four miles woo hoo!

[BigEd]

I have just run four miles with relative ease. I have stopped heel striking as Laura

suggests. Its definitely better and i get a much better lift off. Its certainly the way forward for me. Keep going everyone, Ed x

[pinkhat Graduate]

Well done to you, too BigEd! It's like everyone's been having a day of successes today.

I started off with some reasonably good but old trainers and tried to strike first with the heel, as Laura suggested early on, but found it both difficult/awkward and uncomfortable on my knees. So I did a wee bit research and while I don't think I'll ever run barefoot (but I'm learning never to say never) I decided it was worth moving towards and I managed to find a good deal on Amazon for some New Balance minimus trail shoes that were cheap enough for me to have a go with minimal trainers - I read all about taking it easy with the transition but I think I must naturally run on the mid/front of my foot as so far there's been no problems and they've been a revelation. I now love them so much, which is why I have one as my profile pic!

Of course, like so many things with running, as I'm discovering, it could all be coming from my head!

[BigEd in reply to pinkhat]

Hi Pink, that is good. I have read about the barefoot type of shoe but haven't tried them. My feet ache enough after work as it is without making them suffer any more.

[pinkhat Graduate in reply to BigEd]

Funnily enough aching feet is the only thing I've noticed since I've used them but it only seems to be the next morning & disappears once I'm walking around, I assumed it was just muscles in my feet moving in a new way!

[BigEd in reply to pinkhat]

Yes i guess so. I am on my feet all day as it is so need some padding when i run.

[dottiemay Graduate]

Hey, well done Ed! It does feel so good when you run further than you every imagined, doesn't it? I've never even tried to heel-strike - I just put my foot down the way that feels right for me which is pretty much mid foot.

Keep running!

[earl-grey-sian Graduate]

That's my boy! X

[BigEd in reply to earl-grey-sian]

I certainly am x

[123456789 Graduate]

Hey we'll done Mate. Since hearing about this heel strike stuff I went so far as to film myself jogging from the side.

I kind of strike midsole/ball joint that will do for me.

Dale

[BigEd in reply to 123456789]

Excellent. It certainly feels much easier

Ed

[oona Graduate]

That's a great run Ed. I'm a bit envious as I haven't reached your distance yet although I'm up to 5.9k (on a good day, down hill with a tail wind!). Best wishes.

[BigEd in reply to oona]

Hi Oona, 5.9k is really good, don't put yourself down,

Ed x

[walney Graduate]

Good work! longer days mean longer runs and will be interested to hear how you are getting on with changeing your stride

[BigEd in reply to walney]

Hi walney, yes i am looking forward to longer runs as i am actually seeing some progress finally

Ed

[mrqwest Graduate]

Well done Ed! Impressed on the distance but jealous of the fact you can do it with 'relative ease' like it's a stroll in the park for you

Take it easy bud and I'll be concentrating on my strike at the weekend and adjust if I can!

[BigEd in reply to mrqwest]

Hi mr, if you dont think you strike is right, change it. It never felt right to me and now i am not heel striking it feels much better

Ed

[run_forrest_run]

Good job Ed!!

[BigEd in reply to run_forrest_run]

Hi run, thanks very much. Great name by the way Ed x

[greenlegs Graduate]

Really impressive that you can run that far already. And so interesting to read everyone else's comments about feet/shoes.

This running lark's not bad at all!

[BigEd in reply to greenlegs]

Thanks green, i do too. Running is addictive isn't it?

[SBG356 Graduate]

Brilliant run Ed! Your change of running style has proved really beneficial to you

Sue

[BigEd in reply to SBG356]

Hi Sue, it has, i cant believe by how much!

Ed x

[Vivwestie Graduate]

Woohooo, Ed. 4 miles - kicking! Well not. Fore-foot striking! (doesn't sound quite the same)

So... hang on.. you've done over 5k, yeah?

Come on, fess-up.

V xx

[BigEd in reply to Vivwestie]

Hi viv yes i guess its about 6k. I am training for a half

marathon in March so need to up the mileage

Ed x

[Vivwestie Graduate in reply to BigEd]

Oooh, so have I. I think you've gone a bit beyond C25K, haven't you?

V xx

[BigEd in reply to Vivwestie]

Hi viv yes i guess so, i have run about 16.5 miles this week.

However i like the encouragement hints and tips. Its a great site

Ed x

[gdeann Graduate]

Great run Ed!!!! You have already earned your Grad badge in my book! Gayle

[BigEd in reply to gdeann]

Hi Gayke ooh thanks darling

Ed x

[BigEd in reply to BigEd]

Gayle i mean xxx

[skf28 Graduate]

well done Ed that is great and I am impressed with the half marathon in March - keep going you can do it!

I am aiming to run a park run in March - might try a couple of 'run/walk' park runs before that though

[BigEd in reply to skf28]

Hi sk thanks very much. I enjoy Parkruns, great fun. You will like them. Ed x

[runningwild Graduate]

Well done to you Ed, and you haven't even graduated yet, should be easy when you do...