Running Gear

[Scott]

Ive been lurking around some running forums just looking at their different approaches to training for various runs. Ive noticed that a big part of the forums are used to talk about gear (shoes, not 'gear' gear!). They do seem to be into their trainers a lot.
A quote from one of the bigger forums in the noobies section:

Trainers: There is one piece of equipment essential to running and that is your trainers. The correct style of trainers will help you to run in the most efficient style for your foot type. This in turn reduces the stresses on other parts of the body and reduces the risk of sports related injury. The best way to determine the right trainers is to visit a specialist running store where they can analyse your 'gait'. Essentially this means they look at how you move and will then suggest the correct type of trainer. Shops very rarely charge for this advice, but would hope that you purchase at least your first pair of trainers from them.

I know we've mentioned this subject before but what the hell!

Part of me wonders if its not just a case of people wanting the 'uniform' to either feel like they are taking it seriously or wanting to look like a 'runner'. Im sure theres a fair bit of that coz its the same in a bunch of sports, eveyone wants the uniform.
Ive done a bit of running myself (apparently the running I do is called 'fell running') up hillis and trails. I run in either army boots if its really muddy or converse if its not. I get the feeling I would be in the minority of runners doing this!

what do we think, are these fancy trainers really just a complete con?

from what ive read this bit of the quote is what is said about running in very slight shoes or the 'barefoot' ones!

[samurai69]

a very moot area really

many now are in the "5 finger" style shoes for training

now running specifically as oposed to deadlifting or olympic lifting or climbing etc, wher the shoes really do change things

in most people a decent shoe can help, but for the average fun runner doing under 5 miles a time and under 10 or 15miles per week......the overly expensive shoes dont help

theres also the point of previous conditioning and how your basic running technique is


when i did fell running before all the "trail" shoes came about i used a set of lightish walking boots, i also used the same ones for all my mountain biking and even at work...........they where the most comfortable boots i ever owned and had them until they where long worn out by normal standards and i dont think i ever had any real problems with my running or my style

when i did triathlond i did invest in a decent pair of running shoes and a decent pair of cycle shoes......but that was more because of the transition stages and a need to have something comfortable for each

now at the gym i wear a normal pair of trainers, they are same for all my general lifting and occasional jogging

now i dont have any real problems (well didnt when i ran) with my foot strike, though i do run heavy , so extra padding is good for me ..... which is what i look for in running shoes,

then as you say theres the fitting in part..........maybe if i was running with a club a proper pair of trainers would make me feel like i was fitting in a little............

then theres also tha case of wearing the right stuff is part of the psychological process of getting in to the right frame of mind

when i used to play 9 ball pool, i went through a period of getting dressed up and in the right gear (for me) and with decent equipment, then i felt ready..........now if i was down the pub smashing around an english pool table this wasnt really necessary........but pre Comp it was necessary to feel right and , in my mind, look right................same could be said for the right attire when running

also NOW, I HAVE BAD KNEES, maybe this is down , partly, to poor running shoes..........but probably if thats the case then only very slightly



.

[Scott]

interesting reply, sam69.
need to digest it.

[Cookie]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... -body.html

And was on the BBC last night

[samurai69]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1246642/Why-running-barefoot-better-body.html

And was on the BBC last night

Searching for the perfect pair of jogging shoes is a waste of time --running barefoot is better for you, a study has revealed.

Researchers found that people who run barefoot tend to land on the ball or the middle of the foot and avoid jarring their bones.

But those who run in shoes tend to land on the heels, sending painful shockwaves through the body

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... z0dvZDTbz8

well thats a load of bollocks for starters............we se many people along the sea wall running bare foot and i would sy 90% of them run heavy and on their heels



when we were young we ran naturally over time all those things change...........also the ground we run on changes

so steve........are you going to try running the race barefoot.................I would gusee not!!


as with all these studies and things they never take in to it all the variables


.

[samurai69]

Barefoot running is common in parts of Africa. Nearly 50 years ago Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist Abebe Bikila won his first marathon, barefoot while in the 1980s, South African Zola Budd took to the track barefooted.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... z0dva9Nzeh

yeh mostly on dried mud.... avery nice surface to run on..............OH and the fact 98% of peopl CANT AFFORD SHOES letalone RUNNING SHOES


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[samurai69]

'Running barefoot or in minimal shoes is fun but uses different muscles,' he said. 'If you've been a heel-striker all your life you have to transition slowly to build strength in your calf and foot muscles.'

Earlier this year a study of 68 runners on a treadmill found that suffered 38 per cent more twisting in their knees and ankles when wearing shoes than they did barefoot

[Cookie]

so steve........are you going to try running the race barefoot.................I would gusee not!!

Not with an extra 112lbs on my back, not a bloody chance

as with all these studies and things they never take in to it all the variables

I agree, some barefoot running I think would be beneficial as long as it was on grass but I am not convinced that a lot of barefoot running on tarmacadam or concrete pavement slabs would be a good idea.

[samurai69]

so steve........are you going to try running the race barefoot.................I would gusee not!!

Not with an extra 112lbs on my back, not a bloody chance

as with all these studies and things they never take in to it all the variables

I agree, some barefoot running I think would be beneficial as long as it was on grass but I am not convinced that a lot of barefoot running on tarmacadam or concrete pavement slabs would be a good idea.

re habing ankles we get people to run across a slope of sand barefoot....thats good


and like everything it has a place in training


.

[Scott]

cookie / sam / anyone....... if you were going to walk + run 100km would you break out the converse or go and spend £50+ on a pair of fancy running shoes?

Im fairly certain what the majority of runners would do

[samurai69]

cookie / sam / anyone....... if you were going to walk + run 100km would you break out the converse or go and spend £50+ on a pair of fancy running shoes?

Im fairly certain what the majority of runners would do

for that i would get a decent pair of boot/shoes .............something better suited to heavy duty walking but able to run comfortably in..........something akin to modern military/police boots .....good ankle support, good tread etc

[Cookie]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg2 ... ptoes.html