Mizuno Wave Inspire trainers
The Mummy Tummy Begone battle wages on. As documented in my post The Truth Hurts, I don’t know how to run. Well, I thought I didn’t until I had my gait analysed. That’s right…gait analysis equals a pair of new trainers which makes Karin’s legs and feet quite happy bunnies! What, might you ask, is gait analysis? I shall enlighten you. I heartily recommend that anyone wishing to seriously take up running and embarking on a new fitness regime, get yourself to the nearest PROPER running store to have the professionals tell you what to do and what to wear. It’s nice to wear pretty, shiny shoes but more than likely, they are not going to be what you need and you risk injuring yourself and more likely packing it in because it hurts too much.
On Saturday I visited Advance Performance in Peterborough and was treated to a thorough gait analysis which led to a moderately painful new trainer purchase courtesy of our credit card. The gait analysis was really quite interesting. The salesperson analysed my feet without shoes, asked me what type of running I was doing and even knew a fair bit about the recovering Mummies needs. He put me in a “neutral shoe” and had me run on the treadmill which was being recorded as well. He was then able to show me exactly what my feet were doing, where my foot was striking the ground and what style of runner that I was. Who could have guessed that I was actually a “heel striker” and not a “slapper”? Think Paula Radcliffe (heel striker) vs. Katie Price (slapper…in all senses of the word!).
After my initial analysis, Mr Advance Performance put me in a pair of proper shoes that would correct any inadequacies that I might have. They did not transform me into the perfect mother with no extra weight but they sure did make my feet feel delightful and when I ran on the treadmill with them I noticed a massive difference. He then had me try on 2 other pairs and then I got to try on each of them and then go for a wee run in the car park. Finally, Mr Advance Performance asked me to rank the 3 pairs of shoes in order of comfort preference. I settled on the Mizuno Wave Inspire and a new jogging bra (must protect the girls) and skipped out of the store. I was advised to wear the shoes for an hour or so around the house before setting out on my first run. I always do what I am told!
My first run in my new running trainers was not a thing of beauty but it was a hell of a lot more comfortable and bearable for my legs and feet. I could actually pick up my feet after each running stint and now I feel like all I have to think about is being able to breathe properly! I remedied most of the struggles I had the other night, in fact. My feet were properly suited for the work, my boobs were properly contained and secure, my earphones were snug in my ears thanks to the correct accessory piece being fitted and my hair was not in my eyes. Remarkable progress from Thursday night’s debacle. I’m proud to say that I did my run/walk workout 4 nights this week and ate MUCH more sensibly which allowed me to feel better and feel PROUD of myself for making a start. I may have lost a pound or two (I’ll weigh myself Monday morning) but I am really pleased with the fact that I’m moving in the right direction. I’m going to be working with Wendy Powell of No More Excuses to bring Mummy Tummy solutions to the many Mums who have commented here this week. I’m also partnering up with Rachael of Marathon Mummy for some Guest Blogging on each other’s sites. Rachael is a REAL MUMMY…in her own words
I hate running. I look awful in lycra, and my body shape owes more to Dawn French than Paula Radcliffe. So running the Virgin London Marathon wasn’t really at the top of my things to do list. I have four children, I work from home, I have an allotment which recently earned a ‘must do better’ letter. So last April, when I discovered that my cholesterol levels were too high, I decided that I’d run the Virgin London Marathon in memory of my father. He’d have found that highly amusing, given that I was the girl who would run a mile to avoid any form of exercise.
I can really relate to Rachael, in so many ways! Rachael and I are plotting to bring you Running for Mummies which will hopefully inspire you to get up off that couch and get yourself fit. Maybe we’ll make it into a book…you just never know…we’re both rather clever!
There you have it…my first week of the Mummy Tummy Begone challenge. Not half bad. Goals for next week:
- Add a morning fast walk with Little Miss and the pushchair as many days as possible.
- Continue the night run/walk plan and add on a bit more running and walking to extend the workout from 20 to 30 minutes.
- Start proper abdominal strengthening courtesy of Wendy Powell’s genius.
- Add at least 2 Wii EA Sports Active Personal Trainer workouts during the week.
- Continue with sensible eating
What are your goals for this week? I’ll keep you posted and will let you know when the BRILLIANT guest bloggers will be making an appearance here at Cafe Bebe. I know you’ll welcome them with open arms! Until then, good luck on your Mummy Tummy Begone challenge.
Good on you. I need to banish my mummy tummy before it has its own postcode but I can’t do running- I can’t breathe.
I am working myself up gently on the Wii Fit…
I’m impressed…VERY impressed. May have to nip to Peterborough to get my gait analysed. Feel sure I’ll be a slapper though….
I think I’m a bit of a slapper too!
They are very thorough at Advance Performance. A bit tricky to find the shop but well worth it! 
Not a sponsored post as well…
I have breathing issues as well as I have asthma but I’m told that running (when you get more proficient) helps asthma. It’s worth a shot!
I did this and it’s really impressive – I too dented the credit card with subsequent purchase.
I couldn’t stop after that though, running is addictive, I was like Forrest Gump!
Yet to get back into it after LO was born…he’s now 19 months so I admit I’m rubbish. Just never find the time with husband working odd hours.
Will try and join you all and set myself some goals!
Congratulations, glad to hear things seem a little easier. We are off on our first ski holiday since having kids on Saturday, so my main goal is to survive that! Probably should have attempted some kind of training as well. Too late now I guess..
You go girl! I’m so pleased that Mummies are jumping on the bandwagon with this. There’s some exciting stuff coming with great guest bloggers so stay tuned!
Ooh, have a lovely holiday! I haven’t been skiing in a few years…take care!
My goal for this week is to eat through all the junk food in the house and then not buy any more. It may just sound like an excuse to eat crap but honest, if I don’t do it now I’ll never get anywhere.
Actually, Vic, that’s sort of what I did 2 weeks ago. Finished up all the rubbish and bread and stuff that I shouldn’t eat and then started off last week with a big shop with healthy stuff. It does make a huge difference to NOT have the crap in the house. Good on you…enjoy every morsel. Just remember to start off with a cupboard stocked with good stuff for next week!
We’ll be here in the meantime!
Glad you’ve got it all sorted, trainers look lovely by the way!
Good luck with it all, you’re doing so well
Glad to hear you’re getting stuck into an exercise routine Karin…I am heading over to Advance Performance this weekend for new trainers. Do your new trainers make you go any faster? I hope so..!!
Well, they are not quite “go faster” trainers but they sure are pretty and really make my feet/legs feel a lot better. Once I’m able to run more than a few minutes at a time, I’ll let you know and if hubby’s home, maybe we could go for evening runs together? Might be the middle of the summer before that happens but you just never know. Advance Performance is really great…and this is not a sponsored post/comment!
Thanks, they are pretty trainers aren’t they? I will be very sad when they get their first bit of dirt on them!
I’m getting on the right road, eh? It’s kind of fun actually…who knew?? 
I’m mightily impressed with your new trainers Karin – sorry not to have dropped by earlier when you were feeling lonely! And get them dirty soon won’t you – I’m always suspicious of clean trainers – they’re not seeing enough action
First blog post will be with you tonight x
Brilliant stuff Wendy! Can’t wait to see what amazing things you have to teach us! Will try to get the trainers a bit dirty this week…boo.
oh well done you! the gait analysis sounds brilliant!
Thanks Lovely! It DOES make a difference!
I feel honoured, and so excited! We’re going to have such fun doing this together, and by the time we get to Cybermummy we’ll be like sylphs. Or at least a little bit sylphlike!
My goals for this week: running and Pilates today (tick!)
EA Sports session tomorrow
Interval training session and Pilates Thursday
Baking a million cakes for a bake sale Friday (!)
45 mins tempo run (that’s fast enough to make you feel utterly knackered) on Saturday
15 miles on Sunday.
I’ll report back.
Meanwhile, we must have a chat about our guest blogging missions for this week!
You know where I am…I’m ready to plot and plan my dear!
Thank you, thank you. I loathe running, and am pregnant, and putting on too much weight, and need to get out and about a lot, lot more than I’m doing. So while a marathon really will be beyond me, fast walking a buggy around a park won’t be. Really looking forward to following how you get on.
Great post! I completley agree with you it is beneficial to all new athletes to have a gait analysis. Changing the demands placed on the body is often the cause of injury. Changing demands can involve simply changing the surface you run on, participating in a new activity or changing the shoes that you run in. Large changes to activity can often lead to problematic episodes of injury.