How NOT to Run 10km

by Bill Wallace on August 10, 2009

I’ve had a few good days getting back into the running and preparing for the C2S at the end of August.

Ran 6.5 km last Friday and 10km on Sunday. Friday was good. Sunday was “interesting”.

Sunday was good to get out and about but I had a brain leak and decided to remove my orthotics and run using the insoles the shoes came with. Why I did this I have no real idea. I was reading shoe reviews and I noticed that no-one mentioned orthotics. So then I thought “maybe I don’t need them.”

Okay you can stop laughing now!

The run itself was okay. Some arch and heel pain but I am weighing more than I’d like and it was 10kms. So I thought this just goes with the turf (if you’ll pardon the pun!). It wasn’t until I finished the run, took the shoes off that I realised it may not have been the brightest idea. I could hardly push the clutch in on the car at all. It was like very intense cramp.

The feet have calmed down now but it was an experience and I am due for another 6.5km tomorrow (Tuesday).

This issue with shoes is now bugging me. My Brooks GTS Adrenalin 8′s are still okay but probably a bit tight. So I looked for another set that might ease the pain. I bought a pair of Adidas but was wrongly fitted (size 9 when I am a size 7 1/2) and then some Brooks Dyads.

I seems choosing shoes is more art than science. I tried some Nike Air Pegasus+ 26 on Saturday and all the sales guy could say was “How do they feel?” A fair question but they’ll feel fine until you run between 2 – 5 kms. You can’t take them back then can you?

Choosing Shoes

  • How do you choose your shoes?
  • How long do they last?
  • Do you have a favourite pair? (The Nike Air Pegasus seems to have a huge fan base)

I’d be keen to hear your views. Maybe I’m overthinking it and should just stay with the Adrenalins. (And I can afford to lose a kilo or two!)

The 200 Sit Ups program has started with me completing Day 1 Week 1. Day 2 is tomorrow. What Steve has done with the iPhone app is really cool and worth the $2.49 I paid for it and I suppose it’ll help him buy a new pair of shoes eventually.

Oh, and I’ve also joined the ….. wait for it ….. World Running League (said with a degree of awesome echo)! This is though the Nike+ site and is a cool way to get running knowing you are part of a team competing against others. There are a few spots left so if you have the Nike+ equipment (that’s how the results are recorded) I think you can still register.

The scoring is like Premier League Football in the UK (or anywhere I think). You compete against a team and whoever runs the most kms in a week wins and earns 3 points. Same km and you share a point. It’ll be interesting to see how it goes. Good for motivation, I hope.

Another update in a couple of days.

Please let me know how you choose your running shoes …

  • http://ajhblog.wordpress.com Andrew(AJH)

    I run in Saucony shoes. I’ve tried a few brands but have now decided they are the ones for me. I rotate three pairs usually, and usually get between 600-800 kms out of a pair before retiring them.

  • http://www.billstrainingblog.com Bill Wallace

    Hi Andrew, Saucony’s huh? How did you decide on them? I mean a proper fit at the shop is one thing but running is something different. Were you confident when you purchased them that they would be okay or was it more “I hope they work now that I’ve bought them.”

  • http://www.exercise-rant.com grmforyou

    I just run in the evenings. and it works. mornings are a bit of a struggle to wake up. warm up etc…

    And my max is 5Kms. It works !!

    As for Office going people, I myself have an ebook which is a small practical guide to building a healthy office lifestyle. Its not about diet, those of you looking for a diet guide may not want to see this.

    Here’s the link to my ebook: http://www.exercise-rant.com/hol/healthyofficelifestyle.html

    Here’s my website for people who want to rant about their lack of time for exercise ! http://www.exercise-rant.com

    Happy Exercising/Ranting…whichever you have time for !!

  • http://www.1dumbgift.com/ Peter

    Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest.

  • http://www.art-du-bureau.com/ Brown

    Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?

  • http://www.magic-generics.com/ Kouba

    Hmm… I read blogs on a similar topic, but i never visited your blog. I added it to favorites and i’ll be your constant reader.

  • David

    My last two pairs of shoes were Nike Air Pegasus and I really liked those! But my latest pair of shoes were some off brand (can’t even really remember what they are) that were on sale. At first I wasn’t too sure about em, but they have worked very well. All that to say though, I will probably go back to Air Pegasus (or something similar) next time I buy shoes.

  • http://www.billstrainingblog.com Bill Wallace

    Hi Dave
    The Air Pegasus get a really good rap. I may ask around a bit more or even go to my favourite store who fits you properly and see how they come up. I think the guy at Sports Fever here is a podiatrist and is certainly a long distance runner, so a good source.
    Thanks for replying
    Bill

  • David

    I have also seen on the new Nike+ site, they have a shoe finder. How helpful that really is, I don’t know… But I think I will try it out and see what it comes up with.

  • http://www.rockyshoresresort.com/ Kouba

    Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.

  • http://www.digital-weight-loss.com Jeremy

    I am on my 5th or 6th pair of Nike Vomero Bowerman series and they just work for me. The key was going to a specialty running store (The Running Room) and getting the right shoe for my type of foot. I like some cushioning and these just work for me.

    Shoes are so personal and it is more art than science than you say – that is where a trained salesperson can really help. I want a runner to help me pick my shoes!

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