forefoot runner shoes

I think if anything I understride...I have pretty long legs and my coach is always yelling at me to stride out (which I only do when I kick). I wore the Landreth's last spring and I liked them alot except the upper fell apart. My coach tried to order them again for me but apparently they dont make them anymore- our dealer didn't know anything about them. I only have one more year left and if leaving asics will leave me injury free I will do it but I just dont know much about the other shoe companies products.

overstriding is just where your foot lands out in front of you. so your stride can still be too short and you can still over stride.

:( wrote:

Ditch the asics.

Second that on the Asics. I wore Nike for years, and trying to support the local running store, got into a pair of Landreth's. While the shoe felt okay in the store on on the their treadmill for 2 minutes, day one resulted in a three inch blister along the length of my arch. Had to replace the insole.

After the insole replacement, with a week of fairly low mileage, thanks to the blister, I had a strained right calf. A week off, and a trip to the chiropractor for some ART, I was back running. two weeks later, same thing on the left calf. These suckers are going to Goodwill...

try the cumulus

Unbelievably, I've had great luck with Skecher Energy or E2. Some think they're a cross training shoe, but the support in the forefoot's unbelievable. Plus they're only ~$50, yet I'd buy them for $125.

To be fair, I'm the only person who wears them, but as an extreme forefoot runner, I love them.

I didnt know Skechers made running shoes. I used to wear them to school when I was like 12 (now 21) because they were the cool brand back then. So no one has any input in the Nike Milers, the training shoe? I've heard a few good things. I still don't think I overstride-sometimes I feel like my body is ahead of my feet. How often do you need to get your orthodics replaced?- the custom kind where they mold your feet. Think I might look at the Mizuno Precision

I am a extreme forefoot striker myself, I'm roughly 6'3 and change and don't overstride besides in the occasional sprint. However I've went through quite the variety of shoes trying to find a pair that cut the cake. For some reason Nike's new Pegasus pops on EVERYONE I know that heel strikes, but I've gone through 4 pairs now and have had nothing but cushiony love out of them. I had a pair of milers, lasted a while only used them in workouts and the occasional tempo bubble eventually popped though in the heel (go figure). I tried the elite but the forefoot is so thin and they don't last long at all, I also just got done w/ a pair of Brooks radius, they seem to work however they have a medial archpod for over pronation on the inside which adds some weight to the shoe but they're really durable. Mizuno Wave Rider might work for ya, or the new Adidas new Supernova Cushion (2006 model), is supposed to have all the qualities of the Pegasus but in Adidas form. Looks to have a lot of forefoot support. Or the cumulus if you had to stick w/ Asics, they're kinda heavy though. Good Luck!

shoesplease wrote:

I didnt know Skechers made running shoes.

These (pics) are the ones I'm speaking of (Skechers Energy). The cushion in the forefoot's unbelievable, almost makes the shoe lopsided. I weighed it at 15 ounces. To note again, many consider this to be a cross-trainer or even work shoe. But for me, it's the best training shoe by far.

wow that shoes looks super ghetto. 15 ounces! With my mammoth 10.5 lady foot i think I would feel like I have brick on my feet (as I feel with a Nimbus) I'm hearing good things about Mizuno Riders and there's a Brooks thread that is interesting

nerunner wrote:

if you are a natural forefoot runner, DO NOT deliberately change your footstrike. it is possible to do. i did it. however, it will most likely create more problems than it solves.

go to a good orthopedist, and get orthotics. it's not the shoes that's the problem, it's most likely the structure of your foot.

in response to some of the above comments, forefoot runners generally have excellent calf strength. when you strike w/ your forefoot your calf is constantly contracted. forefoot running has little to do with the strength of lower leg (or core) muscles, and more do with the natural angle at which your pelvic bone is tilted. if it's tilted forward, one is already in the forward motion (like falling over) and thus more likely to "catch" oneself by using the forefoot.

Ummmm. I'm definately NOT suggesting she ceases to be a forefoot runner. But there are many permutation of a forefoot gait - some better than others.

Its not foot structure thats the problem - its how your using your foot.

"forefoot running has little to do with the strength of lower leg"

I think that statement is ridiculous. Strength, flexibilty etc set the parameters from which your movement patterns emerge. Very simple example: Someone with very weak calves would not be comfortable running on their forefoot for long - very likely to develop a heel-strike gait.

Greater strength is required from the calf muscles, intrinsic feet muscles, and long toe flexor muscles in the deep range of motion. Staying high on the toes avoids this - this was my rationale for thinking it could be a compensation for weak calves.

Shoesplease,

You say you have strong calves; is the lower portion of the calves well-developed too, or is your calf strength disproportionately in the Gastrocnemious (sp?) group? Is your style also a bit straight-legged (i.e. not much knee bend). And how is the flexibility of your ankles?

shoesplease wrote:

15 ounces! With my mammoth 10.5 lady foot i think I would feel like I have brick on my feet

Yea, you're right. When I first tried it on, it definitely felt that way. The shoe's not perfect and for every, or even most running situations. But I wanted cushion for high mileage, especially in the forefoot and was willing to compromise anything else for it.

Also, I'm about 165lbs, and even though that's light for the avg guy, most shoes don't support me well after the 1st several runs. On the other hand, 1000 miles in the same Sketchers is not a problem. Point is the shoe's perfect for my wants.

where do you get your stress fractures anyways...what part of the foot? Do you pronate, supanate, or anything?

shoesplease,

I noticed your post on the Brooks thread as well. I think there is something that you are missing, as many shoes are extremely well cushioned in the forefoot (though, many are relatively heavy). Are you able to have your biomechanics analyized? How do you run without shoes vs with shoes of varying cushion and support? I would think the poster that referred to flexibility and strength is on the right track. Many people who tend to walk on the balls of their feet have very well-developed gastroc muscles. Perhaps there is some inbalance there?

I think my calves are pretty well proportioned,although they might be smaller at the bottom. Also someone asked how my ankles are and they are kind of weak, I turn them alot but never twist or sprain. Also it is important to know that my bone density is normal (had a test done) and I don't have an eating disorder. I think my problem may be weak foot muscles due to running on my toes. I get the stress fractures in my metatarsals- I've has 3 in the past 2 years. I always get them right when the xc season starts (and yes I train hard in the summer). Maybe it is something to do with wearing spikes, workouts, etc. I had 2 this past xc season. I usually wear the Asics Gel Flash or Speedstar. I think I run on my toes no matter barefoot or not. I rarely get injured in track- no fractures at least. I only have one more season of xc next fall and I want to be healthy!!! (and so does my coach and teammates) so :

How can I strengthen the muscles of my feet, toes, ankles?

What shoes will be most optimal for injury prevention?

Which is more important?

Play detectives

foam pick ups will help strenthn your feet.

shoesplease wrote:

Also someone asked how my ankles are and they are kind of weak, I turn them alot .....

How can I strengthen the muscles of my feet, toes, ankles?

What shoes will be most optimal for injury prevention?

Which is more important?

Weak (unstable) ankles suggests weak ankle inverters and everters - the same muscle have a large role in plantar-flexing the toes - so we're starting to get a consistent picture here.

I would say sorting out your foot / ankle function was the priority. Getting shoes to compensate for dysfunction is way down on the list (when you've given up working on foot / ankle function).

Balancing on something really wobbly will be a good start to strengthening and will also improve control of the ankle (hopefully stop you turning them). If you don't have a wobble board / cushion, i'm told a half deflated soccer ball is good. Go for say 10x1 min per leg, 2-3 times per day!

For a greater strength stimulus:

calf raises off edge of a step, going right down into full range of dorsiflexion, keeping knee bent throughout. Hold a weight if you need extra resistance. You should really feel it very low and deep in the lower leg, and also in the sole of the foot.

Also:

Barbell step-ups (quite a low step) with bare feet (or very thin shoes). Cushion the step-down motion by touching down with the forefoot but letting the heel come down gently afterward. And push up / forwards purposefully from the 'heel-down' position as you step up with the opposite leg.

Of course keep stretching to maximise your ankle range of motion too.

Try that for starters!

maybe you stay healthy during track season because your muscles adapt to running in spikes, so the muscles get stronger. spikes have a low heel, and are very flexible allowing your foot to function like it is designed to. maybe you just need less shoe.

Maybe I do need less shoe, but I never run workouts in spikes, just flats