My new running shoes have been taking it a bit too easy in the box since I bought them on Friday, but today was the day for their first outing. I had planned to get up nice and early, but my lousy eyesight meant the alarm clock got set, but not turned on. Out of bed then at 08:20, and start me pre-run rituals. Water, Banana, and a trip to the loo (that's a whole new blog, I just can' bring myself to write!!).
The new running shoes slipped on like a pair of old slippers, and we were off. (Double checked, they weren't my slippers!). I immediately noticed a bit more of a spring in my step. Laura was extolling the virtues of the C25K+ 'Stamina' podcast, which was new to me. A 5 minute warm up, then 10 minutes at 155 bpm, then 20 minutes at 160 bpm. WHAT?!!! She might as well have said 10 mins. at 155 bpm, then a heart attack when ever you are ready for it. Having tried the 'Speed' podcasts on Thursday I knew 160 bpm was not sustainable! I settled for a brisk start, and then just go as well as I could.
I have to say the added spring in my step, and support from correctly fitted shoes was immediately noticeable. My normally grumbling right ankle didn't even flinch. The pace was good too, and I generally felt more able to run at a quicker pace.
The run was largely uneventful, to be honest I am tiring of the route. the monotony of the route was only broken by Laura saying things like 'You are doing really well'. I felt a bit guilty, like a cheating schoolboy who hadn't been found out, there was no way I was keeping up with Laura's 1-2-3-4. But apparently I was doing 'really well'.
It didn't seem so long before I reached my measured 5K finishing line, I ran through, and on a little. I had planned to run on a lot further, but for some reason I just switched off. A quick glance at RunKeeper to get the stats. Then some mental arithmetic to subtract the 5 min. warm up, interspersed with some gasps for breath, and the time was looking good, very good. 'Proof of the pudding' would have to wait until my return home, and a detailed check on the RunKeeper website. And indeed it did prove to be good a new 5K PB of 25:47! These new shoes are truly awesome because not only had I run a fair bit quicker, (45 seconds better than my last recorded ParkRun 10 days ago), but my ankles did not ache at all. In fact I felt fine, completely fine. No aches, no pains at all. In fact I actually had to stretch my quads after a run for the first time.
So, my advice, is if you are having odd aches and pains running, then get some gait analysis, and consider some proper running shoes. They make a huge difference in comfort. They do cost ,but if you are going to run, they are well worth it.
Oh, and the cherry on the top. Met up with an old friend today who I haven't seen for years, and she said 'You look really good' We like it when the ladies say we look good 
I just need to work on that Stamina to get my distance up, so the next run will be the C25K+ Stepping Stone run.
(Is that a record number of tags?)
Shoe advice and C25K/parkrun update 
Running with new shoes
New shoes and an enjoyable run!
Couch 2 5K Plus Advice
Shoes and social running!
