After several suggestions to give minimalist running a try to see if that doesn't help my form improve I decided to give it a try. I did enough reading first to be moderately dangerous. I also learned that I should start slow. Indeed, I should start by just walking around.
So, this evening I headed off to the Y in my minimalist shoes (my pool shoes). I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and then a 15 minute walk on the treadmill. Wow, I never realized how much I heel strike even just walking. As I walked my foot and calf muscles were getting fatigued. I expected this and stopped my walk. I wanted to try it, not get hurt.
I learned that I should mix some minimalism in with my normal running for the foreseeable future. I can see where it will help my form. I can also see that it will take awhile for my foot and calf muscles to get strong enough to actually run in minimalist gear.
To those that suggested I give barefoot/minimalist a try: Thanks! It will help me in the long term. Just don't look for me to be the weirdo out running in the snow in a pair of five finger shoes :-D
Something else I learned today: My Asics Cumulus shoes may actually be too cushy to my legs liking. I definitely have a neutral gait and am a slight supinator. I love how soft the Cumulus are. Especially on longer runs. However that softness may actually be allowing my form to break down as I run. It seems my legs might prefer a neutral show with a little firmer padding. So, next time I will try something on the firmer side.
Have you given any thought to trying minimalist walking/running? Tried it? How'd it go?
2 comments:
I've thought about it, because I am out of my shoes every chance I get, but I am such a major overpronator, I'm a little afraid of running without the support. I'll be interested in hearing how you do.
Right now I have stability shoes which are almost a little too much stability for me.. Im a pretty neutral runner.. Id love to try something more minimal but not really sure it would work for me.
Post a Comment