I am going to give a few updates on things I have recently purchased and am actually using. Also, a few questions about Yoga - please send me your thougths.
Breaking in my new shoes - Brooks Pure Connect
In my last blog I mentioned that I had bought a pair of Brooks Pure Connect shoes (Minimalist Running Shoes). Well, they came in the mail late last week. I have been trying to follow some on-line wisdom for breaking them (and me) in.
Most of the warnings about making the change to a Minimalist shoe are related to the BIG change from heel striking to mid-foot landing. I have found this to be quite true.
The first day I ran only about 10 minutes, and tried to keep my pace easy. They felt really odd to me, but when I started to concentrate on why - it was just the fact that my foot was landing underneath me, not in front of me, and I was mostly landing mid-foot. They make you feel a bit like a ballerina.
The second day I upped it from 1 mile to 2 miles, and the third day I did three miles. I have a 5K this Saturday, so I want to stick with that distance. Today's 3-miler was also an interval run, so I really got to hit the throttle and see how things work. The prancing feeling was amplified, but it wasn't anything that I couldn't deal with. I don't see any affect on my speed or effort, and may be seeing it actually a bit easier.
One recommendation that I found very valuable - the foot massage. I have been working the arches of my feet about three times a day. Easy to do - anytime you are sitting around (maybe not during a meal ...). So far the massages have been helping with any pain or stiffness.
New Blue Tooth Head Phones: GOgroove AudioACTIVE Wireless Headset
Got my new Blue Tooth wireless headphones today. So far they have been working quite well with my MotoACTV GPS Wristwatch and MP3 Player. Had a little trouble to start with, mostly getting them to sync, and now I seem to have to sync them everytime I use them. Very comfortable and easy to use with the MotoACTV. I had a pair of Motorola SD10-HD Blue Tooth headphones, but they stopped working. I think the battery is shot/defective/not working at all. Took these new GOgrooves for a run the last three days in a row, and NO PROBLEMS.
Yoga Anyone? As a Cross Training Activity?
I keep seeing articles on-line and in magazines about the benefits of Yoga as a Cross-Training idea. Please send me your thoughts. I have a local Yoga studio that I have never tried.
Have any of my readers given it a try?
Is it true that Yoga is good for a runner's breathing?
Is Yoga a good way to improve and strengthen the core?
Do any of you know the difference between Yoga and Bikram Yoga?
As always - thanks to everyone for reading my Blog!
Stu
Hello Stu
ReplyDeleteMy name Karen a friend of Rebecca's and she passed on your blog to me. I too am a runner and just completed my 18th marathon out in New York. I enjoyed the course, felt great actually most of the way but just couldn't hang on that last mile. Finished in 4:02 missing Boston by just 2 minutes. I was really bummed.
To answer your questions though...I do lots of yoga. It's helped with flexibility tremendously and I believe injury prevention.
Hope that helps.
Also I have bee mulling over going to a minimalist show but not sure where to start. Possibly a little lighter weight than what I use now. I am running in a brooks glycerin. I have metatarcel pads in as we'll but may be ready to remove? I M a toe runner so started experiencing foot pain and the pads were the solution. Anyhow...any thoughts?
Thanks Stu
Karen
Hi Karen - thanks for commenting.
DeleteI make the switch about a week ago, and have really started to put on the miles with the Brooks PureConnect. I have found that knee problems and pain are starting to diminish, however the break in period isn't over for me yet. I am trying to stay on the balls of my feet, and I use a metronome to keep me at 180steps per minutes. I am experiencing lower ankle pain, but not injuries, and my groin is a little tight/sore, but loosens up after I get moving in my following run. I did 6.5 miles today (lots of distance for me...) and I feel pretty good. I think you just have to take it easy getting started. Check out some of the educational videos on the "born to run" web site. There is a discussion about the wider toe box, and why it is better for your foot. Stu