Runners..... starting out?

[david1701]

Hi guys,

I want to start running and I've talked to the lady who does the beginners stuff and I feel pretty confident about it.

I need some shoes and kit though:
I reckon tops jackets ect I can just steal cycling kit
Shorts? buy a pair or two of running ones, do you wear without boxers like cycling shorts or with like normal ones?
Shoes, go knows what I need foot wise, is it worth buying a pair cheaply to see if I like it then migrating them to general gym/stuff shoes and getting measured up properly or start with the measuring (nike shop in exe does it, shoes start at 60 quid minimum though)
Anything else I should know?

 

[david1701]

nb there is a specialist running/tri shop in exe but would they only carry high end stuff? I paid proper money for my cycling shoes because I live and die in them, I probably won't so much in these.

 

[doog]

May be worth having a look on this forum

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forum.asp?v=5

Will you be on road / off road? Pop into the running shop they can give you valuable advice on your pronation which is important. You may end up paying a tenner more for a pair of shoes but it will be worth it.

One tip (remember this) When you start your run (every run), run slow, slow,slow for the first 5 minutes. You make think you look stupid and will struggle to run so slowly but I have learnt over the last 25 years of running that this is the best way of preventing injuries and a great way of warming up.

Best of luck

 

[GrumpyGregry]

go to a real running shop and buy a pair of real running shoes from someone who has taken a good look at your gait and who has discussed your goals with you. best investment you can make.

tk maxx style surplus shops have piles of running shorts dead cheap, tops can be taken from the cycling pile, as can socks, and once the nights draw in you may want some reflectives

(I did a couch to 5km course in April, have done a few 10km races since - for fun - and am down to do my second half marathon in 27 years,torn calf muscle permitting, at the end of October)

 

[BrumJim]

Time to promote my thread here:

Some really useful advice. Particularly if you are a fairly fit cyclist - the biggest danger is pushing it too hard to start with - there are some muscles that are needed for running, but little used on a bike.

 

[pepecat]

This shop http://www.ironbridgerunner.co.uk/shop/home.php?cat=114 in Exeter is a specialist running shop - was that the one you meant? My brother and dad have both shopped there and think they're very good.

 

[JonnyBlade]

Buy a reduced pair of neutral trainers as a starter. Neutral is always a good bet. Start off walking and increase as you improve, if you do indeed improve. Then when you are sure you are not throwing good money away go to a specialist sports running shoe retailer. They'll give you the best advice and service because they want you to come back.
The clothing is neither here no there. You obviously have to wear it but it's all about what you are comfortable in

Running is the dog's so enjoy while you can

 

[JonnyBlade]

Time to promote my thread here:

Some really useful advice. Particularly if you are a fairly fit cyclist - the biggest danger is pushing it too hard to start with - there are some muscles that are needed for running, but little used on a bike.

The transition from bike to running is harder than running to bike so plus 1 on that!

 

[smokeysmoo]

+1 for proper gait analysis, most 'proper' sports shops should do it, (not your JJB types)

 

[BrumJim]

Bike to running has made me faster on my bike. Which is good.

Running in kit from Lidl, which is fine. Thing is, on a bike you can pretend that the person who just passed you did so because they were on a lighter/better/more expensive bike. Even if that isn't the case. Running, there is no where to hide - nothing to buy to make you faster.

Don't like running. Have too short an attention span - scenery doesn't change quickly enough.

 

[Trevrev]

One thing i've learned from running, get off the heels and get onto the forefoot.
Eases the pressure put through the knees.
All my injuries from running when i started was from being a heavy heelstriker.
Since changing my running style i'm enjoying my running more.

Download and read this book.

http://www.williamsichel.co.uk/documents/Running_Fast_and_Injury_Free.pdf

 

[The Jogger]

Google c25k the absolute best running program for beginners.

 

[jay clock]

go to a real running shop and buy a pair of real running shoes from someone who has taken a good look at your gait and who has discussed your goals with you. best investment you can make.

tk maxx style surplus shops have piles of running shorts dead cheap, tops can be taken from the cycling pile, as can socks, and once the nights draw in you may want some reflectives

(I did a couch to 5km course in April, have done a few 10km races since - for fun - and am down to do my second half marathon in 27 years,torn calf muscle permitting, at the end of October)

see above.... agree 100%

"couch to 5k" worked for me. Have staggered my way to Ironman over the past 5 years

Jay

 

[Rob3rt]

Hi guys,

I want to start running and I've talked to the lady who does the beginners stuff and I feel pretty confident about it.

I need some shoes and kit though:
I reckon tops jackets ect I can just steal cycling kit Spot on, but remember dont load jersey pockets up or you might loose your belongings from them, I've dropped many a jelly baby running from doing this.
Shorts? buy a pair or two of running ones, do you wear without boxers like cycling shorts or with like normal ones? Depends on the type of short, track shorts with a lining, no boxers, tight cycling style shorts, no boxers, normal loose running shorts with no lining, I like to wear boxers.
Shoes, go knows what I need foot wise, is it worth buying a pair cheaply to see if I like it then migrating them to general gym/stuff shoes and getting measured up properly or start with the measuring (nike shop in exe does it, shoes start at 60 quid minimum though) Get a proper gait analysis (why bother buying the wrong shoe to start with, then end up injured etc and not enjoying running when otherwise you would have done) but NOT at the Nike shop. I say this because a Nike shop only stocks Nike, and Nike shoes may not be the right shoe for you. Go to somewhere like Sweatshop or an equivalent specialist running shop that carries many brands as once the 'type' of shoe you need has been identified, it will come down to which brands design suits your running style the best, I wear Brooks shoes, for the sole reason, they are the best fit for me, other brands werent so good. At the time of buying my Brooks I hadnt even heard of them as a brand. forget about the way the shoes look too, within a month or so they will be dirty and you wont be able to see the colourful designs.
Anything else I should know?
Even if you feel good aerobically, dont do to much too soon, as a cyclist you are likely aerobically quite well off, and in any case the cardiovascular system improves at quite a rate. Sadly though, the tendons etc in your legs wont be able to keep up, so you need to work to your legs limits, not your lungs!

Hope the above helps somewhat.

 

[Ian 74]

Hi,

Go to a proper sports shop, as previously said they will analyse your running gait and tell you what kind of shoe you need. You don't have to break the bank £50-£80 will get you the right foot wear. The rest will fall into place I'm sure just start off short and slow and build up from there, hope you enjoy.