Minimalist running.

[ewenm]

Just done a nice 55-min mixed terrain run (from tarmac to muddy rocky trail) in a pair of Brooks Pure Grit 2 - low/zero-drop but importantly not too thin. They seemed to work well

[T40ORA]

I bought some Puma Faas 300s and they are very light and fit well. I am up to 40 minute runs, with no issues - other than the bashing on the calf muscles, as had been said.

As a 'novice' it seems to make sense all the above comments on style rather than shoes, however I found that the minimalist shoes rather than sticking to my old Asics or Brooks are easier on the calves when running forefoot/midffot as you don't need to apply 'lift' - if that makes sense. Pretty obvious I guess.

However, one thing that I am thinking of is buying some Poron innersoles to further soak up the impact of hitting the ground.

As I had a full hip replacement less than two years ago I want to reduce impact as much as possible so that the hip lasts as long as possible before they have to go back in and replace it again. Hence starting forefoot strike in the first place.

Has anybody tried these and found any noticeable difference?

[InertialTooth45]

I was struggling with impact with the higher mileage I was doing. I found the key was like Ewen to use a trainer that isn't minimalist as such but has a zero drop heel so makes forefoot striking nice and natural but still has a decent amount of cushioning.

I went for the Saucony virratas but I remember the brooks pure range looking similar.

[Roo3Stuart]

I haven't seen mention of them in this thread, but has anyone tried Newton trainers? I have a number of friends who swear by them - I have a pair and have run in them maybe 3 times with no issues other than the last time I did 8 miles and my legs ached a bit in different places. I didn't persist with them as I was training for a marathon and it wasn't the right time to try new shoes. However have done the marathon now so keen to try them more as I do suffer niggles, and they did seem nice to run in. Would be great to hear of other experiences.

[anonymous-user]

InertialTooth45 said:

I was struggling with impact with the higher mileage I was doing. I found the key was like Ewen to use a trainer that isn't minimalist as such but has a zero drop heel so makes forefoot striking nice and natural but still has a decent amount of cushioning.

I went for the Saucony virratas but I remember the brooks pure range looking similar.

I've got some virratas too. Fantastic shoe, feels slightly narrow at the front though (seems an odd decision to make a zero drop shoe that is narrower in the toe box) and the lovely soft EVA sole appears to be wearing quicker than i've seen before.

As above, I got them for longer runs and they work fantastically.

[InertialTooth45]

I'm finding the wear very quick too. I'm somewhere between 5-600 miles in them and the outside are of the forefoot is completely flatting off now. I'll persist with them for a bit but the more they wear the more the foot will be rolling to land well in them.

[ewenm]

el stovey said:

I've got some virratas too. Fantastic shoe, feels slightly narrow at the front though (seems an odd decision to make a zero drop shoe that is narrower in the toe box) and the lovely soft EVA sole appears to be wearing quicker than i've seen before.

As above, I got them for longer runs and they work fantastically.

A lot of the zero-drop shoes are built on a spike last - so the shoe shape is based on the shape they use for their spikes which tends to be narrower than the standard shape. This is definitely true for the Brooks Pure range and sounds like Saucony do the same.

Roo3Stuart said:

I haven't seen mention of them in this thread, but has anyone tried Newton trainers? I have a number of friends who swear by them - I have a pair and have run in them maybe 3 times with no issues other than the last time I did 8 miles and my legs ached a bit in different places. I didn't persist with them as I was training for a marathon and it wasn't the right time to try new shoes. However have done the marathon now so keen to try them more as I do suffer niggles, and they did seem nice to run in. Would be great to hear of other experiences.

All I've heard about Newtons is that they are ok shoes but expensive.

InertialTooth45 said:

I'm finding the wear very quick too. I'm somewhere between 5-600 miles in them and the outside are of the forefoot is completely flatting off now. I'll persist with them for a bit but the more they wear the more the foot will be rolling to land well in them.

5-600 miles is usually the time it is suggested you should start looking to replace trainers anyway. The EVA midsole loses its cushioning properties after a while.

[stew-S160]

T40ORA said:

I bought some Puma Faas 300s

My trainer of choice. I have a few pairs.

[throt]

I use Saucony Hurricane 15, fantastic running shoe..

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/SAU2024/saucony...

[InertialTooth45]

throt said:

I use Saucony Hurricane 15, fantastic running shoe..

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/SAU2024/saucony...

Just about everything but minimalist though!

[dirty boy]

As mentioned, I run in VFF, but lately, due to the varying terrain i've been running on, sometimes the items underfoot are just about uncomfortable enough to warrant a thicker more protective sole.

I've therefore been using the Inov8 F230s



Very light, very comfortable, very low drop but not zero and my times have been improving too!

Recommended.

[Esseesse]

I've got issues on the inside of my right foot. Have done for more than a month, but on an off. Have a week gap every now and then and it goes, doesn't take much and it's back. It's not terrible pain but one of those ones you just know will get worse.

I did 2x 6 miles last week (last one last Friday, 6 days ago) and can still feel it a little in the right (wrong) positions. My left foot has had no problems at all, but then I'm left footed so maybe it's stronger.

I think it's PTT, seems to be the right area, although it may be something else. Sound familiar to anyone? I don't have flat feet.



http://www.sportspodiatry.co.uk/ankle_PTTD.htm

[kingstondc5]

Hello people,

Just wondered if someone could recommend me a shoe;

Im currently running around in some Inov8 F-Lite 230 but i feel the end is in sight for them - did deadlifts in them but ended up imprinting my foot into the top side of the sole and as a result, not as comfortable as they used to be also, im finding that the rubber isnt that shock forgiving for road running.

However, in them or maybe its the fall (6mm) i am mid foot running.

So can anyone recommend a fairly 'chunky' sole but is still barefoot?

Ive got fairly wide feet so Nike and Adidas dont tend to fit.

And my max running distance is 4miles, tend to just run the 1 mile but also walk around in them as well

[dirty boy]

kingstondc5 said:

Hello people,

Just wondered if someone could recommend me a shoe;

Im currently running around in some Inov8 F-Lite 230 but i feel the end is in sight for them - did deadlifts in them but ended up imprinting my foot into the top side of the sole and as a result, not as comfortable as they used to be also, im finding that the rubber isnt that shock forgiving for road running.

However, in them or maybe its the fall (6mm) i am mid foot running.

So can anyone recommend a fairly 'chunky' sole but is still barefoot?

Ive got fairly wide feet so Nike and Adidas dont tend to fit.

And my max running distance is 4miles, tend to just run the 1 mile but also walk around in them as well

I'm still on F-Lite 230s for running, but wouldn't deadlift etc in them. I wear my VFF for gym work (and the odd run)

The VFF i've had probably 4 years and are very durable too.

If you've found the 230s comfortable, stick with them, my wife has them too now and loves them. They also do a specific run/gym range too.

[kingstondc5]

dirty boy said:

I'm still on F-Lite 230s for running, but wouldn't deadlift etc in them. I wear my VFF for gym work (and the odd run)

The VFF i've had probably 4 years and are very durable too.

If you've found the 230s comfortable, stick with them, my wife has them too now and loves them. They also do a specific run/gym range too.

I didnt mean to, just forgot my other shoes at the time and thought theyd be tough enough but alas not, now have some Inov8 Bare X's for gym work.

Had Fila's version of VFF (dont put them in a tumble dryer, they dont like it) but not what im after.

Dont really want to stick with the 230's as i dont find they offer enough shock protection for my knees

[ewenm]

Try the Brooks Pure range: http://b2b.brooksrunning.eu/gb_en_b2c/catalog/cate...

I really like my PureGrit2 - low drop but still cushioned (very useful on the rocky trails I spend time running on).

[LordGrover]

kingstondc5 said:

I didnt mean to, just forgot my other shoes at the time and thought theyd be tough enough but alas not, now have some Inov8 Bare X's for gym work.

Had Fila's version of VFF (dont put them in a tumble dryer, they dont like it) but not what im after.

Dont really want to stick with the 230's as i dont find they offer enough shock protection for my knees

Not tried Fila myself, but I understand a far inferior product and not the same thing at all.
IME Vibram Five Fingers are exceptionally comfortable and hard-wearing. I've had my original KSOs for several years now and while they may look a little tired, they're as functional as ever and use them in the gym pretty much daily. If have KSO Treks for outdoor use but they're only a year or two old and still like new.
It's important to invest some time and effort getting used to them though - almost relearning to walk and run. It's a dim memory now but I remember getting aches and pains for a while when I first tried VFFs.

ETA I'm not much of a runner.

[ewenm]

Why are you using VFFs? Was there a different problem with using "traditional" trainers that the VFFs have solved? If not, why not try slowly transitioning to a "low-drop" (not zero-drop) shoe while maintaining your midfoot strike to see if that helps at all.

Also when you say you stretch your calves everyday, what stretching are you doing? I've found heel raises (and drops of course) on the edge of a step the most effective for calf-recovery and strength. Static stretching of my calves hasn't really helped. However, nothing beats a good sports massage for sorting them out.

"Zero drop" shoes are not a panacea for all runners. The spikes used on track have always been zero-drop and even seasoned athletes complain about sore calves after track sessions, especially if it is one of the first few spikes sessions of the year (usually March/April, so still chilly too).

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 5th September 09:26

[LordGrover]

You're not alone - my brother can't get on with VFFs either - he's far more of an athlete than I am though.

[ewenm]

lepetitoeuf said:

I had a recurrent knee problem which my osteopath never seemed to get to the bottom of, I think perhaps many years of rowing at a high level in my teens didn't do my knees any favours. So when I stopped running distances and just doing a few miles a week, I figured VFFs might be a more gentle option for my legs.

I'm doing static stretches; calves, quads, hamstrings and glutes each 20 secs x 3. The feel raises and drops sound like a good idea - what reps do you do?

I started off with 3 sets of 10 reps on each leg and built up from there once they started feeling "easy". It's important that you only use your hands for balance, not to help you raise or lower yourself. I've also found single leg squats on a wobble-ball useful for achilles and ankle strength but balance is even harder there