Monday, August 10, 2009

How Many Pair? and weight loss-gain

wondering how many pair of running shoes you gals use? Do you have more than one pair you rotate? It was suggested to me today that one reason my feet feel "tired" 2 days after my 16mile run-walk is because I should have more than one pair and be rotating them...

Also wondering if you all could tell me if you have gained or lost weight while training for a full marathon.... It seems like my body is just trying so hard to hold on to my extra weight which i have been trying all summer to loose! (ugh) .. I keep thinking.... well darn it.. I logged the longest run of my life this past weekend.. plus all the running during the week... plus my weight lifting... surely.. one of the days .. i will start dropping the weight I gained over last winter!

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I think that I mentioned this in one of my responses to one of your other posts but I really think that you should check out the book called "The Maffetone Method," by Philip Maffetone. It is all based on heart rate and increasing your aerobic muscle mass. If you increase that then you increase your ability to cover further distances in the same amount of time and burn more calories. Thus loose more weight. Seriously one of my long term running partners followed this and PR by 45 min!!!! She got her first sub 4 hour marathon by following this training. Anyway, I just started so I should know for myself in about a month how it works for me and my body. Good luck. I am always amazed at what you do. . . based on your posts. I am inspired and wish you the best in all your endeavors.

Mrs. Spencer said...

I don't know that I'm an expert on either subject, I only usually use one set of shoes at a time. Sometimes two if I'm breaking a new pair in. I know that other runners I know have serveral pairs-one for training, one for racing, one for trail running etc...I guess whatever works.
I also seem to wonder about the weight loss issue. I DON'T loose weight while I'm training hard. I'm training for my second marathon right now and pushing myself to the limit every day and cross-training hard two times a week and I don't seem to shed a pound. I eat healthy but I try to not "diet" because I know that I need extra calories anyway. I am only 5 pounds more than what I would consider ideal but in reality...I think that my body must feel that the weight I'm at right now is ideal for what I'm putting it through...and I also try to consider that I'm also building more muscle, which weighs more than no muscle. I have felt that if I stopped training I would loose those 5 pounds fast, probably because I would loose that muscle I built up. I don't know...like I said, I could use answers to your questions as well. Good luck!

Robyn said...

I have two pairs of shoes that I rotate and I will get a third pair about 3-4 wks before my marathon in order to break them in, then use them for the big race. I read this somewhere and it worked for me last year. I really believe in wearing good shoes in good condition to prevent injuries and stay fresh.

About the weight issue, I definitely do not lose weight while training (esp for marathon) I think I might even gain b/c my appetite goes through the roof. My husband thinks this makes no sense but it's true. So I have to try and be aware of what I'm eating and not go crazy. I agree with "Cal" I think my body stays at this weight b/c it needs it, so I'm ok with that. But I can see how frustrating it would be to work so hard and not see results. If you're not cross training or doing weights on non-running days I think that would really help. Also doing hills or speed workouts to shake things up. Good luck!!!

Taylor Tribe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Taylor Tribe said...

Thanks for asking something I've always wanted to know. Love the answers ladies. Keep it goin Ruthie!! You are an INSPIRATION!!

Molly said...

A dude at the running store explained to me(yes I'm sure it was a ploy to get me to buy two pair but it did make sense)that when you run on a shoe it compresses the cushioning and when it doesn't have a couple of days to de-compress they become permanently smooshed down and thus wear out quicker. So in the long run buying two pair will help your shoes last longer.
ditto to the no weight loss thing when training for a full. I've found the most success in half marathon training and triathlon training.

Ruthie said...

thanks sooo much for all your responses :) I ordered new shoes yesterday and will begin alternating them...
I am increasing my fruit and veggie intake so hopefully that will help me a bit with my weight "issue" I am just about 10 or 15lbs from where I would like to be so i am not worried a lot about it and know once my marathon training is over and I go back to HIITS more than once a week I will drop it.... but i would just like to be lighter on my feet... its amazing how much a different 10 or so lbs can make when you run :)

yall are GREAT!
thanks again!
r

Mrs. Spencer said...

Thanks Molly for the comment on the shoes...I never thought about it in that way...but it makes sense-I think I'll start rotating my shoes a little more too!

Kaci said...

Great info...I never knew you were suppose to rotate either...XOXO

Optimistic Pessimist said...

sigh...i'm in week 5 of my 15 week marathon training plan and I have yet to lose a pound and my pants are still too tight! If I can't lose weight doing this then I don't think I stand a chance at ever getting into last summers pants!