Running - shoes and boll*cks advice?!!
Discussion
Ok so I have been an on/off runner for several years, this Jan I set myself a target to become a regular runner with two main aims -
1) to lose weight and improve my confidence
2) to be in the best shape of my life by the time I am 40
With that in mind I have been out nearly every other day and have got over the ‘hump’ and no enjoy getting out, it helps we live in the countryside to scenery is beautiful and this weather is superb; if not a little too hot!
So my shoes need replacing, I have a set of Karrimor shoes I bought about 6 years ago, they are ok and not falling apart, but my toes are a bit scrunched up and feel an upgrade might be due. Now I don’t think I am at the stage where I need to have gate analysis or anything but could someone recommend a good shoe for road running? My wife just bought a pair of Under Armour running shoes which look nice and are super lightweight, she is really pleased with them.
Secondly I noticed a dull ache in my right testicle, only seems apparent when running, a good examination has suggested nothing sinister going on but it’s not very comfortable and wondered if this was a ‘normal’ thing for male runners?
Cheers in advance
Si
1) to lose weight and improve my confidence
2) to be in the best shape of my life by the time I am 40
With that in mind I have been out nearly every other day and have got over the ‘hump’ and no enjoy getting out, it helps we live in the countryside to scenery is beautiful and this weather is superb; if not a little too hot!
So my shoes need replacing, I have a set of Karrimor shoes I bought about 6 years ago, they are ok and not falling apart, but my toes are a bit scrunched up and feel an upgrade might be due. Now I don’t think I am at the stage where I need to have gate analysis or anything but could someone recommend a good shoe for road running? My wife just bought a pair of Under Armour running shoes which look nice and are super lightweight, she is really pleased with them.
Secondly I noticed a dull ache in my right testicle, only seems apparent when running, a good examination has suggested nothing sinister going on but it’s not very comfortable and wondered if this was a ‘normal’ thing for male runners?
Cheers in advance
Si
SiT said:
Ok so I have been an on/off runner for several years, this Jan I set myself a target to become a regular runner with two main aims -
1) to lose weight and improve my confidence
2) to be in the best shape of my life by the time I am 40
With that in mind I have been out nearly every other day and have got over the ‘hump’ and no enjoy getting out, it helps we live in the countryside to scenery is beautiful and this weather is superb; if not a little too hot!
So my shoes need replacing, I have a set of Karrimor shoes I bought about 6 years ago, they are ok and not falling apart, but my toes are a bit scrunched up and feel an upgrade might be due. Now I don’t think I am at the stage where I need to have gate analysis or anything but could someone recommend a good shoe for road running? My wife just bought a pair of Under Armour running shoes which look nice and are super lightweight, she is really pleased with them.
Secondly I noticed a dull ache in my right testicle, only seems apparent when running, a good examination has suggested nothing sinister going on but it’s not very comfortable and wondered if this was a ‘normal’ thing for male runners?
Cheers in advance
Si
Karrimor are the cheap end of the market, I don't think anyone would recommend them if you'r doing a fair bit of running. There are loads of manufacturers and everyone has their favourite, I stick with Asics because I've never had any problem with them and when you're presented with a list of 400 different shoes I find it easier to start by restricting to one make.1) to lose weight and improve my confidence
2) to be in the best shape of my life by the time I am 40
With that in mind I have been out nearly every other day and have got over the ‘hump’ and no enjoy getting out, it helps we live in the countryside to scenery is beautiful and this weather is superb; if not a little too hot!
So my shoes need replacing, I have a set of Karrimor shoes I bought about 6 years ago, they are ok and not falling apart, but my toes are a bit scrunched up and feel an upgrade might be due. Now I don’t think I am at the stage where I need to have gate analysis or anything but could someone recommend a good shoe for road running? My wife just bought a pair of Under Armour running shoes which look nice and are super lightweight, she is really pleased with them.
Secondly I noticed a dull ache in my right testicle, only seems apparent when running, a good examination has suggested nothing sinister going on but it’s not very comfortable and wondered if this was a ‘normal’ thing for male runners?
Cheers in advance
Si
Someone else will probably be along soon and say Nike or Adidas or Brooks are the mutts nuts!
You need to buy them about a size bigger than you normally wear - your toes shouldn't be scrunched up!
I've not had aching balls, but Google "run ache testicle" gives lots of results so it must be more people than you have it.
I pick my pants like my wife picks a sports bra when I go running because I've had achy balls after running. Nice and tight to keep everything from bouncing around, seems to help.
Sightly OT but I ended up with a serious ache in one of my balls immediately after my daughter was born. I assume it got tugged about when I was too busy with everything else going on. Felt pathetic when my wife was recovering from childbirth but it was very uncomfortable for a few days!
Sightly OT but I ended up with a serious ache in one of my balls immediately after my daughter was born. I assume it got tugged about when I was too busy with everything else going on. Felt pathetic when my wife was recovering from childbirth but it was very uncomfortable for a few days!
I'd go with the previous advice and stick to one brand and then try a few different versions on. You will need to go up half to a full size.
Try them on on the afternoon, after your feet have swelled a bit.
Never had a problem down there...Had joggers nipple, joggers knee, joggers tendonitis. But joggers nut is a new one!!
( I would get it checked out if it doesn't fade away after a couple of weeks - but you probably need some close fitting pants.)
Well done for getting out there and getting started with running - its great!
Try them on on the afternoon, after your feet have swelled a bit.
Never had a problem down there...Had joggers nipple, joggers knee, joggers tendonitis. But joggers nut is a new one!!
( I would get it checked out if it doesn't fade away after a couple of weeks - but you probably need some close fitting pants.)
Well done for getting out there and getting started with running - its great!
I agree with all of this.
Get some better trainers than Karrimor. Try sportsshoes.com as they usually have pretty good deals. Go up half a size if your current ones feel a bit small - I’m usually a 9.0-9.5 in regular shoes but generally a 10.5 in running shoes. If you’re not doing massive mileage yet, don’t worry too much about the exact shoes you get although try to get neutral if you are a neutral runner, etc.
So, for example, ASICS Gel Pulse are a lot cheaper than ASICS Gel Nimbus but should have a similar fit. Once you’ve found a brand you get on with, it’s easy to stick with it,
On the testicles point, I find I get that if I run without supportive pants. I’ve always assumed it’s the nuts banging around against each other. But running with proper running shorts with the mesh lining keeps them in place and I don’t get aches. A bit like wearing padded shorts on a bike ride.
Get some better trainers than Karrimor. Try sportsshoes.com as they usually have pretty good deals. Go up half a size if your current ones feel a bit small - I’m usually a 9.0-9.5 in regular shoes but generally a 10.5 in running shoes. If you’re not doing massive mileage yet, don’t worry too much about the exact shoes you get although try to get neutral if you are a neutral runner, etc.
So, for example, ASICS Gel Pulse are a lot cheaper than ASICS Gel Nimbus but should have a similar fit. Once you’ve found a brand you get on with, it’s easy to stick with it,
On the testicles point, I find I get that if I run without supportive pants. I’ve always assumed it’s the nuts banging around against each other. But running with proper running shorts with the mesh lining keeps them in place and I don’t get aches. A bit like wearing padded shorts on a bike ride.
Yep without coming across all gearist - it really is all about the gear.
You don't need to spend lots of money, but it should be running-specific and fit you well. These days I am largely head-to-toe in Kalenji, as Decathlon make really good kit that is very well priced. Get some close fitting pants and proper stretchy shorts and your undercarriage will thank you forever.
For your shoes, I would disagree that you don't yet need a gait analysis. You only need it done once but there really is no substitute for somebody who knows what they're doing to take a look at the way you run. You definitely shouldn't do what I did, which was to wait until I'd actually injured myself before bothering to go and get it done. Of course correlation isn't causation, but I used to get lots of knee pain (classic ITB-strain stuff) which completely vanished once I'd had my stride properly looked at. And this was running less than 10 miles a week so not exactly huge distances.
You don't need to spend lots of money, but it should be running-specific and fit you well. These days I am largely head-to-toe in Kalenji, as Decathlon make really good kit that is very well priced. Get some close fitting pants and proper stretchy shorts and your undercarriage will thank you forever.
For your shoes, I would disagree that you don't yet need a gait analysis. You only need it done once but there really is no substitute for somebody who knows what they're doing to take a look at the way you run. You definitely shouldn't do what I did, which was to wait until I'd actually injured myself before bothering to go and get it done. Of course correlation isn't causation, but I used to get lots of knee pain (classic ITB-strain stuff) which completely vanished once I'd had my stride properly looked at. And this was running less than 10 miles a week so not exactly huge distances.
It's also worth looking for last year's model of shoe to get a good price.
Something like New Balance 860 or Nike Pegasus Zoom have been around for years (now on v10 and 36 (imminently 37) respectively I think), so most years are minor tweaks on the previous. If you get the slightly older one you can save a lot.
Nike online store is offering 60 days free return at the moment, and for the Pegasus Zoom at is cheaper than other stores right now.
Something like New Balance 860 or Nike Pegasus Zoom have been around for years (now on v10 and 36 (imminently 37) respectively I think), so most years are minor tweaks on the previous. If you get the slightly older one you can save a lot.
Nike online store is offering 60 days free return at the moment, and for the Pegasus Zoom at is cheaper than other stores right now.
Edited by YellowCar on Monday 1st June 16:49
I do think gait analysis is well worth it - go to a running shop which videos you running on a treadmill and then slows down the video replay so you can see exactly how your foot is landing.
But where can you get that at the moment? I thought all running shops were closed at the moment.
But where can you get that at the moment? I thought all running shops were closed at the moment.
I had some Aasics Gel Kayano’s which I used for my marathon, but found that they were causing me issues for my left knee. Had a gait analysis done for these in a DW sports, but still weren’t right.
It took a good couple of years to recover/rehab it before I could run more than a couple of miles without pain.
Replaced the Aasics with a pair Saucony Freedom ISO’s after a gait analysis in a runners need store, also tried some Brooks. Have run half marathon distance in these and far far better for my knees/legs.
TL:DR - get a gait analysis done at a proper shop, and try more than one brand
It took a good couple of years to recover/rehab it before I could run more than a couple of miles without pain.
Replaced the Aasics with a pair Saucony Freedom ISO’s after a gait analysis in a runners need store, also tried some Brooks. Have run half marathon distance in these and far far better for my knees/legs.
TL:DR - get a gait analysis done at a proper shop, and try more than one brand
Zigster said:
I do think gait analysis is well worth it - go to a running shop which videos you running on a treadmill and then slows down the video replay so you can see exactly how your foot is landing.
But where can you get that at the moment? I thought all running shops were closed at the moment.
non Essential retail opens 2 weeks. So OP can wait.But where can you get that at the moment? I thought all running shops were closed at the moment.
Does sound like the OP needs trail shoes though. Friend of mine swears by Inov8
All really useful advice so thank you to everyone, perhaps I will need to get a gait analysis done in that case. I also have an opportunity through work to save 40% on Under Armour and having watched/read a few reviews of their products, found they seem to attract quite favourable verdicts.
I may order up a set of them for the time being given that I can save quite a chunk, see how I go and when the shops are back open then get in to a running shop and have gait analysis done.
The aching has improved a touch and reading the post above about buying boxers like a woman buys a sports bra, reminded me that several years ago I completed a Tough Mudder. I bought various bits of kit for that one being a pair of Nike Dri-Fit running boxers. I only wore them once so have just dug them out and am literally about to head out for a run now before it gets too hot out.
Will report back!
Si
I may order up a set of them for the time being given that I can save quite a chunk, see how I go and when the shops are back open then get in to a running shop and have gait analysis done.
The aching has improved a touch and reading the post above about buying boxers like a woman buys a sports bra, reminded me that several years ago I completed a Tough Mudder. I bought various bits of kit for that one being a pair of Nike Dri-Fit running boxers. I only wore them once so have just dug them out and am literally about to head out for a run now before it gets too hot out.
Will report back!
Si
So good news, the compression shorts/boxers really helped and I felt a lot more comfortable so pleased about that.
I have made a few enquiries around gait analysis and I am a little confused -
One shop has told me I need an initial consultation which will cost £55 and take around an hour plus whatever shoe on top.
Runners Need website says that gait analysis is free and takes about 15mins.
So are the above two different things or is someone trying to make a bit more money out of me?
Si
I have made a few enquiries around gait analysis and I am a little confused -
One shop has told me I need an initial consultation which will cost £55 and take around an hour plus whatever shoe on top.
Runners Need website says that gait analysis is free and takes about 15mins.
So are the above two different things or is someone trying to make a bit more money out of me?
Si
SiT said:
So good news, the compression shorts/boxers really helped and I felt a lot more comfortable so pleased about that.
I have made a few enquiries around gait analysis and I am a little confused -
One shop has told me I need an initial consultation which will cost £55 and take around an hour plus whatever shoe on top.
Runners Need website says that gait analysis is free and takes about 15mins.
So are the above two different things or is someone trying to make a bit more money out of me?
Si
No self respecting independent running shop will charge you for gait analysis. It shouldn't take an hour either. I'd say the "analysis" will take 15 minutes topsI have made a few enquiries around gait analysis and I am a little confused -
One shop has told me I need an initial consultation which will cost £55 and take around an hour plus whatever shoe on top.
Runners Need website says that gait analysis is free and takes about 15mins.
So are the above two different things or is someone trying to make a bit more money out of me?
Si
1) "run" on a treadmill for 30 seconds.
2) review footage.
3) suggest a range of suitable shoes (neutral or supportive).
4) try each pair on and run on the treadmill for 30 seconds in each.
5) review footage. Choose the most comfortable.
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