Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

[theredhead]

Santa has agreed that a treadmill would make a good gift for me this year, so I'm trying to plan what I'm going to do with it!

In the past, I was a mall-walker off and on for 2-3 years, but life circumstances changed and I haven't done any walking for a long time. When I walked, I suffered from plantar fascitis something fierce, but kept walking anyway. Stopping the walking and losing some weight has made my feet feel a lot better, but I'm still prone to some aches and I'm scared that the pain will start up again

So, one of my questions is about shoes. Does anybody have any advice about shoes suitable for mostly walking (but maybe eventually jogging)? I have a pair of New Balance shoes I bought about three years ago. I haven't worn them a whole lot, but my feet were still hurting the last time I walked in them. I've tried various inserts without any noticeable relief. I think the Spenco 3/4 insoles were the best and perhaps I'll look into getting a new pair, just for good measure. I have high arches and I guess I need extra support.

I checked out the coolrunning site and I think I'll start out just walking for a couple of weeks and then try the Couch to 5K. I always wonder about the pounding your body takes when you run. Any advice about minimizing wear and tear?

TIA for your advice and enouragement. I generally hate exercise and never stick with anything for very long. Surely I can at least walk, I'm telling myself.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

here are some good stretches for it with pics

Plantar Fasciitis Stretches
perform these static stretches three times a day. Continue to use this stretch to prevent recurrence of plantar fasciitis and heel spur.
1. Plantar Fascia Stretch
2. Rolling Stretch
3. Step Stretch
4. Calf Stretch

and I'm sure your doc told you to stregthen the muscle of your foot towel picking up with the toes is a good starting one and if you can do that move on to heavier larger objects like marbles.
the coolrunning site has some great advice about your stride too make sure you are landing on your heel and rolling up onto your toes.

when you get it come join the treadmill challenge

[Perry]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

The right pair of shoes is very important. Since you're mainly walking on a treadmill find a good shoe for 'walking' - not jogging.

[BoxerMom]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

I agree with Perry. Invest in a pair of good, comfortable shoes. Shoes with little support (flip flops) can aggravate your foot problem so be cautious of the shoes you were on a daily basis.

[ttdriver]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

SHOES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

When I started running, I thought the shoes I had were good enough .. Um, NO. I ended up with serious runner's knee that took over a month to heal. From that point on, I decided my knees were worth the $$$$$, so I replace my shoes every 300 miles, whether they look worn or not. I haven't had ANY problems with my knees since and I run 30-35 miles a week.

I love the New Balance 1221s because I have narrow feet and they are available in narrow sizes. They have ABZORB in the forefoot and heel which really absorbs the shock well. They also have a built in rollbar to keep your foot stable as you move.

My advice would be to go to several different stores (a running store is preferable) and have them watch the way you walk. A good running store will know the best shoe for your particular gait.

Above all else, START SLOW. And incorporate rest days into your workouts. Your body needs time to adapt to a rigorous workout.

HAPPY EXERCISING!

Betty

[cleochatra]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

I change my shoes about every 6 months, because they do wear out. I pay more for them, but I buy New Balance and won't buy anything else. I have slightly wider feet so it really helps.

I love my treadmill. If you haven't bought one yet, I highly recommend checking out treadmilldoctor.com for in-depth research and comparisons that really helped us when we bought our treadmill.

It's good to see you!

[ttdriver]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

Jamie, check out New Balance shoes at www.onlineshoes.com. I always get mine cheaper there and no shipping or tax!


Betty

[cleochatra]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

Thanks, Betty! I'm checking it out!

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

I LOVE my treadmill, And I can't agree enough on the shoe issue. I like Betty run a lot and I have actually 3 pairs of shoes on the Go right now, I don't go over 300 miles which is about 2 months for me maybe a bit more. I can tell when my shoes are getting worn now my knees start to ache when I run. Shoes can make or break your exercise. The best bet for your treadmill is if you can go out and try some out take your shoes and get on some and make a judgement on that. Just cause it looks good doesn't mean it will fit your body everyone is different and I found I can't have side rail I whack those soo bad. So when I went out to try then I found this out by trying different ones out. ANd I also got the Bruises to prove it. LOL. Everyone is built so different. If you are eventally going to run you will want a treadmill with a higher powered motor and one that can handle the rigors of running. If you are planning on running a lot or walking a lot for that matter the ones that do not fold up have a stronger frame on them then the ones that do and will hold up better to the pounding. However if you are cramped for space and don't plan of doing excessive miles then a fold up one should be fine. I ahve a fold up one at this minute but, it's really starting to give out, so the next treadmill I get will be a solid frame.

I hope that helps you out

Sarah

[Starmaker]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

What is the fold up treadmill doing that its going out? I just bought mine and I love it, it has the arm bars so your arms get a work out like cross country skiing, its great, and you can add resistance to the arms too. Just wondering what it is that goes on the fold up? This one cost about $700 so I was hoping it would last. Nuts! PM me

[theredhead]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

Sorry I haven't responded to your comments before now! For some reason, I only just got an email notification today that there were posts.

Thanks so much for the PF exercise tips, 2Big. I will start incorporating them into my day immediately!

There was never any big decision about the treadmill itself since I don't really have the bucks to spend on a nice one. But I figure if I wear this one out soon or use it so much I need a better one, I'll deal with it when the time comes. LOL! I'd just hate to end up with an expensive clothes rack. Thanks for the advice about treadmills anyway.

I read about shoes on a site that gave advice about what to look for based upon your arch (mine's high) and your weight. I read some reviews about a few of them and noticed that Asics seems to make a popular shoe. So, last week Academy was running a pair on special for half price, making them $45. I told the salesgirl that I was starting out walking with an eye toward working up to running. She told me that I should start with a running shoe because I can walk in it, but I can't run in the walking shoes. She recommended this shoe that was on sale. I was thrilled when I tried it on because it had plenty of room in the toe box, which is sometimes an issue in shoes for me. This is the Asics GT-2100. I think it's going to be comfy and it has a good amount of cusioning in it. So, here I go! I'm just waiting for hubby to have a chance to assemble the treadmill. It'll probably be take him until Monday next week.

I'll be joining the challenge and look forward to becoming a real runner/athlete! Lord help me!

[2big4mysize]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

woo hoo good for you. remember to stretch your PF when you get up in the morning to as everything tightens up as you sleep.
Have fun

I had a pair of those remember not to leave them outside in the winter time as the gel gets real cold real long should have seen me hopping around in the gym when i foolishly decided tohurry up my getting ready to go time and put the gym bag in the car the night before when it was 16 over night.

[Analog6]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

I have very high arches too, plus hammer toes. I use, on the advice of my doctor following operations on both Achilles tendons (damaged in an accident), full sole insert orthaheels http://www.orthaheel.com/. You remove the inner sole of the shoe before inserting the orthaheels. I believe they are made in Canada. You can also get half sole ones for inserting in 'fashion' shoes. They are Ok in low heeled shoes but tend to slip forward, even with the velcro, if you try to put them in real high heels!

Without these I get foot (soles), ankle, knee and back pain. With them I can walk fine. I use the treadmill at the gym every day. I do 2 kms and am increasing speed and incline steadily (started at 4.5 km/p/hr and flat, now up to 5.5 km/p/hr and 1.5 inlcine). Prior to Atkins losses I could not walk on firm surfaces at all - I got severe back pain later in the day and once spent 3 days falt on my back in bed! Now I can do a couple of kms on the road or pavement with no back pain.

Good luck with the treadmill and happy Christmas.

[theredhead]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

I had a pair of those remember not to leave them outside in the winter time as the gel gets real cold real long should have seen me hopping around in the gym when i foolishly decided tohurry up my getting ready to go time and put the gym bag in the car the night before when it was 16 over night.

ROFLMAO, 2Big! I'll be sure to keep them in the house. I doubt I'll ever walk/run outside in my neighborhood since it's gravelly and potholey (is that a word?). I'd probably slip and kill myself, or die from breathing cold air. My lungs are sensitive to that.

Odille, I'm glad you're able to walk painfree now. I know how much it can bring you down when your feet hurt all the time. If I have any troubles with my new shoes, I'll check out the inserts.

I can't wait to get on my treadmill! Unfortunately, DH has to go out of town tomorrow for a job. He's got too much to do already when he gets back, but this is a new job opportunity and it's really important. The treadmill will have to wait.

[Kent]

Re: Santa's bringing a treadmill - I have questions

This is the Asics GT-2100. I think it's going to be comfy and it has a good amount of cusioning in it. So, here I go! I'm just waiting for hubby to have a chance to assemble the treadmill. It'll probably be take him until Monday next week.

If you need any reassurance, those are good shoes. There are the #1 selling running shoe in the world for a reason (according to one running website). I chose a cheaper pair than them, but they were definitely a high quality pair of shoes. Now the most important part about the shoes is that they have to be used.