running?

grumpy2day

I'm thinking of starting to run but I'm rather leary about it. Years ago I had developed shinsplints and I really don't want to suffer through that again. Can anyone give me some tips and advice? Thank you.

abrn93

Get fitted for running shoes at a running store!! Go ahead and pay the money for a good pair of shoes. I have heard different things on compression socks but I have never used them. Hope that helps.

Chagama

Get fitted for running shoes at a running store!! Go ahead and pay the money for a good pair of shoes. I have heard different things on compression socks but I have never used them. Hope that helps.

Definitely. Also follow one of the Couch to 5K programs to make sure you aren't over-doing it.

junyr

http://www.c25k.com/

Awesome plan to follwo for running. c25k means "couch to 5k". It's designed for just that. It starts out slow and works you up to a 5k over 9 weeks. Good stuff.

kaetra

Me too! I read here that the right shoes can really help with shin splints, but I wonder how much it costs to go to one of those fancy running shoe stores to have your gait and arch analyzed. The special running shoes sound really expensive too. Where do you even find a fancy running shoe store?

I switched to Teva shoes for everyday wear last year which has completely cured my heel pain, but they don't seem to be very good for running. The Tevas are expensive (for me) but worth it, so I reckon dropping a couple hundred on an excellent pair of running shoes would be worth it too.

Cheap shoes are the worst thing in the world. I never knew how bad it was for your feet to wear cheap shoes until I came down with plantar fasciitas and lived with it for over 5 years! My mother in law kept telling me it was my cheap shoes and she was absolutely right!

Lorraine128

Definitely get a properly fitted pair of running shoes. You shouldn't feel obliged to buy them from that store. You might be able to find them cheaper elsewhere. Also try and limit runs on hard surfaces as much as possible. I know this isn't that easy for everyone depending where you live. Good luck and go for it.

junyr

Me too! I read here that the right shoes can really help with shin splints, but I wonder how much it costs to go to one of those fancy running shoe stores to have your gait and arch analyzed. The special running shoes sound really expensive too. Where do you even find a fancy running shoe store?

I switched to Teva shoes for everyday wear last year which has completely cured my heel pain, but they don't seem to be very good for running. The Tevas are expensive (for me) but worth it, so I reckon dropping a couple hundred on an excellent pair of running shoes would be worth it too.

Cheap shoes are the worst thing in the world. I never knew how bad it was for your feet to wear cheap shoes until I came down with plantar fasciitas and lived with it for over 5 years! My mother in law kept telling me it was my cheap shoes and she was absolutely right!

The running store we go to here has the gait analysis free. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A good pair of shoes will run around $100 give or take a few dollars. Go to the yellow pages or google in your area for "running shoes". Here they're typically in strip malls, and the "regular" mall has one or two. These are the "fancy" places you are talking about. The good places will be just as interested in getting you into the right pair of shoes even moreso than making the sale.

junyr

Please remember though. If the store offers the gait analysis for free consider making a purchase there. If everyone gets the free analysis there and gets a shoe recommendation then goes online ot make a purchase that service they provided you will disappear when they eventually go out of business.

Please consider the local purchase over online.

kaetra

A hundred bucks is actually much less than I expected and a very good investment I think. Thanks for the tips!

What are some good brand names for running shoes? I assume it's not anything like Nike, etc. I've never had a good pair of Nikes.

grumpy2day

Thank you for all your input and so quickly too! I live across the street from the beach so I plan to run there ( soft but firm surface I figure). Where can I find the c25k?:embarassed:

Runningirl7284

Get fitted for running shoes at a running store!! Go ahead and pay the money for a good pair of shoes. I have heard different things on compression socks but I have never used them. Hope that helps.

Definitely. Also follow one of the Couch to 5K programs to make sure you aren't over-doing it.

AGREED on both of these suggestions. ALSO I sufferred bad from shin splints and knee problems. I bought these compression sleeves that you wear on your calves from the Run Shoppe and they are AMAZING I have not sufferred from shin splints since if I am wearing them!
I also take a joint supplement. Yes I am in my 20's and take a joint supplement 3 pills a day and have run pain free since! Glucosamine/chondoitin

junyr

Thank you for all your input and so quickly too! I live across the street from the beach so I plan to run there ( soft but firm surface I figure). Where can I find the c25k?:embarassed:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

This is actually a better link than the one I posted earlier.

sjtreely

Please remember though. If the store offers the gait analysis for free consider making a purchase there. If everyone gets the free analysis there and gets a shoe recommendation then goes online ot make a purchase that service they provided you will disappear when they eventually go out of business.

Please consider the local purchase over online.

Exactly. Taking the time of a professional then making your purchase else where is like not tipping your server.

Running stores such as the one where you'll get properly fitted and have your gait analyzed are often locally owned. They are the link to successful running races in your community. They often give discounts to running clubs, high school athletes, coach TNT, etc.

You get what you pay for and in this case, you should pay for what you get.

MommaToFour

I buy a pair of Asics Nimbus Gels once a year. Best running shoe I've ever worn! Love them! Usually priced between $120-$130.00.

jskaggs1971

Me too! I read here that the right shoes can really help with shin splints, but I wonder how much it costs to go to one of those fancy running shoe stores to have your gait and arch analyzed. The special running shoes sound really expensive too. Where do you even find a fancy running shoe store?

The good stores won't charge you for this, but you may find they sell most of their shoes at list, and not deeply discounted like the big-box athletic stores. How do you find them? Easy. Google for "running stores" in your area code, and call a few up. Go check them out. Look for a treadmill or two at the front of the store.

OP, unfortunately, some shin pain is probably going to happen to just about any new runner. You're using muscles in new ways, and there will be some post-run tenderness. However, with good stretching (AFTER a run, while your muscles are still warm), and a little ice and ibuprofen, any shin pain should self-correct within a few weeks. I think I was pretty much past the shin pain about 3 or 4 weeks into C25K.

What really helped me was stretching both the anterior tibialis muscle (that's the one at the front of your shin that is probably the cause of the shin pain) AND my calves. Use the Goog to find some good stretches for both, and use them after you run while your muscles are still warmed up, and a couple of times (gently!) the day after a run.

Edited to add: Kaetra, what works for one runner won't necessarily work for another, because people's feet are different. I've had good luck with some shoes in Asics' line, but not others. Ditto for Nike and new Balance. I'm current;y in Brooks Addiction 10's, but so what? The point is, you need expert help to find the shoes that will work for you. Shoes for a flat-foot runner with custom orthotics (like me) would definitely NOT work for (for example) a high-arched runner who doesn't pronate much. That's why the gait analysis is so helpful.

Also remember, the quality of service at the local, runner-specific store is often very different from the big-box sporting goods store. Recently, my local store was happy to exchange a pair of shoes that I had already run about ten miles in (both outdoors and indoors) for a different shoe, and then refund the price difference because the second set of shoes was cheaper. If I'd been buying from a megaretailer, I,d have been stuck with a $150 pair of shoes that were causing me knee pain after the first few miles of running.

Di3012

I'm thinking of starting to run but I'm rather leary about it. Years ago I had developed shinsplints and I really don't want to suffer through that again. Can anyone give me some tips and advice? Thank you.

Run on soft ground, pavements and concrete or tarmac play havoc with our legs, causing shockwaves to come from the feet and up the legs.

By soft ground, I mean grass, dirt-track or sand.

CoraGregoryCPA

Start slow running and slowly run for a while. Fall in love with running. Complete a race. THEN you can work on speed.

I've been running (slowly and loving it) for 8 months and just NOW I'm working on increasing my speed from 4 MPH.

I tried running years ago and started running too fast and gave up. I had shinsplints and someone told me it was the shoes. I bought new shoes and the shinsplints literally disappeared. If you have any pain when you are just starting out running to go a running store and get fitted!

It's not THAT expensive and well worth the money. If you still have pain, do not be afraid to take them back. Just recently I went through 4 pairs of shoes (with returning the other 3) before I find the right one. I had went to a couple different running stores.. the last store was perfect!

I got a pair of Brooks Adrenaline - under $100!

CoraGregoryCPA

It's FREEE to go to one of those stores!!!!! No fear!!

Me too! I read here that the right shoes can really help with shin splints, but I wonder how much it costs to go to one of those fancy running shoe stores to have your gait and arch analyzed. The special running shoes sound really expensive too. Where do you even find a fancy running shoe store?

I switched to Teva shoes for everyday wear last year which has completely cured my heel pain, but they don't seem to be very good for running. The Tevas are expensive (for me) but worth it, so I reckon dropping a couple hundred on an excellent pair of running shoes would be worth it too.

Cheap shoes are the worst thing in the world. I never knew how bad it was for your feet to wear cheap shoes until I came down with plantar fasciitas and lived with it for over 5 years! My mother in law kept telling me it was my cheap shoes and she was absolutely right!

dancing_cat

Good trainers! Go to a proper runners store to get fitted. It can take an hour or so to get trainers than really work for you.

AND when you start to get niggling shin pain or other ankle, knee, hip pain anywhere in 3-12 months time of running then it means your trainers have worn out and they need replacing. I'm heavy for a woman runner and I find my trainers wear out quicker than is normally predicted so I go by how I feel and not by the mileage or time other people say my trainers should last for!

grumpy2day

Just got done looking at the coolrunning site and I'm starting to get excited about this! I can't afford the shoes until next month, but it couldn't hurt to do more walking in the meantime right?

swilkie1961

Get your running shoes from your local running shoe store! When I first started running, I also suffer from shinsplints till my trainer told me to get a real running shoes. I have been wearing Brooks for last 10 years. Once, when Brooks no longer made the style that I usually wear, my store, let me change my shoes 3 times before I found a model that worked. Thank god last year Brooks made a model that I can start wearing their shoes again! I love my running store.

determinedbutlazy

I also run is ASICS Gels! Love them.