Runners on board?

[NoHall]

I got fitted for running shoes and they've made all the difference. They watch how you walk/run and fit you accordingly. I bought some Brooks and they are the best running shoes I've ever had.

Fleet Feet is a national chain of running shoe stores where you can be fitted for shoes. You get on a treadmill and they videotape your feet in a "neutral" shoe to see what sort of shoe you need (if you roll in or out, etc.) You try on shoes and they videotape again. Once they have narrowed you down to what you need, you pick what feels best to you.

The most pleasant surprise in this experience for me was when I realized that they weren't trying to put me in the most expensive shoe in the store. Almost all the shoes were from $85-$95, which is what you can expect to pay for a good shoe.

As horrifying as it sounds to some runners, Nike still works best for me. Once I found a good pair of Nikes at Fleet Feet, I could order new ones online when they wore out.

Good luck!

 

[drsvelte]

A nice run is the Mid-Bay Bridge Run in November. Its longer than a 5K, about 4.5 miles. The run starts at the south end, across from Legendary, and ends on the north side in the state park. The cool thing - you're running downhill for the second half of the race. The bridge is not closed to traffic during the race - which concerned me a bit - but there is a wide shoulder for runners and plenty of sheriffs to keep the traffic orderly.

The race is open to walkers as well.

 

[beachmouse]

It's been announced that 2007 is going to be the last year of the Mid-Bay Bridge Run until they put a second span on the bridge. Insurance costs and the problems and concerns about too much traffic, even during the lightest traffic time of the year are making the organizers put it on hold until they're at a point where they can actually close down lanes for the event to be safely completed.

 

[drsvelte]

That's too bad, but understandable. We've lost a number of good races in red stick because of these same issues.

 

[Bob]

I love Winter Park, FL! It is almost as pretty as SOWAL.

the key word is almost...

 

[Beach Runner]

Fleet Feet ...

I used to buy all of my shoes at Fleet Feet. The one in Sandy Springs doesn't have a treadmill, so you go outside on the sidewalk and run while they watch your pronation, etc. I really liked that they went to the trouble to do that. But when I first started having problems with plantar fasciitis, they sold me the wrong insoles according to my podiatrist. I kept asking them for something with arch support, and they kept selling me these hard insoles with absolutely no arch support. Now I wear custom insoles that my podiatrist made for me. BTW New Balance shoes fit me the best because I have narrow feet.

 

[Jdarg]

I want to run this race but only if someone will run with me and run reeeallllly slow. I don't/can't run very fast, and I will want to chit chat along the way. I'd like to say I will be able to run the whole thing, but I'm not making any promises about that either. My goal is to finish and not fall down, throw up, or otherwise humiliate myself.

Man, I don't sound like a very appealing running partner! Any takers?

 

[momof2kids]

I want to run this race but only if someone will run with me and run reeeallllly slow. I don't/can't run very fast, and I will want to chit chat along the way. I'd like to say I will be able to run the whole thing, but I'm not making any promises about that either. My goal is to finish and not fall down, throw up, or otherwise humiliate myself.

Man, I don't sound like a very appealing running partner! Any takers?

Do you wear one of those hats with can holders on each side & a straw to your mouth, so when you're thirsty - as you are chit chatting along - you can have a cold one too?

I've never met you in person, but the thought of someone going reeeallllly slow and chit chatting along brought that image to my mind...

I did sign up for the 5k in Jan at WDW, and talked my sister into going with me!! It should be a lot of funn!!

 

[NoHall]

I used to buy all of my shoes at Fleet Feet. The one in Sandy Springs doesn't have a treadmill, so you go outside on the sidewalk and run while they watch your pronation, etc. I really liked that they went to the trouble to do that. But when I first started having problems with plantar fasciitis, they sold me the wrong insoles according to my podiatrist. I kept asking them for something with arch support, and they kept selling me these hard insoles with absolutely no arch support. Now I wear custom insoles that my podiatrist made for me. BTW New Balance shoes fit me the best because I have narrow feet.

I want to run this race but only if someone will run with me and run reeeallllly slow. I don't/can't run very fast, and I will want to chit chat along the way. I'd like to say I will be able to run the whole thing, but I'm not making any promises about that either. My goal is to finish and not fall down, throw up, or otherwise humiliate myself.

Man, I don't sound like a very appealing running partner! Any takers?

I can do that with you, reeeallllly slow. I haven't run lately because of the mystery virus, but need to get back on it. I'm supposed to do a half marathon at the end of October.

Do you wear one of those hats with can holders on each side & a straw to your mouth, so when you're thirsty - as you are chit chatting along - you can have a cold one too?

I've never met you in person, but the thought of someone going reeeallllly slow and chit chatting along brought that image to my mind...

I did sign up for the 5k in Jan at WDW, and talked my sister into going with me!! It should be a lot of funn!!

It IS a lot of fun--I did the marathon last January. (My first, my last, my only marathon!)

 

[RiverOtter]

If you want to get in shape with as little pain as possible, get a heart monitor watch (Polar is the one I use). Google heart monitor training. In short you walk / jog which ever it takes to keep your heart rate in the low 140's. I did it. Some days I would be burning up the road at 13 to 15 minute miles (we do live on a mountain). BUT after a couple of weeks I improved dramatically. At first I couldn't run 3 miles, after a couple of weeks I was up to 5.5 miles.

The speed of my improvement may be faster than normal because I do lots of cycling. But running is much harder on your body. I can control my heart rate much easier on my bike. Also, running uses different muscles than cycling or maybe it's the same muscles but different parts in a different way.

Give it a try.