Quote:
Originally Posted by Willravel
*eagerly awaits the arrival of The_Jazz, and the creepy "father" comment from Crompsin*
Good shoes is a good start, but you might want to run with an experienced runner once or twice to get feedback about technique. Before running a marathon, I'd imagine that running with the proper technique should be as natural as breathing, which means practicing correctly.
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I'm going to leave the first part of that quote alone since no good can possible come of it.
Yes, shoes are an EXCELLENT start. And good for you for patronizing a local business that actually knows what the fuck they're talking about instead of Foot Locker, etc.
Technique: in all my years of running I never had someone critique my "style" without the use of cameras. The technique you use the the best one for you - at least when you're in shape. Your body is going to naturally gravitate to what's most efficient FOR YOU. That means that you may "stir the pot" with one hand (I do that) or have a clipped stride or all sort of other stuff. Some of it is dangerous longterm - pronation for instance, which you've already taken care of. Your body will let you know the rest of it once it's figured out that you're serious about this running thing. Until then, you really shouldn't spend much energy thinking about it since there's little chance you'd be able to make any change stick.
I'm assuming that your training plan includes stretching. Make sure you stick to that portion religiously, especially the post-run stretching. Not only will it help get past the soreness quicker, it will also prevent injury, especially overuse injury.
Another way to prevent injury is to make sure that the surface you're running on is suitable. The WORST place you can run is a crowned concrete road. One foot will always be higher than the other and the surface is unforgiving. Run on as many trails or on grass, if at all possible. If you have to run on streets, try to stick to asphalt. If you have to run on the sidewalk, try to run in the parkway (the grassy area between the sidewalk and street) as much as possible. If that's not possible, change routes as much as possible.
You're in the honeymoon period with running, and that's awesome. But sooner or later, especially as you get farther into the macrocyles (daily runs are the microcycles, and macrocycles are usually 2 week periods after which you make an adjustment up or down in your milage), you're going to eventually get to breakdown. It happens to everyone eventually, and you're going to get lethargic, unexcited and just generally unhappy about having to go out for another damn run. The best way to overcome that is to have a training partner or partners and to mix up what you're doing a bit. The Hash House Harriers do beer runs most places on Saturdays. Go find them - they play some very fun games. Or do a race here and there when you can run 3 miles. Or find your local running club and join their workouts. Having someone to talk to when you're on the ass-end of a shitty workout makes it go by a whole lot faster.
And congratulations on doing the hardest part - getting your ass out the door. That, in and of itself, deserves
---------- Post added at 04:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:04 PM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martian
I used to run as part of my overall fitness regimen, but I never considered myself a runner. I'm the guy in a baggy t-shirt with beat-up old Keds; I don't really care for fancy running shoes or anything like that.
Now that I'm eating properly again I'm considering taking it up. The biggest impediment is my bad knee -- I have arthritis and it flares up sometimes. It's not too horrible, and mostly just stiffens up when the weather's bad, but the stress of running seems likely to aggravate it.
I was looking at knee braces today, and wondering if that would help. This thread is therefore serendipitous and I have no problem hijacking it slightly. Does anyone know if a knee brace will help a fellow in my situation? Alternatively, does anyone have other suggestions? A bicycle is another option I'm considering, but a gym membership and the attendant access to fancy low-impact machinery is out due to budget constraints.
Advice? Opinions?
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Without knowing exactly what the problem is, it's impossible to say. Braces usually only stabilize lateral movements, and I doubt that arthritis is causing or agrevated by lateral movements. It's probably going to be attacking the cushioning material between the leg bones, in which case a brace won't do shit. But you might be helped by some of the support bands that have come out in the past few years. Personally, I think you should call your doctor and see if they have any recommendations.
Of course you could always just take some ibuprofin a half hour before your run and see what happens then. Short-term you could be fine but long-term you're rolling the dice.