The Running Thread—2023

[camaker]

ATTQOTD: I can usually get a pretty good idea of whether a shoe will work for me or not just by trying it on in the store, walking around a bit and maybe taking a light jog outside the store to see how they feel under load. If they fail that test, they're eliminated immediately. For example, when I put on a pair of Hokas and try to walk around, it feels like I'm going to roll my ankle due to the supination in them. Not good. If they pass the in-store test, I'll try them out on 2 or 3 short runs at home to see how things feel. If I get any pain or discomfort through the stride chain (anywhere from hip to toes), they get eliminated.

Ultimately, what I've found is that the right shoe "just feels right" when I try it on. When I had to move away from my Brooks Glycerins, I looked at a number of other brands and models trying to stay in the neutral, high cushion category. Mizuno, ASICS, Saucony, Hoka, nothing felt quite right and the few models that passed the store test failed during the initial run test. I finally decided to branch out a little from the max cushion region and when I tried on the Brooks Ghost, it felt like my feet were home again. I've been in them ever since.

 

[PrincessV]

Ultimately, what I've found is that the right shoe "just feels right" when I try it on.

ATTQOTD: ^ That right there. I’ve worn lots of different types of shoes, ranging as far from each other as a Newton Gravity, to a Brooks Glycerin, to an Altra Torin. The commonality between every shoe that’s worked for me has been that I didn’t need to get used to it: it felt just right from the moment I put it on. I’ve tried MANY times to get used to a shoe that didn’t feel just right at first, and every time has been a failure. It would all be so simple if it was easy to find a shoe that feels right each time I need a new one, but there have been years when no model from any brand felt right - that’s why I stockpile, to get through the “lean” times when they hit!

 

[dis_or_dat]

@jmasgat - your words have really resonated with me. I've been pretty lucky with my running with no major issues, but these past few months I've been struggling a lot with an injury. I just thought it would creep up slowly. I get so jealous when I see others running 13+ miles LR - that used to be me!

ATTQOTD: I've been in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp. Unfortunately when a shoe is redesigned, it's been worse for me and I have to go looking for a new one. I like super cushioned shoes. @camaker what made you leave the glycerins? I used to be an Asics Nimbus gal but the last few iterations have been disastrous. Wave Riders and Ghosts have not been great either (not enough cushioning).

 

[mmm_texas]

ATTQOTD: One advantage I suppose of running in minimalist shoes is that, to meet that definition, they all should have pretty much the same feel (zero drop, wide toe box, etc.). So although I was concerned, it turned out that my forced move from Merrell Vapor Glove 3Ds to Xero Speed Force was almost like no change at all. That also means, though, that I can't offer any actual help with the original question....

 

[camaker]

@jmasgat - your words have really resonated with me. I've been pretty lucky with my running with no major issues, but these past few months I've been struggling a lot with an injury. I just thought it would creep up slowly. I get so jealous when I see others running 13+ miles LR - that used to be me!

ATTQOTD: I've been in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp. Unfortunately when a shoe is redesigned, it's been worse for me and I have to go looking for a new one. I like super cushioned shoes. @camaker what made you leave the glycerins? I used to be an Asics Nimbus gal but the last few iterations have been disastrous. Wave Riders and Ghosts have not been great either (not enough cushioning).

I had to leave the Glycerins because one of their model changes actually made them too soft and triggered my initial posterior tibialis issues. The basics of it turned out to be that I have an atypical amount of curvature in my right tibia that makes the posterior tibialis work harder than normal to pull the foot back into line to push off for the next stride. The x-ray they took when we were initially trying to diagnose the issue shows an extra lump of bone on the tibia at the muscle's attachment point where my body has worked to strengthen the hold. The Glycerin change apparently passed a "point of no return" where the cushioning allowed too much foot travel to the push off and was straining the muscle. We ended up fixing it the first time through a combination of adding a wedge of thermopolymer to my shoe insert that limits the foot travel along with moving to the Ghosts which aren't quite as cushioned.

 

[nancipants]

Question for the hive mind: Does anyone ever get a sore back while running? This is especially a question for all of you who wear sports bras. Today my middle back felt sore as soon as I started running. I powered through but had to stop a few times to stretch. I had this problem once before, but it was months ago, so I counted it as a fluke. I wasn't sure if it was my sports bra (I've worn this one before with no problems), my back being sore in general and my run exacerbating it, or other fun monthly issues making their presence known. I haven't changed anything significant while running lately. Whatever the cause, I definitely plan on stretching my back for the next few days, but was wondering if anyone had any specific advice. Thanks in advance!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Question for the hive mind: Does anyone ever get a sore back while running? This is especially a question for all of you who wear sports bras. Today my middle back felt sore as soon as I started running. I powered through but had to stop a few times to stretch. I had this problem once before, but it was months ago, so I counted it as a fluke. I wasn't sure if it was my sports bra (I've worn this one before with no problems), my back being sore in general and my run exacerbating it, or other fun monthly issues making their presence known. I haven't changed anything significant while running lately. Whatever the cause, I definitely plan on stretching my back for the next few days, but was wondering if anyone had any specific advice. Thanks in advance!

Do you do any strength training/core work? I haven't had any issues with the middle of my back, but my lower back used to hurt while I was running, and it was part of the same strength imbalance that made my knees hurt. PT eventually cleared that one up, and core and strength exercises keep the problem from recurring.

But while I think strength training is good for everybody, that doesn't mean your back is sore for the same reason. If it ends up being short-lived, then you're probably fine, but if not, maybe consider talking to a PT yourself.

 

[Bree]

Question for the hive mind: Does anyone ever get a sore back while running? This is especially a question for all of you who wear sports bras. Today my middle back felt sore as soon as I started running. I powered through but had to stop a few times to stretch. I had this problem once before, but it was months ago, so I counted it as a fluke. I wasn't sure if it was my sports bra (I've worn this one before with no problems), my back being sore in general and my run exacerbating it, or other fun monthly issues making their presence known. I haven't changed anything significant while running lately. Whatever the cause, I definitely plan on stretching my back for the next few days, but was wondering if anyone had any specific advice. Thanks in advance!

Is the pain right around the bra line? I get knots there every now and then and a little higher and can usually foam roll them out. I get them if I’m not watching my posture, sitting at a desk too long and from sometimes not keeping my upper body relaxed enough while running. Might be a good excuse for a massage

 

[nancipants]

Do you do any strength training/core work? I haven't had any issues with the middle of my back, but my lower back used to hurt while I was running, and it was part of the same strength imbalance that made my knees hurt. PT eventually cleared that one up, and core and strength exercises keep the problem from recurring.

But while I think strength training is good for everybody, that doesn't mean your back is sore for the same reason. If it ends up being short-lived, then you're probably fine, but if not, maybe consider talking to a PT yourself.

Um yeah, strength training, yeah, I TOTALLY do that. And core work. All the time. Yup. Haha.

(I really need to start doing that, and this might be the kick I needed. Thanks!)

Is the pain right around the bra line? I get knots there every now and then and a little higher and can usually foam roll them out. I get them if I’m not watching my posture, sitting at a desk too long and from sometimes not keeping my upper body relaxed enough while running. Might be a good excuse for a massage

Yes, right there! I'll try foam rolling.


Thanks for the replies. I received the most likely answer of why my back hurt during my last restroom break.

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

Yah! I am signed up to run the half--never ran Indy but hear the course is fairly flat and easy (I'll take it). Have you booked a hotel? I have no idea where to stay but want something close to start/finish line. Good luck with the training and races!

I'm doing the Monumental half for the first time too! We live within 45 mins of the start line. Looking forward to finally running it!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Hi. I'm new to this thread and still new to running. I started running again (after a 20 year hiatus) sporadically last summer, and then consistently starting in February. My first Disney race was the virtual Princess 5K this year which was enough of a challenge because I did not train very well for that one. As soon as I completed that (like seconds after finishing), however, I went online to see what was next. The next thing available virtually was the Springtime Surprise 10 miler, and in my runner's high, I thought why not. So I signed up, trained, and did it, though it was still very challenging for me but did feel better than the Princess 5k because I did what I needed to do leading up to the event. I have also completed the summer virtual series 5ks and just started training for the Wine and Dine 2 course challenge for this November. I then have the half for Marathon Weekend and all of the Princess races in February. I am unable to travel to the in-person events, but the virtual races are proving to be the motivation I need to keep going. And I am learning my body really loves running. I am not fast by any means, but I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment finishing long runs. I'm happy to see this thread and hope to become a better runner for having found it.

Sorry you can't make the races in person; there is nothing like it.
But kudos for doing this. I am a slow runner as well, but there is tremendous satisfaction in completing the races, regardless of how fast you are.
Good to hear that you are back into it. Enjoy

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I had to leave the Glycerins because one of their model changes actually made them too soft and triggered my initial posterior tibialis issues. The basics of it turned out to be that I have an atypical amount of curvature in my right tibia that makes the posterior tibialis work harder than normal to pull the foot back into line to push off for the next stride. The x-ray they took when we were initially trying to diagnose the issue shows an extra lump of bone on the tibia at the muscle's attachment point where my body has worked to strengthen the hold. The Glycerin change apparently passed a "point of no return" where the cushioning allowed too much foot travel to the push off and was straining the muscle. We ended up fixing it the first time through a combination of adding a wedge of thermopolymer to my shoe insert that limits the foot travel along with moving to the Ghosts which aren't quite as cushioned.

I hate when I find a good shoe, go to replace it with a subsequent version, and find they've changed it a lot.
Loved my Glycerins, until they changed...

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

So right before Memorial Day, I'm playing 1-on-1 in the driveway with my son and suddenly got a sharp burning pain in my right quads. I took a week off, thinking it would get better. I've tried to run a few times since then, but after a mile or so, encountered some serious pain.
After a lot of online reading, it sure sounded like meralgia paresthetica, a compression of the femoral nerve. So anti-inflammatories and a lot of extra stretching, but it still wasn't getting better. Got referred to an orthopedist who I was happy to see is a marathoner and triathloner. After scrutinizing x-rays, I was happy to have her tell me that she wasn't seeing any arthritis or joint issues. She is thinking that it may seem like the femoral nerve, but she thinks something in lower back is what is actually getting pinched. Today is the last day of prednisone and I get some PT on Tue. Apparently getting some PT is the key to then getting an MRI, if it still seems warranted.
It has been appx 7 weeks now of no running, and putting a few pounds back on, pounds that I fought hard to take off, and it has been driving me nuts.
So we'll see if the meds and PT do the job.
In the past I've recovered relatively quickly from anything pulled/strained/injured; this is new territory for me.
I'm not trying to sound whiney. My sympathies to others on this board who have been dealing with similar situations, especially those whose issues sound so much worse than mine. Thank you for reading.

 

[SheHulk]

So right before Memorial Day, I'm playing 1-on-1 in the driveway with my son and suddenly got a sharp burning pain in my right quads. I took a week off, thinking it would get better. I've tried to run a few times since then, but after a mile or so, encountered some serious pain.
After a lot of online reading, it sure sounded like meralgia paresthetica, a compression of the femoral nerve. So anti-inflammatories and a lot of extra stretching, but it still wasn't getting better. Got referred to an orthopedist who I was happy to see is a marathoner and triathloner. After scrutinizing x-rays, I was happy to have her tell me that she wasn't seeing any arthritis or joint issues. She is thinking that it may seem like the femoral nerve, but she thinks something in lower back is what is actually getting pinched. Today is the last day of prednisone and I get some PT on Tue. Apparently getting some PT is the key to then getting an MRI, if it still seems warranted.
It has been appx 7 weeks now of no running, and putting a few pounds back on, pounds that I fought hard to take off, and it has been driving me nuts.
So we'll see if the meds and PT do the job.
In the past I've recovered relatively quickly from anything pulled/strained/injured; this is new territory for me.
I'm not trying to sound whiney. My sympathies to others on this board who have been dealing with similar situations, especially those whose issues sound so much worse than mine. Thank you for reading.

I'm sorry, that sucks. Prednisone puts weight on, I hear. Hoping you are near the end of this particular journey. Yeah I'd lose my mind if I couldn't run for a significant period of time so I understand completely.

 

[LorrieAnn5]

QUESTION: Creatine for runners.

I've been taking creatine since October 2022. That was also the time that I amped up my strength training workouts to about 50 minutes 5 times a week. The focus was "power-building" and getting new maximum weights for the 3 main lifts. I was running only about twice a week.

Now that I am shifting my focus to prepare for Disneyland Half Marathon in January and a practice 10k in September I'll be running 3-5 times a week and dialing back my weightlifting to 20 minutes 3 times a week and I won't be going for any new max lifts.

Do runners use creatine?
Thanks for any advice/opinions.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Do runners use creatine?

A quick perusing through some scientific articles shows that creatine's use is limited in endurance running. It's more useful for sprinting. There didn't seem to be many meaningful benefits to performance in endurance running. There may be some benefits to recovery after a very hard race performance based on one paper I saw.

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000223532900002
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000379371900015
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000332153100029
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000233521800002

 

[avondale]

A quick perusing through some scientific articles shows that creatine's use is limited in endurance running. It's more useful for sprinting. There didn't seem to be many meaningful benefits to performance in endurance running. There may be some benefits to recovery after a very hard race performance based on one paper I saw.

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000223532900002
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000379371900015
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000332153100029
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000233521800002

I used to use creatine some for lifting, but stopped when I got more into running and tennis. For running, I do take BCAAs before and after runs. When I started doing this, I did it based on some actual research into the benefits but it's been years, so I don't remember what I read. Probably you can Google something pretty quickly.

 

[GreatLakes]

I do take creatine but not for running. As @DopeyBadger pointed out any benefit would likely be for sprinting, not endurance. I take it for the gym which does benefit my running indirectly. There is some early research indicating there may be some cognitive benefits of creatine use which is more pronounced in vegetarians/vegans but if you are looking for a supplement to help with endurance I don't think creatine is it for you.

 

[Bree]

Creatine is geared more towards heavy lifting. My husband uses it as a powerlifter.

I use two products to aid with recovery.

I use these amino acids. They are available on Amazon, but I can usually get them for a better price through my doctor’s office. They are vegan which is important to me since I have an egg allergy.



The other product I use is BPC-157 which is an injectable peptide.

 

[kps7795]

A quick perusing through some scientific articles shows that creatine's use is limited in endurance running. It's more useful for sprinting. There didn't seem to be many meaningful benefits to performance in endurance running. There may be some benefits to recovery after a very hard race performance based on one paper I saw.

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000223532900002
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000379371900015
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000332153100029
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000233521800002

I thought that you might find this article interesting. The authors note that there is conflicting data as it pertains to endurance athletes, but some of their findings lead me to believe that creatine might help runners. Section 3.4 addresses endurance athletes specifically.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8228369/