Thoughts on these?!

[the_saint]

I'm training for a 10k run in May and doing pretty well. In 6 weeks gone from never jogging (but with a decent base level of fitness) to 7km in 35 mins. I've never raced before so not sure how other people bumping into me will affect my time, but i'm training for sub 40 minutes and would be thrilled if I could do it under 5 minutes.

I have been pushing myself pretty hard but I do find that sometimes I get quite tight calves, blisters, and pins and needles towards the end of a run and i'm looking at solutions and have read about barefoot running!!

Now it's not a good idea to run barefoot near wear I live but I have read a lot about these VIBRAM - FiveFingers and generally the consensus is they help with running and give faster times etc. but i've also read that they can result in increased blisters and you need to take a while before you run in them full time.

On that basis (and considering the cost) I'm not sure about investing in them, has anyone got any experience of these and if so what do you think (other than the fact that I will look really wierd running in them!)??

[Simmo]

Sorry I can't help you but I'm interested in running and was just wondering what training you do as you obviously have a clear improvement in limited time. I go to a gym and before I built up a good level of fitness (on a treadmill though) but I got shin splints and stopped running, so it kinda shows how important proper shoes are.

[2345876]

I wouldn't go for the Five Fingers simply because of the cost.

My immediate thought was petroleum jelly or talc on the feet as I know this is what runners use for "other areas".

Take a look at some of these articles, they may help:

Prevent Blisters at Runner's World.com

How to Treat and Prevent Blisters Caused by Running | eHow.com

How to Prevent Blisters in a Marathon | eHow.com

http://www.thewalkingsite.com/blisters.html

[gpow]

Have you got the proper running shoes for your running style. Eg over pronate etc.
I use the 5fingers for use in the gym as it hwlps build up the ligaments and muscles around the ankle and foot.
To combat the tight calves, skins do a power sock which compress the calves, I used them when i suffered from tight calves when i used to play football semi pro. Skins Powersox for £21.61 at Newitts.com

[2345876]

Originally Posted by Simmo

I go to a gym and before I built up a good level of fitness (on a treadmill though) but I got shin splints and stopped running, so it kinda shows how important proper shoes are.

The best way to get into running is to go on a jog outside in the open. Treadmills are boring after a while, there is nothing better to getting outside and seeing stuff as you jog along with your iPod playing. Also, it allows you to feel more comfortable running outside.

Treadmills have a perfect running surface as they are flat, if you then decide to go running outside, the difference is immense. There are a lot of things to consider running outside, changes of surface, gradients, CURBS! Which you don't get on a treadmill

[the_saint]

Originally Posted by Simmo

Sorry I can't help you but I'm interested in running and was just wondering what training you do as you obviously have a clear improvement in limited time. I go to a gym and before I built up a good level of fitness (on a treadmill though) but I got shin splints and stopped running, so it kinda shows how important proper shoes are.

I used an app on my phone called c25k (stands for "couch to 5k")which is a program which trains you up from not jogging at all to jogging for 30 mins (which for most people will be around 5k) over a 9 week period (though if you have a decent level of fitness you migh want to skip the first few weeks as they aren't that challenging, that's what I did) by running at least 3 times a week, resting for a day between each run.

You listen to your music and it gives voice prompts for when to run, then rest etc.

So for example it will say "run" and you run for 2 minutes, then it will say "walk" and you walk for 2 minutes and so on. The times change starting from running for a minute and walking for 90 seconds over 20 minutes to just a flat out 30 minute run at the end.

Just finished it and now using my Nike+ to monitor my distance, but have also bought another app called Runkeeper Pro as I respond really well to the voice prompt coaching and C25k only goes up to 5k, so I'll be using that to get me up to 10k.

C25k is a brilliant app so if you have an ipod touch or iPhone I would recommend it as I have definately had big measurable results from it.

I would also say I don't use a treadmill. Well I did when it was too icy to run outside in order to maintain my levels, but a treadmill is MUCH easier than running on the road (though the constant stride pattern does tend to cause me more blisters than road running) but doesn't develop all the muscles or general fitness as road running which is a rough and uneven surface.

Originally Posted by 2345876

I wouldn't go for the Five Fingers simply because of the cost.

I'm not too concerned about the cost. I spend about £60 on a good pair of running shoes and am happy to do so. If they do have the effect that they are stated to then I don't mind the cost as I have about £400 lying around for various reasons which I don't mind digging into, but only if they actually work.

My immediate thought was petroleum jelly or talc on the feet as I know this is what runners use for "other areas".

Thanks, i've read around and basically it is all about reducing moisture and friction so I'll be trying talc and deodorant () which one website mentioned next time I go for a run to see how I get on.

[2345876]

Originally Posted by the_saint

I used an app on my phone called c25k (stands for "couch to 5k")...

That is one of the best stories I have heard so far this year!

Thanks, i've read around and basically it is all about reducing moisture and friction so I'll be trying talc and deodorant () which one website mentioned next time I go for a run to see how I get on.

Yes, however do remember the 15cm deodrant rule....not sure getting freeze burn would be the greatest method of REDUCING moisture

[the_saint]

Originally Posted by gpow

Have you got the proper running shoes for your running style. Eg over pronate etc.

Up until about 2 weeks ago I didn't, but I've been told i'm a fairly neutral runner (though this was based on a friend observing me on a treadmill) so got some new ones based on that.

I use the 5fingers for use in the gym as it hwlps build up the ligaments and muscles around the ankle and foot.

How did you find them when you first used them? My biggest concern is that I will use them and do an injury as I'm not used to them and then be out for a while. I was planning on starting off with 1-2k twice a week in them with all other running in normal shoes and building up from there.

Sound good? Or do you think I could start with more than that?

To combat the tight calves, skins do a power sock which compress the calves, I used them when i suffered from tight calves when i used to play football semi pro. Skins Powersox for £21.61 at Newitts.com

Thanks, I'll give those a try. I've been really trying to stretch them out hard before I run and also stretch them for a couple of minutes 3-4 times a day even when not running but only helping a small bit. I'll give those sox a try and see if they help.

[the_saint]

Originally Posted by 2345876

That is one of the best stories I have heard so far this year!

Eh? What do you mean?!

[2345876]

Originally Posted by the_saint

Eh? What do you mean?!

Well, usually you get the boring stories of "I wanted to get fitter blah blah so joined a running club/started jogging with a friend etc." But I loved the fact that you used an app on an iPhone to get you into running. I just thought it was a good story and just goes to show how technology is changing so much!

Sounds weird, but I know what I mean

[Simmo]

Ah that app looks pretty good though I havent got an iphone/itouch, might borrow my brothers or buy one. I've always gone to the gym but my eating habits are just awful, which is holding me back.

[the_saint]

Originally Posted by 2345876

Well, usually you get the boring stories of "I wanted to get fitter blah blah so joined a running club/started jogging with a friend etc." But I loved the fact that you used an app on an iPhone to get you into running. I just thought it was a good story and just goes to show how technology is changing so much!

Sounds weird, but I know what I mean

OK, understand now.

I wouldn't join a running club as it's difficult to always get out of work on time (as i'm finding with two days a week for my martial arts) and everyone else would have been far ahead of me, so I preferred something I could do on my own as and when, stumbled upon the app and found it really helps!

If they added the facility to track distance using GPS it would be perfect - it was only when I finished and started monitoring pace and distance with Nike+ that I found i was actually doing 6k at the end which was a nice surprise!!

[gpow]

Originally Posted by the_saint

How did you find them when you first used them? My biggest concern is that I will use them and do an injury as I'm not used to them and then be out for a while. I was planning on starting off with 1-2k twice a week in them with all other running in normal shoes and building up from there.

Sound good? Or do you think I could start with more than that?

I mainly use them for lifting, squats and clean and presses. But from when I used them on a running machine it made me want to run more on my forefoot than a heel toe action. Although I think that running on your forefoot is better than heel toe.

Yeah that distance sounds about good, as you will be feeling more force throughout the bones/ joints. Maybe start with running on grass with them first then build up the distance, then progress to the tarmac