soccer training/conditioning started i run bout 10 miles a day and i dont mean to slow runs all out sprints

I'll eat my iBook if you can honestly say that you (or anybody) can sprint for 10 miles. A sprint should normally be around-ish a quarter mile, with the peak in the last 100 meters.

 

[advanR]

im exercising again now. 175lb, 13% fat. i think ive lost quite a bit of muscle, because when im not exercising i hardly eat. ive been running for 30minutes at a time, trying to cover 3 miles. my pace will change quite a lot because i have ADD.

im a bit concerned that my heartrate hovers from 180-200 bpm. isnt this very high?

id be interested in hearing some opinions on how i should be running, if i want to get my capacity up. the only thing that is really keeping me from going more than 3 miles is that my heart is beating out of my chest, and my face is turning red.

 

[Concept]

My best mile was something like 5:20. I've never done anything longer.