Running / Jogging - How do *you* do it ? (distance, speed, indoor/outdoor, trail ...)

[weaponX]

Also, Brooks are nice shoes. I actually have a pair I'm breaking in as an "event shoe". I train with barefoot in mind to strengthen muscles/tendons and then wear a slightly more cushioned shoe for events when I know I'm going to get tired after the adrenaline dump and need a little bit of a "training wheel". After mile 8 I can get a little sloppy, that is, until I really get good and strong with my stride.

Can you tell I'm a nut for running shoes?

[nmcmahan52]

closest running store around here is 70 miles or so away........i'll probably just continue my trial/error ways for now and just go with what's comfortable

[nmcmahan52]

finally cracked 10 yesterday but i only ran one mile, too damn hot but 9:45

ordered these bad boys yesterday too, color is ridiculous

[Prime Winner]

finally cracked 10 yesterday but i only ran one mile, too damn hot but 9:45

ordered these bad boys yesterday too, color is ridiculous

congrats on the sub 10 time! I hope Im within 2 months of that, hit my recent best of 23:30 for 2 miles this week, after starting at 26 min for 2 miles about six weeks ago.

those shows look great. Ive got low arches but hopefully I can find a pair of low sole shoes that will work.

[nmcmahan52]

it was my first sub 10 since high school senior year, roughly 12+ years ago, i'm doubting i can sustain that for the 5k i'm running in a week though, would be nice to break 30 min though

[Badger3920]

it was my first sub 10 since high school senior year, roughly 12+ years ago, i'm doubting i can sustain that for the 5k i'm running in a week though, would be nice to break 30 min though

Congrats!

Are you a pretty big guy? Timing should be for your own benchmarking purposes. For an event in one week, I would worry less about time and more about completing the event comfortably and without injury. You'll know when to push or not

If you eat right and keep running just a few times a week, I'd bet you'll find that you can stack two sub-10 min miles within a month or so.

[nmcmahan52]

yes i'm rather large, right now i'm 6'2, 282, down from 294 or so last month

[weaponX]

Keep that up Nick. Like the shoes. New Balance Minimus are the shit! They'll take some time to get used to. Especially after using traditional shoes for so very long, but once you learn the proper stride, they'll be your best friends.

As far as running the 5K, let me try to give you a little tip. I've run lots of events and usually I am over amped at the beginning and I get a tremendous adrenaline high. The unfortunate thing is I used to start out too fast and blow my wad and struggle to maintain pace. That adrenaline dump is a bitch! before the race/run is about to start, concentrate on deep slow breaths to slow your heart. The less you over exert yourself in the early stages, the better you'll perform in the later stages. The last 5K I ran, I actually turned progressively faster mile times because I started calm. So start calm, forget about what everyone else is doing and concentrate on the pace you set for yourself.

[weaponX]

Also, with minimalist shoes, starting slow is the key. To much too fast WILL result in calf strain/pain. You've got to build those muslces back up again.

[nmcmahan52]

from just changing to the realflex after wearing some traditional brooks ghost was a pretty big change, excited to try the new ones

last time i ran 3+ i did about 34 minutes or so, so 30 is my long shot goal for now, i'd be happy with 32

[weaponX]

I used the real flex as my training wheels when transitioning to minimalist shoes. It really helped out since they are so flexible. Try not to run consecutive days in the NB until your calves are feeling good about what you've done to them. I think it took me a couple week before I could comfortably run everyday. Really focus on landing forefoot, land light (like a cat!) and you'll eventually complete the transition. Who knows, someday you might make the full conversion to VFFs then completely barefoot (which I think is insane, the VFFs are crazy enough for me).

As for your 5K time, and the amount of time you've been preparing, I wouldn't worry about it. Keep up with the running and your time will shrink, I promise.

[Badger3920]

yes i'm rather large, right now i'm 6'2, 282, down from 294 or so last month

Nice work! Gotta just keep it going now. The weight will drop slower than it did the first couple weeks after you started obviously, but it will keep coming down and running will get easier and easier (even if weightloss isnt your primary goal, it'll happen if you're eating right and running).

Once you start to focus on time, I find that if you worry less about 'not walking' (e.g. allow yourself to walk whenever you want) you'll get better times. The reason is that you aren't burning every last bit of stamina before you walk, so you actually walk faster and feel ready to run again sooner. Walking isn't necessarily an enemy to your timing.

[nmcmahan52]

Got the new kicks in, pretty pleased thus far, feel like a really fancy pair of socks

Probably give them a mile or so tomorrow to see how I like them

[thejnc]

So what is good about those shoes that are close to being barefoot?

I just got back into jogging and my shoes are a few years old. Thinking I need a new pair. I recently got transferred at my job and decided to drop my soda intake. I was drinking 5-6 (sometimes more) a day and an energy drink or 2. I am down to 1 soda a day now and lost about 10 lbs. After that I decided it was time to get a few more lbs off my fat ass. So eating a bit healthier and started jogging again.

My other problem is I can only find 1 pair of those minimal shoes that go to my size. The rest are the regular running looking running shoes.

[nmcmahan52]

From my understanding and short amount of time it's basically like learning how to run all over again.

Most running shoes have huge heels on them, allowing you to hit the ground heel first without consequence. Minimalist basically takes that away and makes you change your form and land on the front/mid pf your foot.

I'm sure matt can say more. And I'm with you on the fact you can't find shoes, pretty much everywhere around here stops at a 13 so I order everything online.