Runners, lend me your help!

[gear02]

So, I am planning on starting to run to get back in shape. But I don't know what I need. I know you need good shoes, but what defines a good shoe?

Also, it's getting colder outside, and I don't think I can run in shorts and t-shirt. What do you guys wear when it's slightly cold outside?

Finally, how do you bring water with you?

[blueindian]

So, I am planning on starting to run to get back in shape. But I don't know what I need. I know you need good shoes, but what defines a good shoe?

Also, it's getting colder outside, and I don't think I can run in shorts and t-shirt. What do you guys wear when it's slightly cold outside?

Finally, how do you bring water with you?

for shoes, go to a running store (as opposed to a large chain type store). if your shoes tend to wear unevenly take a pair with you so you can show them. be prepared to spend between $80-$130 or so. running shoe opinions are like every other sort of opinion...everybody's got one. all the shoes at a reputable store will be "good".

when it's slightly cold i wear shorts & light or mid-weight synthetic long sleeved shirt. as it gets colder i'll add a 200 wt fleece vest & replace the shorts with mid weight tights.






the best advice i can give you though is to START SLOW. too many people i know go out and try to run 5 miles on their first day. :nono: unless you are already in good shape from something else, i'd say you need to start with a combination of running/walking 3-4 days per week for at least a couple weeks.

[cheapie]

if you run for only 5k or so you shouldn't really need any water. if you are just starting out running then that will likely take about 30 minutes or so.

i have some of these for running/biking in cold weather. i love them.


Pearl Izumi tights

http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/image/product/4098-1.jpg

[gear02]

for shoes, go to a running store (as opposed to a large chain type store). if your shoes tend to wear unevenly take a pair with you so you can show them. be prepared to spend between $80-$130 or so. running shoe opinions are like every other sort of opinion...everybody's got one. all the shoes at a reputable store will be "good".

when it's slightly cold i wear shorts & light or mid-weight synthetic long sleeved shirt. as it gets colder i'll add a 200 wt fleece vest & replace the shorts with mid weight tights.

the best advice i can give you though is to START SLOW. too many people i know go out and try to run 5 miles on their first day. :nono: unless you are already in good shape from something else, i'd say you need to start with a combination of running/walking 3-4 days per week for at least a couple weeks.

Hehehe, thanks for the advice! Yeah, I'm betting that my first outing will resemble Homer Simpson: Run for about 5 steps then collapse. :D

I don't know of any running store around here. I think the best athletic stores around me are Galyans and REI. I loathe sports authority. I just wish there was a running store...:(



Pearl Izumi tights

http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/image/product/4098-1.jpg

I'm not sure I'm ready for tights... :gle:

[blueindian]

if you run for only 5k or so you shouldn't really need any water. if you are just starting out running then that will likely take about 30 minutes or so.

i have some of these for running/biking in cold weather. i love them.


Pearl Izumi tights

http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/image/product/4098-1.jpg


i was just comming back to post about water, cause i realized i forgot. cheapies right on. i rarely run more than 5 miles at a time becasue my knees can't take it. . .and i never carry water.

nice tights btw. i use HIND drylite tights. i think they look ghey, my wife says the just look athletic :shrug: i don't care what they look like though, they keep me warm!

[Cheesypuff]

going to a good running store is a definate must!!!!

my friend went to one where they ask you to run a few yards, they study how you run and they give you some rec on which shoes to buy by seeing your running style!

[gear02]

woo!!! I found a neat looking one, although it's not that close to me:

http://www.runwalklive.com/index.html

[attgig]

eh. shoes? tights? cmon. in Kenya, they run barefoot! go out in your tighty whities and start running. I think the embarrasment will make you run faster! =)

[gear02]

eh. shoes? tights? cmon. in Kenya, they run barefoot! go out in your tighty whities and start running. I think the embarrasment will make you run faster! =)

you should know better. DC is far from being like Kenya. ;)

[Jeffbx]

Shoes: yup, find a running store. You might have to go through a few brands before you find one that suits you. Asics are my favorite...

Running outside: when you run outside, add about 15-20 degrees to the outside temp, and that'll be about the temp your body feels when you get nice & warmed up. I.e., if it's 55 degrees outside, no strong winds & not raining, then once you get warmed up you'll want to be dressed like it's about 70-75 degrees. I'd say maybe long sleeve shirt & shorts.

If you run outside when it's *really* starting to get cold, then tights are a must. Dress in layers, and make sure that the layer touching your skin is of some moisture wicking synthetic material. Under Armour (http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/default.asp) is my favorite, but it's pricey.

For water, like others have said you won't really need it until you're running more than about 10k at a stretch. Once you get there, you can carry a water bottle in your hand (I do this sometimes), or get a Fuelbelt (http://www.fuelbelt.com) or something similar.

And like BI says, start slow!! It takes a long time for your body to get used to exercise if you haven't done it in a long time. See what you can do the first few times out, and then gradually increase your time. Don't worry about your speed until you're comfortable increasing your time in regular intervals.

[gear02]

And like BI says, start slow!! It takes a long time for your body to get used to exercise if you haven't done it in a long time. See what you can do the first few times out, and then gradually increase your time. Don't worry about your speed until you're comfortable increasing your time in regular intervals.

Nono...don't worry, I'm not expecting that I'll run a mile without having to stop :)

Btw...speaking about tights...do you guys wear something underneath them? Just curious...

[blueindian]

Nono...don't worry, I'm not expecting that I'll run a mile without having to stop :)

Btw...speaking about tights...do you guys wear something underneath them? Just curious...

i do. i feel like they stay cleaner longer that way. much like i wash my boxers after 1 wearing, i'd feel like i need to wash my tights after every wearing otherwise.

if you get ready to buy some, be sure to check campmore. they usually have HIND closeouts.

[Jeffbx]

I do... my Under Armor underwear. But I really don't wear tights unless it's below 45 or so.

[ialsohaveadream]

I coach a track club in the Florida summers, so I'm not too familiar with this "cold" you describe. On the other topics, though...


for shoes, go to a running store (as opposed to a large chain type store). if your shoes tend to wear unevenly take a pair with you so you can show them. be prepared to spend between $80-$130 or so.

If you shop around like a good G|A'er, you might be able to find shoes in the $50-$80 range. More expensive shoes are USUALLY better, but not always. If you can't find a running store, you'll have to figure out the best shoe for yourself.

If you have older, fairly-worn shoes, do what BI suggested. If not, dip your foot in some water, then step on a surface where you can see your footprint. Look at the arch area of the foot. You should be able to tell if you have high, normal, or low arches (see below). Using that, pick up a copy of Runner's World (which constantly runs shoe reviews).

http://www.strabell.com/scripts/images/hotfeet.jpg



the best advice i can give you though is to START SLOW. i'd say you need to start with a combination of running/walking 3-4 days per week for at least a couple weeks.

:stupid: Start out with only about 5 mins of jogging the first day, mixed in with 20-25 mins of walking. Increase your jogging by about a minute each day.

[_=DeltaForce=_]

how about an Mp3 player??

[ialsohaveadream]

Rio, baby! They hold up to the pounding.

[kimchicowboy]

the nike air rift shoes were made for the kenyan runners. apparently, they're awesome, but nike doesn't make 'em anymore. those running stores may have them.

i've had nike, adidas, and new balance running shoes. the new balance ones were most comfortable for me. :)

[ialsohaveadream]

I haven't seen Air Rifts on sale in the States in years. I doubt you'll find them in stock anywhere.

Nike Air Max Triax are my favorite...like running on freakin clouds with those things.

[Jeffbx]

how about an Mp3 player??


Oh yeah! Make sure it's a flash memory one, not a HD based. You don't want to have your $500 iPod hit the sidewalk while you're running - goodbye hard drive!

Whatever cheap one you can find will work... I used the good 'ol Nomad II for years, & recently replaced it with a Nex iA. Cheap, plays music, won't care too much if I drop it.

[gear02]

Yeah I have a Muvo so I'm using that instead of my ipod...

[blueindian]

Using that, pick up a copy of Runner's World (which constantly runs shoe reviews).

http://www.runnersworld.com/category/0,5034,s6-52-70-0-0,00.html

[gear02]

Thanks guys!

I got the Asics GT 2090. $94 including tax.

[BigJon]

Finally, how do you bring water with you?Try a camelback....bikers use them. It will hug your back without tying up your arms or throwing off your balance.