Running

Tinneys fir and Woodfalls NY score event today
even the names of places in New Forest are attractive,
didnt compete hard but it was delightful running in the forest.
start the year with a RUN

Headphones for running- what are people using?

I bought these last year, but I find that they don't stay put when I warm up and start to perspire.

I find that these ones are great for running

never come out on me yet

guess its the over ear thing that does the trick

First 30k of the year done, aim is to get to 250 by the end of january - should be possible.

Help required please peeps...

I've only started running again in the last 3 or 4 months, but can fairly happily run 8 or 9 miles without feeling too nackered or aching the next day, so I don't think I'm pushing myself too hard. However, I do think my body is still getting used to the pounding element, having been pampered by cycling for so long. Twice in about 6 weeks I've pulled / sprained something in my groin (like, really high in my groin, kind of above the crown jewels) and can't work out what it is. It was on different sides each time.

I always stretch off before and after, which makes me think it may be my trainers or my stride / gait. I'm wearing some trainers I got about 4 years ago when I was into running, they're some that were reccommended after a gait analysis thing in the shop.

Do you reckon I need some new shoes?
Or could it be that I'm overstriding or something?
Or just that I have a shit groin?

Any pointers much appreciated, thanks in advance!

Sounds like a slightly strange place to get an injury so hard to have a guess.

Knackered shoes would have less shock absobtion so tends to cause pain/injury in high impact areas, by the time a running force reaches your pelvis it will have been fairly well dissipated, so unlikely to be that but a rough guesstimate for shoe life is 400 running miles, so if they're older than that it might be worth considering a new pair.

Over striding would be more likely to cause issues with hyper extension I can't imagine how this would affect the front of your groin, unless you have a very very strange gait, but if you're running 8 or 9 miles comfortably then you must be at least basically competent.

I can't quite work out where the injury is, it would be helpful to look at a diagram of muscles in the area and come back with some more information but it doesn't sound like a common running injury so prob best to go and see your GP.

Lastly it could be you have a weak core and you're straining the peripheral muscles trying to compensate for that so yes effectively a shit groin ;)

Google hip flexor injury and find out if that sounds similar to what you have. If it is, there are specific stretches for it and I would recommend trying to shorten your stride.

I was going to guess at a hip issue. I have a slight issue in my right hip (I'm old and too active, I think it needs upgrading. possibly to a titanium model). This is'nt so bad in itself. But it does pull stuff around and cause other more painful injurys. One of which is groin strain.

Training core strength, helps the area around the issue, resist being pull ot of line by it. But you're treating the symtom not the cause perhaps.

This is all guesswork. But then most cyclist need more core stability when moving to running. So its a good as place as any to start.

......and more expensive shoes.

Sainsburys / Pifko / Smallfurry - thanks all. Regarding all your points:

I've wanted new shoes since I started running again so may spunk some cash on a shiny new pair - is getting a gait analysis worthwhile? Running shoes, like cycling shoes, are ridiculously expensive though.

I think my core is pretty strong, I do a lot of cycling and go to the gym, so don't think there's an issue there.

I do have a naturally very long stride as I'm pretty lanky, so may need to think about shortening it - don't really know how to change something that comes so naturally though!

GP didn't have a clue what it was when I got the same problem last time.

Looking at pics of the muscles in the groin, I think it may be the pectineus or adductor longus or brevis.

I don't think it's a hip flexor thing - the pain is lower down in my core / groin that the internet tells me it should be...

Injuries suck.

jim1985, you say you stretch before & after you run. But do you warm up before you stretch? never stretch cold muscles. Warm your body first by a bit of skipping, even gettting on you bike if you have rollers gently to warm the body up. Also stretching like yoga would improve your flexability & range of motion. Alot of runners look wank because their range of motion is so poor. Also keep your core strong, ie torso with situps, an exercise called the plank etc. Your stomach/back muscles are you foundation & very important.

I've wanted new shoes since I started running again so may spunk some cash on a shiny new pair - is getting a gait analysis worthwhile? Running shoes, like cycling shoes, are ridiculously expensive though.

Like bikes. Once you know exactly what you need, you can jump on clearance bargins.

I'd just get a quick free fitting from RunnersNeed or someone like that. You'll probably find a more specific shoe over time.

Speaking of shoes. I seem to have very suddenly grown a dislike for structured shoes. Been using Kayanos, GTs, Nivanas etc. for bloody years. I'm a classic pronator. But now my best shoes seem to be my Inov8s which have neutral cushioning (when running a few Km on the road to a trail).

The only thing I can think of is the injuries I've been running with (including, as I recently found out, a mall fracture in my shin).

As the nordic winter kicks, I'll be in trail shoes till spring. So I guess I'll find out more then.

Running shoes, like cycling shoes, are ridiculously expensive though.

Nonsense - there are cheap runners available all over the web - you can very easily pick up a top pair for £50-60. Even SportScene usully has a few decent pairs of Asics for a good discounted price.

Compare how much time you will spend running in the shoes. Then compare how much cash you would spend in a similar time in the pub. Bargain.

Sportsdirect have some crazy deals on Nike Lunar and Flex models at the moment.
On that note, I have Flex for gym/training in but struggling to get used to the footbed(years of flat skate shoes) and the high impact plyo/drill training I'm doing is giving my feet a kicking.
I know theres a break-in period for your feet with the flex soles. Tempted to buy a second pair or some Flex experience(slightly less barefoot ride) for my running shoes. Currently run in heavy/stiff as fuck trail shoes which I got for cheaps but feel like lead now compared to gym shoes.
Good idea to run/train on flex soles? If I run in them will it help my feet adapt easier than just jumping around like a loon training in them?

I don't believe in stretching before running.

Ever.

Barefoot running is one way of learning to run with a shorter stride and would avoid the need for expensive shoes.

Barefoot running is one way of learning to run with a shorter stride and would avoid the need for expensive shoes.

+1 (though I use minimalist shoes rather than truly barefoot)

Also have a look at Sportpursuit.com. Sporadic sales of up to 65% off. Vivobarefoot and Vibram Fivefingers are often heavily discounted.

Downside is that you have to wait for the sale to finish for them to order from the suppliers, so delivery of up to a month isn't uncommon.

Vivobarefoot also run a free weekly running club in Hyde Park on Tuesday eves.

http://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/community/?page_id=4235/

Run and Become in Victoria also have a lot of free workshops.

Picked up a second pair of Flex in black/yellow/white today for £45 to have as my outdoor pair. Figure have the same shoes for in/out is prob not a bad idea.
Wanted Lunarswift4 as heard good things about lunar soles but didn't have in my size that weren't silly money.

^^I've just ordered a pair of Zoots off sportpursuit at half price, and some other stuff. First time I've used them, so looking forward to seeing what they're like.

Facebook ad? I went there too, got a hooded Kooga base layer for £12. Mow wondering if I will have the balls to wear a hooded base layer in public.....

^^I've just ordered a pair of Zoots off sportpursuit at half price, and some other stuff. First time I've used them, so looking forward to seeing what they're like.

very good, but very slow.

You'll get your stuff a couple of weeks after the auction ends as they won't order from supplier until all customer orders are in.

Edit: but they are transparent about that, so I'm not complaining.

I don't believe in stretching before running.

Ever.

Barefoot running is one way of learning to run with a shorter stride and would avoid the need for expensive shoes.
stretching improves your range of motion/flexability. Why do you think ballet dancers stretch? it improves movement. Thats why alot of older folk move so poorly, they have lost flexability. Do you think Mo Farah stretches? of course he does thats why he has such a fluid running style. I stretch everyday its a part of my life..

Facebook ad? I went there too, got a hooded Kooga base layer for £12. Mow wondering if I will have the balls to wear a hooded base layer in public.....

My purple Kooga base layer is mad tight......and seriously purple. Bloody nice for £10 though.

Startfitness have the odd bargin.

GP didn't have a clue what it was when I got the same problem last time.
Not wishing to disparage the skills and knowledge of the average GP (given that my mother was one), you're far better off going to a decent sports physio, one that specialises in running if you can, for aches and pains brought on by exercising. GPs just don't have the context driven specialist knowledge.

stretching improves your range of motion/flexability. Why do you think ballet dancers stretch? it improves movement. Thats why alot of older folk move so poorly, they have lost flexability. Do you think Mo Farah stretches? of course he does thats why he has such a fluid running style. I stretch everyday its a part of my life..

After running, definitely. Before - Not so much.

Eggsacly.

Not saying others should, but I firmly believe in not.

I do yoga, I'd stretch before I do some other sports but not running, the logic being that I once read something about stretching increasding injury if done before running and it sunk in.

I also run nothuing like mo I'm prepared to bet he does a lot of other things that would do me a lot of damage. And I'm not talking about the doping rumours.

Look at me, am I the new bumbag?!