I began training for the New Las Vegas Half Marathon by using a run/walk program from the back of a book a highly recommend ‘Marathoning for Mortals’ By John Bigham and Jenny Hadfield and found a great group of people on the las vegas message board and ultimately joined their running club. The clubs website is http://www.lvm21.com it is an amazing group of people who kept me going when I thought about quitting. On Dec 10th 2006 I weighed 170lbs and completed my first half marathon in a time of 2 hours and 52 minutes. Not ‘fast’, not even middle of the pack but I finished it. I had hurt my knee after buying the wrong kind of shoes. Shoes are so important in running. If you are in the wrong pair its not going to be pretty. I was origionally fitted at a running store and was put into a pair od Brooks Radius 05’s I loved these shoes and they lasted well past my couch to 5K program. In October 2006 I needed a new pair so I thought, hey lets try a chain store. Not a smart move on my part. I was ‘refitted’ in a different type of shoe and ended up with a patellar tracking problem, so I go re-re-fitted.
There are basically three types of running shoes
I need a cushioning shoe- this means I have normal arches and do not pronate at all.
Next is Stability- which are for mild to moderate pronators who need a little support
The most supportive is a motion control shoe- this is what I was ‘fitted’ with to rehab my injury. They are for runners who have higher arches and over-pronate. These suckers tore up my legs and feet. I hated them from the first step. Thankfully its time for new shoes! I will be going back to a running store and will be refitted (again!) into a nice soft fluffy cushioning shoe. Unfortunatly Brooks discontinued and changed their Brooks Radius shoes for 2006, I havent heard much about whats coming in the Radius for 2007 but if its anything like the 05’s Ill be buying several pairs!