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Comment by ericzawo | Hacker News Reader

I cannot recommend running enough. It's the best form of free therapy (well, after you buy proper shoes that is) on this planet. I don't run huge distances anymore (25+ km on weekends was regular, I've run two marathons, but now I stick to lifting mostly at the gym) but I've never gone on a run I've regret in a decade of doing it.

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Very true, I always have a hard time getting out the door, but even when I come back panting, light-headed, and sweating like a mad man, I am always happy I did it and it really does make you energized(at least after the half hour or so it takes your body to get your energy level back up)

Wow, I don't find running leaves me energized. While I enjoy running (and especially long distance running), I find it leaves me drained and often depressed afterwards. I don't get the Runners High that so many mention, if anything I get Runners Low.

I generally enjoy the run and find it helps me lose weight in the long term, but I also find it saps my productivity because I feel so terrible & drained afterwards.

[Since my post is so negative, let me add a recommendation for an iPod Shuffle or Bose QC25s while running. I find the music helps me run 10 - 20% faster if I choose the right music, typically music by Pendulum.]

I try and practice mindfulness when I run, thinking about my breathing and steps, etc... I leave all my technology in my locker. A shuffle would be better than a phone, though. I've been considering one but I'm a big Spotify user. Sorry to hear about the post-run low :/

iPod + offline mode works for me :-)

On the topic of shoes, I recommend the Vibram Five Fingers, but there are some caveats involved. The main issue I have had is blisters (mainly on my big toe and the ball of my foot). For me wearing socks are a must (the injinji socks are great, but I found other toe socks at uniqlo that work just fine). Shoe size is a tricky thing, and some styles are definitely better than others in regards to comfort (I bought a pair I don't use at all because there is so much more friction on the areas where I get blisters). One of my feet is bigger than the other, and the general recommendation is to go with a snug fit, but on my bigger foot the big toe was poking into the end, and I feel like this messed up that foot a bit. I've since bought a pair of the larger size and I use my original pair on my smaller foot, and the new pair on only my bigger foot. Based on my experience too short is bad, and in general too large is probably bad because of the added friction.

Also, running barefoot style takes a lot of getting used to in regards to form. Keep your runs short at first so you can develop muscles that help you keep good form. Running in bad form exacerbates the blister issue and potentially can lead to other injuries. I've had some issues with my knee where the ilio-tibial band connects on the outside, but some stretches for that muscle have alleviated that issue, and my main limitation has been the blisters. As far as the blisters go, as long as I stick with a consistent running routine, don't overdo it and keep good form, they tend to be less of an issue. Also after having quite a few my skin has now started to toughen up. Combination of tough skin from healing a bunch of them, good form, and better shape and I think I will be able to run indefinitely without them being a problem.

The reason I switched to these shoes was because when I started running I would go through a $100+ pair of running shoes in less than a year. I would have problems with the cushioning in them becoming imbalanced, and a lot of pronation. This actually caused some legit injured feet for me and lots of foot pain that kept me out of running completely. Although there was the knee pain and the blisters with the five fingers, overall my feet feel great and the pain is nothing near what I had when I ran in regular shoes.

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