Just finished my first offical run...now I have some questions!

[Kittikat074]

I completed a 10k yesterday! My first ever running event. =)
I noticed about 3 miles in that my toes on my left foot were going numb. I loosened my laces a little, and while it helped for a while, the numbness started up again at mile 5. Any idea what that's about? I normally run on a treadmill, maybe that makes a difference?
My other question is about nutrition. I was very nervous about causing an upset stomach, so I didn't eat beforehand. I was fine for the 10k, but I'm doing the Princess Half in February, and I would imagine I should eat something before. Any suggestions?
Thank you!

 

[FireDancer]

I personally think that if you are training for a run outside on pavement you should train outside on pavement. The treadmill is fine and has a place but I think your primary mileage should be done out on the road. Your legs work differently when propelling you along the ground than they do while keeping you up with a moving belt. Ground is also harder and less even so it could be that that caused your feel to swell slightly.

For nutrition the best thing to do is just experiment with training runs. Try a bagel or cliff bar and then an hour or so later just head out the door and run 4 or 5 easy miles to see how your stomach feels. You can try to do gels or a meal shake and see how you feel on your run. There really is no way to definitively answer that question in any other way. Put that scientific method you learned in junior hight to work.

Good luck.

 

[cewait]

I will add that shoe age or correct fit may have more of an issue. If you are in the wrong shoes or they are too old (>350-500 miles) you may not have the proper cushioning. The treadmill may mask that to some extent. Additionally, building on the TM discussion, many folks shorten strides on the TM - you really mentally block against stepping off the front. Once you do not have the visual reference, you lengthen the stride - possibly to the point of over striding.

As far as eating... Always try to eat a small meal a couple hours pre run. That gives time to digest so that should not be an issue. As far as running in the half, you may or may not need a nutrition supplement. Plan on trying to take in some Carb Kcal about an hour into the race. You should train some with trying to take in some nutrition on the run to see if it helps. Again, for the half you may not need, but I find most runners really need a small bossy a couple hours into the race.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Congrats on your 10k!

I have issues with my left foot going to sleep/going numb also. I had to try on (and return) a lot of shoes until I found what worked best for me. I know my left foot is slightly wider than my right and that if the shoe is even a tiny bit tight it will be an issue. Go to a running store that takes shoes back, tell them what is going on and they should be able to give you some options.

And fwiw--I don't do cold well and did a lot of runs for Princess on the treadmill. And I had a pr. Just try to get outside when you can.

 

[pensgirl10]

Congratulations on your first race!

Another thing that could explain the numbness: if you ran downhill, even the slightest decline, your toes could have jammed forward in your shoes in a way that you may not have experienced on a treadmill. That said, I've had some numbness in every longer run. When it happens in training I slip my shoes off for a couple of minutes before getting back out there, really helps. The past two weeks I changed shoes halfway through my long runs. Of course neither of those solutions is going to help you during a race.

I had terrible numbness and pain during a race and narrowed it down to new shoes with a small toe box. Loosening the laces didn't help, the construction of the shoe itself was the problem.

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

Congrats!
I have to echo what you've heard, yea it's a HUGE difference, especially in impact forces. The connective tissues in your body are the slowest of the adaptations to happen. I'd start with the things that have already been suggested, check shoe fit/wear, check your mechanics since treadmills cover all manner of bad habits but honestly if a 10k is your first foray off the treadmill, it might just be old fashioned TMTS in terms of being able to run the distance comfortably.

I make it a point to eat on every race morning. The first few minutes of a race your body will be drawing on the glucose in your blood for energy. Start experimenting now. Your best bet for a half are complex carb rich foods. I'm a big fan of steel cut oats. I see bagels and clif bars have been mentioned. Make sure you get it in your stomach an hour or two beforehand and has been mentioned, it's a good idea to consider getting more calories in you during the race.