Ive always been interested in minimal shoes, after of plenty of research and shoe testing i finally purchased a pair of new balance minimus mr00, and i love them. Ive ran 3 runs this week, total mileage 15 miles, more than id originally planned. I found myself constantly focussing midfoot striking. As result the day after my third run i could barely walk due aching calf muscles. Never realised the results to your lower leg muscles. Short term pain, long term great results (hopefully)
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i started in minimal shoes a few months ago, now run exclusivly in them, but hold back and just increase your mileage very slowly. I started off just doing a mile at the end of my run in them. now running over 30 miles a week. I still get stiff calfs after long runs.
If you had done plenty of research how could you fail to see all the advise of building up the running very slwoly to allow the calves time to adapt....i have only read the threads on here and learnt that fact ......
I love my nike free's, calves hurt like mad for the first 3 or 4 runs, but within a month I managed the Great North Run in them and smashed my PB. I rotated with my other running shoes so I didn't go out 2 days in a row until I was totally "adapted". I can't see me going back to other shoes soon, though I did bottle running my first marathon in them and stuck my Lunarglide's on at the last minute.
The only thing I noticed was that if your legs are so tired as to start heel striking than just walk - its safer. You soon get used to them.
Those mileages sound quite high - I've heard of people starting off with a few 100 meters to begin with and taking it very steady to get back to normal running.
I'm a complete convert but my only worry is I'm doing the Thames path hundred in march, and should I run this in my new balance 110's.
I ran in a more traditional shoe today (Lunarglide+4) 8.75 miles - 3 miles off road - didn't really notice, though I've trained myself to mid/forefoot strike no matter the shoes (even do it in heavy leather hiking boots - don't ask, but did a 3 mile run boxing day in them!)
Hi everyone,
I know some of you may have read some of this before, but for those who have not, If any of you are planning to run the London Marathon in minimalist shoes and would be interested in taking part in a study regarding injuries in minimalsit footwear runners, for university college london, please contact us at ian.masr.10@ucl.ac.uk or rmhkima@live.ucl.ac.uk and more information can been sent to you.
Regards,
Ian Masri
Thanks again Gee Bee 2