Official BigSoccer Runner's Thread

I just wimped out.

I had planned to run 5 miles during lunch today. Instead, I was too hungry so I started eating my sandwich and surfing bigsoccer.

Maybe tomorrow.

 

It's about 12 degrees F here...I just came in from the coldest 3 miles of my life (I said the same thing yesterday, too).

 

Sorry if this was posted before but:

I run occasionally at one of the gyms in town, but always seem to hit a period where I can't go run for a week or so. When the weather gets better consistently, I think I'm going to run 2-3 days a week outside. I'll start with a mile then add a bit each time.

My question is: where's the best place for someone like me, a recreational jogger at best, to buy a decent, $30-50 pair of running shoes? I don't need top of the line, just a pair that will last a year or so and not give me killer blisters every time I run.

What about online catalogs such as Sierra Trading Post, REI Outlet, etc.? Or is ordering without trying them on an even worse idea than I thought?

Thanks in advance.

 

Well first off I would only order online if I KNEW that the shoes I was ordering was a perfect fit and a hella lot cheaper than someplace in town (preferably a true running store). If you can find shoes that are 50% off online than the local store and you still come out ahead after tax and S&H then by all means go for it.

Second...your budget may be a tad too low. You may be lucky and find a decent pair of shoes in that price range on clearance or something like that but that's a stretch.

Shoes from just about any reputable manufacturer (Asics, New Balance, Nike, etc.) in the $70-80ish range will do you right. Bottom line is that you want a shoe that is designed for your "type"...by this I mean your weight, foot characteristics, running style, blah blah blah and that fits you perfectly. That is why I advocate going to your local running shoe store that is staffed by runners and not to some big box retailer like Gart's (unless you get one hell of a deal). The folks at running shoe stores are very knowledgeable and will definately help you out with picking a pair of high quality running shoes.

 

Thanks Fear and Jim. If it helps to figure out a good shoe, I'm not about to run at 10K even a 5K. Just doing it as part of a routine to get in better shape and build up endurance. Most of my running will be on jogging/bike paths or a gym track. I can use my Addidas hybrids at the Aurora Bally's for now.

Speaking of Gart's, that's where I got my downhill skis. They always seem to have dynamite deals on things. I'll keep an eye out.

 

I ended up going to Gart's in Aurora after the gym, and bought a pair of New Balance M714WB running shoes for $39.99. I found them in the clearance rack, but asked the guy in the foot department if it was a better shoe for my needs than the Reeboks (I forget what exact style but it was a Greek letter name) and other NBs that were there, he said it was better. Keep in mind that I only plan on running a mile or two at the most at first, 2-3 times a week. I'm glad with my choice, I start using them next Monday when I start running again.

 

Sounds good Jeff. Let us know how it is going.

I am curerntly training for a half marathon in Charlottesville on April 19th. I am in the 2nd week of a 12 week program. I combined the info from a couple of on line training programs to fit my schedule. So far my long runs have been 8 miles and that goes up to 9 this Sunday and peeks at 15 a couple of weeks before the race. So far, so good.

 

Good luck Jeff and GoDC!

 

Tomorrow I restart my workout plan, including running with my new running shoes. My plan until it gets warm enough to run outside is to run each day at the gym that's not a circuit workout (those resume Thursday).

Starting with just 11 laps, down to one mile again. Will add laps gradually as I get more endurance and confidence, probably every third time or so I run. If I can do 3-4 miles at a time consistently by summer I'll be happy.

 

I am getting sick of the treadmill. Tomorrow's race is already cancelled because of the weather. I want the roads and trails to be clear. Not sure how I am going to pull off my 10 miler this weekend.

 

Damn I'm good!!! I did an advanced step class and was able to sustain my heart rate at over 85% max for nearly an hour.

And then when I was walking out of the locker room the fitness director of our gym approached me and asked me if I wanted to be in a triathlon that my alma mater is putting on. Problem is I can't swim and then she told me I could use a kickboard. I'll think about it.

 

Good work Fear. I am in Week 5 of my 12 weeks of training for the Half Marathon. The snow kept last week's mileage down but hopefully I can do more this week.

 

Excellent running resource

I run occasionally, but my wife is really into it: eleven marathons and two 50Ks. The place she hangs out is www.coolrunning.com
I think that you'll find a lot of good answers and good advice there about all things running. All levels.

Just click on "community" then go to "discussion forums"

I hope you find it as useful as she has.

 

Re: Excellent running resource

Thanks!!! I lurk the RunnersWorld.com forums but this site looks much better.

 

Another good running site is www.milesplit.com, milestat.com is a good one too for any virginians.

Anybody here run track? I ran XC in the fall and am just finishing the indoor season. I'm thinking about running track and playing soccer in the spring.

 

Which team do you run for? This weekend my alma mater hosted the Western Athletic Conference Indoor Championships. It was a blast to attend. On Friday afternoon the coaches voted to keep the Idaho Center the permanent site of the annual meet. SCWHEET!!!!

Did a lazy, short 30 minute run this afternoon. What a gorgeous day. Sunny. Somewhat warm (high 40s). But a tad bit breezy. It was NICE!!!

 

I run for Hermitage in VA.

 

I tried to run yesterday but couldn't do much. I ran a lap to warm up and started to do suicides. I'm just getting over bronchitis, and I guess it was too soon, because I started coughing uncontrollably and got really light headed. I puked soon after.

But I have a problem I'm wondering if anyone else has. I can run forever and ever when we play soccer. I'll sprint for hours straight if there's a ball at my feet, and I swear I run faster with a ball than without, but when I just run to run I can't do it for anything. I run around a mile and I'm dog tired. I make myself do more, but it's so damned hard.

I know the simple remedy is to just put a ball at my feet but I just wonder if anyone else has this problem.

 

I can run faster when I'm chasing a soccer ball. It's weird. You just probably need to work on endurence, so jog slow. It's also way easier to run slow for 30 minutes than to sprint a mile.

 

I've been battling the damn flu (well I think it's the flu) for the past week and haven't been able to hit the gym to do anything. Hopefully I am fully recovered by Monday cuz I am going nuts right now cuz I haven't done any cardio or strength work at all this week. ARGH!!!!

 

I'm finally getting over the damn flu that knocked me out of commission last week.

My plans are up in the air as to what to do this weekend. If I am not playing in the snow one of the possibilities is to do some trail running at Swan Falls along the Snake River in the southern Idaho desert. What I am planning is to fast hike from the Swan Falls dam to Wees Bar which is a 5.5 mile trip. On the return leg I was planning on running the entire 5.5 miles back. The Wees Bar trail is pretty mellow when it comes to trail running. I would say about 50% flat and 50% gentle undulations.

Another possibility this weekend is to do a chunk of the uphill portion of the "Race To Robie Creek" course. From the start of Fort Boise Park to Aldape Summit is 8.5 miles. From the top of Aldape Summit to Robie Creek is 4.6 somewhat steep miles. If I was to do the uphill portion only this weekend I think I would turn around at the 4 mile mark and head back down to make it an 8 mile trip.

We'll see.

Or I could just go on a long ass training ride this weekend....

 

I have a 12 mile run scheduled for Sunday. Longest run so far in my half marathon training.

Glad to hear the flu is getting better.

 

Fear glad you're feeling better.

Good luck Go.

I'm running twice a week, sometimes three if not in the mountains. Today I ran a tiny weeny bit under 2 miles, albeit with a stop for allergy related coughing. Note to Jeff: taker antihistamine before running outside. I need to pick it up more but am enjoying it and the new running shoes.

Friday at the gym is 15 laps (1 4/11 mile); still adding laps gradually. What I'm not doing is running on the same days I do circuit weight training.

 

MY RUN ON FRIDAY SUCKED HAIRY BIRGIT PRINZ GORILLACHON BALLS!!!!!


On Friday after work I was planning on going on a leisurely 5 mile run along the Greenbelt. The weather was fine. A tad cloudy and a bit breezy but the temps were in the 60s. I decided to sport the Montrail's with my REI short/top ensemble. I was looking good!!!

After a short five minute warm-up between the rec center and the Pavilion where I briefly stretched out (that was one of my causes I think) I began my run. First five mins I was fine. Ten minutes into my run and I'm feeling GOOD. My heart rate monitor was showing I was at 80% MHR (LOL so much for a leisurely run) And then.....

Between minutes 10 and 15 both my hamstrings were starting to tighten up and my chest was getting tight. What could have caused this you ask? Well the hamstring thing I attribute to two things...the first (and major) one was that I was doing deadlifts on Thursday night. Keep in mind I'm getting over the flu so I haven't hit the gym at all that much in the past two weeks. So I really worked over my hammy's on Thursday night. Ehhh didn't really stretch them out real good afterwards either...both at the gym and when I got home *rolleyes*. Second was that even after I thought I had adequately warmed-up my legs, my stretching routine prior to the run was sorely lacking in proper duration.

With regards to my chest...like I said I'm getting over the flu I had all of last week. Bastard lungs take a while to get back to normal after a bout with the flu eh?

Oh well. Hopefully next week's cardio workouts go better.

If it ain't raining tomorrow I'm hopping on my bike and getting in about 10 miles or so.

C'mon Mother Nature!!!