The Official Distance Runners Thread

I haven't really seen a thread designated to those who distance run. You don't have to be a half-marathon or full marathon runner. I, personally, just got into running a coupe years ago. Took a hiatus for quite a bit of last year due to getting married, buying a house, moving 2 houses into one, and inheriting a family of 3 kids along with the marriage. I've started running again, currently doing about 3-4 miles a day x 3-4 times a week. I'd like to work my way up to a 10k by spring/summer. I originally started running to lose weight, and I realized how much I loved it, how much it relieved stress, and how rewarding it was.

So if you share the same love for running as I do, lets share stories, results, and give tips to anyone who is interested. Would like to see how many of TW users are dedicated runners

 

Hey, Im just starting back up for this season. Ran until mid-december but then we got hammered with snow, so that stopped real quick. I hate treadmills so onto the stationary cycling trainer for me!

Was doing about 7.2 miles 3-4 days per week with a run time of +/- 58 minutes for the distance given.

Anyways, the sidewalk and roads are clearing up and Ive been doing 5 miles 3-4 times per week just to ease back into it. Got some new running shoes at the end of last season so it is nice to work into them too.

Looking to do some 10k's and maybe a half marathon come mid summer. Also cycle a good amount so we will see how I can juggle doing both activities each week.

Rain or shine Ill be out there!

 

I've taken some time away from running but getting back into it! Ran 12 miles last week. Started the week off with 5 yesterday. I've run a couple of half marathons over the years and am trying to work my way back up to that distance.

If you dont mind running with your iPhone, download the app STRAVA. It tracks your runs, lets you set goals, follow other friends and see their runs, etc. Its pretty cool and you can add me by searching Hayes Martin.

 

I'm going to ask a question of you seasoned runners..... I've only ever done a 5k and that'll probably be the extent of my distance due to my knees.

Have you purchased a new pair of running shoes & they cause you problems? Like maybe knee pain/issues or even foot issues/pain?

I had already worked myself up to 3 miles with one pair of 'fitted' running shoes (Brooks GTS). I went and bought another pair (Brook Ravina). The first time I used them, the next day...my knees got stiff and were swollen a bit. No pain...just a stiffness. Every once in a while, I'll get a quick ache behind the kneecap and/or a crack/creak when walking and it never bothers me while running.

I never considered the shoes being the problem. I used to run every other day, but have backed off to every 3 days to give the knees time to settle. For 2 months, I've been rotating the shoes between runs.

My husband ran into a similar problem with his achilles and a new pair of shoes.

Is this just a fluke of being new to running? We both just started in December.... Or is there a method of getting new shoes? Should you not rotate them? Once you get a new pair, stick with them? Or is it just me and my old knees?
(I do need to make a doc appointment)

Thanks for the insight....

My husband and I use the App "MapMyRuns" - I believe its connected with MyFitnessPal that tracks all sorts of different fitness activities.

 

Glad to see some people are finally posting on here. I am up to about 7 miles on my runs, but have had to take a hiatus for about 10 days due to a minor surgery. Hope to be back running by next week. Anyway, as for your question Janster, I haven't experienced knee pain from new shoes. I have experienced some break in soreness from new shoes in my feet and maybe slightly up into my shins. Maybe this is a fluke as well, but I can see you possibly having knee soreness due to new shoes. Especially if you have a history of it already. I'm no expert though so take my input for face value

 

Yes I have. If you get your shoes from a local running store, many times they will allow you to return them with only a few miles on them if they don't work. It's best to do test runs on a treadmill so they don't get dirty. But sometimes you run into certain shoes that don't work well for you.
I didn't have shin problems until I started wearing "fitted" shoes. I pronate inward significantly so someone at the store put me in GT-2700's. They help with pronation, but they placed significant pressure on my arch which causes shin problems. Now I'm back in more neutral shoes with no more shin pain.

Shoes can be trial and error sometimes.

I would not worry about rotating shoes until you start going over about 30 miles per week. At least I didn't consider rotating mine until that point. I really didn't feel a need to until my mileage got up there.

I will say this though, regular knee pain is not normal. Running is not hard on your joints, over training is what is hard on your joints. So if you are getting chronic knee pain and swelling, I would stop running until you have identified the problem. Just ignoring it and moving on with running likely will leave you more injured at the end of the day. I would work to figure out what is going on there.

 

Thanks!!
I actually stopped wearing the Ravina's - and gradually the knees got better (not 100%). About a month ago, I had surgery for a hearing device and wasn't able to run for a good week or two. That time off really helped. I gradually got back into it and am back running about 3miles every other day. Knees feel pretty good. Still wearing the same GTS's. I might just buy the exact same shoe again.

Is there a special place where you get your gait measured (per say)?? I don't think any of our local specialized running stores do any of that.

I've noticed more that my knees tend to knock slightly. I think my feet are too close - almost like they land in almost the same spot (not enough space between my legs). I'd be curious to see the results of something like that.

Thanks again!

 

One of my local running stores has a video camera on a treadmill to help with gait analysis but none of the other stores offer it. Some of the other stores will however host events where someone comes in with gait analyzing technology. So you can always check on that. Some sports medical centers also do it (for a cost of course).

I don't think it is important. People have been running for a very long time at an elite level without knowledge of shoes and gait. Heck gels, electrolyte tabs, and Gatorade are very new considering the age of the sport. I think most of that is marketing. Good shoes are important, but the details don't need to be sweated like that. My body was made to run the way it runs. I have severe pronation and nearly flat feet, that's just how I was born. When I start messing with that by buying hard core stability shoes I end up with injuries. There is no "perfect" way to run. Trying to force everyone's anatomy to conform to a single ideal is obviously not a goal to strive towards.

Women have wider hips, so the angle to which your feet can come inwards is going to be greater if you have longer legs. That may be why you feel like you notice your feet get too close. Over time you will find that certain things about your gait or posture isn't advantageous for running, and your body will eventually change those things. For example, many people tense up their shoulders or clench their first pretty hard when running. After a while you naturally will stop doing that. You may find once you get better at running and improve, your feet may not come as close anymore. If it's something that needs fixing, your body usually gets around to it.

 

Thanks !! Been a while.....lol but all is good so far.

Last year we started on a treadmill. We haven't touched the treadmill since the weather got nicer.

I hate the cold weather and it'll be extremely hard to run in the cold. Treadmill is good... but...

Do you guys have any suggestions of indoor places to run over the winter?

We have this HUGE sports complex near our house but I'm soooo very disappointed they don't have a track. My local college (that I'm an alumni to) has a tiny indoor track (8.5 laps for 1 mile) and some fitnss equipment that you can use for $4 a day (or a semester fee of $180). I won't use it enough to justify spending that much.

Since we've been running outside and having endless routes & scenery .... The treadmill might be a bit boring come this winter. I was thinking I might need a change of scenery once in a while. LOL

 

Stop being a pussy, get good, quality running gear, and run outside.

The North Face makes great running tights. You are a woman so you don't need to worry about windproof briefs so that's a plus.

 

I was posting in the tough mudder thread and happened upon this thread. I jogged half marathon distance today without water or food during. I have lost quite a bit of weight and everyone is noticing. I have tried in the past to lose weight and exercise. I had success with cycling in my twenties. At 45 years of age it took a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for me to change my ways again. I am hopeful that I can gain speed and train for official events.

 

It is good to see people on here that are into distance running. I am a college athlete. I run cross country and track & field. I run anywhere from 30-60 miles each week.

 

New distance PR for me today. 14.4 miles. No stop, no water, or food mid run. More of a jog actually. I need to do some strength training and some speed work. Fuel is an issue because of my type 2 diabetes. I try to minimize carbs and end up bonking. Lately carbs are in and I am running farther but I have to check my blood glucose levels regularly and avoid the big number.

 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/strength-training-for-runners-how-to-do-it-right.html

That link will help you with strength training. I based my off season training off of that article

 

Thank you for that.

 

New toy for my running enjoyment. I bought a garmin forerunner 225 running watch. After running for months without any tech whatsoever I bought a watch to see where I am at. I am liking all the metrics it provides. My goal is to continue running as if it's not there and review the info afterwards.

 

Those things are awesome.

 

I only have 3 runs on it so far but it shows how weak I am and how far I have to go. Distance, pace, heart rate, cadence, fastest mile, fastest 5k...etc. It keeps track of everything. And that's just running. It is also tracking sleep and steps as an activity tracker. Love it so far!

 

You guys should check out Strava. Look me up Dave Moore. Its a great site.

 

Glad to find this thread! I'm not as serious as some of you but enjoy running nonetheless. The intended endpoints are staying healthy and having fun. I'm currently training for the Bix 7 in Iowa. Has anyone done it before?