Potential Issue Transitioning to Lower Drop Shoe?

Have you had injuries or problems like this before?

The best option is to find a running store that specializes in looking at your gait and footstrike to put you in the appropriate shoe. I wear the Pegasus as well. I have been wearing them for 15 years so I think one of the thing about running shoes is if you find something that works, stick with it. I think if you have had achilles problems in the past you might run into more trouble if you went up to a bigger drop than the 10mm. Going down from the 10mm to the 4mm wouldnt be bad (for the achilles).

Thank you for your thoughts on the shoe situation.

As far as Achilles/Calve soreness goes I'm relatively injury free. I've realized in retrospect that I once wore an Asics shoes with a drop similar to that of the Takumi-Sen. Although I was on relatively low mileage comparatively to my current mileage(Around 40 per week).

As far as specialty stores I am limited, despite two running companies they tend to focus more on pronation(or the lack of overpronation in my case) and stick you in a category rather than on foot strike.

You have qualmed some of my fears about moving to a lower drop shoe so I appreciate that. And as far as replacing my actual trainers, I will likely try and stick with the Pegasus(The 31 being the first of the line I've worn).

Additionally whenever I wear spikes I don't have any pains other than some in the ankle from akward angles and such, so I don't think I'll face any issues with less shoe.

I think a 10mm to 5mm change will be less noticeable than a reduction to a NO drop (0mm) show. My personal experience is that I don't even notice a difference between any shoes from 4mm to 10mm drop. 10+ does feel a bit "high" in the heel, and zero drop does feel awkward at first. Even with a 5-6mm drop, your Achilles is still getting some support, and with the way you describe your stride (pretty much ideal), I don't think the lower drop will overload your Achilles and calves. The lower drop will, however, require more ankle mobility, specifically greater dorsiflexion. With your heel closer to the ground, you will have greater flexion in the front of your ankle during stance phase.

Here's a simple illustration of what I mean:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6vm4HVcNz0/UT5UZhGaaUI/AAAAAAAAAHY/2yNWZLQO3kA/s1600/photo.JPG

The red angle will be greater if you have more height under your heel. So if you do (SLOWLY) transition to these new shoes and have discomfort, don't assume it is solely because of stress on your calves.

Ah so that's further relief of my drop concerns.

So should I choose to go with these shoes I'll be comforted in knowing that as long as I transition slowly into them(I presume slowly being starting with a short run, some strides to get use to speed in them etc.) I shouldn't have any major issues in them.

Thank you for the further insight. Knowing that any discomfort I first experience will be normal is a potential weight off my shoulders.