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| Nike Free (Read 633 times) |
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posted: 11/8/2006 at 8:11 PM |
I've been using Nike Free Running shoes for some time now and I love them. I haven't done any long runs in them though following advice of my firend who says they don't provide enough cushioning. There are a number of barefoot runners and they seem to be doing just fine without any cushioning. Any thoughts? Has any of you tried Nike Frees on long runs, say over 15 miles?
SKB |
I would rather wear out than rust out.
- Helen Klein
You create your own universe as you go along.
- Winston Churchill |
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posted: 11/10/2006 at 1:13 AM |
I haven't tried them, but I'm really interested in this topic! 
I was told that it's not good to wear them for every run. Any opinion on that?
I heard this when I went to a shoe clinic at a running specialty store.. the speaker was the owner and a long time regional race promoter, etc (basically, he seemed to really know about running shoes). The Free Running shoes had just come out and so I asked him about them. He said they are a really great idea, but that they're not designed for running every day of the week (unless your feet are already used to running barefoot). He mentioned that a number of distance teams (Stanford CC/Track for instance) have used this concept for a long time... they work one "barefoot day" (truly barefoot, no shoes but running on grass and trails I think) into their schedule once every week or so. He said that doing the same thing with the Free Running shoes might allow you to attain similar benefits (increased foot strength I guess?) without having to make certain you're running on safe surfaces.
So that's sort of my take on them, but, like I said, I havent' tried them so it may all be hooey!  Maybe you can convince me to get a pair and then I can try them out!
By the way, do you race in them, train in them, or both? Are there certain workouts that you'd avoid when you're wearing them (distance vs speed)? |
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kendahl |
posted: 11/10/2006 at 3:23 AM |
I too have had good luck with Nike Frees.
I've restricted them to treadmill running, but really like them there.
I've been slowly getting over a bad case of plantar fasciitis. When I was vacationing this August, I did a lot of barefoot beach walking. To my surprise, this really seemed to help a lot. I figured that this was a form of stretching the fascia. I later figured that running with the Free's would have the same effect and I do think this helped.
Lately I do all my treadmill runs with the Frees and outdoor runs with arch supports in my Asics. It seems to be working. Probably this makes no sense but my pain is almost entirely gone (it's taken about 6 months). |
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posted: 11/10/2006 at 1:00 PM |
I've been using them for almost any type of running but no runs over 10 miles. Honestly, I don't know why, because they feel great and their light weight makes my feet happy. Yesterday I wore them on an 8 milr trail run even though mine are not trail runners. They preformed very well but I have to add that the trail was not too technical. I understand that one needs to get adapted to those shoes. I walk barefoot whenever I can so it did not take me long to get used to Nike Frees. They don't give one that barefoot feeling bot close to it. One of these days I will take them for a long, long run, as soon as I get back into my spring form.
SKB |
I would rather wear out than rust out.
- Helen Klein
You create your own universe as you go along.
- Winston Churchill |
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| view log |
posted: 11/10/2006 at 4:04 PM |
| Quote from kendahl on 11/10/2006 at 3:23 AM:
I've been slowly getting over a bad case of plantar fasciitis. When I was vacationing this August, I did a lot of barefoot beach walking. To my surprise, this really seemed to help a lot. I figured that this was a form of stretching the fascia. I later figured that running with the Free's would have the same effect and I do think this helped.
I've struggled with a little plantar fasciitis in the past also. Your story is really interesting. I can imagine some situations where barefoot running (or freerunning) might make plantar fasciitis worse. But what you suggest (that, if you're careful and gradually introduce it, barefoot running might strengthen foot tissues and thus be preventative?) makes equal sense to me. And the comparison with barefoot beach walking seems apt... walking on sand can be an amazing workout on the feet!
Okay, I'm almost set to got buy a pair... I'm still not convinced they'd be good for everyday use (at least not for me... I don't get many chances to walk around barefoot in Chicago, so I don't think my feet would be ready for it) but they could be a good foot-strength excecise on the occasional run. |
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kendahl |
posted: 11/19/2006 at 3:29 PM
modified: 11/19/2006 at 3:31 PM |
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kendahl |
posted: 11/19/2006 at 3:30 PM
modified: 11/19/2006 at 3:32 PM |
</quote>Okay, I'm almost set to got buy a pair... I'm still not convinced they'd be good for everyday use (at least not for me... I don't get many chances to walk around barefoot in Chicago, so I don't think my feet would be ready for it) but they could be a good foot-strength excecise on the occasional run.</quote>
I definitely would not run everyday in Frees. Nobody recommends this anymore. I'd go ahead and try them out. Even if they don't work out for running, they'd make great slippers (they're really comfortable). |
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posted: 11/19/2006 at 3:50 PM |
| Quote from kendahl on 11/19/2006 at 3:30 PM: Even if they don't work out for running, they'd make great slippers (they're really comfortable).
HAHAHA... I don't think that's what Nike has in mind.. |
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posted: 11/19/2006 at 7:39 PM |
| For the past year and a half i have used only the frees for long runs and feel fine. I used them on asphalt, trails, tracks....Everything. Not to mention that my legs are much stronger than they ever were. |
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