Fatness Be Gone

[Laetitia]

I had a really bad experience with Nike running shoes that severely messed up my feet for a few weeks (metatarsal stress fractures in both feet).  Their soles wear out quickly, so be careful.  Asics are good.

Thanks - I'd heard that about the soles, but do a mix of sand/gravel trail and asphalt through the spring and summer, so figured that would buy some time over concrete running. Before the metatarsal stress fractures, what pressure points did you notice with the Nikes?

As for the shoes, I'm not so sure about them. Laced 'em up for an easy run today, with mixed results.
Left foot - very happy.
Right foot - not so much.
By 2.5 miles, I'd noticed the beginning of pain - no, ache - midfoot. The area under my right toes felt lumpy, where my left foot fit perfectly into the form of the shoe. Stopped around 3 miles, and relaced the shoes, with the loops at the top to keep my heel from slipping. That helped, but my right foot is more tender than it should feel after 4.5 of path.

I'm going to pop the orthotic (arch support) out of my Asics, and see if that works on a short run tomorrow. If not, I'll be heading back to the running store to switch out for the Asics 2140s. The shop has a guarantee, and I need to get the right shoes broken in, soonest. I have a 10k this weekend, which I can run in my older Asics, but the next half marathon is only two weeks away.

[Dylboz]

It's not the brand, it's the shoe. Each brand makes different models, and if you're not going to a store that knows what they're selling you and can fit you properly (not Foot Locker), then you need to do a lot of research before buying running shoes. I'm not a big runner, but a lot of folks I work with run marathons and stuff. This is what they say.

[Laetitia]

It's not the brand, it's the shoe. Each brand makes different models, and if you're not going to a store that knows what they're selling you and can fit you properly (not Foot Locker), then you need to do a lot of research before buying running shoes. I'm not a big runner, but a lot of folks I work with run marathons and stuff. This is what they say.

True. The local running store I do my shopping at is wonderful at fitting. I've tried on many, many shoes, and run a lot of parking lot laps. I make it difficult by having completely mismatched feet. The brand doesn't matter as much to me as having a good fit for my narrow heels, and enough room for my toes to spread out. The Asics are pretty consistent on that, which is why they were my first choice.

Another great reason for the local running store? The exchange policy.

[miamiballoonguy]

I gotta say...if I had the extra cash I'd spring for exercise shoes for my every day work pair.  I wear Skechers now - but they're not work or exercise shoes.  They're casual oxfords because I still have to stay dress casual, but on days where I stand on my feet for twelve hours I'm wishing I had some $150 pair of running shoes on.  Like today, I worked about 11 hours...my feet are screaming. 

Thank you to Joy for the heart rate info.  I'm really wanting to try and get some walking/jogging in.  I'm still way too fat to run, but even if I just put Muffin in the car and take him a few miles away to an area where there are nice, clean sidewalks and where there are people around.  Where I live isn't good...no neighbors or neighborhood so there's broken glass from squatters and delinquent teenagers partying and such.  Also, it's a good place to get murdered.   

Sketchers makes some really comfortable shoes.  Those are what I use when I'm entertaining and fixing computers.  I can go 12 hours and not feel a thing.  They are not the loafer kind, though.  They are the sneaker kind.  They make this all black one that looks like a cross between a sneaker and a dress shoe.  Very comfortable.  Not sure if they are made in women's style but if you get to a sketcher's store, you should check them out in the men's section then see if they have an equivalent woman's model.  You'll never get another workshoe as long as you live.  Best of all at the Sketchers outlet, you can get them for about $40 to $50 per pair.

I usually get them from the website.  I have a pair of slip-on sneakers that I wear when I'm not working most of the time because they're easy, and I've worn them to work (Ankle injury - foot was too swollen to get in regular shoes) and I think my feet STILL hurt at the end of the day.  That's another reason I want to weigh less, because I think if I'm thinner it won't be as hard on my body to stand like that and do the things I do at work, and be able to do other things like hiking and running and biking. 

I know about weight and the agony of the feet.  When I started wearing sketchers about seven years ago, my heel problems were severely lessened from the shoes.  After looking at the website, they actually have a female version of the shoes that I was talking about.  Just select the female gender, and all those shoes on the first page, the sneakers are the ones called women's Magnify, Women's D'lites - Delectable, and anything that looks similar.  Just look at the thickness of that heel.  It'll also give you 2 inches in height as well...  I use the men's version almost exclusively.  You won't regret it.  It's all about the padding in the heels.  If your lucky enough to live near a sketcher's outlet like I do, sometimes you can even get them at 3 pair for $100.00 or less sort of like a 3 for 2 deal. And they come in soooo many different colors, too. As far as exercising in concerned, just do it woman!  Don't make me drive 5 hours to tampa to get you to exercise!  (ok, maybe I am in a little bit of a zealot phase, but whatever)   Seriously, though, Set aside a couple of hours a day, 3 to 4 days a week, watch what you eat, and in a couple of months you will be where you want to be.

How do these look? 

http://www.skechers.com/shoes-and-clothing/women/styles/sneakers/product/d_lites-_extreme/bkw/

I checked out the "Delectable" ones, and the thing I didn't like is that they are slip-on sneakers - and being active, I know I'll lose a shoe and crack my head open falling down.  These look similar, but they have laces. 

Those look about right.  Give them a shot.  Once you break them in, I don't think that you will regret it. this is the type of 'comfy' everyday shoe. 

[miamiballoonguy]

miamiballoonguy: You might want to look into doing part of your trip along the C&O Canal trail.  You can take it from Washington, DC to Cumberland, MD.  It's not exactly straight, and it's obviously not going to be the easiest route (as there are dirt-only portions), but it's pretty scenic and there are camping areas along the way.  I biked it back when I was in Boy Scouts.  I think we did it in 5 or 6 days, and that wasn't a rough pace (184 miles).  We camped along the trail and went off into some of the towns we passed by to get food.

It looks like a nice trail, but I have to check with the adventure cycling maps to see if part of the C&O trail overlaps the trail that I will be using. But I'm not thinking about it yet...   First I've got to get into shape.  One thing at a time.

I had a really bad experience with Nike running shoes that severely messed up my feet for a few weeks (metatarsal stress fractures in both feet).  Their soles wear out quickly, so be careful.  Asics are good.

Well the pair that I have are OK.  It's my first pair.  I'll be checking out other shoes, and especially the asics.  It seems everyone likes them.  I've got the give them a try.

[freeAgent]

I had a really bad experience with Nike running shoes that severely messed up my feet for a few weeks (metatarsal stress fractures in both feet).  Their soles wear out quickly, so be careful.  Asics are good.

Thanks - I'd heard that about the soles, but do a mix of sand/gravel trail and asphalt through the spring and summer, so figured that would buy some time over concrete running. Before the metatarsal stress fractures, what pressure points did you notice with the Nikes?

As for the shoes, I'm not so sure about them. Laced 'em up for an easy run today, with mixed results.
Left foot - very happy.
Right foot - not so much.
By 2.5 miles, I'd noticed the beginning of pain - no, ache - midfoot. The area under my right toes felt lumpy, where my left foot fit perfectly into the form of the shoe. Stopped around 3 miles, and relaced the shoes, with the loops at the top to keep my heel from slipping. That helped, but my right foot is more tender than it should feel after 4.5 of path.

I'm going to pop the orthotic (arch support) out of my Asics, and see if that works on a short run tomorrow. If not, I'll be heading back to the running store to switch out for the Asics 2140s. The shop has a guarantee, and I need to get the right shoes broken in, soonest. I have a 10k this weekend, which I can run in my older Asics, but the next half marathon is only two weeks away.

It was about 9 years ago, but from what I remember there wasn't any particular trouble spot.  The whole sole just sort of went flat after maybe a month (I was running pretty hard 5 days/week doing 5k cross-country training).  It's quite possible that they've improved since then, but after screwing up about a half season of track in high school I'm not really that interested in trying them again.  That, and I don't run anymore.  After those Nikes, I went to a shoe store run by a Podiatrist and got some shoes that were amazingly comfortable/good that allowed me to start running again after only a few weeks (I think about 3 or 4).  I don't remember the brand, but it was nothing I've seen in other shoe stores.  After that I stuck to Asics and never had a problem.

[miamiballoonguy]

If anyone cares, I broke the 9 mile walking barrier tonight.  4 miles from a half marathon.  Almost there.

Here's the direct link to my post:

http://fatnessbegone.com/2009/03/22/i-broke-the-9-mile-walking-barrier-tonight/

[Laetitia]

If anyone cares, I broke the 9 mile walking barrier tonight.  4 miles from a half marathon.  Almost there.

Here's the direct link to my post:

http://fatnessbegone.com/2009/03/22/i-broke-the-9-mile-walking-barrier-tonight/

Way to go!

Reminds me - I'd better lace up my shoes and step up the mileage. Now that the weather is warmer, it's time to play catch up on my goal for 2009.

[Euler]

True. The local running store I do my shopping at is wonderful at fitting. I've tried on many, many shoes, and run a lot of parking lot laps. I make it difficult by having completely mismatched feet. The brand doesn't matter as much to me as having a good fit for my narrow heels, and enough room for my toes to spread out. The Asics are pretty consistent on that, which is why they were my first choice.

Another great reason for the local running store? The exchange policy.

I used to go with the Asics 20xx-21xx's but I switched over to NB 1220's because of the wider toe box.  I liked the Asics but my toes were a little crammed.

[miamiballoonguy]

True. The local running store I do my shopping at is wonderful at fitting. I've tried on many, many shoes, and run a lot of parking lot laps. I make it difficult by having completely mismatched feet. The brand doesn't matter as much to me as having a good fit for my narrow heels, and enough room for my toes to spread out. The Asics are pretty consistent on that, which is why they were my first choice.

Another great reason for the local running store? The exchange policy.

I used to go with the Asics 20xx-21xx's but I switched over to NB 1220's because of the wider toe box.  I liked the Asics but my toes were a little crammed.
[/quote]

One thing that I am noticing as I walk these longer distances is that you need VERY good padding in your shoes.  I'm experimenting with some gel inserts for my heels, and they help make things more comfortable. I'll be checking out some running shoe stores as my shoes are nearing replacement.  Maybe that will help a bit..

[Laetitia]

One thing that I am noticing as I walk these longer distances is that you need VERY good padding in your shoes.  I'm experimenting with some gel inserts for my heels, and they help make things more comfortable. I'll be checking out some running shoe stores as my shoes are nearing replacement.  Maybe that will help a bit..

Extra padding will help. Your stride may also change as you keep walking longer distance - gradual adjustments you make may lessen the heel strike. (I know it happens for runners.)

Changing up the surface you're walking on will help, too. Next time you're walking through the park, walk on the grass next to the sidewalk/path whenever possible. Just do a better job paying watching out for obstacles and holes hidden by grass/leaves than I do. I took a nose dive yesterday, when zoned out during a sidewalk to grassy shoulder transition. Luckily, the ground was still close to muddy from rain earlier in the week.

On a fun (& frugal) note, as you have less padding, your shoes will need less padding - you'll be able to save money on those inserts. 

[miamiballoonguy]

One thing that I am noticing as I walk these longer distances is that you need VERY good padding in your shoes.  I'm experimenting with some gel inserts for my heels, and they help make things more comfortable. I'll be checking out some running shoe stores as my shoes are nearing replacement.  Maybe that will help a bit..

Extra padding will help. Your stride may also change as you keep walking longer distance - gradual adjustments you make may lessen the heel strike. (I know it happens for runners.)

Changing up the surface you're walking on will help, too. Next time you're walking through the park, walk on the grass next to the sidewalk/path whenever possible. Just do a better job paying watching out for obstacles and holes hidden by grass/leaves than I do. I took a nose dive yesterday, when zoned out during a sidewalk to grassy shoulder transition. Luckily, the ground was still close to muddy from rain earlier in the week.

On a fun (& frugal) note, as you have less padding, your shoes will need less padding - you'll be able to save money on those inserts. 

I am not too sure how much my heel situation will improve without surgery.  I have bone spurs in my heel which will eventually have to be removed.  It's not too bad now.  But eventually, I will have to have a procedure to have that cleared up. 

I'm actually trying to improve my walking technique.  I've been trying to incorporate racewalking techniques, and I'm getting better at it, but it's not easy.  Keeping your leg straight until it passes under your body is one of the most painful things that you can do to your shins until you get it down right.  The racewalking has also improved my time.  Now I just have to get over the upper body soreness that goes with it, especially in the deltoids, shoulders and triceps.  Not to mention the literal pain in the ass it is(Really, my glutes are sore as hell).  Right now when I walk I feel like the old guy Tim Conway would play on the old carol burnett show.  The greatest thing about walking is that it uses all the leg muscles instead of the few that cycling isolates.

[Laetitia]

Picked up my race packet for the ING half marathon (Sunday). Am so excited - even though I don't expect to do terribly well. Allergies have hit me harder than usual this year.
Shooting for 2:10 or better, but will be happy with anything under 2:20.

Next week, I switch to cycling. Can't wait, as it will drop five pounds from my frame before the end of April, even with adding an average of 750 extra calories per day to my intake.

[Lindsey]

Picked up my race packet for the ING half marathon (Sunday). Am so excited - even though I don't expect to do terribly well. Allergies have hit me harder than usual this year.
Shooting for 2:10 or better, but will be happy with anything under 2:20.

Next week, I switch to cycling. Can't wait, as it will drop five pounds from my frame before the end of April, even with adding an average of 750 extra calories per day to my intake.

When you do cycling, how many miles do you do per day/week? 

[Dylboz]

You need to go at least 10 miles for it to be a serious workout. I have a friend who trained for this charity cycle race that's 107 miles, and she started out doing 10 miles a day, and went up - WAY UP- from there.