I don’t actually think so, but it is definitely putting unnecessary strain on my lower legs. Last weekend I did some quarters (tempo runs 4x 0.25mile distance) which went great, but by Monday my lower legs were aching worse than ever before. It wasn’t until Friday that it actually feels back to normal. I’ve had these kinds of problems since getting past 3 miles distance or so, which makes me think I never really did build up my leg strength properly. I try and take it easy on the training to reduce the risk of making things worse, but that has to be balanced against the need to keep training.

I also think my weight is making my shoes wear out faster. One of the things that most frequent runners, all of the running books, and most online running resources I’ve read talk about replacing your shoes at least every 500 miles. I think though that is based on average usage. For most runners that ends up being about every 6 months. The other part of “average” usage there though is that most people are putting an extra unnecessary 100lbs of weight onto the shoe. The point of replacing the shoes that often is to ensure that the inner parts of the shoe that you can’t see which provide all the support, cushioning and stability can wear out. So what then is a good guide, and how do I tell? Do I assume that I’m wearing out the shoes twice as fast?

I need to start crosstraining. Fortunately I had been getting into biking before I was challenged to the run. Two years ago Dad helped me buy a used Specialized Allez with great components. I just need to get on it and crosstrain on that. I haven’t really been on it in almost a year as I was concentrating on trying to learn how to run… but I took a ride on Thursday and it worked out great. It works different muscles in the upper leg, but my lower legs weren’t stressed at all.