Running shoes

[Timmy Boy]

I want to start running to improve my fitness for MA. I'm told that you need proper running shoes if you don't want to trash your joints. However, stupid as this sounds, I can't find my running shoes anywhere in the house for some reason and I don't want to use this as an excuse not to do it - I've made enough already lol. If I only run on grass, is it really important to have proper running shoes?

[Mitch]

Depends on lots of things, but long term I think it's important yes. Nothing to stop you doing a bit now then picking some up in the sales in the next week or two though.

Mitch

[rivend]

That will be your most important choice the correct shoe. Please take into consideration your history of any ankle problems you may have had. And also make sure you have have a good lateral rear stability shoe with good all around good shock absorption.

[benkei]

I'll say yes, you can go barefoot, build up your distances slowly and get a pair of vibram five fingers instead :)

[Timmy Boy]

Cheers for the responses guys, I bit the bullet and ordered a new pair lol.

[mkultra]

I also do something called Parkour, which is closely related to free running.

KO shoes are great for running.
http://www.knowobstacles.com/services.html

And so a Five Tens:
http://fiveten.com/

These shoes are the best shoes you will ever destroy. :)

[Sandy]

Your choice is important to avoid injury! The key thing is to get the right shoes for your running style:

www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/content/content.jsp?contentId=content1104#pronation

www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/running-shoe-guide-for-du.shtml

The better, running-focussed shops should be able to help analyse your gait to make sure you buy the right pair.

[Sandy]

Hi again. Another key consideration is what sort of running you do. I highly recommend Fighting Fit magazine (which WH Smiths sell) for brilliant advice and info:

www.fightingfitmagazine.com :cool:

For example, long steady runs will increase your overall endurance. They won't necessarily improve your fitness for martial arts, which requires bursts of explosive energy. Whereas hill running or interval training may provide more relevant improvements in fitness.

This month's Fighting Fit includes an article about the type of running that Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan used to great effect in training.

[rivend]

I personally like asics brand they really feel good on your feet

[simon s]

I recommend going along to somewhere like your local sweatshop, which you should be able to find here (http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/).

Before I bought any running shoes they put me on a treadmill and filmed me running. The clip was then played back frame by frame and they could see clearly if I was pronating or supinating upon landing. With this information they could prescribe the correct shoes for my running style.

Once fitted you go back on the treadmill and get filmed again.

I paid £80.00, which may seem a lot, but when I saw what angle my ankle was at with my own shoes, well it was worth it.

My tip based on what I tried that day, do not go for what you think is the most comfortable, get fitted.

[Timmy Boy]

I personally like asics brand they really feel good on your feet

As it happens, I ordered some Asics and took them out for a run this morning!

Cheers for the info guys!

[kingc699]

I got the Asics Gel kayano just last week very good running shoe