how's my gait?

On Thursday evening I went to the Marathon Store in Covent Garden on the way home to get a gait analysis done.

What is a gait analysis, you may ask? (I didn't know before I went!)

Gait is the way we move our whole body from one point to another (running or walking).  A gait analysis is a formal measure of your walking or running pattern (ie: which muscles do you use, which parts of the body are under the most pressure, etc) to identify any particular problems or issues, and how you can best manage or prevent them with the right footwear or technique!

Given that I have covered 265.05km since the end of January in my current shoes with running alone (that doesn't count walking to work, etc), the shoes I bought last September are starting to wear out and the cushioning in them has definitely reduced even though there's still a bit of life left in the old dogs.  They'll be fine for my half marathon tomorrow, but as of Monday I have to start using my new ones for the short runs next week, and as of March 20 use them full time to wear them in in time for Marathon Day!

If you ever get a chance to have a gait analysis done, I really recommend it - it was fascinating to have my running style analysed with video footage right in front of me!

I felt a bit awkward though, as I'm not used to treadmills.  I am very unco on a treadmill, I'm always worried I'm going to fall off :P

I had also come straight from work and my tights and wraparound dress weren't the most practical running gear :P  I ran on a treadmill for a few minutes in each pair of shoes, with a video camera set up at the back to capture it all!  

I tried on four pairs of shoes - the first were my favourite from an aesthetic point of view (GREEN!) but I ended up going for these babies which were perfect for my slightly weak ankles that need a bit more cushioning and support to prevent them from rolling in when I run:

My new shoes are Brooks Adrenaline GTS!  My last two pairs have been Asics and have worn very well but it was definitely time to upgrade with only six weeks to go until the big day.  Ben, my gait analyser (is that a word?!), examined my current shoes and I was pleased that they were worn down in all the right places, there weren't any problems....phew!

And yes, men's shoes again....sigh.  I have plus size feet and there's nowt I can do about that!  But I remedied that by getting some girly shoes down the road at Accessorize afterwards ;) Occasionally I'll find a style in there where the UK8 will be generous enough to fit my old clodhoppers!

Yesterday was my last run before tomorrow's half marathon - which I've been told to think of as training rather than a race (!) - and I did a warm up of 2.7km, stretched, and then did this!!

I ran 1km slow, then 1km medium pace, switching back between the two paces every kilometre for 16km - it was tough but it was fantastic!!  All before breakfast :)

Tonight I did yoga to stretch out the old legs - hip openers rock!

Now I've loaded up on carbs (had a jacket potato for lunch, and risotto for dinner) and we've been watching Run Fat Boy Run......might be time for bed now!


Oh, and I got my running top for the big day too!

I'll be back with a race report for you tomorrow! :)