I'm 3-4 months into the process of transitioning to minimalist running shoes.
I know full well that it doesn't significantly reduce injury, doesn't make you go faster, and I run perfectly well in standard running shoes, but honestly, I was a bit bored with running and I do like the idea of using my feet and foot proprioception more, so I took the plunge around June.
It's been slow going, but a lot of fun - was frustrating at first since I couldn't run further than 2 miles without getting achilles soreness, but it has improved quickly. I also have gone from a mild foam water-shoe to a zero-padding minimalist shoe/sock; the initial road impact was a bit jarring, but that also improved quickly. The remaining problem for me that will likely improve quickly is a linear blister I'm weirdly getting on my left midfoot, but I suspect that'll disappear soon as well.
After the initial acclimation frustrations, I have to say it's been a lot of fun to do this. Running is interesting again, even the easy miles, with lots of fast early progression. At this point, I definitely feel lighter on my feet than before - I'm using a lot more lower achilles and foot muscles and bones to run, and I did a 9 miler at 7:10/mi this past wknd that felt remarkably natural and easy aside from the developing blister.
One thing that I haven't tested yet but at very interested in, is how my bike-run ability will go. Thus far, minimalist running seems to de-emphasize the hip/knee and place more emphasis on the lower leg and foot, which means you're using muscles that have less overlap with the big cycling quad/glute muscles. I did a 2hr hard bike this Sat followed by a 80 minute surprisingly fast run - was my first brick in awhile, and I was expecting recovery pace on the run, but I felt so unfazed by the hard bike that it went at 7:10/mile, which is pretty brisk for me for a training run. I know from experience it wouldn't have felt anywhere near as easy on that 2nd run if I had used my typical running sneakers - I can't help but feel that the different muscle groups used in minimal running form/shoes allowed a faster run after the bike session.
Anyone else make the transition to minimalist running shoes and care to comment on how training and racing has gone? And what is the favorite footwear you use?
I know full well that it doesn't significantly reduce injury, doesn't make you go faster, and I run perfectly well in standard running shoes, but honestly, I was a bit bored with running and I do like the idea of using my feet and foot proprioception more, so I took the plunge around June.
It's been slow going, but a lot of fun - was frustrating at first since I couldn't run further than 2 miles without getting achilles soreness, but it has improved quickly. I also have gone from a mild foam water-shoe to a zero-padding minimalist shoe/sock; the initial road impact was a bit jarring, but that also improved quickly. The remaining problem for me that will likely improve quickly is a linear blister I'm weirdly getting on my left midfoot, but I suspect that'll disappear soon as well.
After the initial acclimation frustrations, I have to say it's been a lot of fun to do this. Running is interesting again, even the easy miles, with lots of fast early progression. At this point, I definitely feel lighter on my feet than before - I'm using a lot more lower achilles and foot muscles and bones to run, and I did a 9 miler at 7:10/mi this past wknd that felt remarkably natural and easy aside from the developing blister.
One thing that I haven't tested yet but at very interested in, is how my bike-run ability will go. Thus far, minimalist running seems to de-emphasize the hip/knee and place more emphasis on the lower leg and foot, which means you're using muscles that have less overlap with the big cycling quad/glute muscles. I did a 2hr hard bike this Sat followed by a 80 minute surprisingly fast run - was my first brick in awhile, and I was expecting recovery pace on the run, but I felt so unfazed by the hard bike that it went at 7:10/mile, which is pretty brisk for me for a training run. I know from experience it wouldn't have felt anywhere near as easy on that 2nd run if I had used my typical running sneakers - I can't help but feel that the different muscle groups used in minimal running form/shoes allowed a faster run after the bike session.
Anyone else make the transition to minimalist running shoes and care to comment on how training and racing has gone? And what is the favorite footwear you use?