OPINION: Running In Flats

I agree. I recently ran a workout in worn-out trainers and my stride was much longer, and significantly more powerful. I was very pleased.

I would say that shifting to flats entirely is something that takes years, but you're definitely right about getting in some kind of running (I did 10-12 km/week for 5-6 weeks) in flats is very beneficial.

I ran for almost a year in flats. I really didn't see much difference in my times in races or workouts. Before switching to only flats I would do my workouts in lightweight trainers, easy runs in typical trainers, and races in racing flats. The only major difference was that the flats wore out much quicker than the trainers. It really isn't as big a deal as Trackhead and the other minimalists make it out to be. If you aren't prone to injuries and train in trainers don't switch. If you really want to make your feet stronger do some barefoot strides a few times a week. Other than that it really isn't worth the risk of jacking up your achilles or spending the time trying to adjust.

Oh yeah and if it really was this important of a thing more elites would do it. And seriously most don't and don't care about the whole debate either. You don't see Tergat,Geb,El G,Lagat,or even Ritz doing all running in flats. In fact the only ones you really ever see are Japanese.

Well as unbelivable as it may seem the same thing my not work for every person, maybe you had no luck in flats, but other people have.

This is not a very good argument. Forget Ritz in this one, o.k.? As for Tergat, Geb and El G, they probably spent years going barefoot and doing most of their running, with the exception of El G, barefoot. However, the Moroccans are fanatical about doing exercises to strengthen the feet. In any event, these barefooters can, at this point, train in anything they like. Their feet and lower leg muscles have a lifetime of conditioning in them. They could wear friggin combat boots if they wanted.

For westernized, lazy-footed people, yes switching to flats is sometimes asking for trouble. But we need to aim for an ideal. I'd rather just admit that the human foot is better designed than any shoe could ever be.I'd rather work hard to get as close to that ideal as possible, not give up and run with clubbed feet. People really underestimate this. If you've ever known what it is to run with the strong feet, you'll know that it is vital to fast running.

If you were training to be come a world class typist would you wear gloves? Of course not.

I think you anti-minimalists are just impatient and lazy. If you can't make the switch over to barefoot/minimal running right away, then it must be wrong and you bash it.

Later.

flat man wrote:

I ran for almost a year in flats. I really didn't see much difference in my times in races or workouts. Before switching to only flats I would do my workouts in lightweight trainers, easy runs in typical trainers, and races in racing flats. The only major difference was that the flats wore out much quicker than the trainers. It really isn't as big a deal as Trackhead and the other minimalists make it out to be. If you aren't prone to injuries and train in trainers don't switch. If you really want to make your feet stronger do some barefoot strides a few times a week. Other than that it really isn't worth the risk of jacking up your achilles or spending the time trying to adjust.

Your flats would last a lot longer if you did all your running in them -- ironically enough.

flat man wrote:

Oh yeah and if it really was this important of a thing more elites would do it. And seriously most don't and don't care about the whole debate either. You don't see Tergat,Geb,El G,Lagat,or even Ritz doing all running in flats. In fact the only ones you really ever see are Japanese.

God knows I love Geb but I would bet his shoes have something to do with his announcement today.

I did run completely in flats for almost 1 year. They did not last as long.

trackhead wrote:[/b

Your flats would last a lot longer if you did all your running in them -- ironically enough.

trackhead wrote:[/b

God knows I love Geb but I would bet his shoes have something to do with his announcement today.

Yeah I'm really sure that it would have made a big difference. NOT

I would say training in flats was the best thing I ever did. I train in grass for 80% of my mileage, so they do last longer. Also, someone said only the Japs run in flats all the time, well they are kicking ass in distance events, and they are on their way to the top. Just my thoughts on flats.

In reality did you ever consider that his doing 100 meter sprints after alot of his runs in spikes could actually be the reason he has had the achilles problems.

I train in grass for 80% of my mileage, so they do last longer.

That is great. But the fact that you do 80% of training on grass might have something to do with them lasting longer. Not them being flats. Did they last longer for you than training shoes in grass. NO

Why? Explain to me how constantly switiching between heel heights is good for a sensitive achilles? Can you offer some logic to your "not" arguement?

Trackhead--Do you know what Geb trains in for easy runs?

I read he does all the fast track stuff in spikes, but this seems quite surprising considering he has now had both Achilles operated surgically and yet he gets this stuff during marathon training. Training gor the track I could see the Achilles getting worn down using spikes all the time, but with all his gym work for his calves and the slower paced, less stressful stride he uses for marathon pace, this is surprising.

Denison said he was doing 35K time trials at 4:49 pace at altitude every week. He would have blown away the record...but maybe Tergat would have gotten there first.

Yeah it is pretty simple. Had he not been doing the sprints in spikes it would not have stretched out his achilles. Thus he wouldn't have had the achilles problem had he just been racing in spikes. Following your logic he wouldn't have had the problem if he had been wearing flats the whole time because he would have been stretching out the achilles from the beginning. Well we can't know that wouldn't have screwed him up worse. But it is logical to think that wearing the spikes did cause the problem. So explain to me your logic?

flat man wrote:

In reality did you ever consider that his doing 100 meter sprints after alot of his runs in spikes could actually be the reason he has had the achilles problems.

I get the feeling that you're just not getting it.

Pick a height and stick with it. You say that Geb's achilles goes down because he puts on his spikes -- then have him stay in trainers for 100% of his running. If you put him in a different shoe for race day you're asking for an Achilles rupture.

I say that Geb's problems are due to the fact that he's switching heights -- jogging in a 24mm shoe and then doing performance work in an 18 or 10mm shoe is irritating to an Achilles. So Geb either has to ditch the spikes and runin his 24mm shoes 100% of the time (including races) or ditch the trainers and run 100% in his racing shoes -- no more switching.

the only problem is that it's something overlooked by most in the business.

It's based on association -- for ex. at Carlsbad Dejene raced in a version of the new SNova Comp but was jogging in the SNova Cush and hanging out in the A3 afterwards.

I know that while they're selective about their shoes in terms of fit, they defer the choice of trainer to the companies which offer the company line.

Okay -- you're a serious athlete trying to win London and break the WR -- are you going to race in a SNova Cushion or a flat?

I would be interested in hearing Trackhead's PBs, and how switching to flats only has improved your times. I would just like to hear the success of some people.