Whats your take on minimalist running?

run away joe · #21 07-15-2010, 01:31 AM

You really hit on the head, first I am firm believer in run what feels right, but someone who never gives this type of shoe a chance they will never know.
I noticed that i do feel stronger after making the switch, all over like you said. part because my legs and feet are stronger and the other part is because i am never injured anymore. i just feel better in general, no aches or pains, even minor back pains are gone.

i have a question, do you run long runs in the 3.0s just because they are little bit padded, i know its a very flexible shoe but im wondering what its like compare to the free runs or the 5.0s
i was thinking of getting a pair of 5.0s to run marathons in instead of the free runs just because the 5.0s look like they have a little more to them,

whats your opinion?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdoleman

I have been transitioning over to minimalist/barefoot running for about a year now and charting progress (to some degree) on my blog (Michael Doleman for anyone interested). I have also been adopting a more minimalist approach to fitness and active pursuits, in general.

As to the minimal footwear/barefoot aspect, my own personal experience has yielded excellent results. My calves, glutes, ankles, and feet are much stronger. I feel as though my legs (and to some degree my entire body) have wholly been "re-engineered" for the better. I currently run all my short (<15 mile) trainers in Vibram FiveFingers, and longer runs in the Nike Free 3.0. I've never felt better about running, never been more injury/pain free, and am as fast as I've ever been. I run on both paved and natural surfaces, and have no problems at all.

I started slowly, transitioning very gradually out of a padded and motion-controlling shoe, to a neutral shoe, then to the Nike Free 5.0, then to a few miles in the Vibrams, and finally to the 3.0 and most miles in the Vibrams. It worked well for me.

I have gone back a couple times--just for the heck of it--and put on a padded shoe for a short run. It feels "weird," like I can't respond properly to the way my foot lands, and as if certain muscles just aren't acting properly.

Remember, padded/motion-controlling running shoes have only been around for about 30 years or so. We've been running fast for a lot longer than that.

chess7776 · #22 07-23-2010, 12:58 AM

[QUOTE=Beaker;8496]"...the issue seems to boil down to form... someone who naturally strikes mid or fore foot might not notice as much of a difference."

Well, I for one notice a HUGE difference!

You are right that the ~25% of folks who are heel-strikers won't like running bare/minimal. But, it's been my experience that b/c of the other issues assoc'd w/ heel striking, many heel-hitters don't like running a whole lot anyway. For most of my running friends, though, minimalist running has helped improve efficiency, decrease injury, and make running more fun.

For my inaugural post to this thread, let me say that, as a forefoot striker, my Fivefingers are manna from Heaven: even the thinnest padded heel on a running shoe gets in the way and leaves me with an injury-prone, ineffiecient stride.

I just hope all those folks who jump right into minimalism w/o strengthening their feet don't become the "case studies" that send minimalist footwear out of the market. // Viva el pie! // Thx for your post!

Anthony7 · #23 07-25-2010, 01:14 PM

well I went to SA yesterday to try on the Nike Free Runs so I can get the right size for me. I decided the 10's were perfect with just enough wiggle room in the toes. I then came home and ordered them online for $20 (free s/h) less

run away joe · #24 07-25-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony7

well I went to SA yesterday to try on the Nike Free Runs so I can get the right size for me. I decided the 10's were perfect with just enough wiggle room in the toes. I then came home and ordered them online for $20 (free s/h) less

Your going to love these shoes.. hopefully! everyone who has them has really built them up. im finally get some good distances in mine and i feel great, these shoes and a few hours of compression socks a few times a week and im good. i am going to depressed if i get injured again. i have been injury free since the day i got these. i did cut my milage just a little bit when i got them, i think i ran 7 in them the first day i had them. that was a little too much, the muscles in my feet were sore, which was weird feeling.

i know your training for a marathon but you should be ok, just pay attention to your feet on your next long run in these shoes. your legs will be sore in new spots but that goes away fast and then all you have to look forward to is injury free running.

nice score online with the $20 off, $85 isnt a terrible price for these shoes, but 65 is better.

Anthony7 · #25 07-29-2010, 09:14 PM

Hey Joe, I buy most of my gear from runningwarehouse.com, they have good prices and free shipping. I get an additional 15% off using discount code RWMASTERSD. FYI

So my shoes arrived and I ran a few miles. My ankle and calves were hurting at the beginning of the run but was fine when I finished. My arches hurt afterward but was fine later on. It's going to take some time.. I'm not running long in them yet, just taking baby steps. I love the feel or lack there of. They are so lite (8.3 oz) and love the glove fit. Will post update as time goes on the shoes.

run away joe · #26 07-30-2010, 02:12 AM

exact same issues when i got mine, my arch felt more like a sore muscle rather than a pain..

my calves were sore as well. my ankle had ocasional issues, but i dont i think that went away as my foot got stronger.

i honestly feel my feet are stronger.

i also think i ran too fast the first time i had mine on, i have read to run slow and build up miles, i sort of did that, but the shoes feel so good you just want to take off.

two other things i noticed, i bought a pair of racing flats, which is a very light but less flexible shoe. i tried a fast training run in those and i could feel and hear a slight slip, like my foot wasnt grabbing and flexing enough, they were taking some of my leverage.

the biggest thing i noticed is i really dont like my old running shoes, the nike vomeros, i ran in the frees for about 2 weeks and forgot to take them to gym one night for a treadmill run, i had my vomeros on, got on the treadmill, ran 3 tenths of a mile and stopped, knee pain was back, felt horible, feet felt unstable, big time heel striking.. yuck..

keep on keeping on in the frees, the muscle aches you have now are a small price to pay for pain free running later.

robmckim2 · #27 10-26-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaker

I am by no means an expert, but from what I've read and in discussions with my brother-in-law (a physical therapist and marathon runner), the issue seems to boil down to form. If someone is a heel striker, the thicker running shoes will disguise this by cushioning the heal. The problem is that this can lead to a variety of aches, pains, and injuries elsewhere. The minimalist shoe or running barefoot, on the other hand, doesn't really allow one to heel strike because it hurts (try running heel first without shoes sometime...it hurts). So for someone who would otherwise be a heel striker, transitioning to minimalist shoes will likely force them to correct their form, even if they don't realize they're changing how they run. On the other hand, someone who naturally strikes mid or fore foot might not notice as much of a difference. I would also offer that there are so many variables involved in this that what works / doesn't work for one person might not necessarily have the same result for another. Everyone really needs to decide what works best for them and not put too much stock into what the rest of the crowd is doing.

I couldn't agree with you more!!
I made the switch, jumped straight into a pair of VFF after running in Vomero's! Initially, I did feel it more in my ankles, feet and calves but it supsided as I got used to the barefoot running style. I never read anything about it, just had a friend tell me about them, he's a Dr. and does all his running in them, from Ultra's to Ironman in Hawaii! So I had to try it! No more running injuries at all! I went from always suffering from shin splints to nothing...I had tried every different brand and model of shoe that I could find and even went for "fitting" at some of the running stores. Once I switched to VFF's that was it, I quit having injuries and I just felt like I was running better; more effeciently and naturally than with regular shoes.
Now in Sept I did my first 1/2 marathon all in the VFF's and it was really hilly and of course as I was tired and going down those monster hills, I let gravity help me out, spread my legs and just went down! Although it was my own fault for not running in better form, I did over-do it in the VFF's and my feet ached for a few days. Again, I feel like it was because of the way I let myself go down those hills though! At any rate, I have also switched to the Nike Free for some of my runs to give me feet a rest. I have always been a heavy heal striker and I weight 230 lbs, having switched to the minimalist shoe has been the best thing for my running, helped me improve the way I run. I know this isn't for everyone but for me it's a good thing!
Also note; VFF's will start up a conversation any where you go!!!
Happy Running Everyone!

Aileenamber · #28 11-03-2010, 05:37 AM

Wore my 1st frees into the ground to the point where I couldn't run in them. So was forced to go back to my old running shoes. Couldn't hang anymore. And bought another pair of frees. First run in them everything felt great again. I even picked up the pace quite a bit from a run only few days before in traditional shoes. Everything feels right in these shoes. Calves feel the burn but its the right kind. Feels good. I did get one of the running store employees to admit they can't keep the shoes on the shelf. Which was funny because when I purchased my last pair the owner tried to talk me out of it. Anyhows I am firm believer in the frees. I don't think I will ever wear another shoe by choice.

Aileenamber · #29 11-03-2010, 05:41 AM

[QUOTE=run away joe;8952]exact same issues when i got mine, my arch felt more like a sore muscle rather than a pain..

Love the shoes still friend. I just bought my second pair. I never once had feet soreness in them but man o man on the calves but it's a good muscle pain. I had to revert back to my old shoes for a bit as wore the 1st pair into the ground and man am I glad to be running in frees again.

run away joe · #30 11-03-2010, 10:15 PM

its amazing isnt it? i was walking through a downtown area this week and had a pair of pegasus on. i had no intentions of running, i wasnt even in running clothes.
i really do not like walking at all when i know i could be going at least twice as fast. I was about 2 miles away from my car and thought im just going to run, i like running through urban areas when its crowded, its challenging and fun.
i took off and paid the price later. my knees were killing me,
went for a run hours later in my frees and i was fine.

I started putting $15 away a week to buy new frees so i have more than one pair.