ILX running running thread

I've pretty much transitioned to mid/forefoot running. I don't know if it has helped at all, since I'm injured all the time anyway. I think the lighter shoes has helped me more than anything else. My old Adidas where heavy and clunky. Love my Newton Gravitas Trainers.

Question for moderate* runners: do fancy** socks make a difference?

*2-5 miles at a time, a few times a week
**"fancy" def. pricey socks made of high tech blended fabrics that claim to do everything from preventing blisters to kill bacteria

i got some - though i didnt break the bank- and i found them good.

Back out on the road today for first time in months. Almost starting from scratch for half mara in july again. Ah well.

I am a moderate runner of the type you describe and I wear regular socks most of the time and warm padded hiking socks in the winter. never found the need to buy other socks.

oh yeah i dont wear these all the time or anything, i just use yr standard 'sports socks' you get in a 5pk or whatever. The 'running' ones definitely easier on the soles over longer runs though.

I buy the fancy Thorlo running socks. They help me the most in the summer when I'm running in 90F+ temps, because they breathe really well. But they're so comfortable I end up wearing them all the time!

i very much enjoy smartwool's running socks.

local running shop totally pushing balega ultra at £10 a pair!

socks i mean

i have never used any special sox or gear particularly besides shoes

i feel running shoes i have tried, having the raised heel part, don't work too well for me since most of the shoes i feel comfortable in are either very flat or have a dipped heel (e.g. birkenstocks) so maybe this midfoot thing would be good for me with the right shoes.

i have to stop talking like a seasoned runner since i've been going about 2 months max :s

it's true 2 months is not even 1 season iirc

I like the anti-bacterial socks with silver fibers or whatev but more for when I'm working a long shift or on a long flight or other similarly constrained situation. They work pretty well ime

in glasgow we sometimes get 4 seasons in one day ;)

I only wear smartwool. For running, and everyday socks. I don't have another brand in my sock drawer.

i am pretty much a mid foot runner at this point. after shortening my stride quite a lot, i have since lengthened it a little bit. this seems to have helped my injury prone ankles and feet cope a little bit better- i didn't get a foot injury until i was actually running my target long event.

on socks, the ones that work best for me for running are cheapish mid-weight cotton nike socks. nothing technical. i have a bunch of padded thorlos that i don't use anymore, they are too hot and crowd my toes. i tried thin tech socks, but my feet are pretty low volume and the fit of my shoes really suffers. so, cheap socks, alright!

i wear any old socks unless i'm going 20 mi + distance, in which case it's useful to ensure i'm wearing something that doesnt accelerate blisters—injinji toe socks! so great. wore them for 50 miler w/ a bit of body glide, not a single blister. but i did wear holes on the balls of my feet...

I use the Nike running socks, v cheap if you shop around and they're just cut a bit better than normal socks so no pinching side of your toes after a few miles. They don't attach themselves to your feet either..

I wear these most of the time (X-Socks Speed One Socks):

http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/details.cfm?ProdID=464

though I think with socks it's just a case of finding what's comfortable and sticking with it.

Being injured sucks. I can do about five miles before my knee starts complaining - I think it's slowly improving but I'll be surprised if I'm back in shape in time for London...

On Saturday when lake Michigan almost consumed me, my feet did get soaking wet. I was surprised my socks didn't give me any trouble. Sloshy run but no blisters.

5 miles tonight, 42 minutes. The fastest that I've comfortably run in a long time. Also only 2 days after 11 miles, which is as fast as I've recovered from that distance in a long time. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Feeling pretty good today. I hope I'm finally near the end of this.

similar scenario...about 4/5 weeks without running, my right leg is easing in pain, feeling stronger. but it still hurts a little. kinda think might be time to just try a few runs and see if i can build it back up.

why are all running shoes ugly and is it lameo to even care, discus

agreed...it's impossible to look fashionable in running clothes.

there are some really nice nike ones but they seem to be for track running and have little support but you really have to wonder wtf the designers at e.g saucony are thinking. fwiw i feel quite good stylewise in the ronhill jacket i bought.

saucony, brooks, asics... all absolutely boggin

nike seem to be the only brand w/halfway decent looking runners

for shoes, these are nice looking imo

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5084622440_d8de9a9c2e.jpg

This is what I wear - they look better irl than in what Google Image Search gives me but yeah, it's a fundamental rule that running shoes cannot look cool:

http://www.startfitness.co.uk/uploads/images_products_large/41499.jpg

I like nike free run but they're not a pound-the-pavement style shoe, they're in the vibrams bracket iiuc
http://f5torefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/nike-free-run-2.jpg

those red ones are high fashion compared to mine!

i just try to find something in all black and i'm good.

I like the way my shoes look but they clash with almost all my clothing.

c'mon, dressing up like an m-tron is a great feeling. i got - http://cdn.activecommerce.net/content/r4i/products/266x266/12741.jpg

my blue hoodie makes me look like an athletic smurf

wow my shoes are mad ugly compared to all of these!

Here's how dumb I look. Me before my run tonight:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5515886073_bda3ac92f5_m.jpg

That's dressed for 35 degrees, low wind.

shoes/shorts are "normal" for running imo. it's the bright-yellow OMG CARS PLZ DONT HIT ME jacket + soccer-length socks that arent doing you any favors imo. but hey what do i know, i look just as dumb when i run :D

Not socks, just calf compression sleeves.

I STILL had to yell at a car tonight for not yielding. I should probably wear some blinking lights or some shit, but I'm not ready for that.

will take a photo before i go on MY FIRST RUN IN ABOUT 5 WEEKS in a few mins...

btw I bought one of those compress gel packs, but I'm wondering, when should I heat it up for a hot compress (hot) or cool it down for a cold one (cold). I'm using it mainly on my right shin/ankle, possible shin splints or possibly just muscle pain.

is it cold for anything recent or directly after running and hot for ongoing shit in the days after a big jog? also how long do i apply it for? dumb questions perhaps...but important

ran about 1.5 miles, lungs were burning a bit, i've had a lot of reflux this week due to just finishing antibiotics though so that's prob what that is. ankle was fine though, first step back into the game!

yaaay! try to build your strength gradually instead of hurting yourself charging out of the gate this time, ok ;)
welcome back!!

Nice one Ronan. 2 miles in freezing icey rain was more than enough today but Carl Orf's Gassenhauer coming on the random on the way back put a spring in my step. It can make any day a good day!

i did 4km in 18 mins this morning. i hate running so that's not too bad for me, plus it was freezing and hilly

1st time ive ran outdoors since ~thanksgiving, it was great i feel like all winter on the treadmill really got me at a smooth easy pace

12 miles today. Really surprised I came in under 2 hours.

i did like 7-8 on a hilly trail this afternoon, legs feelin good. more tomorrow!

got a proper pair of runners today; stupid spade feet meant I had to get ugly 'stability' ones but will be interesting to see how much more comfortable they are than the pair I've ran in this past year