Halp runners

[amand_r]

Okay so I have started treadmilling (don't judge me. I hate outside running.) and I have started to run on the treadmill. In sprints. It's obvious my shoes are not equipped for this, bu running shoes are not good for walking either. My current shoes are busted all to hell, and I need new ones (my knee is starting to bother me, and the toes have almost slid off the sole!), but I'm not sure what I should get. I walk at about 4.0 and then run for 3 minutes at 6., then walk at 4, run at 6.5, lather, rinse repeat.

Any recommendations? Are there walk/run shoes? I see that crosstrainers aren't recommended for runners. I probably only run about 1 mile a day, but I'm looking to up that.

Comments

[noveldevice.livejournal.com]

I buy running shoes for all my walking/running needs. The only difference between a running and a walking shoe made by the same brand ought to be that the running shoe is lighter overall.

I wear Asics, as they are the shoe I've found that best fits the shape of my foot. Go to a Foot Locker or something similar and try on a bunch of brands, and if they pinch anywhere, don't buy them. (I, for example, cannot wear a single shoe that Nike makes; the waist of the foot on their shoes is about an inch more proximal than the waist of my foot.)

I wore New Balance for a long time (until I discovered Asics) and they're very good, but there are a lot of brands out there and you just need to try a bunch of them and see how they feel.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

I was led to under stand that the walking shoe is balanced for an over rocking support as you go heel to toe, and that the running shoe's support is more specific in the heels.

That was going to be my plan, but I want to be sure, because I have a twitchy knee, and it does well with support, and I don't want to drop 100 bucks on a shoe that ends up being useless for one or the other. You know?

[planejane.livejournal.com]

I would get running shoes since over 6.0 is quite definitely a good running speed, regardless of how long you're doing it for. At this rate you'll be upping your time/distance in no time. I would recommend going to a shop that specialises in running (not a generic sports' store) and getting them to fit you. They'll look at your gait, your feet and so on (you could take your old shoes and they can look at where they're worn).

I'm not an expert, but I do run regularly. You might find new shoes will help your legs align better which will help with the knees. My running partner has found this to be the case, though she does run with a shin support on for anything over 4 miles.

Now, the other thing I will add, having trained on the treadmill all winter, is that it's much harder on your joints than outside. Again, I'm no expert, but I think it's because outside the level and angle of the terrain is constantly changing so it works the full range of the muscles in your feet and legs. If you could manage an outside run every week or two, it might make your treadmill running improve more than just on the treadmill alone.

My shoes are Saucony. I run about 20 miles a week and they last me 6 - 8 months.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Pittsburgh is super hilly, so if you are just starting out it is murder. I do this thing where I run on flat and then slow down for hills, but I do it in time for music, and I dread when I have to run outside and can no longer dictate my workout speed and incline by the ipod.

I do about an hour and I manage about 5 miles an hour, walking and running, but that's because in between I up the incline to about 5 to 8 and slow to 3,7 or so. I have been finding that my breathing is okay around 3 minutes of running but my knees and legs start to hurt. I am guessing this is my shoes, which are hikng shoes and purchased in 2009, and also drenched to hell more than several times.

I'll see about a running store here. I may just have to go to a Dick's, but really, Pgh is a running town. I am sure there's one about.

[jacquez.livejournal.com]

There is a running store somewhere (South Hills ish?) that will look at your running stride and sell you the appropriate shoes for how you run. Might be worth trying. I'm going to head out there in probably a month or so when it's time to get into a new pair of shoes (I like to have two pairs around, staggered, so that I can switch off between them and never end up going from "totally worn out" to "brand new", since that can mess up your legs).

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

I had heard this about staggered. I might get these shoes and then in about three months get another pair and stagger them.

If I go to the sto I shall let you know!

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

And hai!

http://runpittsburgh.com/stores

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Vibram 5 fingers. I have them. I love them. So comfy, and they're better for your feet and cheaper than most actual running shoes.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.

I've not met anyone that owns them that doesn't love them.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

i love the five fingers! i think if I ran on terrain they'd be awesome!

[count-to-seven.livejournal.com]

Heh, I am buying my first treadmill this weekend. BRB STEALING YOUR FRIENDS' ADVICE FOR MYSELF.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

I love my treadmill! I have to say that if you get one, get one that has a pulse meter. It's a nice gauge.

[reddevilpoes.livejournal.com]

Can't help you there, hun. As I do NOT run. Not even to catch a bus or a train...It kills me and that is not something other people want to see...

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Haaahahah I used to be that way. But my BMI was 29, and 30 is considered obese, and I just couldn't face that. Now that I'm rolling I feel better!

[wildeagain.livejournal.com]

I read upthread your knees are affected by running, which may mean you need a cushioned running shoe. However, keep in mind the weight of the shoe. My running shoes are lightweight (not cleats) from New Balance (the 1020 line) since I don't want the extra clumsiness on my feet! You may or may not be the same. I walk in my running shoes, too. The pair I've got have seen a lot of miles and the treads are still strong.

Just a thought.

Good luck!

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when I looked for shoes I selected cushioning. I figured that it would help with impact. I think I should go to the running store and see what they say.

Bah. fieldtrip and probably more money than I want to spend, but better than injury.

[cyprinella]

I just picked up a pair of Merrell's Pace Gloves which are their new barefoot shoe akin to the Vibrums. LOVE THEM. Bought them, put them on with no socks adn did a three hour hike with the dog the same day. Little bit of rubbing, but omg so fabulous. I find that for city walking or running (on concrete) I really have to think about how my feet hit the ground because with these shoes you can't have the same sort of hard heel strikes that you can in cushioned shoes (and decreasing that heel strike force may help with your knee pain). I can definitely tell I"m using different muscles when jogging because of that change in stride style, so you may have to work up to your current work out in them.

I can't wear the shoes that I tried to marathon in any more or anything similar without ending up with knee pain within about 20 minutes, but I don't get that with the Merrells.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really do love the toe shoes, and I think for terrain running they'd be great, but it reminds me of the unnatural nature of running on pavement and hard man made surfaces. Like with horses, they need special shoes for it. I wonder if we don't too.

[huesiemama.livejournal.com]

I LOVE Merrells. But I have only worn their shoes for comfort, slip ons. The Encore line, which I believe has something in their design aimed at the alignment of women's knees. I think I need to try some of their running shoes though, maybe stagger as mentioned above.

[azarias.livejournal.com]

I don't want to be That Person, but myself, I recently got tired of fucking around with shoes and just doing it barefoot. I might rethink it if I haven't given up again by the time it's warm enough to run outside, but so far it's working for me on the treadmill.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

These shoes I'm in right now are so old that they cave under the middle toes of my right foot and that hurts when I run. I thought about running barefoot on the treadmill.

[ishafel.livejournal.com]

Go to a running store the first time, and then when you know what works, you can order subsequent pairs online. And when you do, try runningwarehouse.com --they have free shipping and returns and Google will turn up a 15% off code. Crazy savings :)

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Nice! Thank you!

[tziporahrachel.livejournal.com]

I suggest going to a running store. A store that does nothing but sell running equipment. They will look at your stride and let you know the best shoe. For example, my feet roll in so I need support shoes. I wear asics and brooks brothers. You will want arch support but not too much and you will want it to be roomy in the toes.

Buying the right shoes is very important. I had knee problems before I bought proper shoes and now I don't. I hope this helps!

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Thank you, b. I notice after about 45 minutes I get numb in the toes, so I do need good shoes.

Good 1st-Time Store

[emquilxy.livejournal.com]

Elite Running & Walking in Robinson is very good, too. They are conveniently located between the Chinese place with weekend dim sum and Ikea. :)

Re: Good 1st-Time Store

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

FUCKING A.