Super Cats Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 12)

I start writing things down in my nutrition log when Im slipping too... I dont worry about Calories or anythign like that... I just write down what Im eating and when Im eating it for a few days...

Becomes pretty clear where you can make changes that way!!!

No fast food is an AWESOME starting point!

madkat - 2009-04-22 4:13 PM

D001 - 2009-04-20 10:34 PM

kaqphin - 2009-04-21 12:22 AM 1) You have to consciously think about what you are going to focus on BEFORE you start your run, not after - Madkats suggestions are spot on... you have to DELIBERATELY go  slower

 

2) If your shoes are giving your grief then you have the WRONG shoes.... do you know if you over or under pronate? Chances are you are wearing shoes that are not right for your natural biomechanics

3) I KNOW you hate docs but a podiatrist might be good for you...

 

 

The shoes may be an issue. I have Asics, but they're not the higher end. So I'm sure they lack some of the features that I may need to stabilize/cushion the knees and ankles....

I don't know if I over/under pronate.... Here's why: I'm flatfooted, and I tend to land more towards the side of my heel. But then, my ankle rotates out. (Therefore, my foot doesn't roll in.)

The ankle rotation.... Put your foot flat on the ground, then lift the heel up, and push the heel forwards and out towards the side, while leaving your forefoot/toes on the ground.... That's how I walk. (And why I end up with ankle problems.)

When I try to keep the ankle from rotating, I end up with knee pain....

Yeah, I'm a mess.

I'm totally flat-footed too. So flat-footed that my foot bends "the wrong way" when I walk, according to a podiatrist I saw once. I only saw him once because he told me I should stop running.

When I first started running, 7+ years ago, I went to Fleet Feet and got fitted with some "support" shoes, and have been using the same brand ever since. Not to say I haven't tried several different brands. I have, but I always wind up with the same shoes.

That helped a lot, but whenever I went over about 10 miles a week (which was pretty early on), I started having "niggling" pain in my left knee. Finally, I made an appt with a chiropractor that was recommended by my local running club. That was the best thing I've ever done. He fitted me for custom orthopedic inserts, and I haven't looked back since. I won't run without them. The best $175 I've ever spent.


As for the running stance, it was explained to me to imagine that you're basically falling forward, and that your leg just comes out to catch you.  That didn't make much sense to me, really. I imagine that I'm running from my hips and upper thighs, and when I land on my feet, my knees are slightly bent, and my feet are basically underneath me.  I'm a mid-sole stepper, but when I slow my pace down, I sometimes wind up being a heel-roller.

I was thinking of the drills I was taught when I went to a tri-club's track session a couple of years ago. They had us do some "hot pavement" drills... where you imagined the pavement was as hot as a skillet, and you had to keep your feet moving. That'll help you shorten up your stride for sure.

Actually all this talk of shoes is making me think it might be almost time for me to get some new ones... Im having some ankle and knee niggles recently which is making me wonder if its time for new shoes...

Or new orthotics (although they are pretty expensive as I get custom ones!)

Thats my theory on my knees etc too... I only had knee troubles AFTER I gained the weight...

I have got a bit lazy with my nutrition recently... mainly because I am not gaining... but Im not loosing either so I need to get stricter again!

hmm I think my orthotics will be good for another year then... they got drenched racing this year so Im beginning to wonder at what point Ive really done some damage....

Another consideration is they took my weight into account when making them and Ive lost quite a bit since then so in the next 6months (after Ive finished paying for the bike as everything is on hold until then) I probably should just go and get the whole thing re-done again... getting my feet plastered up was such a unique experience and all

I know you are meant to rotate running shoes... I tend to buy a new pair... break them in... then retire my old pair for other workouts like spin classes and strength sessions.... not ideal but if I was running further and more often I would definatley consider a second pair!

D001 - 2009-04-22 4:34 PM

madkat - 2009-04-22 2:03 AM OK, enough about fruit. I went for a slow 3 mile run this evening. It really helped work out the soreness from yesterday's run and Sunday's race.

I'm desperately trying to talk myself up about my long run tomorrow. I might need some help with that one. I'm a little worried that it will be long, and hot, and more like my last long run. I know I should be spending my energy on visualizing it being pleasant and successful. I'll work on that for the rest of the evening.

Fortunately, I'm working from home tomorrow, so I can pretty much go out whenever I want.  That'll help take the pressure off.  Maybe I'll get up and automatically get dressed in my running clothes. That way, I'll feel silly just sitting around in them.

I'm not a morning person, so I generally don't work out early.... But if you're not looking forward to the run, maybe automatically get dressed, like you suggested - and then go out and run! That way, you'll do it before you talk yourself out of it. ([sarcNot that I do this ever. LOL) Also, if you go early, it probably won't be as hot outside.... And then when you're done, you can come back here and tell us all about it. Actually, I've seen that some people take pictures along the way, and post them. That would be kind of cool. You could take pictures for us, and then post them, so we'd see what your run is like.

And if yuo committ to all of that then there is NO WAY you arent going for a run

For the non morning people (of which I am one)

1 - Do not committ to AM workouts more than a few times a week to start with

2 - have EVERYTHING laid out/packed up and ready to go the night before - if yuo have to do ANYTHING (like get breakfast out of the fridge) write yourself a note so you dont have to function in the morning

3 - Put your alarm away from the bed so you HAVE to get out of bed to turn it off

4 - Try to make your AM workouts the ones you enjoy the most so you are less likely to want to avoid them

5 - If yuo have ANY friends that might join you for a morning work out rope them in... harder to stay in bed if you know someone will be waiting for you

6 - If needed offer yourself a bribe... I always buy breakfast (healthy!) on the mornings I wake up so my bribe is I get some yummy toast made by someone else!

I wish I could help but clearly she HATES me because she hasnt been to visit for so long!

D001 - 2009-04-22 4:48 PM

madkat - 2009-04-22 2:13 AM I'm totally flat-footed too. So flat-footed that my foot bends "the wrong way" when I walk, according to a podiatrist I saw once. I only saw him once because he told me I should stop running.

When I first started running, 7+ years ago, I went to Fleet Feet and got fitted with some "support" shoes, and have been using the same brand ever since. Not to say I haven't tried several different brands. I have, but I always wind up with the same shoes.

That helped a lot, but whenever I went over about 10 miles a week (which was pretty early on), I started having "niggling" pain in my left knee. Finally, I made an appt with a chiropractor that was recommended by my local running club. That was the best thing I've ever done. He fitted me for custom orthopedic inserts, and I haven't looked back since. I won't run without them. The best $175 I've ever spent.


As for the running stance, it was explained to me to imagine that you're basically falling forward, and that your leg just comes out to catch you.  That didn't make much sense to me, really. I imagine that I'm running from my hips and upper thighs, and when I land on my feet, my knees are slightly bent, and my feet are basically underneath me.  I'm a mid-sole stepper, but when I slow my pace down, I sometimes wind up being a heel-roller.

I was thinking of the drills I was taught when I went to a tri-club's track session a couple of years ago. They had us do some "hot pavement" drills... where you imagined the pavement was as hot as a skillet, and you had to keep your feet moving. That'll help you shorten up your stride for sure.

I'm trying to picture how your foot bends, and all I keep thinking is, "Ow ow ow." I posted on the NC forum, to see if anyone can recommend a good shoe store. I'm definitely going to try that "hot pavement" drill! Thanks! Today, I did try to lean forwards a little. At some point, I realized that if I engage the core muscles, it made it easier. Tonight, the knee feels ok. (The ankles feel tweaky, but not really worse than they did yesterday.)... I'll get a better idea of everything tomorrow, when I wake up. (Oh wait. It's almost 3 AM. So I'll be waking up today, not tomorrow.)

Well since you are 'engaging the core muscles' - you might as well start looking at some core work to strengthen your core...

Supports your running, supports your cycling, supports your swimming... and just all round good for you for general health

Interesting question Dee - it definatley varies...

I LOVE to ride in the mornings... so when I do I find Im just used to morning workouts on the bike.

Swimming I find sometimes a bit challenging... my feel for the water seems to be all over the place in the morning... and the evening if Ive had a big day at work! (i like afternoon swims)

Running... umm well since this is never good I find it hard no matter what!

I will say make sure you have had a good dinner the night before... if yuo can stomach it a quick Hi GI snack pre workout is good... I havent really found anything my tummy can handle right before an AM workout yet! But if I find something I will let you know!

I'm not a morning person either except when on holiday, I love exploring new places while streets are quiet. Though at home, an early Sunday morning bike ride in Greenwich/Bedford (for you locals) is also worth getting up for.

I wonder if there are any evening Triathlons? Seems like a good idea for a really northern latitude. 
I'll be in Alaska in June (but not for anything sport related) it hardly gets dark there at all in June in mid-northern Alaska.