Forums >General Running>Running in "minimalist" shoes
I read Born To Run in hardcover pretty much as soon as it came out and thoroughly enjoyed it just as a great well-written running story. But I had no idea when I read it that it would prompt the huge, and kind of hypee, fad in "barefoot-style" or "minimalist" running shoes. (I was frankly surprised later when the fad emerged because I recall that the only "gringo" who insisted on running quasi-barefoot was kind of ridiculed in the story.)
One good thing about over-hyped fads though is that they often leave behind them, once everyone calms down, good lasting changes of a less radical degree.
For myself, although I have absolutely zero interest in ever running so much as ten-yards barefoot, I must admit that in the midst of all this I've tried some of the minimalist offerings and I now find that I enjoy running in shoes that are much lower to the ground, less cushioned, and just simpler than I did for my first few decades of running (yes, I'm that geriatric).
So my question: How many of you have had your running shoe preferences significantly shifted in that direction over the last few years?
I run in shoes.
Born to Run guy is dead.
I run barefoot and started doing so before the book came out. I did so to save money. Besides, when I started there weren't minimalist shoes and there were only two people on the internet who advocated running barefoot - KenBob and Rick.
I have an arsenal of shoes that include Merrell Road Gloves, New Balance MT10s, Hokas and shoes in-between. I believe each of these shoes serve a purpose and give my body a slightly different workout, although I have a forefoot strike regardless of footwear. For example, Hokas are great for long, hilly runs, while the Road Gloves are great for shorter recovery or general aerobic runs.
A few years ago, I started running in traditional shoes. More recently, I have found great benefits in minimal shoes. I strongly prefer a zero or minimal drop shoe, and most likely won't consider a shoe with a drop of more than 4mm. I love the feel of the minimal shoes. However, the Hokas, which have a 4mm drop, are great for long runs and are much easier on my body, especially on the downhills.
Marathon PR: 2:52 at the CIM 2012 hurricane.
2013 Finishes: (3) 50K, (2) 50M, (3) Marathons
2013 Goals: 2:45 marathon and Headlands 100 miler 24-hour finisher.
Next Race: Goldrush 100k - 5/11/2013
I have no idea how to answer the poll. I picked "A".
Runners run.
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I fall between A and B. I wear shoes that are somewhat more minimal than what I wore 5 years ago, but not hugely so (I went from wearing very mild stability performance trainers to Nike Free Runs). I mostly wear minimal shoes because my peroneal tendons get pissed if I'm in a shoe that is at all stiff from heel-to-toe. I've never read BTR or any Chi running stuff.
Kirsten
'07: 1324.5 | '08: 1561 | '09: 1810.9 run ~ 208.7 bike | '10: 1,000.3 run ~ 3513.5 bike | '11: 710.3 run ~ 4157.9 bike '12: 659.9 run ~ 3365.6 bike (100% benched by ortho last 4.5 weeks while in long-arm cast)
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Milktruck say relentless
I've gone from running in 'stability' shoes to running in 'neutral' shoes. But they both have lots of cushioning and a steep drop from heel to toe.
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
" ..that corner has narrowed to a half-nekkid egyptian wandering about in the cold new jersey nighttime."~ R2E
I went from running most of my miles in racing flats five years ago to running in New Balance Minimus shoes now.
I run in a lot of different types of shoes now - minimalist, zero-drop, flats, xc spikeless, trainers, trail shoes. The only commonality is that they are all neutral and fairly lightweight (the heaviest shoe I have right now is about 9.5 ounces). For years I ran EVERYTHING in ASICS DS Trainers which I, now, cannot bear to even run a step in those bricks. Started exploring other shoes when I started racing and training a lot more than I used to.
I run in running shoes, because I really don't like the feel of barefoot, but I do opt for a lower heal drop. Saucony Kinvaras are my shoe of choice.
I write and stuff
Hungry
Born to Run got me to try running again after a 14 or 15 year gap. Bought VFF's, eased into it, changed my gait, quickened my cadence, and started tracking my miles here. I've retired the VFF's, and now have a bunch of shoes with 0 to 4 mm offset.
2013: Grandma's Marathon, June 22 (Goal 3:15)
" ... don't add a set of legs to a beautifully done painting of a snake just because you felt you need to work on it some more."
For the most part I have been running in 4mm drop shoes for the past 2 years.
Previous to that it was Pegasus and ASICS Gel Pulse.
mta: I didn't read 'Born To Run' though I tried to. I couldn't get through it.
Found it a boring read.
steph
OCD If you don't laugh ...
I haven't read the book. I wasn't really running 5 years ago. I don't know what "more minimalist" would mean really. Is that like a little pregnant?
So....A.
But Och! I backward cast my e'e, On prospects drear! An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear!
I am between B & C. I train in "traditional" shoes, Vibrams, and very little barefoot. I will wear the minimalist shoes for a race, but will not consider barefoot in a race until I become too ancient to have a chance to PR or win an AG award.
Twitter: @TheGITM
I believe in changing up shoes regularly. I think that running in a specific shoe for a long period of time will cause weaknesses in whatever areas are supported. To me, it's better to switch up shoes regularly. That said, I race in the lightest shoe I can get away with. Currently, that's the Mizuno Universe at 3.8oz.
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