Running/exercise advice

Agree with the advice to get proper trainers. Running always hurt my knees til someone explained about pronation and suppination and that can cause you problems with knees etc.

Check the wear on your shoes - you will find that one side is worn more than the other because your feet dont hit the ground flat. This when running in trainers can cause problems so getting trainers that can correct the pronation/suppination will make life a lot easier.

I got some adidas trainers which correct this and my knees have been fine since Ive started using them.

Wow...I didnt expect this kind of reply. Thanks for all of the advice, I'm starting off slowly and can run about 1.5miles in 12 minutes or so and am going to build it up from there. I'm only 24 so with youth on my side I wasn't that unfit to start with . I'm running in trainers at the moment but not proper running ones so I'll get some proper ones and give those a go.

Thanks again for all the help.

I don't know how old you are / previous experience levels etc, but I would just second most of what has been said above. Shin splints (the term can cover a few different problems) is a classic sign of too much too soon. It is caused as much by the movement of your foot during the gait cycle as much as by the actual hard impact of hitting the ground. So if you can get to a proper running shop and get some shoes that suit your style.
It's not a good idea to try and run through Shin splints. They seem to build up and up , so that what was a minor ache when running turns into a pain / tenderness that just doesn't go away.

Most brands are OK if you get a model that suits you. Asics, Saucony, New Balance etc. wouldn't really recommend Nike though.

Running for anything other than 'for cover' is just wrong in my opinion. In fact - I'm finding that even walking is over-rated!

It depends where you run to which trainers are going to be best for you.

If you are going to run on a lot of tarmac and pavement then get light road running trainers, like the Asics etc, i used a pair of Nike air something for that with no trouble at all. They actually do some good road trainers once you look past the fassion ones. If you are like me and have soft skined feet than make sure the insloe is flat inside and does not come up the inside of the curve of the foot. Otherwise you can get horrible blisters. I will only buy trainers with a flat insole that does not come up the inside anywhere in the trainer.

If you are going to run on grass and off road X-country type ground then forget the road trainers, You will find the lack of grip causing your body to overcompensate and try to find grip, leading to injury.

I do a lot of X-counry through woodland dirt tracks etc and have a pair of Hi-tec X-county trainers, light warterproof and very well cushioned. the insloe is made from a material that moulds itsself to your foot shape.If you intend to run in winter you will need either very light easy drying trainers or warterproof ones. trust me running with wet socks is no fun and can lead to blisters again as they bunch up and rub. your choice of surface will determine the type of trainer used again.

I have a pair of Nike's for road running.

You could have shin splits, normally caused by doing too much in a short space of time. although a lot of people feel pain and jump to the wrong conclusion. If it is rest and let the mussles recover and get stronger. it could also be that your body is getting use to the strain of going from nothing to lots of exersise. Make sure you strech off before and after a run, plenty of leg and groin stretches. dont go to fast or too far to start. try a couple of milles and add about 10% every week to the distance. not only will staring off slow aid your stamina it will allow your body to get use to it. you will only need about 3 runs a week to keep fit, and trust me you will need rest days when first starting. After about a month run the same route you done and you will notice it is eaiser to do you feel less tired and you will be quicker.

hope it goes well for you

I'll do most of my running on tarmac, the rest of my body (lungs, thighs, feet, etc) doesnt seem to be that tired after a run and I'm pretty much fully recovered after about 10 mins. Its just my shins that hurt (its only a little bit) and they are Ok as soon as I stop.

Originally Posted by andyb

Wow...I didnt expect this kind of reply. Thanks for all of the advice, I'm starting off slowly and can run about 1.5miles in 12 minutes or so and am going to build it up from there. I'm only 24 so with youth on my side I wasn't that unfit to start with . I'm running in trainers at the moment but not proper running ones so I'll get some proper ones and give those a go.

Thanks again for all the help.

That's 8 minute miling - not bad at all!!!! Equates to a sub 1.45 half marathon - impressive.

Originally Posted by Ed

That's 8 minute miling - not bad at all!!!! Equates to a sub 1.45 half marathon - impressive.

8 min miling is good for a steady pace long distance run. I have managed to get my 1.5 mile time down to 8.56 at 28 I think that is good. That is best effort army fitness test though. I know I could not keep that going mile after mile though, maybe 2 max LOL.

The pass grade for males in the army is 10.5 min mile in a half min. age 16-30; 30-35 is 11min can’t remember after that what the time allowed is.

Originally Posted by Ed

That's 8 minute miling - not bad at all!!!! Equates to a sub 1.45 half marathon - impressive.

very good

i normaly do 6 miles in just under 60 mins (on the treadmill)

at differant speeds from 9kph upto 20kph