HHIRunner
New member
If I still had Cartilage in my knees I would try this.
Marathon training
- Thread starter SV_Dude
- Start date
If I still had Cartilage in my knees I would try this.
That's impressive! There are definitely plenty of dirt trails around here to run and I do try and run trails when I can. Most of the half marathon I did was on a dirt trail but it was frozen and covered in packed snow. I'll do the incline in manitou springs with footofgod once in a while and the trail down is about a 3 mile run on the dirt. I do prefer the scenic runs, it really makes the runs a lot more enjoyable.
Footofgod
New member
All I can say is that a year ago I could not run at all due to knee pain and last week I ran my first half marathon. 3 days later, my knees don't hurt at all.
Of course it is all about doing what works best for you as an individual, but I am sold!
I'm with you, it's bad when one's back limits a guy so much. Good to see others doing it though.
HHIRunner
New member
I'll have to try it. I was told last October (2012) that of I didn't stop running the I'd have knee replacements by the time I turned 21. But if that works with no pain then I'm game because I REALLY miss running
txclimber
New member
Thanks! Sounds like you're well on your way. Don't worry about speed too much, just work on building up a base---slowly. Good luck.
To all those with bad knees: Don't totally write it off. In my 20's I had 3 knee surgeries and was told I would never be able to run more than 5 miles. Doctors don't know everything.
Two great tricks to overcoming this are:
1) Start very small. Do "out and backs". Run slowly 10 minutes from your house/trailhead/start. At the 10 minute mark turn around and "beat" your time back. Should end up with a 19+ minute run. Done for the day. Rest a day then repeat. After two times, add a minute (11 min out), for a 21 min run. Repeat, rest, add. Building this slowly your body (knees) won't even notice it. So if you can slow jog for 19 minutes, you can build to whatever you want.
2) Very important, stretch AFTER. Stretching before you run doesn't do much for you that can't be accomplished by running slowly at first while warming up. Stretching after is critically important to staying injury free. After you run your muscles are tight and pulling your legs/hips/knees/kneecaps/etc. slightly out of their natural alignment. If you walk around like that the rest of the day you are bound to stress something or rub something the wrong way. Take a full 15-20 minutes after your run to stretch your calves, hips, hams, etc. very well to keep things fresh and loose.
Footofgod
New member
Ditto what others have said. Start SLOW. It was like learning to walk all over again. Chi Running has seminars all across the country. The whole design takes the impact off the knee. It does however require strength in the muscles around the knee. For me, that has been the hard part. My knees no longer hurt while I run, but they do like to cramp a little after I run. The good thing is that it is muscle cramping and not joint pain.
RunninInGA
New member
Had a coach once that said the hardest step in training is the first one - after that, they get easier. Not knowing the details of how you're training currently, mileage alone isn't gonna take you to your highest potential.
Workout diversity is both great for the mind and body alike. Mix in some short distance speed work. Get into interval training (high school and college coaches loved these). We often did 1/4-mile hill sprints over and over and over until everyone on the team puked at least once. And ran east/west across the state over a 3-day weekend. Half mile races with a weighted backpack. I've had some pretty intense coaches from primary and secondary schools, college, and competitively as an adult but without their training routines and overall encouragement and pushing, I never could have accomplished what little I did.
It may sound silly, but seeking out a coach could help significantly and doesn't have to cost you much money at all. Do any local high schools have any track or cross country teams - those coaches are teachers too and generally take multiple "jobs" to make WAM (walk around money). An online coach could work as well.
Workout diversity is both great for the mind and body alike. Mix in some short distance speed work. Get into interval training (high school and college coaches loved these). We often did 1/4-mile hill sprints over and over and over until everyone on the team puked at least once. And ran east/west across the state over a 3-day weekend. Half mile races with a weighted backpack. I've had some pretty intense coaches from primary and secondary schools, college, and competitively as an adult but without their training routines and overall encouragement and pushing, I never could have accomplished what little I did.
It may sound silly, but seeking out a coach could help significantly and doesn't have to cost you much money at all. Do any local high schools have any track or cross country teams - those coaches are teachers too and generally take multiple "jobs" to make WAM (walk around money). An online coach could work as well.
wnelax04sr5
New member
what [MENTION=77530]RunninInGA[/MENTION] said, variety is the spice of life, doing the same thing every day lulls you into training sleep
So... It's definitely time for new shoes. I went and ran about 5 miles today holding a 10 minute pace which is my goal for the next half marathon. I felt great while running but after my run my knees and ankles weren't too happy. I am horrible about replacing old shoes. My current shoes are about a year old if not older and have way too many miles on them.
I know merrell has awesome shoes. What shoes do you guys like to run in? I need a shoe that is mainly for pavement since that is where I do a majority of my running. I normally use brooks and have had good results with them. I have a normal stride and land towards the outer to middle section of my heel and have a slight roll inwards and push off square with my toes. I may end up going with the tried and true for me which has been brooks for the last several years but am open to different ideas.
I know merrell has awesome shoes. What shoes do you guys like to run in? I need a shoe that is mainly for pavement since that is where I do a majority of my running. I normally use brooks and have had good results with them. I have a normal stride and land towards the outer to middle section of my heel and have a slight roll inwards and push off square with my toes. I may end up going with the tried and true for me which has been brooks for the last several years but am open to different ideas.
RunninInGA
New member
I prefer new balance; my sister prefers saucony. Are there any specialty running stores nearby? They'll analyze your stride and strike and give a wealth of knowledge in addition to selling you a pair of shoes.
We have a local place here (corunco.com) and from what I hear they will analyse your stride and recommend a pair of shoes. I'll most likely go check them out this weekend.
wnelax04sr5
New member
[MENTION=24995]SV_Dude[/MENTION] I've trained in 3 pairs of nikes, 1 pair of brooks, and 1 pair of new balance, and the brooks were by far the best shoes i trained in, and my times when i raced reflected it. my .02, but i think you should definitely try on a pair, i have bad knees and ankles too and they helped, great support
I finally settled and got a new pair of running shoes a couple days ago. I did a fair amount of research on a few different shoes and benefits of each. I ended up getting Merrell road glove 2's. I went for my first run which was right at 3 miles. For this being my first time running in a minimalist shoe, I really regret not getting a pair before. The shoes felt very natural to run in and are extremely light. Because of the design of the shoe they almost force you to lean forward a bit more to avoid a heel strike stride. So far I really enjoy these shoes but need to get some longer runs in to make a solid final decision.
I did have some pain in the arch of my left foot after about 2.5 miles and realized that my stride was getting a little short. As soon as I opened up my stride the pain went away almost immediately.
Anyone else run with this style of shoe?
I did have some pain in the arch of my left foot after about 2.5 miles and realized that my stride was getting a little short. As soon as I opened up my stride the pain went away almost immediately.
Anyone else run with this style of shoe?
