Switch to Minimalist Shoes

I run in my Vibram FiveFingers. Love them. They are the only shoe I can wear and not get shin splints. Plus, I can run further in them. My gait is so different now because you actually land on the ball of your foot first versus your heel. It's way lower-impact.

I, too, switched to Vibrams. But very slowly...I was up to 5 miles in regular shoes and now I can do maybe 2 miles in the Vibrams (running with no walking). I like to research things a ton and if the mileage is upped too soon it's tendonitis and stress fractures galore!

I have been using them for about 2 months now and I do love them, but it is going to take a while before I can get the mileage back up to where it was.

Hi!

I started running this summer at about 4 mph for 15 minutes. Now I'm faster (I haven't timed myself though) and my long runs are about 6 miles. I also just bought some minimalist shoes (Vibram Minimus - trail)! I am so excited! I also tried them out today and I loved them - definitely very different from my Asics though.

For those who have made the switch, how did you transition into them?

Thanks!
Sio

I don't minimalist run, though I'm thinking about implementing it as a training tool, but in the form running class I take they talk about it in detail because so many people are trying to make that switch. What they recommend is starting out small, just like when you first started running, but even smaller. Run 1/4 a mile twice a week for a couple of weeks in addition to your normal runs, then up it to 1/2 a mile, then 3/4 a mile. Keep going until you're running two miles twice a week and then start replacing your shorter runs with the minimal runs. In the class they never recommend completely replacing your regular running shoes with minimalist shoes, but I suppose after a certain period of time it is up to the individual runner.

Start off with low mileage with them...you'll be working your muscles very differently and you WILL get sore! I'd maybe wear them once a week for a little bit and then gradually add them in more often until you adapt to them. I currently wear Saucony Kinvaris and Nike Pegasus, but because of all the shin issues I had with my Kinvaris' I mostly just race in them...I'll use them also for speed work when I implement that into my running program again, but for now I'm loving my Pegasus.

Just give your legs ample time to adjust to them. The biggest thing about switching to them after wearing a typical running shoe is that your body has adapted to running with huge heel cushion and no heel drop, so injuries can occur pretty quickly. My shins were killing me about 2 weeks into using them...and that was running 3-4 times a week going no further than 5 miles.

The most recent research is showing that minimalist shoes aren't for everyone because of that adaptation of wearing a general shoe....so if you've brought them into your runs very gradually and have slowly tried to build your muscles that way and they still hurt you, then go back to a regular shoe.

I was a big skeptic of this vibrams, but now I have been using them for a year. I have several pairs, but the bikila our my favorite set. I really didn't have a transition period. They just felt right. Just take you time getting used to them. They come with some instructions on how to get used to them. I think they recommend only wearing them 2 hours a day at first. Check out there site. http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.htm

Also, http://www.travelcountry.com/shop, and http://www.citysports.com/ has some great deals.

Did you get the New Balance Minimus 10 Trail shoes? If so, let me know how they are for you. I have a pair on order.