Running barefoot

ThickMcRunFast

3dogsrunning wrote: »

I wanted to be able to run minimalist. I really did. I read the book. My running idol swears by it. I believe that for a lot of people it is benenficial but I've gotten to the point where I believe it isn't necessarily best for everyone.
I run in a corrective shoe and it is the only thing that keeps me running injury free.

Figure out what works best for you. I do recommend a gradual switch to minimalist shoes if that is what you are going to try.

Yup, this. Everyone wants to quote Born To Run, but they seem to not notice that the shoe the author rehabbed himself in was the Brooks Beast, a big traditional running shoe, not Vibrams. For some people its great. For others it is not. The only long-term studies have shown no difference in injury rates between heel and forefoot strikers. If you naturally heel strike, then forcing yourself into something different will probably cause you problems. If you naturally run more fore-foot, then a traditional shoe will cause you problems. Find what's right for you, not what is trendy.

kristinegift

Personally, I'm not into the barefoot/zero-drop minimalism. I prefer a relatively low height in the heel and a 4mm drop. More than anything though, I go by weight. I used to run in traditional trainers, but my feet swing out when I run and the heavier shoes wreaked havoc on my knees. I've had far fewer -- and far less painful -- injuries since switching to light-weight minimal-style shoes. But it takes a while to transition, because you have to build your foot/ankle/leg muscles to accommodate the shoes, so keep that in mind.