Any body running here?

Doing the kind of milage you are a crosstrainer is NOT the shoe you need. You need a running shoe. A cross trainer is for people who run like once a week. They just can't hold up. Make sure that you are comfortable in the shoe before you leave the store. Also, think about how your foot absors impact. Look at your shoes and check out where the stretches and bulges are, this should tell you. Take your shoes with you too.

I had a guy tell me that I needed to get size 9 1/2s so that my foot could expand. Well, I had been running just fine in 8 1/2 (my shoe size) forever, but the guy seemed to know what he was talking about, so I got the bigger ones. I was swimming in them, and it totally changed my running style and I ended up getting shin splints. Apparently my foot absorbs the shock by expanding sideways more that forward. Fucker.

 

I hobble briskly what type of shoe do I need?

 

Cement ones. And you shoud take up swimming.

 

back when I ran, I'd buy shoes at a place called Run for Your Life. I'd bring in my old shoes and they could tell from the wear pattern if you are pronator, etc and get you in the right shoe. They cost about $5 more than Sports Authority but you know you are getting into the right shoe.

I gave up running because my weight causes impact problems in my lower back, knees, and feet. I'd like to get started again. any suggestions for a heavier runner? I know there are some shoes out there designed for heavier people like Brooks' "The Beast" shoe. What really gets me is lower back cramping...any idea what causes this?

 

I was always taught if you don't have equal strength in your abs and back, one could effect the other. If you have back pain, you could be weak in your back muscles or abs. or maybe it could be your technique. maybe you run to erect or hunched over or dont use your arms. maybe you don't stretch enough either, your hamstrings could be too tight. I don't think its the shoes though.

 

I got mine at Run For Your Life too. Overall, I think that they do a really good job. Maybe these sites can help. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q="heavier+runners"+tips

Is the pain a muscle pain or a joint pain? When I first pick running back up my back twinges a little, but it's because it's getting stretched. If it's a muscle pain, I would say to strecth before running and then try to push through it - but continue to keep an eye on it.