Minimalist running.
Discussion
LordGrover said:
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.
Inferior is debatable as they get alot of good reviews, i couldnt say anything bad about mine except dont put them in a hours spin in a tumble dryer as they warp. Not sure if VFF's would last in a tumble dryer either though.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.
The only issue i did have was that the strap system was next to useless but as it fitted like a glove, wasnt something i worried about. Either way, theyre dead and i wont be buying VFF's (have another pair of Fila Skele's but with more or a block tread)
Does anyone know how thick the soles are on the New Balance Minimus range is?
I've had frustrating calf issues since trying to change to mid-foot running (In my Puma Faas 300 and Onitsuka Tiger Mexico shoes) at the beginning of the year.
It now appears that some of my more serious issues have been due to 'nerve pain'. A recent visit to a physio highlighted this and things have improved since I followed his advice, sticking mostly to off-road.
I'm still getting calf stiffness/soreness after runs, but things are improving slowly. Hsving failed to do so this year, I've revised my aim to be running 10K (& trail) races next year, and maybe up to half-marathons.
It now appears that some of my more serious issues have been due to 'nerve pain'. A recent visit to a physio highlighted this and things have improved since I followed his advice, sticking mostly to off-road.
I'm still getting calf stiffness/soreness after runs, but things are improving slowly. Hsving failed to do so this year, I've revised my aim to be running 10K (& trail) races next year, and maybe up to half-marathons.
Tiggsy said:
ATM said:
kingstondc5 said:
one legged deadlifts are also good
WTF?Reg - Frostbite?
Oh for those that care, which you dont, i ended up getting some Inov-8 Road-X 233's for my road shoe. The difference in the soles betweens them and my f-lite are amazing
Every road race I've ever done (from 1 mile up to a pacemaking job of 21 miles @ 6min/mile) has been in "racing flats" which are low/zero drop, very light racing shoes. This is normal for UK club runners and has been for decades.
My training varies between the lighter traditional trainers (Asics DS Trainer) and low/zero drop shoes (60 miles per week at the moment, except for being ill this week!).
My training varies between the lighter traditional trainers (Asics DS Trainer) and low/zero drop shoes (60 miles per week at the moment, except for being ill this week!).
I strike on the ball of my foot regardless of the trainers/racers/spikes I'm wearing. Probably as a consequence of being a competitive runner since age 11 and never having had to re-learn how to run.
The norm for UK club runners is (was?) to do mileage in traditional trainers and speedwork in lighter racing flats/spikes. It was also normal for us to complain about sore calves after doing speedwork on the track in particular and it takes a few weeks of sessions for us to get used to using track spikes again in the Spring.
Is it all down to conditioning? I don't know. I still get sore calves after track sessions despite having done 25 seasons of track work.
The norm for UK club runners is (was?) to do mileage in traditional trainers and speedwork in lighter racing flats/spikes. It was also normal for us to complain about sore calves after doing speedwork on the track in particular and it takes a few weeks of sessions for us to get used to using track spikes again in the Spring.
Is it all down to conditioning? I don't know. I still get sore calves after track sessions despite having done 25 seasons of track work.
My calves appear to have become used to my new style of running (and my soleus' have become more defined). I am running lighter on my feet and with a noticeably higher cadence than the heel strikers I've seen recently.
There was a bit of soreness following a session of hill intervals, but it was understandable and nothing long lasting.
I wish I'd changed my running style and shoe type years ago. I've spent the past 15 years either not running or becoming injured after a few weeks of running....
The stupidly over-cushioned heels and 'pronation control' features of trainers and the people who designed them have a lot to answer for.
Fingers crossed I continue to avoid pains.
There was a bit of soreness following a session of hill intervals, but it was understandable and nothing long lasting.
I wish I'd changed my running style and shoe type years ago. I've spent the past 15 years either not running or becoming injured after a few weeks of running....
The stupidly over-cushioned heels and 'pronation control' features of trainers and the people who designed them have a lot to answer for.
Fingers crossed I continue to avoid pains.
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 27th September 19:46
Halb said:
There is a PT at my gym. I thought his huge calves was due to cycling, but he has melon sized lower legs due to running in flat shoes. He's only a small bloke but has the calves of a 24 stone porker.
Size isn't everything. Look at elite distance runners - strong calves but not big. It's all about strength without bulk or in car terms, power to weight ratio 
I managed my longest run in years, and since adopting my 'fore/mid-foot' running style, today . A shade under 6 miles of mixed trail & road at a steady, comfortable 155-160bpm and a reasonable pace, with no apparent problems.
Long may this continue!
ps. My calves weren't too happy when I had to walk down the stairs the following morning. Just stiffness though, not injury.
Long may this continue!
ps. My calves weren't too happy when I had to walk down the stairs the following morning. Just stiffness though, not injury.
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 29th September 08:21
ewenm said:
Size isn't everything. Look at elite distance runners - strong calves but not big. It's all about strength without bulk or in car terms, power to weight ratio
Since he got them from running though, I should imagine they are good to go for anything. He does Tough Mudder in VFFs.I've been doing a bit of running past couple of years- I run to and from work 3 times a week (just under 30 miles in total I.e 10x3) and lately I've been trying to fit in a long run at the weekend. I like to think I've come a long way and will improve on my last marathon time of 4.40 which I probably deserved as I didn't do enough training for it
Anyway I used to get injuries every now and again when I was building up my mileage and have been dipping In and out of minimalist running the past couple of weeks. I have a pair of New Balance 1010 Minimus Running Shoes and when I wear them they feel fantastic and I run really well In them. Thing is I have only run in them on grade thus far I'm a bit concerned about using them on my commute as that's basically all Tarmac.
I don't want to do what people do when they start minimalist running and do too much too soon and knacker my legs and feet. I do want to use them for my marathon in April.
Shall I mix and match my padded running shoes with the minimal shoes and build up my usage that way or shall I stick to running on grass for now with the minimalist shoes and just do the marathon with them? I'm just a bit worried of my commute with them as the mean streets of the east can be well, mean, and I can't afford to lose training time.
The answer might well be in the thread but I don't have time to consider it all ATM I'm afraid and would welcome input from those who have had the same dilemma
Anyway I used to get injuries every now and again when I was building up my mileage and have been dipping In and out of minimalist running the past couple of weeks. I have a pair of New Balance 1010 Minimus Running Shoes and when I wear them they feel fantastic and I run really well In them. Thing is I have only run in them on grade thus far I'm a bit concerned about using them on my commute as that's basically all Tarmac.
I don't want to do what people do when they start minimalist running and do too much too soon and knacker my legs and feet. I do want to use them for my marathon in April.
Shall I mix and match my padded running shoes with the minimal shoes and build up my usage that way or shall I stick to running on grass for now with the minimalist shoes and just do the marathon with them? I'm just a bit worried of my commute with them as the mean streets of the east can be well, mean, and I can't afford to lose training time.
The answer might well be in the thread but I don't have time to consider it all ATM I'm afraid and would welcome input from those who have had the same dilemma
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