Running: If You Do or Don't, I Still Want to Know:

I do not run, but I do know that on foot you face oncoming car traffic & bike riders travel in the same direction as cars. I only get annoyed if I can't see them. The wierdos who wear those reflective brightly colored vests--I am not at all annoyed by them. I'm proud of them for exercising AND taking respinsibility for everyone's safety :)

I'm not a runner but my dad is. A numb foot is usually nerve compression. You can try a larger shoe or an insert. If those don't work you might need to visit a doctor to see about a cortisone injection.

I don't get annoyed by runners or bikers on the road (but then I have always lived in areas with no sidewalks) unless they do not obey traffic laws. If you are on the road with traffic then you need to stop at stop signs, etc.

I used to run in college and when I was in the Army, and I know that runners are supposed to run that way, and I know it's harder to run on concrete too, so I don't get annoyed if they are in the road. I always ran in the road too. Sidewalks are annoying for running and strollers! I also had problems with numbness. I started wearing running shoes that were 1/2 size bigger to give me enough toe room since your foot slides forward in the shoe when you're running, and also making sure my laces were tied right. And arch supports. That helped. Good luck!

I don't run unless I'm running FROM something, or with my children, or if I'm in a real hurry.

Tee hee. I'll start running come zombie apocalypse. ;-)

But no, as long as everyone is safe, I don't mind road runners, nor does it bother me which direction they are facing. In my area, most folks wear reflective gear or carry a flashlight. With the rain and all, it can be difficult to see someone if they are wearing dull/dark clothing.

I took up running a year ago, and I love it! I have had a numbness as well in my left foot. In my case, it was my shoes. It's REALLY important to be fitted at a running store & purchase a good pair of shoes. Also, after putting alot of 'miles' on your shoes, make sure to trade them in for a new pair. As far as being annoyed by runner's, not at all. I have more of an issue with those 'bike' people that ride in the middle of the road!!! ;-)

Numbness is usually due to nerve or circulation problems.
Or maybe your shoes are not a good fit?
Did you have your running shoes fit, by a shoe store? Or did you just buy and try something on your own, on sale? A shoe, should be also, fit and get advice from the shoe store employee.
Or maybe, when you run, you are not running properly. Some people walk/run on the outside of their foot or inside or heel mostly or toe.

Running should not cause, numbness.

When running, wear safe bright colored clothing.
It is hard to see runners, even if they are facing oncoming traffic.
What annoys me, are the runners that wear dark clothing. Can't see them.

Running on asphalt or concrete is very hard on the joints and feet.
And, may exacerbate existing body problems.
And yes, uneven surfaces, do jar the joints more. And on the knees. And back.

I used to be a competitive runner and long distance runner.

First off...kudos to you! I would LOVE to be a runner, was asked to be on the track team back in the day...my body has other plans for me! I have a 14 inch rod in my tib/fib on my right leg, so I have the WORST shin splints when I try to run a block! There are things my husband has suggested I try, but my mom, who teaches exercise classes, says I may just never be able to run any distance w/out pain. :(

The shoes...yes, very very important that you go to a store that specializes in running shoes and be properly fitted! You'd be amazed at what a difference that makes! (My husband ran a Chicago Marathon a few years ago, so I learned a few things along the way...AND, he ran w/ a healing broken toe and got a sprained ankle during the run and STILL finished in 4 hours and 19 minutes...not bad for a fat boy! hehe!)

As far as runners or even bikers...I do not mind at all, giving them a wide berth on the road...it's the ones who ride or run down the middle and make no attempt to move at all when they see/hear cars coming, that bother me (usually cocky kids!) But for those who are serious about their fitness, more power to them! I only wish I had the energy to do something, too.

O, I'm so not a morning person either! AT ALL!!!! Best of luck to you...do the 5K! And keep going from there!

I do run, and have run regularly for 27 years. I started when I was 24. I do know that a runner should run facing traffic and I do not get annoyed by runners, since I am one. I would buy a reflective vest if you ever run at dawn or dusk, or in the dark. Running stores have very light weight ones that are not a problem to wear. I sometimes run wearing a headlamp, but that's when I'm running on cross-country trails.

I am lucky to have always had either dirt or pavement trails for all or most of my running routes. Even though the dirt trails are uneven, they are easier on my feet and joints by far than concrete or even pavement.

I have had occasional experiences with numbness, even where a whole leg was mostly numb. I never found the cause, but suspect that it had to do with my gait. If I had a pain or stiffness somewhere it would change my gait which led to a nerve or circulation problem.

I agree with having your shoes checked out. A good running store will analyze your gait and make sure your shoes are correct for you. You might want to warm-up and stretch more before a run (I am totally guilty of never doing this). You might want to get a deep body massage and be sure to tell your person about this experience. Or, visit a chiropractor for an adjustment.

Running is an impact sport, but that is not all bad. One way to prevent Osteoporosis in old age is to continue with an impact sport, which forces our bones to stay stronger.

I don't buy that running could cause something like a prolapsed uterus... Here's what the Mayo clinic has to say about that "Pregnancy and trauma incurred during childbirth, particularly with large babies or after a difficult labor and delivery, are the main causes of muscle weakness and stretching of supporting tissues leading to uterine prolapse."

So check into the suggestions you are getting, and you might find that a short break is part of the solution, but don't give up running!

yay, another runner!
now that i am one i don't get annoyed at road runners<G>. but if there's a sidewalk available i do use it. we have narrow, windy, dangerous roads around here and i want to stay safe. i always run facing the traffic EXCEPT (and it's a biggie) on a blind hill/curve where they won't see me as they crest. i always cross carefully and in plenty of time, and then cross back where the visibility makes it safe to do so.
i run at all hours, but if it's getting dark i wear reflect-y things. i feel like a million bucks if run early in the morning but unless i'm doing a 5K it just never happens. i'm not and never will be a morning person.
i'm 52 and run very slowly, and i wear knee braces because my poor knees are not good. i run on grass, the C&O canal, on trails and over pastures so i'm always on wonky footing and have to be careful about it. asphalt does feel cushier than concrete but i do use sidewalks when i can, because footing isn't my first priority. i too am worried about knee injury and go slowly and carefully because of it, but i so much prefer running out in the world to gyms and machines that i do it in as many different venues as i can.
the numb foot is a bit of a worry. i'll add my voice to the chorus telling you to invest in professionally fitted shoes. i've about worn out my first 'good' pair and am thinking of trying the vibram 'barefoot' style. just hope they'll cush my old feet enough to let me keep running in my weird places!
do your 5K. don't worry about how long it takes you. i was dead last in my first one, and so proud to have finished it! now i'm more toward the middle of the pack, with zero ambitions to be first. i don't need no steenking medals, but i DO want to be the 90 year old out there still racing!
:) khairete
S.

Come up to Atlanta and go to either one of the Big Peach Running stores or Phidippides. There are a few more if you google them. There may be one in Columbus too. They can tell you what running shoes you should wear and test your strike zone.

You're probably not landing correctly, and that's causing your foot to go numb. You probably also need a different type of shoes. I had this issue after my first child. I was overweight (not saying you are, but I think that contributed), not landing correctly and wound up with a HUGE heel spur and planter's fascitis that took a year to heal. It's REALLY important to use proper form -and NOT land on your heels.

Don't worry about people on the road -except for being seen by them. They can go around you. I don't care if they're annoyed or not! I run where there are 100% sidewalks and I still stay on the road for the most part so I don't trip and fall. I had to run on a stretch of sidewalk a few weeks ago due to traffic, and I had a horrible fall -my left hand STILL isn't completely healed!

I just saw your comment about the golf carts in your neighborhood. ESPECIALLY with them -who cares if they're annoyed? They should be walking instead of riding a golf cart.

I do think you should try getting up in the morning and going. It's already getting to hot to jog here except early in the morning and at night. I grew up not far from Waverly, so I know you're probably running on two-lane blacktop roads and it's going to be BLAZING (and dangerously) hot in the summer. I'm not a morning person either -although kids changed a lot of that -but I enjoy running in the morning. You're also done -can go shower and you've had your exercise! It's quite refreshing and will change you to get up, listen to the birds and enjoy the dew on the ground.

If you're going early in the morning or in the evening, please do get reflective clothing. Also get moisture-wicking clothing. It makes a big difference!

Good for you! I think it's great that you started running. I do not get annoyed if runners are on the road rather than the sidewalk. (unless you're halfway in the middle of the road! If you're hugging the side of the road, it's a non-issue for me.) In fact, I don't ever recall seeing a runner on the sidewalk. Yes, I've always been told you're supposed to face traffic. As long as you're wearing highly visible clothing, I don't see that there could be a problem.

Definitely get professionally fitted for shoes. Not only is the fit important, but also the type of shoe. I never bought into that before. However, I had running shoes that I was wearing to a group exercise class and my feet and legs would be in so much pain within 5 minutes of the class. I went back to where I had my shoes fitted and they put me in cross trainers based on what I was doing and it made all of the difference in the world. If the shoe doesn't make a difference it's worth asking your doctor about it.

There are all kinds of fun 5k races out there. The Color Run, the Warrior Dash, Disney, Bush Gardens, etc. etc. Don't give up what you like because of someone else's attitude.

My DH is a runner. I am not. He had trouble with his feet a few years ago and got orthotics, which helped. He also went to a running shoe store and got fitted for new shoes, as the shoes he had were no longer sold in that model. If your right foot is consistently in pain, I would make the 1hr trip to get fitted and see what they can offer you so you aren't shredding your foot.

I don't like it when people run in the road and seem oblivious to the traffic. I do know they should face traffic (often don't) and that all pedestrians should face traffic, but bikes should go with traffic.

I've never heard of carpal tunnel in the foot. I used to run, in my '20's, but gave it up because I kept twisting my ankles. Also, a friend who's a nurse told me running can be very hard on a woman's body because it is so high-impact. She had even seen cases of prolapsed uterus that she felt was partly attributable to running. That was when I quit.
I found aerobics is a far better workout. It's more intense, works other muscle groups, and is very low impact. I have a step and do my workouts at home. I'm in great shape and don't have to worry about being observed, lol!

I'm giving another vote for shoe fitting. I ran in a pair of plain New Balance shoes and had horrible foot and knee pain. I went and was fitted for a pair of running shoes and it has made all of the difference. I wear Asic Gel Kayano's. They are the best and most comfortable shoes I have ever worn! I run in my subdivision and have never paid attention to whether I was facing traffic or not. I move to the grassy shoulder when cars are behind me and get back on the edge of the road when all is clear. I personally don't care about other runners as long as I can see them.

I stopped running several years back because my knees started to hurt - I was running 4 miles every morning, 2 at lunch, and 2 at night. I've heard tho' that if I had a really good shoe (fitted at a shoe store, etc.)...that could help. I don't have a problem with runners on the side of the road - just wear bright colored clothes! It drives me absolutely crazy when I don't see someone running on the side of the road until they're really close - because they're wearing black sweats or something - not very bright, on a few different levels!

I run, almost always on the sidewalk, and always with traffic if I'm running on a street without sidewalks. So yes, you would irritate me both as a runner and driver. In my neighborhood, it's poor form to run on the street but that may be just because we have decent sidewalks. If your sidewalks are lousy, then you're probably not the only street runner where you are, so just see what they do and follow suit.

I would wager that your foot is numb because your shoes are too small. A professional fitting is well worth the time. Your running shoes should be half a size larger than your regular shoes.

Yes I do get annoyed at runners in the street & the numb foot sounds like irritated nerves probably in your lower back, not sure what you can do about it though as I get it also and doc has yet to tell me what can be done except resting....mines is more like a tingling and it swells up a bit.

Just an idea re: the timing of your run, have you considered going in the afternoon instead? 2-3pm. That puts you out of the heat of the day, and hopefully out of the rushhour evening traffic and the lower visibility associated with early mornings and late evenings.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

The numbness can be from a nerve in your back. It can also be from running too fast...try slowing down your pace (I know you don't want to hear that).

I live an urban part of the city so our roads aren't made for pedestrians. For safety I always run on pedestrian safe paths, even if I have to drive somewhere. I don't suggest running on straight road or highway or even a busy street just because the side of the road marked off by the solid white line is really for vehicle emergencies, as in, if a car catches on fire they are supposed to pull off into that area. In other words, a pedestrian shouldn't be anywhere in that area.

When I was a runner in high school, I had 3 pairs of running shoes. I had basic running shoes, waffle racing shoes with soft spikes and hard spike shoes. It depends what surface you are running on. I usually ran on the sidewalk in the city. In the country I ran on the side of the road but but when cars were coming I went in the weeds. I get annoyed in my neighborhood at the runners on the road only because they don't use common sense. There are cars passing in my sub-division and the runners stay on the side of the road when there are sidewalks to move to. Then they can move back to the road to continue to run. Not all runners are bad and most will move. I would love to run again. My allergies and asthma (no longer have asthma) used to bother me. Being top heavy didn't help either (but that has now changed - tmi I know). So I may attempt it again in the fall. Congrats to you on running!