Speed intervals again today with Laura’s C5k+ podcasts and stats suggest I’m getting faster!!! What do you know... the podcasts work!
On a rather annoying news today, my white running shoes 👟 are ‘speaking up’ (getting-y 👄) and loosing their sole! 😥 So I have to say goodbye to my trusty old companions that have been with me for (😏) ca 15 years. (😲😲😲?) Yes, yes, I hear you shout! I should have bought some back in W5 of C25k, but these felt really good. So I kept quiet when all forum members expressed their delight of new shoes...
But my shoes used to be my tennis 🎾 shoes when I was still fit, and then as I got less fit they lazed in the shoebox, only to be taken out for the one-off walks here and there. But when starting C25k, they were heaven sent! It meant I could start running without buying a single item!
But this morning I had to revert to my cheap black trainers/sneakers. Both were not designed for running.
So now the race is on, will I manage to buy a new pair of running shoes before the cheap black ones lose their sole?
🤔
On a good note, I bought a running belt for holding my phone. (And yes i should have prioritised my running shoes...). But the belt is great and represents thus MY FIRST DEDICATED BUY FOR MY RUNS!
Hope this doesn’t open up the floodgates of me shopping shopping shopping 🛒 🛍 🛒🛍🛒🛍for running. My wish list is already very long, but I’m a Scrooge when it comes to committing to buying something, with fear of buying too much!
But shoes, here I come. 👟
I’m thinking of buying both a trail shoe (as most of my running is on trails) AND a hard surface shoe (because the winter 🥶 🌒 will be forcing me onto lightened pavements). But if I only buy one pair of shoe, should it be trail?
I read trail shoes might not need a gate analysis and I do have videos of me running, so have people experienced buying online rather than going to a shop? I really would prefer buying online.
Would love to hear some experiences of runners with similar dilemmas.
Wishing everyone happy shoes with intact soles!
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CBDB
Graduate10
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Running shoes are the most important buy. Definitely for your first pair go to an independent running shop and get a gait analysis. Also once you find the shoes that best suits you and your running stay with that brand and model. I've learnt the hard way. It's coming close to end of Season and newer stock will be coming next month, so ask for a bargain if they have any. I'd buy road shoes first. I don't own any trail shoes, I run off road with last years road shoes, I've even ran in a 13K mountain race all on trails and everything in between in road shoes. I need to buy new shoes too, I have 1,100 K on my current Brooks, I'm waiting for the new 2021 shoe. Good luck and happy running in your new shoes.
Independent running shops: any advice on which are good? My area is Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe, but could go as far as Manchester. I know some chains cover all the main cities but not sure which are good for visits in-store. (Never been to a dedicated running shop)
No, don't go near any chains. An independent running shop will have people working there whom themselves are runners. They will do a proper gait analysis and offer good advice. Don't go near anywhere like sports direct etc. Fine for buying clothes etc, but go to a proper dedicated running shop for buying running shoes. I just googled for your area and the below came up. Try googling in your area for independent running shops.
I don't need to add any additional excellent advice as given by Damien, however, having the same shoes for 15 years is😊🤣
When I was doing the C25K course I only walked and ran with a good pair of trainers, after I graduated and before my first parkrun I got a gait analysis and bought bran new Brooks running shoes, definitely worth the money, the most expensive shoes I have ever bought, but worth it, I also bought a pair of good Hilly socks, I have never had any blisters running, so good luck for your running, remember that having a good pair of running shoes is very very important.
Hi CBDB I would get a gait analysis done if you can, and follow the shop’s suggestions depending on your budget. I thought this running lark would be a cheap sport but it’s turned out anything but😳. Having said that, I do like to indulge myself from time to time!😊
My current Brooks Glycerin shoes are coming towards the end of their peak performance, so I’ll be looking around for replacements soon. I’ll probably stick with Brooks as they seem to suit me🙂👍
Thank you 😊 🙏 yes, sigh, gait analysis but this means someone else has to watch me running 😳... but yes, will do soon. There was one running shop where you take photos/film of your running and current shoes and they do a gate analysis with that. I do wonder of that might also be a way forward?
I have quickly fallen victim of the shoe buying bug... I now own 4 pairs and I only started c25k in Feb 🙈
My first pair I had fitted in a running shop (£125!) And it turned out they didn't give me enough ankle support so I took to the internet with my neutral gait knowledge that got from the shop and bought my Saucony Triumphs (50% off) and they serve me well. I recently got into trail running tho and my Triumphs don't offer enough grip so back to internet and I found Saucony Peregrine 10s but their price tag was too high so I hit the shop to try them on and make sure as i have a wide toe box. They fitted great and I got them on sale so saved £25 and I really do love them.
My fourth pair are Brooks Glycerin which I knew were good for support and my neutral gait and they were also (surprise surprise) in a 50% sale!
Yes I know it's a bit OTT shoe purchasing but I rotate their use so I'm hoping they'll last me longer and I'll not need to buy any more for a while now.
Oh and you're right about the trail shoe no test thing. When I went to the shop for my trail shoes I didn't get a gait test. They only do them for road running.
Thanks. Yes, if time is scarce (I don’t live anywhere near running shops) than I might just order some trail shoes online and wait until a good day for an outing to a running shop for gait analysis and road shoes (and other running related shopping 🛍 🛒🛍👟🛍🛒)
I used to have horses and they were expensive. I took up running and thought, phew, it’s way cheaper. But only just! Gait analysis, shoes (followed by several other road and trail models), running tops/bottoms/socks, Garmin, belt(s), hydration vest/bladder, Tailwind etc, jelly babies on demand, race entry fees, virtual race entry fees, parkrun accessories, petrol for PR tourism ...... I could go on!
But yes, a gait analysis is a worthy investment, so treat yourself! Of course photos of your new lovelies are compulsory! 😍
Will do! 😊yes, I’m eying so many things at the moment, but all I really need at the moment is a good pair of running shoes....
(...of course some more colourful leggins would be great as mine are black;- and some running gloves 🧤 as I already had to revert to very light gardening gloves once 🤣;- oh and a sweatband as mine is also still from my tennis days so more than 15 years old;- oh and and and 🛒🛍🛒🛍🛒🤣)
I think trail shoes tend to be s neutral shoe. I ordered some Brooks trail shoes in the same size as my normal Brooks. However, they were not a good fit, felt very odd and I have to return them. I don't think there's any substitute for going and trying them on! That said, I have heard that until and unless you're running in slippery/muddy trails, you can probably get away with only having a pair of road shoes.
I'm going to buy trail shoes anyway so at least I have a spare pair.
Love z running belt too. I have one with a pouch big enough for my phone and a small soft water bottle for my long runs.
Yes, the belt was good to try out today! I have a larg-ish iPhone and it kept it completely steady (rather than bobbing in my jacket pocket). Now I only need to sort my podcast lists so it goes automatically from C5k+ Speed podcast to Steppjng Stones podcast, as just Speed is too short.
Thank you!
Oh I think you certainly are due a new pair (first pair 😂) of running shoes!
damienair has given you really sound advice and I think gait analysis for a first pair of running shoes is a good idea - the right shoes do make a difference. You can always shop online after that but you may hit on some end of season bargains/old styles in the running shop about now.
Happy shopping 🛍. (Sounds like it's too late and you have finally been bitten by the run-shopping bug despite your best efforts, sorry! 🤣).
Yup, I caught the running bug and I’m bracing for the shopping fall-out which I’m sure will arrive soon! 🤣🤣 Thank you so much for all advice. And yes, doing at least one gait analysis might be really important, having never done one before. Who knows, with new perfectly fitted shoes I might even start liking to run even more than I do now, although I cannot imagine how that is possible! 🙏 😊
Ah CBDB!! That’s such great news about the speed intervals! I do so like a bit of variety with running!! 😁😁
I’m with you on the shoes 👟 . But a complete novice. I used my old and trusty gym shoes still looking like new as they really didn’t see much gym, so I had all of the basics to accompany my leggings and T-shirt and start C25K!😂😂
I’m only now, over 2 years on, getting into the phase of thinking about a gait analysis and a specific running shoe. I’ve bought 3 pairs of shoes and I still put on my first pair on now and then. I have only just started to realise that none of them are quite right in different ways and honestly....🤫 I’m not sure what a “trail” is supposed to be 😳. Is it just gravelly paths in the park, does that count? 🤷🏽♀️
I’m ever so NOT a technical runner 😊! But I’m willing to learn. Thanks for the post, I have learned a bit more myself! 🤗❤️
Shoes, 😅 😌 phew, so I’m not the only one taking a long time after starting to run to get to a real shop and get some real, gait analysed shoes. (And it would also be the first time I’d be running on a treadmill!! 😳😳 I can see all sorts of things going wrong there😲🤣)
“Trail” yeah, exactly. It just also seemed a way to bypass the dreaded treadmill gait analysis, with someone analysing every step.
Brill, just looked it up. I seem to now have a choice between Burton-upon-Trent (Running Form), Alderley Edge (Running Bear) and Altrincham (Altrincham Runner). So great choice... now, decisions decisions decisions 🧐🤯🤪🙏😊👍🏼🛍
🤣🤣 well it’s good to know running shops are popping up quite close! Lockdown C25k surge might just nudge additional shops to start up once we’re out of this COVID crises. Something to look forward to!
Yes, Alderley Edge shop (as well as Burton one) looked really good!
How fitting that the shoes that used to keep you fit gave themselves to the push to get you back to fitness all these years later.
Even with trail shoes, I’d look to get to a proper running store as different shoes suit different surfaces, and the expert advice in store will really help narrow your search. After gait analysis, or finding the right set of trail shoes,, comfort is king.
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