Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

I don't have the time anymore. After getting up at 0630 for work and not getting back till circa 2000, 6 days a week = no time or compunction to run :(

I need a new job.

Yep. I quit the London rat race and now have loads of free time again, so my running has ramped back up.
 
I did this and scored the high end of normal. I'm wondering if it's my crappy running shoes maybe...?

Weakness in the calves +/- poor muscle control +/- joint instability are the things I would look at first. Swapping your running shoes, reduce the amount of up-hills or even just shortening your stride length might give you a quick improvement though.
 
You might need to really stretch out your calfs prior to running. Sarah (wife) had exactly the same issue and found a mixture of compression calf support whilst running, lots of pre / post run calf stretching and ice pack to the area after running fixed it completely in about 3-4 weeks.
 
Okay, well I'm off for a swim and gym in a bit, I'll make sure I stretch my calfs and the rest of my legs lots beforehand and I'll keep it flat, will see how it goes. New shoes will be bough in January.
 
Okay, so I stretched my calfs really well (dropped my heel off the edge of the machine) and it's helped a hell of a lot, there was still a little bit of discomfort but I reckon if I stretch well again and on none gym nights keep stretching I'll be sorted. Shall see!
 
Good being off from work for the past week, managed pretty much 20 miles of pretty easy running. Need to keep it going into the new year though which could be tricky with it being the busiest time of the year for me!

Anybody sorted their race plans for next year yet? I'll probably do the JP Morgan one again and a 10k and maybe half marathon later in the summer. Would like to shoehorn in a sprint and oly triathlon too :eek:
 
Year total is in. 1100 miles is an improvement on the 362 I did last year. Should be able to do better next year as I was really busy with work for the first four months of the year. Need a new gps device though as my Forerunner 301s usb port has packed up. Time to treat myself to a 301xt I think!

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Final 2012 mileage total for me was 1832. I wanted to average 150 miles a month so was pleased to get over the 1800 mark. Haven't yet defined goals for 2013 but am already booked in for a few half marathons.
 
Just started a new years resolution blog - http://myrunningresolution.blogspot.com/

A meagre 120km for me from August-December having only started to get into it recently.

PB's so far however -

Cooper (12 min) 2.89 km
1 km 3m:36s
1 mile 6m:11s
3 miles 20m:52s
5 km 21m:43s
10 km 47m:27s


Been running 36.40 5 milers (8.6km) with an average pace of 4.30/km so I'm hoping in my next competition (Plymouth January Jaunt) I'll be able to pull out a 43minute 10 km.
 
Over the last few months i have been interested in getting into running, and considering signing up to a marathon near the end of the year to motivate me to train more.
However when i do go out i seem to find my calfs really hurt after a fairly short distance, i have put this down to the shoes i wear (Opinions?) and i am looking to try and get a pair fitted properly to see if this makes any difference. I do walk for 10 minutes before doing any running to warm up a little and this is on a night. I am quite overweight though. Whats the best way to find my local running shop for some good advice on getting the right shoes as i have very wide feet too!
 
Over the last few months i have been interested in getting into running, and considering signing up to a marathon near the end of the year to motivate me to train more.
However when i do go out i seem to find my calfs really hurt after a fairly short distance, i have put this down to the shoes i wear (Opinions?) and i am looking to try and get a pair fitted properly to see if this makes any difference. I do walk for 10 minutes before doing any running to warm up a little and this is on a night. I am quite overweight though. Whats the best way to find my local running shop for some good advice on getting the right shoes as i have very wide feet too!

There's an Up & Running in Darlington which could be a good place to start.
 
Anybody here suffer from runners trots? Been getting it pretty bad since I have been running 10 miles or more.
Would like to run further but had few close calls last few runs :D
 
Just started a new years resolution blog - http://myrunningresolution.blogspot.com/

A meagre 120km for me from August-December having only started to get into it recently.

PB's so far however -

Been running 36.40 5 milers (8.6km) with an average pace of 4.30/km so I'm hoping in my next competition (Plymouth January Jaunt) I'll be able to pull out a 43minute 10 km.

I think your times, this early in your running career, are pretty respectable. You should be more than able to do a 43 min 10k in my opinion. Looking at your blog the main thing your running is missing is regularity.
 
Went to Up and Running today, unfortunately didn't find them very useful :(
Got the feeling the guy just wanted to flog me the most expensive stuff and leave unfortunately so i didn't bother purchasing anything. I did get put on the treadmill and found my feet roll inwards a lot though, and was told i needed extra support shoes - Take it that would mean looking at motion control / support branded? Also in 4E width apparently, but thats nothing new as iv always had massively wide feet!

They were crazy comfy though compared to what I'm normally running in, so it does lead me to believe shoes are part of my problem.
Were is the best place to pick some up? Im struggling to find my size (11 4E in support)
 
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Went to Up and Running today, unfortunately didn't find them very useful :(
Got the feeling the guy just wanted to flog me the most expensive stuff and leave unfortunately so i didn't bother purchasing anything. I did get put on the treadmill and found my feet roll inwards a lot though, and was told i needed extra support shoes - Take it that would mean looking at motion control / support branded? Also in 4E width apparently, but thats nothing new as iv always had massively wide feet!

They were crazy comfy though compared to what I'm normally running in, so it does lead me to believe shoes are part of my problem.
Were is the best place to pick some up? Im struggling to find my size (11 4E in support)

What did you try on?

Lots to consider here.
 
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