Running Times Podcast on Minimalism

Did you start mixing in the flats with training or go 100% all at once?

Could everyone stop slinging mud long enough to stay on the topic? I wanted to know the thoughts on the luna trainer. I don't want to go true minimalist but I have to agree that shoes have gotten worse and worse for me since high school and everything seems like too much shoe.

Jag did qualify for trials and for her it is working so if someone doesn't agree then go start your own anti thread but let the people who are open to something different hear honest thoughts by others.

I really like these threads, and have always found them interresting...so a few things I've expierenced personally:

1. While working in a running store for the past 7 years, I've come to realize that most people at a decent weight can handle running in neutral shoes and that they will actually fix some issues people have.

1b. As a note on that I once sold a guy a pair of Free's, gave him a plan to work into them and barefoot running, and bid him on his way (he came in saying he wanted them for work--we progressed from there). He came back at the end of the cycle I gave him without any of his previous problems--they were numerous--and was very greatful for help.

2. I've noticed that NO ONE on my college team follows the minimalism thing (our school has a rather---nice---contract with a certain company). Noone ever requests that our gear people order flats, though we have all heard of it. Even our GA's and Assistant Coaches, and Head Coach are followers of a 'normal' footwear plan and all have come from from other top schools.

2b. Most of us do strides, drills, and some workouts that are on grass barefoot though.

I know I didn't add anyting, but thost are just things I wanted to type and add---and I'm bored.

Well, it seems light and flexible. Those afre two characteristics that people who like minimal shoes look for. It's thicker at the heel and more cushioned than I can tolerate. So it might be good for someone who wants a light simple shoe but feels like they need some cushioning.

are you commenting on the Nike Free?

Must know your marathon PR wrote:

Did you start mixing in the flats with training or go 100% all at once?

Went 100% to flats and started from scratch on the mileage. I progressed +10 mpw each month until I was up to 70 mpw after 6-7 months. Ran very, very slow and relaxed during all of this.

1500 wrote:

What would the luna trainer be classified as? I'm a light neutral runner who wears soft orthosis(mainly for the metatarsal support they don't have any control just support).

I trained in the zoom elite and when I run in the luna I feel so much better; my hips and legs never get tight. I run intervals in flats with no orth. or in spikes when I'm on the track.

I haven't run in the Luna Trainers but I got a pair of the Luna Racers. I really like the general feel/fit/flexibility of this shoe, but I found them a bit too mushy for long runs (made my quads sore) and not the best shoe for hilly runs. The Luna Racers are now my walking/standing shoe (I work in a lab)-- absolutely the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn! You feel like you haven't done any walking after you wear them, as if they "rest" your feet!

So power to 'ya if you feel good in this shoe. I believe the technology in the Luna shoes will revolutionize how we classify shoes (the Luna Racer feels like a flexible trainer, yet it's only 5.5 ounces!).

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!!

A MAN IS WATCHING ME RUN FROM HIS BIG, MEAN TRUCK!!!

I THINK WE NEED TO CALL THE RAPE SQUAD!!!!!

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

1500 wrote:

What would the luna trainer be classified as? I'm a light neutral runner who wears soft orthosis(mainly for the metatarsal support they don't have any control just support).

I trained in the zoom elite and when I run in the luna I feel so much better; my hips and legs never get tight. I run intervals in flats with no orth. or in spikes when I'm on the track.

I found getting use to the low heal of a flat was a bigger challenge than losing the extra cushion of a full trainer. Doing strides in bare feet every other day as well. Just find a park with a low dog poo level for this one.

I'll add to this. I was injured throughout high school and my first year of college with numerous stress fractures, shin splints, and knee problems. I never went more than a couple months without having any injury problems. During that time my mileage never went above 50 mpw and I was training exclusively in trainers. Then about 11 months ago I switched to the nike jasari+, a marathon shoe with a low heel. After about 6 months with no problems in that shoe I slowly transitioned to a racing flat that had no heel and only weighed 4 ounces. For the last 5 months I've done all my running in that racing flat and have gotten up to 70 mpw in them. I'm a junior in college now and have never been more fit and healthier in my life. I'm not that fast but have improved tremendously in the last year (sub 32 10K) just from being able to train consistently.

http://www.quickswood.com/my_weblog/2006/08/athletic_footwe.html

man from the north country wrote:

are you commenting on the Nike Free?

No. I was answering the guy who said no one has answered his question about the Luna. But I'd probably say the same thing about the Free.

I am no scientist, unless you want to talk quality beer ha ha.

However, there are some sites that talk about minimalism and shod and not shod feet.

I wrote about minimalism. Now I am no researcher, so the editorial is only worth reading if you are a newb however, in the comments section there is good feedback posted...

http://www.flotrack.org/articles/view/280-minimalism

Now saying that - if you pronate...supinate...whatever, you can help your foot become stronger, by letting them get stronger, by freeing them from the confines of heavy cushioned or controlling shoes.

Hi Jaguar, congratulations on the Trials and on your PR at the 20K Champs. Fantastic.

Could you tell me what flats you are training with? Sorry if it's already mentioned on the Podcast, but I can't played it on my computer. Thanks.

And thanks to Texas for starting the thread.

Thanks for the input.

I do feel I need some cushioning, more than a flat but at the same time I don't want the shoe to alter my biomechanics. I can run long workouts in flats with no problem but I do like the feeling of more shoe for easy days and over distance.

I have a pair of luna racers but haven't used them yet. I do think they will work for me. I currently have a pair of DS racers but I feel they cause me to supinate at toe off. It's like I can't go all the way through my gait phase and I have virtually no wear under the big toe area.

Um, B-standard runners toed the line for the OT not because they had even outside shots at making the team but out of charity. USATF threw them a bone with the B standard. Then, USATF decided to eliminate the B standard for the marathon for men. Almost predictably, a bunch of B-standard runners started crying about how their entire reason for running has been taken away. That's because they failed to fully appreciate the charity they were shown by being allowed into the OT in the first place thanks to the softest standard of any event.

jaguar1 wrote:

I only used myself as an example after "mostly for hobby runners" said it's not for serious runners putting in heavy mileage. I posted my times only after "1402 5k guy" requested them. So your statements and the anonymous postings by "I see another charity runner." have no credibility.

Wrong. The choice to use yourself as an example is YOURS. As much as you'd like to deflect responsibility and blame someone else, that's a FACT!

You must be dumb. wrote:

Wrong. The choice to use yourself as an example is YOURS. As much as you'd like to deflect responsibility and blame someone else, that's a FACT!

How can you not understand that she was responding to a query from another poster?

The DS racer might have a last that is too curved for the shape of your foot.