Has anyone done any 2-hr+ run in a pair of Nike Free 5.0 shoes? I am curious of how efficient u have to be to do that without any post injury. I assume the weight of the runner has alot to do with it too?
I ran a marathon in them for my first Ironman. But I have a neutral foot position and was only 19 at the time. So my youth/inexperience/dumbness probably had something to do with it. I didn’t have any ill effects.
Many–and using the 4.5 insoles. On pavement I have run in nothing but since June 2005. I also wear them (a different pair!) for everyday. Further, I am a few weeks short of 58, stand 6’1", weigh 170 lb, and am not much of a runner.
That said, it’s not something to be taken lightly. Builds must be slower than in supportive shoes. They’re not really suitable for any but the smoothest trails with no gravel, because they pack in (something I learned the hard way). Disrespect them, and they will hurt you.
The up side is that stress levels on my aging hips and knees are much lower. My calves, ankles and feet have become quite strong, making my feet and ankles very resistant to sprains on the trail. I’m also going faster (not saying much) than I ever have.
As you can tell, I love them. But folks at a running store I have great respect for won’t sell them any more–“too many foot injuries.” I’m bracing myself for them to go extinct. I’ll probably switch to some sort of flats, but I could never go back to wearing regular shoes. They feel like plaster casts.
Someone won an IM race this year running in the Nike Free’s
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It really depends on what type of background you have with running with “minimalist shoes” vs. “conventional shoes” and therefore have the correct running technique with a fore-to-midfoot strike and “strong feet”
Fred.
I have two boxes of 5.0’s unopened in my closet in case they change the design and I will buy about 10 more if I hear they will stop making them.
I’ve only got one pair put back in box, but I plan to swap in my street Frees when the pair I run in die. (I’m at month 18 in the current pair, so I may abandon them out of disgust rather than wear and tear.) I noticed while showing Frees to a friend recently that Road Runner Sports has the second generation at $49.95, so I probably ought to bank some more.
Speaking of, has anyone tried the latest version of the 5.0 or the new 3.0? I have a pair of the discontinued 4.0s, which seem not that much different from the 4.5. Trouble is they have a rubber riser in the toe box that irritates my little toes. I’ve gotten blisters at 1-1/2 hours plus, so I mainly use them on the track.