Minimalist running.

[MC Bodge]

My knees and hips feel great as the 'impact' of running has been reduced massively by using the calf muscles as shock absorbers.

I have felt a bit of ITB tightness at times though.

And I suffered for a while with MCL pain and I have now reverted to my orthotic insoles (I had weaned myself off them) which may or may not have helped, but I've not noticed any detriment and I do still have more of an arch in my feet than I did (ie. almost none) prior to adopting the new running style.

[MC Bodge]

Things finally seem to be looking up after about 18 months of trying to run without heel strike and wearing low- and zero-drop work shoes, albeit with arch supports again.

<clutches lucky heather, rabbit foot and many horseshoes>

The indication for me is that, rather than my calf muscles feeling tight/stiff/sore/torn, it has been my quads that have been feeling stiff after running -converting cycling muscles to running ones.

Now, with more confidence allowing an increase in pace, it is now my under-developed hamstrings that are feeling stiff.

Lots of post-run stretching and foam rollering appear to be helping.

I recently went for my first run with other people in years and was encouraged when I realised that my pace was reasonable again, similar to how it had been in the past, but with less impact. It does seem that my running style is now much smoother and more efficient than it was 2 years ago.

ps. After running yesterday and some household DIY today my MCL is aching again...

Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 6th July 20:45

[lemmingjames]

Can anyone recommend a decent trainer for midfoot striking as ive been reading up/looking at some of them on sportsshoes.com and in the selling jargon, it still talks about heel striking and rolling forward.

Im just looking for something with a bit of 'cushioning' in the fore foot and not something 'solid' like inov-8s.

My current ones are Saucony Virrata 2's with 0mm drop and looking at something between 0-4mm.

Thanks

[MC Bodge]

Puma Faas 300 or 500

[lemmingjames]

Thanks for that, unfortunately the drop is a bit more than i want.

And before anyone starts, i went from a 4mm to a 9mm and i just didnt like it. Im now using 0mm drop so would be the same but at 6mm

[MC Bodge]

lemmingjames said:

Thanks for that, unfortunately the drop is a bit more than i want.

And before anyone starts, i went from a 4mm to a 9mm and i just didnt like it. Im now using 0mm drop so would be the same but at 6mm

My Faas 500 say 4mm drop on the back of the heel. Some websites are wrong, though.

[ewenm]

I find the Brooks Pure range very good - I raced the World Masters Mountain Champs in the PureGrit. I think they are 4mm drop.

[lemmingjames]

Have ordered some Skecher GoRun Ride 3's for £30ish from M&M Direct to tide me over until i go to the States in November and will be looking to buy some Altra's, Topo's or Skora's as they all do what i want but im reluctant in paying the UK prices when its the same in America, ie £100 vs $100.

Ill be removing the inner sole to give me a 4mm fall.

Regarding Skechers running trainers - why do they all look so st and er 'special'?

[lemmingjames]

So while i was out in New York, i managed to grab myself a couple of bargains due to Citysports closing down permanently, when i went on the Sunday, all shoes where 25% off + 10% after that, went in on the Wednesday before Thanks Giving and everything was 40% + 10% after so ended up spending the equivalent of £120 on 3 pairs of shoes;
On Running Cloud


Think they have a high drop and a definetely a heel strikers shoe but so comfy to walk around in. When you heel strike when walking, it does feel like youve trodden in chewing gum on the heel but soon get used to it.

I tend to run to the gym and then run/walk home pending on how tired i am. Route i take is all pavement/road and is 1 mile in each direction

Brooks Pureflow 4


When i tried them on in the shop they fitted fine but tried them on last night and its a bit tight where the blue band is. Went for a 2 mile run last night (gym and back in one hit), wore the wrong socks as one slipped down off of the heel and started to get hot soles but im leaning more to the back of the midfoot on initial strike than more midfoot in these so need to sort out my technique. Not sure why i have the issues now as i didnt when i tried them on and wore thicker socks then.

Topo Athletic Fly Lite


Only ran a mile in these and no issues at all, feel very differently to the Brooks and im more midfoot striking in these. No complaints so far but not a walking around in - decided to wear these for the day walking around NYC and feet hurt quite a bit by the end of the day. Some places ive seen the diff as being 4mm some say 7mm

Neither the brooks or the topo gave me any lower leg trouble. Ill have to take them on a different route to compare to the Virrata 2's i had.

As for the Skechers, couldnt stand them really for running around in/not for me anyway.

I did try on a pair of Alta Provision 3(?) but the heel was coming out of them when standing and done up tight but not with the heel lock lacing system. Wanted to geta pair of the Altra One 2.5's but couldnt find any. Will try a pair of Skora's next but quite pricey unfortunately.