Sorry guys this is going to be long, even by my long standards!
My husband did good. ππ He booked me a thorough 60 minute gait analysis for my birthday a few weeks ago, and today was the day. Off I went, slightly nervous as Iβve only ever run solo or at parkrun where itβs each to their own, and Iβve certainly never been analysed!ππββοΈππββοΈ
The friendly guy, Matt, was setting things up when I got there. He asked me my running history (didnβt take long!), whether Iβd had any injuries, age, weight and how often I ran per week. He manually checked my feet and ankles (wish Iβd reapplied my nail varnish π) and I had to do a few pressure exercises. He could tell I had slightly less mobility in my left ankle, which I confirmed was the case during yoga, plus it was the foot Iβd had PF in, or whatever it was - I explained how it had felt and he said it could have been many different things. Itβs long gone in any case.
Then the fun started. I had to stand barefoot on a sensor pad and stand stock still to see how evenly, or not, my weight was naturally distributed. Passed that test - he said my yoga would have helped. π§ββοΈ
Then I had to walk back and forth over the same pad a few times so he could analyse my step. No problems there. β
Next I had to do 3 single legged squats on each side. He said my knees rotated out slightly rather than point straight forward, possibly caused by weak hips. Heβs sending me some exercises. π
Then I had to do 20 x heel raises on each foot. No trouble there - apparently they can cause issues.
We sat down and he showed me all the images heβd recorded. It was very interesting and literally every nuance of the foot and step were shown. My feet are basically very even. Yay! π
Back on with my trainers and treadmill time! 2 minute warm up, then 4 minutes running whilst being filmed. πββοΈπββοΈ
Hereβs a handy tip - check whether the treadmill is set to mph or kph! π³ I was thinking to myself βcrikey this is a bit quickβ, after heβd set the pace for me, and there you have it! Muppet!! I managed though. π π
More analysis on the laptop followed, and he showed me how my running style is very good, neutral and efficient, although I have a tendency to tip forward at the hips slightly (another sign of hip weakness) and I overstride a little bit with my right foot. Who knew? No corrective trainers needed though.
He brought me out 4 pairs to try (absolutely zero pressure to buy any - I asked if I could!) and I had a go on the treadmill with each. All very comfy, but the ones I picked I couldnβt even tell were on my feet. Brooks Revel 2 π
Matt said my trail shoes were perfect too so Iβve been given the all clear to wear them! πππ
Iβm soooo sorry about the length of this ridiculous post. My husband will have fleeting interest as will my friends, but Iβm hoping you guys will βget itβ and forgive me! π€β€οΈ
Canβt wait to run on Thursday! πββοΈπββοΈππ
Thanks for bearing with me lovely VRBs, and happy running. π
Written by
cheekychipmunks
Graduate10
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That was a very thorough analysis cheekychipmunks and itβs good to see how you run on film because you canβt really tell yourself . Itβs not too long a post because some people donβt know whatβs involved. The gait analysis in my independent running shop is not as detailed as that, but that is what you (or your thoughtful OH) is paying for. I hope you love your brooks as much as I do. Iβm off to pick up the new pair now so more shoe porn to follow π₯Ώπ π‘π’πππ₯Ύ
Not long at all and really interesting CC. Confidence is such a big part of my running....both over confidence followed, by the opposite at the slightest hitch! So your gait analysis is brilliant; you know you have got the right shoes and have recommended exercises to fix a bit of a weakness. Brilliant bit of investment by your OH. No excuses now though ππββοΈπββοΈπββοΈ
I totally agree BC. I was pleasantly surprised that Iβm running more or less correctly. Just need some extra hip strength to help me run a little more upright, which in turn will protect my joints and give me more oomph. πͺ Iβd never have known about that before. π
I've been hoping you'd give us a full report, everybody keeps saying it's worth it, or it's not, so to me that does sound worth it; now I must stop procrastinating and get myself booked on one. Looks like your shop is just in Bristol, though.
Anyone out there know somewhere in the Herts Beds Bucks area that does it well? Thanks all (sorry for the derail, CC)
Definitely worth it GOG. Loads of running shops do gait analysis, and Iβm sure there are plenty that do the advanced ones too - just maybe not the chains (or maybe they do?)
Interesteding post from you Cheeky, you don't need to apologise for the length of it, I have "got it". I bet you are looking forward to Thursday.
I was quite interested in what you said about part of the analysis gait, the part when you had to do three single legged squats on each side, after I read your post I tried that, ouch, I would rather do 3 minute plank than that, anyway a happy birthday present to you from your husband, I am sure you enjoyed the gait analysis. π π
Glad you got it AlMorr! Iβm sure my non-running friends would glaze over if I went into such detail with them! π
As for the squats, I was relieved he said I could hold onto something. Iβm not sure Iβd have managed too well just balancing. It was so interesting and not at all intimidating. He was such a nice guy. ππ
My son used to collect Beanie Babies when he was tiny and he had a favourite one, a chipmunk, which he called Cheeky (think he still has it and heβs almost 23 π ).
Thanks though AlMorr, I like to think Iβm friendly - as are all the fabulous people on here it seems! π
Yawn!! Haha π€£π€£ not really Cheeks π Blimey we love this sort of thing on here don't we?π€ (Yes, I have become a running nerd) I totally get what you mean about wanting to go into the finer details - friends look interested (for about a minuteπ) husband is genuinely interested, bless him (but maybe not THAT interested π³) Us lot. We can't get enough of it! That was an analysis and a half ~ and very interesting to know what a proper one involves! And look at those shoes π± Looking all pert and poised just like TailChaser 's Bert & Ernies (sounds wrong π€£) Love love love Brooks π€ Enjoy them π¦β€οΈπ¦
Do I really want to hear about TCβs Bert and Ernieβs? Isnβt that a different forum?! π€£π€£π€£
Oh I know, Iβm turning into a complete and utter running nerd. π€ I canβt get enough of it! My husband is the same way with his rowing and watches ultra slow-mo video footage of their coaching sessions - with the sound on. Slosh, slosh! Really?! π£πΏββοΈ π
Iβm so excited to run in both pairs of my new runners! πππ
Thanks TC! Iβm so relieved I didnβt make a total idiot of myself - although the speed of the treadmill would have been an issue if heβd have had me running much longer! π
Looking forward to Thursday like you wouldnβt believe! ππββοΈ
Hey Cheeky, ( pronounced chic - ee in your runnerβs π) - yes absolutely we βget itβ. It sounds a bit like a runnerβs foot pamper - you just needed the massage and pedicure too! π
All very interesting - you can gazelle on your way with confidence now (especially now you have had an accidental gazelle session on the treadmill!) π
Hahaha Elfe5, now if they can turn this π into a gazelle Iβll be mighty impressed! And yes, the treadmill was going about 10mph - way faster than I snail along normally! π π
Iβm with Flaraflarkin cheeky, we love a bit of nerdy runny talk on here, and if youβve seen any of my posts over the last (nearly) year then I can ramble on more than someone dressed in an entire Berghaus wardrobe with extra red socks! And single legged squats, how fit and balanced are you? Iβm just going to have a go at one...back in a minute...<footstep noises>...scary crunching noises came from my knees and ankles... Good old yoga for keeping you flexible π§π»ββοΈ The analysis must have been a fascinating experience, I know my freebie on just the treadmill was quite an eye opener.
Bert and Ernie and their non-identical twins say hello to your Revels (oh no, I think Iβve really lost it now, talking shoes...π). I hope they look after you and give you many miles of happiness ππππππππππ¦
One legged squats were only possible for me as dear sweet Matt said it was ok to hold onto something, otherwise epic fail I suspect!
Iβm so relieved there are fellow ramblers on here. I do the same texting - and I always use proper punctuation and check spelling. Saddo! π€π€π€
I have 2 pairs of shoes to name then. π€ My trusty old Asics never got names though - but theyβre still good for walking so maybe I can retroactively give them names! Thatβs tomorrowβs task then! (Yep, properly lost it now!) π€£π€£
Iβm the same as you with texts - one has to keep ones standards up after all π Good luck with the naming ceremony, I was thinking maybe something confectionary based? π€π
Sounds very thorough Cheeky - glad you enjoyed it! Mine was shorter, at an independent shop, before I started c25k, and I think getting it done was one of the reasons why (so far - tempting fate?!) I haven't yet been on the IC.
Yes I think a gait analysis should be encouraged for all runners. It was an hour very well spent and now I know I have no major mechanical issues I can simply work on strengthening exercises.
Good for you staying off the IC. I donβt fancy it, and *touch wood*, like you I can avoid it too! π€π€
Loved reading your post Cheeky!
Sounds like an amazing experience having a gait analysis! π
The new trainers look awesome! I bet youβll have so many happy miles running in them! π
Thanks Dreams, yes I am very happy and I thoroughly enjoyed my gait analysis. Iβve turned into a real geek and I found it fascinating when Matt showed me the footage of me running and all the images of my foot placement etc. I canβt wait for the report to be emailed through to me! π
And my new trainers are dying to go for a run, but theyβll need to wait until Thursday! πββοΈπββοΈπββοΈπββοΈπββοΈ
Cheeky that sounded brilliant !!! π. Canβt believe how thorough it was. As I was reading I tried the heel raises too but failed π. Must say I am disheartened and disappointed in you lack of attention to your toe nails. But itβs winter so will let off. I wonβt ask about leg hair π. Your new runners look great and I am very jealous π. You will be gone..... π¨. I am dropping massive hints to OH. Donβt know why. Will probably get a pen for my birthday π or something equally useless unless I buy it myself.
Hahahaha! Youβll be relieved to hear that my legs werenβt hairy today Wimborne! π€£π€£ I cringed a bit looking at my sad toe nails though. I like to give them a couple of months off from wearing nail varnish - oh well, Iβm sure heβs seen worse than unpainted toe nails! π
You must definitely keep dropping hints to your OH Wimborne. Itβs definitely something worth doing! Go on Wimborneβs OH, do the right thing! π ππ
Thanks Marky, Iβm glad you liked my ramblings! ππ I learned loads today and would highly recommend it to all new runners. πββοΈπββοΈππ
This is super encouraging to get my gait analysis done (suffered from knee issue of late which has impacted my ability to run massively, so need to find the cause and remedy it), thank you for the perfectly lengthed post! I was a bit sceptical thinking it would just be a means to sell me new trainers, but you've reassured me. Which company did you have yours done? I wonder if they have a branch in Oxford... Keep posting and enjoy your awesome new footwear!
Iβm glad my post helped Crikey. π I too was quite sceptical about the hard sell, but I honestly didnβt get any whatsoever. He just asked if Iβd like to try some new trainers, but he didnβt tell me the prices and the ones I chose were the cheapest of the 4. Bonus! Realistically my old Asics are still super comfy, but being βentry levelβ ones I donβt want them to deteriorate and injuries start creeping up on me. I have run more than their recommended 200 mile life. Iβll keep them for really foul days! π
The place I used was part of a small 2 store independent running shop, one in Bristol and one in Bridgend (I think). Iβm sure you could google βadvanced gait analysis in Oxfordβ - thereβs bound to be something similar. Good luck! π€π
Great new shoe porn! and your post is great.... don't apologize!! I get it too!! sounds a fab present and very detailed and informative. excellent.
I had mine done before Christmas but was nothing like that. I basically just had to walk a few steps bare foot, and then stand on one foot with each leg. I think before I get new shoes I need a more thorough one.
Good, I feel reassured by the fact that my post was informative and hopefully useful, not total waffle! Thanks Deals. π
I wholeheartedly recommend a gait analysis like this. It gives a nice sense of reassurance, plus I found it fun! The new runners were a nice bonus. ππ
Those shoes look great cheeky and what an interesting report on the gait analysis. It will be good to see if it makes any changes to your running. π
I'm hoping my running shoes last a while longer as they're not the cheapest items to replace!
Thanks CH! Iβm dying to try them out. Not sure where Iβll run tomorrow - it depends on the weather. Dry, 4k with intervals on the common with new trail shoes, wet itβll be 5k on my usual route with my Brooks. Not a bad dilemma to have really! πββοΈπ
What a great birthday present! It sounds totally different to my experience so very interesting to hear all the details! Mine was an indifferent 2 minutes on a treadmill and that was it! Iβm glad it went well and happy running in your lovely new shoes!!!
Thanks so much HS, yes hubby picked the perfect present didnβt he? ππββοΈπ It was fascinating and I loved all the detail he gave me. Iβll be getting an email report shortly too - so I can pore over it all at my leisure! π€πββοΈπ
Fascinating post. I had a quick gait analysis on a running machine before I bought my first running shoes, but loved reading about your experience. Sounds as if every penny was worth it!
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