Running

Not sure what the expert opinion would say but that is what I did. Started out thinking about fore/mid-foot strike in my heavily padded asics, then bought a pair of VFFs for walking about and occasional very short gentle runs. Eventually I moved onto newtons, but by then my calves were already getting used to the idea by then so I never really got any calf pain. Now I'm on 2 pairs of inov-8s depending on the terrain.

I like to (try to) run far so I'm not 100% sold no zero padding for ultras, but I always use either the 1 or 2 arrow heels from inov-8.

I am around 200 miles and it's all good. I tried the switch because my knees were not too happy about the heel strike and this is solving the problem for now.
I started with small 1 mile slow runs (2-3 times to get used) and then started to do more every time.
If you run let's say 3-4 times a week you can try with just 1 a week fore/midfoot in the beginning.

10 miles in 67mins tonight.
Beaming all the way through.

On the barefoot shoe note I wear some vivo shoes most days and use them for a shorter, pacier run on Sundays..
Focusing solely on midfoot strike I've had no real problems, but calves are always tighter after using them.

Who is doing the Run To The Beat?
That's actually my first half and I didn't prepare it at all. Ha!

Thanks for that. Lots to think about there. Nothing's simple, is it? :)

Anyone doing Surrey League XC this weekend? I'm looking forward to my first full XC season since 08/09. Pity I'm unfit, but still looking forward to it :)

Me! I'll be with the HHH crowd, more than likely bringing up the rear, as that is my usual position :-).

I suggest you to go for a 4mm drop shoes and not a 0mm drop in the beginning.

My Roclites are 9mm. I was personaly thinking of going with a 3mm drop for a mixture of trail, and off trail (pine wood with exposed roots and rock). But maybe a 6mm drop would be more wise?

whoops... so looks like I'm running the Abingdon mara on Sunday. Somewhat unplanned as I'm racing the Hounslow Wheelers sporting 27 (TTthread) on Saturday but a mate just texted and offered me a place... what can you do?

Furthest I've run since march is half distance and I've been failing to get back into training so hopefully this will get me back into the swing of long runs.

My Roclites are 9mm. I was personaly thinking of going with a 3mm drop for a mixture of trail, and off trail (pine wood with exposed roots and rock). But maybe a 6mm drop would be more wise?

I would go for a safer 6mm tbh if you plan to run into the woods :)

I am trying to get more into trail/off-road running too but crap... In London it's not that easy. I am sure I'll get bored of Hampstead Heat after a while.

Inov8 do the tread I want in 3, 6, and 9mm. I think you're right, and that I am tempted by the 3mm ones because I'd feel more of a difference for my pennys. Rather than them being the better chioce.

inov 8s
now get outside!

Tried to land on the front of my foot on a little run tonight. Felt ok, but front of shins feeling achey now. Do you let your heel come down, or keep up on the front? Not sure I could do it long distance, even though it felt less lumpy than running usually does. I was pretty tired after work so maybe not the best time to judge.

my heels touch a little bit because I can feel it but I wouldn't say it's a "full contact". I guess it depends from person to person. You might adapt the style with the time when you start to get used to the movements and you don't have to concentrate too much on what you're doing.

Another short run tonight, trying forefoot landing. It just feels a bit like I'm prancing, not very natural, but I'm not clumping down as hard - not sure how long that'd last if I tried to do a half that way though. Calves are sore but in a nice used way, not painful. Left knee's twinging a bit still after the half, which it hadn't done for a few months now. Feeling really low on energy this week, too. Struggling to do 2 miles when I've been handling 10+ on Saturdays for a few weeks back. Might just be because of a long, tiring week at work as some of the team are on holiday, not sure.

Thinking of buying a pair of these to experiment further, what do you reckon?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/new-balance-mt10-minimus-d-width-shoes/

I heard/read good things about them. If you plan to run on grass/trails they should be a good choice otherwise I think they make also a road version.
It's a 4mm drop so you should definitely notice a difference.

I was thinking about starting some trail running and I was looking exactly at those...

OK, that's reassuring. I'm not going to do anything yet because I seem to have completely lost all of the limited running mojo I'd built up over the last few months. Since the half I've just not felt the same, even though I've been mostly off the bike and only doing shortish runs. Got a long run planned for Saturday so will see how things go.

The long run might shake off the cobwebs.

I spend most of the week getting niggles, and tired muscles (5-a-side, rugby, cycling, and short runs). Then seem to run it all off on Sundays long run. Dunno why. Works for my old legs though.

This hurt today:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5712092
c1200ft ascent/descent.
Muddy as all hell (some bits I struggled to walk over- so slippery)- 1:53
which is 8 minutes slower than I wanted.
Feel great though.

Parkrun this morning, new PB of 25:51. Wasn't trying to land on ball of foot, but just mindful not to over-stride. Long run tomorrow.

Did the Cabbage Patch 10mile race this morning. A personal best at 1.25.12.I'm shocked but happy.

I ran with a friend just now and it felt great.
I rarely run with people, as I've always assumed they'd be way faster. But considering how fit this guy is I found the pace so gentle I never was out of breath over the 10 miles. Felt good to have someone to run with, and keep me from over-training today- which was a re-invigorator after the Peak run on Friday, which really knocked it out of me... (spent yesterday feeling completely lethargic).

And congrats the pair of you above me!

Tuesday I'm [hopefully if I have enough time] going to try a flat 13 mi, and see if I can't get a time under the 1:40 mark.

"A flat 13 mile"

Eyebrows are you training for something? Cos if you ain't I'm seriously impressed :-).

My 10 miler is the furthest I aim to run during the winter Sundays. Now that cross-country season has started I need to work on my speed, which is pretty dire really. I'll see how I do over the next few month as long as it doesn't snow.

:)

12 miles today in a few seconds under two hours. Felt a bit lumpy and my knee is sore now, but could be worse. Have to up the mileage from now on, I'm told that marathons "is serious bizness" and that I'd better get training properly. Sometimes feel that I'm taking this a bit quick; was only a little while ago that I was doing my first Parkruns and having to stop three times for a breather.

I think it's reading about you lot on here that's done it. Sods.

Sparky, well done! Training for a marathon is serious business. After all, you don't want to be underprepared, but when all's said and done it's the improvements you notice en route to the day that makes it 'enjoyable' or 'worthwhile' whichever word you prefer :0).

At least, that's how I remember them but I have no problem claiming insanity after the fact :-). The first time I managed to run 22 miles as prep, I was so chuffed! Selective memory removed the aching legs, griping stomach, annoying peds, traffic lights, cold and/or rain.

It'll be interesting to see if you lose much weight whilst training. I lost 1/2 stone for my first, a few pounds for my second and third. I didn't have much appetite whilst training for the third either so had to force myself to eat afterwards. Lost bodyfat though and was always cold, not that there's much of me anyway.

rwn, how did you do at the Surrey League race? Lovely and muddy wasn't it? I enjoyed it and now need to wash my shoes a few times to removed the now soaked in mud.