Full Support vs. Minimalist running shoe.

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 13:08:12 -0500

Merry Christmas RallyPoint nation I hope every one is enjoying the holidays.

Full support vs. Minimalist? I have decided to make the transition.

I am looking for tips/advice based on personal experiences running with minimalist shoes.

First impressions, personal/professional opinions, and recommended brands to consider.

All feedback will be appreciated. Thank you.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 25 at 2013 4:24 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 16:24:17 -0500

I wear Skechers GoRun 2 (mid-strike).

You'll learn to run without jarring your knees/back...you'll actually use more leg muscles which will eventually allow you to run faster.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2013 5:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 17:01:06 -0500

I second what MSG Quick has stated. My back and legs have thanked me for changing my strike to a mid-strike. One of my favorite shoes for this are the New Balance Minimus or some of the less structured shoes like Asics, Saucony, and Brooks make. The reduced drop between heal and forefoot make the mid-foot strike easier to maintain when you get tired. Look for something with less than a 8mm drop between heal and forefoot if you are going to try this style of running.

I also kick around in 5 fingers, which have improved the stability in my ankle.....which has been an issue for me.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 25 at 2013 5:08 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 17:08:45 -0500

Transition slowly. You have to change your running style to a mid foot fall or ball strike rather than the heel strike that most of us have gotten used to. The new running form takes a bit to get used to and if you start with a run that is too long, your muscles get tired and you revert to a heel strike that will screw you up and put you on profile in short order.

Start with short/slow runs and focus on form (mid-strike or ball strike).
Increase gradually over time (increase weekly distance by 10%).
Sprints/hill climbs/shuttle runs are still good (remember form).

The new running form is actually good regardless of weight, so the BS about "Heavy Runner" goes away as you get familiar with a run that doesn't involve a heel strike.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2013 11:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 11:03:14 -0500

I have been using minimalist for 5 months. I used it after I had Plantar Fascitis. It has gone. Do not use one past 6 months though. I use New Balance.

Response by CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. made Dec 26 at 2013 12:55 PM

CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 12:55:00 -0500

I've been on the minimalist  / pose running bandwagon since July 2010. Off-work, I using Vibram Five-Fingers. For Army PT I have used New Balance M10. There are multiple transition techniques that prevent injury. First, change your stride without changing your shoes. Change to the front or mid strike and keep running in your fill support shoes until you have worn the soles completly away. This allows you to keep running the distances you need, without completely shocking your calf and stabilizing muscles. If you choose to make an immediate transition, you will need to cut your running distances significantly and build back up. This was my plan. I was fortunate enough to be in a TDA unit at the time. I switched immediately after a PT test. For the first couple of weeks, I couldn't run further than a half-mile. My calves would tighten or cramp. All the stress of my body had moved from bone to muscle. It was quite the shock. I am sure there are others, but these are the two most common I have heard. I would highly encourage your to read up a bit on pose running and maybe "Born to Run" before you begin your transition. Pick up on the physiology so you understand what is going on inside your body. It can help prevent injuries. Finally, maintaining the muscular strength and endurance is a bit frustrating. I've noticed that during deployment, spending 1?teen hours a day in my boots reduces the endurance of my calf muscles significantly, even if I run for to five days a week. As far as shoes go, I have like my New Balance. They have lasted me for the last two years. However, in talking with some others I think I am going to give the Merrills a try.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Dec 26 at 2013 1:39 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 13:39:50 -0500

I went minimalist about a year ago.

I have the Merrell Trail Gloves (like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERRELL-Trail-Glove-black-molton-lava-vibram-barefoot-running-shoe-mens-8-5-/ [login to see] 2?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item2c787084fe).

I trained with them for a few weeks and now everything is pretty much back to normal. But better.

MERRELL Trail Glove black molton lava vibram barefoot running shoe mens 8.5

US $25.00 Pre-owned in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories, Men's Shoes, Athletic

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2013 4:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 16:35:16 -0500

Thank you all for the input its much appreciated. I left out important information though. I switched from a heel strike style of running about 2 years ago. I run with a forefoot strike but I kept on running with full support shoes.

I have been running faster and longer since the switch, but feel I a lighter will benefit me greater.

I was using ASICS GT 2170s before I purchased Brooks PureFlow 2s.

Here are the specs if anyone is interested.

Brooks

Weight: 7.1 oz.

Profile (Heel): 28.4 mm

Profile (Forefoot): 24.6 mm

Drop from heel to forefoot: 3.8 mm

ASICS

Weight: 11.7 oz.

Profile (Heel): 35.5 mm

Profile (Forefoot): 25.8 mm

Drop from heel to forefoot: 9.7 mm

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2013 9:57 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 21:57:15 -0500

My opinion: (as the winner of the 2013 GRC MARATHON, and having completed IRONMAN 140.6 Cairns Australia, IRONMAN 70.3 Singapore, and IRONMAN 70.3 Phuket Thailand, as well as being a Military Command Fitness leader for the last few years).

Vibrams and Merrells are great for squats in the gym, as they give you solid contact with the floor and make your lift much more stable than more cushioned shoes (which are NOT designed for lifting btw…).

I have trained and competed in both Vibrams and Merrells and DO NOT consider them the “best” shoe for optimal running. They are both roughly 1/2 the weight of a traditional running shoe, and both shoes encourage you to employ a mid to forefoot strike, which helps improve running form/efficiency and increase cadence for the average runner. As a result of these improvements, performance sharply improves and many people are “sold” on the idea that Vibrams and Merrells are the way to go.

But in all honesty these improvements can be achieved with an understanding and employment of proper running technique without Vibrams or Merrells. ZERO World-Records have been broken and ZERO Olympic Medals have been won wearing these. To achieve top-end performances such as this, most professional athletes will use a “minimalistic racing-flat” such as the following:

Saucony Grid Type A5: 5.6 ounces

Adidas AdiZero Takumi Sen: 6.4 ounces

Newton Running Distance Elite: 7.2 ounces

Brooks T7 Racer: 6.4 ounces

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...and ONLY buy the next shoe if you are less than 180 pounds, ONLY plan to use the shoe for fitness tests or races, and already understand how to run with correct form! (I shaved 35 seconds off my PRT wearing these, no joke!)

ASICS GEL-Piranha SP 4: 125 grams

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2013 12:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 12:31:37 -0500

Took my Brooks PureFlow2s for test. I immediately noticed the difference in weight from a more full cushioned shoe.

I understand wanting to run faster right away because of the weight difference and the fact that I felt my feet make contact when the ground with greater sensation.

Despite already being a fore foot strike runner I decided to take it easy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 10:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 10:40:18 -0500

I'm entirely to big for minimalist shoes. I've tried them and for me they just don't have enough cushion. I have a pair that I wear for the Warrior Dash, but that's about it.