Running 5k

[shannonhinton0421]

Hiya, so I'm trying to get healthier and lose some weight. First time in my life I'm more bothered my health than my weight.
I know the weight will just come off naturally with eating right and moving my body. Anyway so I'm trying to run 5k. Today I ran 4k with no break and then 1k at the start and 1k at the end so I know I can do it. The issue I'm having is I run on my treadmill at home barefoot, it's the only way I'm comfortable and can run without feeling like I'm dying.

I've tried 3 different pairs of running trainers to run outside but I just struggle so much, my feet hurt and I hate it, I think when I run outside I'm also running too fast and not staying at consistent pace so naturally I'm getting out of breath faster.
To be honest I havnt ran outside for 3 weeks now so im hoping next time I try I might be better.

Has anyone got any tips to help me please? Recommend any good running shoes or anything I don't just want to be able to run bare foot on my treadmill. I run with socks that's it, crazy I know lol

There are a couple brands like vivobarefoot etc that are around that may help you feel like you're running bare foot outside? I don't know much about them or if they're good for you but one to research.

Well done on your running, I'm also working back up to 5k since being off. I love the mindfulness of it.

Running outside is hard because of the different terrain, hills and weather! Be kind to yourself, keep going :)

Have you been to a proper running shop and asked for their help - most will book you in and let you run on a treadmill/ around the shop etc ? Perhaps take along the shoes you’ve tried and ask them to suggest others. It may be some with very low ‘drop’ from front to back, wider, larger, with more padding etc.

I have not thank you I'll have a look what is in my local area

Hoka Cliftons! Love them! Will depend on your gait though.

Thank you so much! I think I am putting too much pressure on my self. Running outside is definitely more difficult

now I'd say that running outside is easier! I started off only running on the treadmill and now I can barely run a mile on one. You definitely need to go to a running shop, running in shoes compared to bare feet shouldn't hurt. Altras might suit you as they have zero heel drop so will be more like running barefoot.

Ohh that's a really good suggestion thank you x

You will be able to get away with running barefoot or in "barefoot" zero-drop shoes when you're only running short distances, and also if you're running on the treadmill (it's bouncier!) but you may start to struggle with joint issues if you transition to running outside in zero-drops, and up the distance.

I've read far too much literature on this and have been back and forth down the zero-drop route myself many times, but have come to the conclusion that I, like most people, are most likely to avoid injury in a neutral, cushioned shoe. Nothing too built up but nothing zero-droppy either.

Yes we were born to run barefoot, but the reality of it is most of us don't spend decades strengthening our feet and joints by walking barefoot from birth. So it's not a surprise that the zero-drop or barefoot route often leads to injury.

Try a classic shoe that works for most people, in half a size up from your normal shoes. Nike Pegasus or Brooks Ghost are good all rounders.
Hoka and Om are the Marmite of the shoe world, so perhaps best avoided as starting points.