Running

parkway camden
runners need

Wow, I forgot how running takes it out of you in a very different way to riding.

After quite a long while off long runs I did a relatively brisk 9 miles this morning and just want constant sugary food and caffeine.

Best running shops these days in London?

Dunno about "best in London" but the good ones local to me (SW15) are Sporting Feet on Lacy Road in Putney, and Up & Running on Upper Richmond Road in East Sheen.

Maybe there's a need for a LRS[1] recommendation thread...

1. Running version of LBS
   

I liked run & become near victoria. Massive hippies, but knowledgable. Give you a decent discount if you're in a running club.

Bit mystified at what a 'good running shop' would be. All you need is one that sells running shoes. As long as you have a vague idea of the sort of shoes that fit your running style, what else do you need?

What happens if you don't have a clue what sort of shoe will fit your style? The bad shop will sell you a pair of shoes just to make a sale whereas the good shop will sell you a pair that's suitable for your style, etc.

Sweatshop in Clapham were great when I went in the other day - listened to my half-baked ideas about my running style, let me try on/run in (on the treadmill and on the road) lots of shoes in different sizes and styles and kept the shop open more than half an hour after closing time. I'm super happy with my new shoes and got the running club discount even though I am not a member of a club :)

Runners Need on Parkway were really weird with me when I went in to buy a bra once so I got a bit awkward and bought a load of gels that I didn't want, just so it felt like there'd been a purpose to me being there.

@Arducius - Most have a treadmill and analyse your running. When I used Up & Running for a new pair a few months ago, they advised I was suited for a Neutral shoe. I was then brought about 6 shoes to try on and do a little lap of the block and then report back. He didn't advise me of the prices beforehand, although he could have just brought me out the stock he was trying to get rid of...

In hindsight, I don't think it's really neccessary, unless you're experiencing pain and/or are new to running.

Bit mystified at what a 'good cycling shop' would be. All you need is one that sells bikes. As long as you have a vague idea of the sort of bike that fit your cycling style, what else do you need?

Apologies for the snark, but yeah. I'm not knocking the business model and/or positioning of Evans or CycleSurgery, but I think I've graduated beyond its running equivalents.

Well, if you know what you want and don't want to deal with nodder-runners then maybe the internetz is your best bet for shoe buying?

Apologies, I must be being really unclear here.. I don't know what I want, I just want the next "level" of service up in finding out what I want.

Bieks is lilbitz more complex than runs. Buy trainers, go running, is all most people need to know. Don't get me started on how they manage to sell people a running magazine every month, or Cycling Weekly, ever.

Well I'll glady be your personal shopper. I charge an hourly rate of £95.

My last trainers were bought from the running shop that is part of cycle surgery/ snow n rock. Forget its name. If you know what you need just blag their price match policy.

If I wanted to support a small indie run shop I'd be struggling to think of one here in Manchester off top of my head.

Yeah, but you find it bizarre that any long sleeve tops are sold, ever :)

+1 to what @kl said.

Buy trainers, go running, is all most people need to know.

100% agree. Really not sure what's so difficult to understand about my question :)

I'm giving blood after work on Friday. Would an LSD run be a bad idea on Saturday morning?

or should I just go to the Dorset cheese festival instead?

It depends on who is staffing the shop at the time you go.

It's unlikely that they'll have training in anything other than selling you a shoe and onselling nipple tape.

If they do have training in running coaching, or musculo-skeletal impact of different shoes, then its likely that they will be spieling the same pseudo-scientific bollocks that you will read anywhere on the internet.

Choosing a shoe that is neutral / supportive / non-supportive is about as scientific as you will ever get. After that, it's down to weight and colour, but more importantly, how they feel when you run in them for a few hours (for a given sock / shoe combo).

Buy the same brand and model that you know works for you.

My prior experience with Sweatshop Clapham went a lot differently to Hats's's's

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/9870301/

It was pretty warm on Sunday in Newcastle.

I was going well until about mile 10 but then started desperately needing the toilet after having a breakfast i don't normally eat and dropped off my target time. Finished 54th in 1:15:13 though so pretty pleased with a PB and now on to the next half marathon.

you will be fine giving blood then running the morning after.

but go to the cheese festival as well.

@hats sorry runners need were on a bad day....
@Pifko you'll be fine, you actually make up the blood again in about an hour.
Ive given about 15 times but they get funny about when you get inked.
Really would like to start donating again, health check with nurse, and loads of tea and biscuits free.

Nice one, ill pop along then.
@Roy-B Aye there's this old boy at the place i go to who hands out biscuits and weak tea. Spent a good half hour last time chatting to him about bikes while eating rich tea.

Pretty rapid, well done.