I've been running in the brooks launch since about mid-august (on my second pair currently).
Is this shoe considered minimalist enough that I can step down and train in something full time such as the asics hyper speed? Or do I need to gradually move down and train in something more like the nike marathoners?
i know there are some people who have the same kind of question.
The launch is a great shoe, but still has a large heel to forefoot height difference and they actually built up the arch area to give some support. This shoe is minimalist compared to most trainers, but no way minimalist. It is closer to a trainer then a flat, but still a trainer.
Transitioning is an individual process but here are a few suggestiongs.
1. If you do your speed work in the flats you want to run in, start doing the warm up and cool down in them, until the entire workout is in that shoe.
2. If you don't tempo in them yet, start, and follow the same guidelines.
3. Check what shoes you wear around the house, alot of people want to run 40 mpw in minimalist shoe, but then put on combat boots for 40 hours a week. It may be time to think about a minimalist everday shoe (Free, water shoes, flip flops, etc)
4. Just do it. So many people worry about the repercussions of transitioning they never try it. Just start wearing them for your shake outs and slowly incorporate them into your everyday runs.
Downz wrote:
3. Check what shoes you wear around the house, alot of people want to run 40 mpw in minimalist shoe, but then put on combat boots for 40 hours a week. It may be time to think about a minimalist everday shoe (Free, water shoes, flip flops, etc)
I've been wearing flats as everyday shoes for about 4 months now and run ~30 mpw in a different set of flats. (I keep my dress shoes under my desk at work.) I think my feet have grown about half a size or more. I can't even fit in my soccer cleats or winter boots. I tried wearing my regular trainers on a run because it's cold outside, but they were crushing me and now the tips of my toes are all sore.
a) Has anybody else noticed this phenomenon?
b) What causes this? Could my feet have grown on their own at age 29?
c) Is wearing flats all the time going to mess up my arch or do other permanent damage?
d) As I go up in mileage, are they gonna grow more? Should I get new boots and stuff yet?
Your arches have dropped. This has been mentioned on other threads. Your feet won't have grown aged 29.
Generally people are asking for trouble if they try to go from running moderate to high mileage in trainers to running the same mileage in flats.
But there's multiple ways to manage the transition. Posters here have done each of these, and maybe others:
- work your way gradually down, in a series of slightly lighter, lower-heeled shoes
- sneak the flats into a rotation with your trainers, and gradually increase the % of your miles in the flats
- make an immediate total switch, but radically cut mileage to what you can handle in the flats, and build back up
Whatever you do, there's an element of "listening to your body" - as usual with running, there's no one-size-fits-all formula.
I suggest when you start with flats, use 'em initially for the *easiest* running - short recovery runs, maybe even walking around - for a smoother transition. If a shoe is different enough from what you're used to to pose an injury threat, why start with the hardest, most stressful running in it?
That's all generalities; I'm totally unfamiliar with the Brooks Launch.
Stengthen your calves through exercise if you can work it into your schedule.
I am a big fan of minimalist training. In fact I barely train at all. I typically just sit in front of the TV and eat potato chips and drink soda. It kicks ass!!! I sign up for races and pick up my shirt and stuff but usually either don't run the race at all or drop out early. Minimalist is the way to go!!!!