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Post by wetcoast on Aug 11, 2009 12:22:45 GMT -5
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john
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Post by john on Aug 11, 2009 13:10:39 GMT -5
In the interview you both discuss the use of a minimalist approach to shoe apparel (i.e. less support and cushioning). Now since the general public (to the best of my observations) has not embraced this idea you do not exactly see a line of shoes in a running store or magazine advertised as low-support because I imagine such a marketing campaign would prove disastrous. That being said what type of shoe would one look for that fits this description. Does this mean you ultimately want to be running full-time in a racing flat-type shoe?
Scott also mentions that an athlete must make a gradual transition if s/he wants to change to a minimalist shoe. In your experience what are the intermediate steps to eventually run in a back-to-basics (60s-70s era?) style shoe full-time?
Thanks for any input and once again a very informative and entertaining article.
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Post by wetcoast on Aug 11, 2009 13:57:22 GMT -5
Hi John,
I asked Scott the minimalist question because I knew the answer already, having talked to him about the approach. I sat in a room a couple years ago with a bunch of elite athletes a few coaches etc. and they all said what I had been wondering about for some time and that is, modern day shoes are causing issues because we are not built with all kinds of cushioning and control....we are built as we are...and Scott mentions that.
I like the Adidas RCs, they are a red-ish/salmon colour and have a flatline outer soul....there is zero heel. I can twist and squeeze the shoe with great ease....love 'em. Now we all have trainers, trail shoes and others etc, while we also have racing flats. How is it that we can train on a cushioned shoe, but race in a flat and not expect to get injured??
Anyway I found it took me nearly a year of using the adidas CS's 5 or 6 runs-per-week, which is a light weight trainer, with some heel and the RC's once or twice-per-week and a trail shoe or a cushioned shoe when I felt like I wanted an easy recovery run....I added the RC's in about 1 day per week every month with some weeks falling back to less...I can now run exclusively in the RC's. I even run on a beach with golf ball sized rocks in these RCs - in fact I did a mountain run with scree and shale all about at 6700 ft in them....the transformation is complete. And let me tell you - sometimes I feel power in the ankle area I have never known.
One odd ironic situation happened. I bought a dress shoe without thinking...very stupid. Major stiff heel cup and a heel that rubs my achilles and digs in with every step. This caused my first ever foot injury....
On another note, I have sprained my ankles too many times to count. The higher heel in your typical cushioned shoe, cause my ankles to roll...I NEVER have this issue in a flat shoe.
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skuja
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Post by skuja on Aug 11, 2009 14:57:32 GMT -5
I do most of my running in these now, and my foot problems have cleared up. (Foot problems occurred with Big Bouncy Stiff Shoes.)  |
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Post by wetcoast on Aug 11, 2009 15:07:44 GMT -5
Looks good...how flexible laterally is it (torque) how flexible is the toe bend, toe box push up....heel, is it soft? I find the RC's still have a plastic cup though...bah. I like how the top at the back of the heel looks soft - I don't like the height though, personally, I would roll my ankle for sure.
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skuja
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Post by skuja on Aug 11, 2009 15:51:41 GMT -5
That heel is deceiving....it's not very high. The foot fits well into that cup, and the soft part up top is for grab and go, triathlon needs. It twists and turns very easily. The only issue I have is dirt roads with rocks....ouch!
Sorry for hijacking this thread with shoes vice Simpson.
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Post by deekay on Aug 11, 2009 16:03:49 GMT -5
I've also been working my way into the AdiZero line. Besides the standard Adidas fit working better with my foot than Mizuno, NB, Saucony, I am really liking the more minimal shoe (and the $80 price tag is hard to beat). I've got a pair of the LT which I was using for intervals and tempos (no road use), and have recently picked up the Mana (which is almost identical to the LT) which I've been working into daily runs. 70-80 minute week-end runs have been done in the Asics Speedstar which I think is supposed to be a racing flat but seems to have much more to it than the AdiZero line.
I've been rotating around shoes by feel. I've discovered I need to wear something with support once or twice a week or else the plantar fascia start to get inflamed. I've been working into it for about 6 months or so now, and am hoping to be in flats full-time in another 6 or so. It's got to help also that I'm on trails ~80% of my running.
...also has to help that I'm probably only logging about half the running mileage of Mr. Simpson.
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Post by spaff on Aug 11, 2009 16:16:34 GMT -5
...also has to help that I'm probably only logging about half the running mileage of Mr. Simpson. Nah...to a certain extent and for now, but you can build to as much mileage as you want in minimalist shoes as long as you do it gradually and are smart. I am doing all of my mileage in racing flats, stripped down shoes and some barefoot/five fingers, but this has been a progression over the past 5 years or so. However, as you mentioned... I also still have a pair of slightly heavier more protective shoes for days if I feel like I need an extra little bit of protection. I only really tend to wear them after an especially long training run or race though...and even then could probably get away without them. |
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Post by pq on Aug 11, 2009 16:29:26 GMT -5
(1) Nah...to a certain extent and for now, but you can build to as much mileage as you want in minimalist shoes as long as you do it gradually and are smart. (2) I am doing all of my mileage in racing flats, stripped down shoes and some barefoot/five fingers, but this has been a progression over the past 5 years or so. However, as you mentioned... I also still have a pair of slightly heavier more protective shoes for days if I feel like I need an extra little bit of protection. I only really tend to wear them after an especially long training run or race though...and even then could probably get away without them. (1) I run all my mileage and races in the summer in Nike Streak XC and Adizero PR. Only exception is hilly trail runs in Gatineau Park when I strap on some beefier shoes to keep the rocks and roots from penetrating my feet.  My mileage occasionally hits 100+, and is frequently more than 80 miles. (2) I have a couple old pairs of trainers but generally only wear them for aforementioned trail runs and in the winter to keep my feet dry from wet snow. I also made a very gradual transition, over maybe 3 years. I had some achilles trouble early on when I went on a week long road trip with only flats, but now the muscles are all stretched out OK. |
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Post by coldneck on Aug 12, 2009 2:22:36 GMT -5
Now since the general public (to the best of my observations) has not embraced this idea you do not exactly see a line of shoes in a running store or magazine advertised as low-support because I imagine such a marketing campaign would prove disastrous. I wouldn't consider the Nike Free's marketing campaign a disaster. Tons of people, even non-runners, were wearing the Free a few years ago. |
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My mileage occasionally hits 100+, and is frequently more than 80 miles.