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Hi all
I've just joined. I've done a bit of road running over the years at a novice level (four marathons, the latest being Windermere last year in 3h 55m), but never really taken part in fell races. I don't venture out on to the fells as much as I should and, now in my late thirties, I'm wondering if it would be more forgiving for my knees (?)...
Pleased to 'meet' you all,
Paul
Hi Paul and welcome.
I've only been fell running for a couple of months and wouldn't describe it as "forgiving" however with your location its just plain rude not to get out on the fells. The pain is always worth it :)
Hi... thank you.
No, perhaps that wasn't quite the right choice of wording. :) I was meaning something with less impact than tarmac. Maybe I should just take up cycling. :)
I know I'm very lucky to live where I do. This week I took some time off work... on Monday we went up to Levers Water near Coniston Old Man (just walking) and the weather was fantastic. The Lakes can be so beautiful when the weather is right.
Guess the impact difference would depend upon the terrain you come across on the fells varying from grass, bog, scree, rock etc. Now i'm no expert on this but i guess the impact on your knees while descending will remain high. Might be worth looking at your running style too. Are you a heel striker? If so you could look at pose/chi running techniques to move to a fore/midfoot strike and decrease impact whilst improving efficiancy.
Yes, I tend to heel strike. I've recently been moved on to orthotics also because of minor injury problems I've had due to over(?) pronating. I suppose if I start off on grass and nothing too steep on my descents, then maybe it won't be so bad...
May i suggest you spend some time looking at the lengthy barefoot running thread in the training section. This thread discusses the benefits of barefoot/minimalist running and improving technique to reduce injury. There is a wide school of thought that believes our injuries are created by over built up shoes, and that orthotics will simply allow you to manage with a problem rather than address the issue. I believe lakes runner in Ambleside sometimes do talks on this subject so well worth checking them out:Quote:
Originally Posted by kendalcottages
www.lakesrunner.com
Also worth having a read of born to run by Christopher McDougal which again covers this subject and appears to have been the catalyst in the move towards mid/forefoot technique. Check out amazon i think it sell for £4.49
Here's a good quote taken from the book, and from the barefoot thread:
Shoes block pain,not impact!
Pain teaches us to run comfortably!
From the moment you start going barefoot,you will change the way you run.
Now i'm not suggesting you just start barefoot running as this could be potentially harmfull in itself. Just have a good read of the thread, see what you think and consider gradually introducing a more minimalist approach and hopefully see the benefits. Take it too fast and you'll suffer.
Hi PaulQuote:
Originally Posted by kendalcottages
Welcome to the thread. Are you in Kendal? If so then consider coming down to Helm Hill Runners at 6.45 on a Wednesday night on the Helm above Oxenholme station. You would be most welcome.
Keep your shoes on for now! The fells are so much better for your knees than the road. You can combine some low impact cycling too as that is more beneficial for fell running than road running. Just get running into the fells and give it a go, that is the best way. Have fun.
regards
Harry
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill
Like i said i'm in no way suggesting he goes barefoot, i'm just saying maybe he should look at making changes to his technique to help with his injuries and issues related to impact.
Welcome, Paul,
I, too, was mainly a long distance road runner for 30 years, but have always done cross country, fell and orienteering 'on the side' so to speak. I'm now living back in the North Country for the first time in 2 decades and have gone heavily towards fell running, because it's on the doorstep, though I'll continue to do some road races for pace work. I prefer fell because:
It's much gentler on the joints than road.
The scenery is great.
It's still a grass roots sport (road has gone mass market and can be a little 'precious' for my old tastes).
The level of traffic and lack of consideration of some drivers is much worse than 20 years ago.
I prefer the under-stated company of fellow fell runners.
I'll never again get anywhere near my old road times and the fells present a different physical and mental challenge to clock chasing
Thanks for the warm welcomes and feedback, everyone, and the reading suggestions, eavesy.
Yes, Harry... I do live and work in Kendal. Would like to join you some time but never have to date. Wednesday evenings are a bit hectic for us. I used to play football over at Queen Katherine on a Wednesday, at 5.30pm and then rush home to help with family routine (tea, bedtime, etc.). Nowadays, with me not playing football so much, it's still the usual routine but my wife tends to go swimming at around 7.30pm as it's one of the few times when the the leisure centre pool is open for adult swimming outside normal daytime hours.
Do you only meet on Wednesdays? I seem to remember that you have family meetings at other times but our boys are only little at the moment and probably a bit too young for a running club just yet... :)
Hi Kendal
Welcome to the forum.
You would always be welcome at Ambleside AC , training runs are Tuesday & Sunday.
http://www.amblesideac.org.uk/when1_summer2010.htm
If you fancy some easy runs on the scar above Kendal or Kentmere/Longsleddale give me a shout.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kendalcottages
The main reason why your tend to pick up less chronic/over-use injuries running off-road is that, because of the constantly varying terrain, every foot-strike is different. Repetitively jarring your heel into the ground in exactly the same way stride after stride just isn't possible. Also because fell shoes tend to be much more minimal in construction, your feet can work much more naturally and you'll find yourself adapting a mid/fore-foot strike without really thinking about it. Don't worry too much about "downhill stress on the knees", it's really a bit of a myth... the more technical/steeper the downhill, the more lightly and nimbly you're forced to run.... Just get out on those hills and enjoy it!
Thanks, both of you.
I might just take you up on that Inov-8. A bit way laid with work at the moment, and need to get some fitness back, but maybe in a month or two... do you live near Kendal?