Visited my parents this weekend who have relocated 200 miles away to beautiful Yorkshire. I had asked them to look out for somewhere my daughter and I could run whilst up there and they took us to a lovely local park. It was the first time that we have run somewhere other than our wonderful local regional park and although it was a lovely park, it wasn't a patch on our usual route! We're such creatures of habit ๐คญ
One thing it laid bare was how much harder it felt running on concrete. Our usual run is through woodland so the ground is not as hard. Looking forward to later in the year when it's dark earlier, I had been thinking we'd run around our local streets instead for security purposes, but now I'm worried about how hard that will be on my ageing knees! I've got lots of time to sort the issue out of course, but wondered if anyone has any tips/advice?
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Angelpoppy
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Iโve only ever run of concrete, never really occurred to me to not. Now I think I may have missed a trick ๐
I actually have a dodgy knee so I currently wear a brace, only cost me a fiver off eBay but holds it in place, I know you can pay more and get much better quality ones.
I have recently been looking into compression socks/tights as they apparently help and facilitate blood flow around muscles and joints ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ
One other thing to look at maybe is buying a more cushioned running shoe, or add more cushioned insoles to your current shoe ๐
Thanks Dtay, I guess it's what you get used to ๐ I'm probably being a total drama queen about the concrete ๐ I'm definitely going to invest in new trainers as I haven't done do far, I guess they will be able to advise too?
No, I just browsed the web, reading reviews for a couple of weeks looking at different styles and just picked the one I thought would give me the best support ๐
Hope they worked out OK! What did you end up with? I think gait analysis and new trainers won't be cheap as it'll be for me and my two daughters, but I think it'll be worth it ๐ค
ASICS Gel Kayano 26 I think theyโre called, pricey but have been completely worth it so far. I think itโs the one thing as a runner you canโt underestimate the importance of.
I also invested in some tights earlier, approaching the grand age of 42 and I can honestly say I never thought I would ever say that in my life ๐
They are compression tights designed for running, apparently they help to circulate blood flow to your muscles and reduce vibrations. This apparently helps reduce swelling and aids recovery ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ
Interesting! I don't wear tights in normal life so I can't imagine running in them ๐ค๐
I definitely agree though, a decent investment in trainers is necessary, it's on my to do list when school finishes next week (as well as writing a final 10,000 word report for my Masters degree ๐ซ)
Ahhh ty, it was a crazy time! No time to prepare for closure, straight into online teaching, it was a very strange time. My year group was called back first, so we've been back since the 1st of June. It's been absolutely lovely only having a tiny group of 8 children to reach every day ๐ I do really miss the rest of my class though, sad I missed a whole term with them ๐
Reception- the littlest ones when they first start school. It's a great year group to teach, they come in barely holding a pencil and leave reading and writing. I always feel very blessed that I do the job I do ๐
Aww, seems a million years ago I walked my two into reception. Sounds very rewarding. I know I couldnโt do it though as Iโm sure you must have an abundance of patience ๐
Sometimes I surprise myself with my patience levels, I certainly don't remember having unlimited patience reserves with my own two ๐ feels like an eternity since they both started Reception too, now they're my running partners ๐
๐ my eldest is good and always gas been (she's 20) but the youngest, whose just turned 18 would lie in bed all day given half the chance ๐ she was terribly unfit and I was surprised that she even agreed to do c25k with us, but she's done brilliantly and has kept it up, we've spurred each other along esp after my eldest has gone back to her uni house for a bit. My most amazing moment was when the 18 year old came out at 6.30am with me on one of the really hot days ๐ She even enjoys running sometimes these days ๐คฃ
Wow! Thatโs really good, my eldest is 17 and she barely gets dressed lately ๐๐ my youngest is 15 and heโs been really good during lockdown, getting up to actually do his work during school hours ๐ฎ and heโs even left the house a couple of times ๐
A hard surface creates more impact stresses but you will probably find it is faster.
Don't wear trail shoes for extended runs on hard surfaces.
Grass is gentler and stresses joints less, as pointed out in the guide to the plan, and the uneveness works your ankles more, so strengthens them quicker than being on hard surfaces.
Thank you, that's really useful to know, I'd forgotten about the grass thing in the guide, will re-read ...not sure I was any faster on the concrete though ๐
It was only when I completed the C25K that I treated myself to new running shoes. I took in my old shoes and they said they were trail shoes! Who knew?
Now I have super comfy road shoes that have lots of cushioning.
That's really helpful, thank you. I definitely need to visit a proper shop and get some advice...I really have no idea what my current trainers are suitable for ๐
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