Barefoot/minimalist shoe runners...

[War Machine]

the guy from Dual Survivor going to be there?

[Jonny00GT]

the guy from Dual Survivor going to be there?

I'll try and track down his contact info! ;o)

-Jonny

[War Machine]

I'll try and track down his contact info! ;o)

-Jonny

lol

maybe he'll piss on his bandanna before he runs?

[jfrog]

Jfrog, your legs are designed to be optimum shock absorbers and work much better than a 1/4"-1" slab of rubber under your heal. Adjust your form and it won't matter what you put or don't put on your feet. Even RD "The anti-barefooter" will back me up on this.

I'll be out at the nature preserve in Plano tomorrow and every Sunday at 7am, so anyone that wants to put in a leisurely 4-5 mile run, shoes, barefeet or wheel chair, come on out!

I'm in Waco or else I'd like to see what you mean, anything to get faster and go farther

[Vertnut]

I'm really interested in the "minimalist" shoes (not so much the barefoot style). I'm not sure where to start. I'm only running 4-5k's a week (training for sprint tri's). After trying Asics, Mizuno's, etc., I'm ready for something different. I'm 6' and 202lbs., but trimming down some. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[OldGuysRule]

I'm really interested in the "minimalist" shoes (not so much the barefoot style). I'm not sure where to start. I'm only running 4-5k's a week (training for sprint tri's). After trying Asics, Mizuno's, etc., I'm ready for something different. I'm 6' and 202lbs., but trimming down some. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Take your pick:

http://www.runblogger.com/2010/07/runbloggers-guide-to-minimalist-running.html

I personally have been running Kinvaras in training and anything that requires more than 10 miles in a race but still go to my K-Swiss K-Ruuz for races 10K and under (road.)

At 200 pounds (and your age old man, like me) I'd stick with the "performance trainer" category before moving to a more minimalist racing flat.

Off road, since most of my off road running races come at the end of an off road tri up to 10 miles I can go fairly minimalist on running shoes and use the Saucony Shay XC 2 which actually weigh less than my Kinvaras!

[Vertnut]

Take your pick:

http://www.runblogger.com/2010/07/runbloggers-guide-to-minimalist-running.html

I personally have been running Kinvaras in training and anything that requires more than 10 miles in a race but still go to my K-Swiss K-Ruuz for races 10K and under (road.)

At 200 pounds (and your age old man, like me) I'd stick with the "performance trainer" category before moving to a more minimalist racing flat.

Off road, since most of my off road running races come at the end of an off road tri up to 10 miles I can go fairly minimalist on running shoes and use the Saucony Shay XC 2 which actually weigh less than my Kinvaras!

Thanks Eric. Yeah, I'm 51 as of last June. No matter... I really want the best shoe for me, no matter the cost. I've been using shoes in the $100 category, and they are "OK" if that's all I can find. I'm wide open to suggestions to guys like yourself that have the experience. I'm OK on the bike, swim like a stone, and OK with the run. My main concern is when I increase these distances to the olympic tri distances.

[jfrog]

Kinvara 2 is now my shoe of choice, at 250# and put 8miles on then Saturday with no foot pain, even runners knee didn't hurt(surprised since I forgot my knee brace). Only now my calves are a little sore but feels good

[OldGuysRule]

Kinvara 2 is now my shoe of choice, at 250# and put 8miles on then Saturday with no foot pain, even runners knee didn't hurt(surprised since I forgot my knee brace). Only now my calves are a little sore but feels good

Age? Years running?

[jfrog]

Age? Years running?

age-38 seriously running since about April of this year (occasional jog prior)

[ELVIS]

i need aka want a new pair of running kicks. i am interested in the barefoot thing, but wanna ease into it. would the nike free run2 or the new balance minimus be better in your opinions?

god bless.

[Jonny00GT]

i need aka want a new pair of running kicks. i am interested in the barefoot thing, but wanna ease into it. would the nike free run2 or the new balance minimus be better in your opinions?

god bless.

The first thing I'd recommend is go barefoot whenever you can. At home, to get the mail and take a few walks a week with no shoes, at least for the first couple of weeks, BEFORE starting to run in minimalist shoes or barefoot. Shoes limit how much you use the muscles and the strain on connective tissues in your feet, so you're smart in knowing to ease into it...some don't and end up hurt.

While you're doing that, pick up "Barefoot Running Step by Step" by Ken Bob Saxton. He's a pretty silly writer, but his chapter on barefoot form is as close to a barefoot running bible as you can get and he has some great stories. Barefootrunners.org has a good library section and there are some good clips on youtube of experienced barefooters to give you an idea of what good form looks like. Unfortunately, running form is as diverse as finger prints, so you can get a close base from watching, but it's gonna take some time to figure out your own.

Next, I would recommend, whatever shoe you choose, start your run barefoot and work in some short barefoot runs into your training. There is no substitute for immediate feed back and naked feet on gravel is the very best teacher, but on concrete will do. Even a little bit of rubber between your feet and the surface will let you be sloppy, so that's why I say learn with the harshest teacher first, till you have it down solid. Run for a few minutes and stop and see how your feet feel and check for hot spots that indicate you may be off on your form.

I some how ended up the President of the Dallas Chapter of the Barefoot Runners Society and we are having a barefoot clinic on Oct 15th, if you'd be interested. It'll be conducted by licensed running coach and barefoot runner Jimmy Hart. It will be out at the Oak Point Nature Preserve in Plano: http://barefootrunners.org/chapter/t...linic-and-meet

As far as shoes, our site has a section for product review, but our "Swag Ninja" is the guy you want for what shoe works and which ones don't, pros and cons of each, etc. Check out his site for just about every minimalist shoe out there: http://www.maplegrovebarefootguy.com/

I hope that helps.

-Jonny

[ELVIS]

i need aka want a new pair of running kicks. i am interested in the barefoot thing, but wanna ease into it. would the nike free run2 or the new balance minimus be better in your opinions?

god bless.

well i went with the nike free's. ran in them for about 6mos. and decided to go for the vibrams. went to run on and picked them up yesterday, put a couple of miles on them yesterday afternoon with no ill effects. i look forward to a few more miles this week.

god bless.

[Jonny00GT]

Awesome!! I see more and more of them every race, it seems. Yesterday I ran my 5th barefoot Half-Marathon since November and I only saw one other barefooter, but Vibrams were everywhere!!
My only advice is study up on good minimalist/barefoot running form and listen to your body. Stay safe and healthy!!
The RunOn McKinney store and McKinney Running Club is doing a 3mi ish social run from Square Burger on Wed at 6:30pm if you wanna come out. Should be fun! Several VFF wearers. Also doing the Katy Trail 5k on Thursday the 10th... It's at 7pm I think; and doing the Triumph over pain 5k at Cooper Fitness on the 19th. Maybe I'll see you out there...

-Jonny

[Jonny00GT]

Oh, BTW, which ones did you get? Sun and Ski in Frisco seem to have the biggest selection... BTW.

-Jonny