running without injury

[mileniwmffalcon]

i walk a lot, i like walking fast, and i've recently started to become curious about running. i don't even know it i can run - have never tried thanks to longstanding lack of physical confidence since school. but i think i might well enjoy the buzz. what puts me off most though is the prospect of injury.

i'm averagely fit - i walk several miles most days, do swimming and yoga in fits and starts. my core muscles are shot since dd2 (20mo) and my back's started to give me trouble recently.

so you can see i'm into low-impact stuff and i really don't want to risk any injury. is it possible to run completely safely? or will it always put undue strain on joints etc? does it inevitably take a toll over the long term? i seem to hear a lot about running injuries, but then when i hung out on hard core yoga boards there were lots of injuries there too.

if it makes any difference i live in town so most of the routes available would be tarmac.

tia

Maybe not that long - just a dull ache down the outside of your shins - I think it was because I hadn't done this kind of exercise before. Do not let it put you off - you may not get them.

I've been running regularly for 10 years now. I do have an iffy knee but I got that playing netball as a teenager and running hasn't worsened it at all. My back is actually improved when I run and only plays up when I don't go out.

Agree with the advice re decent shoes. I wear Asics, have tried others but these seems to suit me best. You can definitely save money by going for last season's model - usually they're just a different colour. These are a decent beginners shoes. I'd try some on at your local 'proper' sports shop first and get some advice.

Start slow - add a bit of running into your usual walks - and enjoy yourself.

running into usual walks unfortunately isn't an option as those involve either a pushchair or a toddler on my back. but i'm thinking as the evenings start to lengthen half an hour or so after dp gets in from work might be an option.

saucony was the other brand i was trying to remember!! I did a race on sunday and did an unofficial shoe audit at the start line while waiting to go and everyone seemed to be in asics, NB or Saucony.

I don't know how your nikes and addidas's compare but when i enquired in the running shop the guy said, somewhat sniffily, do you want them to look good or proper running shoes? saying that a lot of athletes seem to wear nikes ....

i clearly have too much time on my hands ...

yes the £65 ones I have just ordered are last years model/colour i.e exactly the same as the ones I bought last summer but half price!

i started out with couple laps round pond in park across the road this time last year (well, one lap at most first at the beginning) when DP got home - TBh was a great stress buster after day in with dc as was still on mat leave. Got really into it, surprisingly, after relised stress release and baby flab busting potential and now go 4 times a week when i can - 3 evenings when DP gets home and long run at the weekend - but childcare is the limiting factor, not my legs! start slowly and see how you get on - loads of people starting out in the parks this time of year.

yeah, it's all the runners we pass on our walks that got me thinking.

omg i just bought running shoes

this means i have to do it now, doesn't it...

six months ago i struggled to run for two minutes x 3, but now can do ten miles!
I go with a friend and we built the miles up slowly, every other day, no more.
I have struggled all my life with a bad back but it is just fine running, and i road run. And I broke my ankle three years ago. I have started to take the glucosamine and chondratin (sp?) cos my knees are a bit creaky after a run, and these are supposed to be the business!

Be slightly warey of specialist running shops. The people who work there are not always as expert as you might hope. I was sold the wrong pair of shoes after a gait analysis, and ended up with plantar fasciitis and no running for four months. It was the Physio who treated my injury that gave me a correct gait analysis, and whilst she couldn't recommend me a specific shoe, she was able to point me in the right direction. I wear Saucony Grid Stabil, which are motion control shoes for over-pronation, and have been fine since. Started very slowly and building up gradually is also vital if you want to avoid injury.

sorry to hear that bfwb. i guess my chances of getting the right shoe are somewhat improved having been to a specialist shop (versus a high street shop or just guessing myself) but i realise there are no absolute guarantees.

starting slowly: check. i think i'm going to start with the couch to 5k, but spread it out longer as i don't think i'll be able to fit in more than 2 sessions a week anyway. tbh ithought doing the treadmill in the shop 3 times was pushing it a bit

well done, you're off. I too strugled to run round our local pond this time last year and am now up to 10 miles and running in a marathon eek! It's amazing how it gradually builds up. You will hate it at first but once your stamina improves after a few weeks it will be much better - stick with it.

thanks so much to everyone on this thread - i did my first "run" this morning. i did the first session of the c25k with a podcast and much to my astonishment i (just!) managed the whole thing

thanks again for all your enthusiasm and support - i hold you lot entirely responsible for getting me off my arse

oh and btw my shoes are fab, unbelievably comfortable.