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Help me out here - barefoot.minimal running shoes have a minimal cushion or hardly any cushion. So why do people say to replace a regular running shoe when the cushioning is done for?
Isn't it a good idea...NAY, even better idea to keep running on the worn out cushion? Thereby, getting the effect of a minimalist shoe?
I say baloney. Have you ever tried on a real minimalist running shoe? Im talking about a real running shoe not those Vibrams. There is still cushion/support in them.
I highly advise you to visit your local running store and try on a pair of Mizuno Universe 5s which are Mizuno's minimalist shoe. There is a SIGNIFICANT difference between running in a quality miniamlist shoe and running in worn out shoes.
No! I tried those shoes and they made running quite painful. They made my feet hurt in places they had never hurt before. Plus the pain is very bad if you hit a rock or something in the road. I even had bruises on the bottom of my feet.
I think if you are in pain your body is trying to tell you something. You are doing something wrong. There are people who can run barefoot and use minimalist shoes but there are many who can't. Plus I don't think they have been around long enough to know what the longterm costs/benefits will be.
I like my shoes cushy. The more padding the better. I want to SAVE my feet all the pain and stress I can. No injuries! I only have 2 feet and I want them to serve me well. When my running shoes lose their cush they become walking shoes and finally yard shoes. Then they get trashed!
I say baloney. Have you ever tried on a real minimalist running shoe? Im talking about a real running shoe not those Vibrams. There is still cushion/support in them.
I highly advise you to visit your local running store and try on a pair of Mizuno Universe 5s which are Mizuno's minimalist shoe. There is a SIGNIFICANT difference between running in a quality miniamlist shoe and running in worn out shoes.
Nope, never tried a minimalist shoe. I only started running a couple years ago but had a large aerobic base from other sports so took to running pretty well. I've went through a few pairs of shoes and since I got a little more serious with my running of late, I went to get assessed and fitted and the whole shabang with my last pair of shoes. Walked away with a pair of Brooks (forget which model).
I was happy with the shoes and now that they've worn out I was thinking hey, maybe I'll just keep 'em and consider them minimalist! Yeah, of course it sounds goofy and kind of is but I thought I'd post the question because really, a minimalist shoe has less cushion right? The worn shoe has less of a cushion now too so voila...minimalist shoe baby! It's like 2 pairs for 1 price.
No! I tried those shoes and they made running quite painful. They made my feet hurt in places they had never hurt before. Plus the pain is very bad if you hit a rock or something in the road. I even had bruises on the bottom of my feet.
I think if you are in pain your body is trying to tell you something. You are doing something wrong. There are people who can run barefoot and use minimalist shoes but there are many who can't. Plus I don't think they have been around long enough to know what the longterm costs/benefits will be.
I like my shoes cushy. The more padding the better. I want to SAVE my feet all the pain and stress I can. No injuries! I only have 2 feet and I want them to serve me well. When my running shoes lose their cush they become walking shoes and finally yard shoes. Then they get trashed!
Well, I don't know. My plan was to go to the same place I went before and ask if I'm a candidate for the minimalist shoes. Our feet have so many nerves and junk and I feel like I'm wrapping them up way too much.
I feel like I'm losing some experiences of connecting with the earth. I know how corny that sounds but there it is anyway.
Maybe you should try some lightweight shoes first before jumping into the minimalist ones. I REALLY like the Mizuno Sayonaras which are extreme lightweight shoes which are just a step up from the Mizuno Universe 5s. Go to a store, try them on and hope on the store treadmill in them. If you've never done minimalist running before you will probably really like the Sayonaras.
But please dont run in worn out shoes because you are just asking for an injury if you do so.
I'm not a runner, but I do run as part of many workouts, rarely more than a mile. I used to run more and further. I've never run in Vibrams, but I have run in New Balance Minimalist shoes and traditional running shoes as well.
I do notice the lack of cushion in the New Balances if I run further distances. You may well notice it on your knees and hips. However, they are lighter, and I do appreciate that as well.
Also, do you run more on pavement or grass? If you're on pavement, there is a lot to be said for cushion. Just my .02.
I'm not a runner, but I do run as part of many workouts, rarely more than a mile. I used to run more and further. I've never run in Vibrams, but I have run in New Balance Minimalist shoes and traditional running shoes as well.
I do notice the lack of cushion in the New Balances if I run further distances. You may well notice it on your knees and hips. However, they are lighter, and I do appreciate that as well.
Also, do you run more on pavement or grass? If you're on pavement, there is a lot to be said for cushion. Just my .02.
I run on both. I go a good amount further than 1 mile on most every one of my runs. Sometimes however I do hill repeats on a 9% grade - up and down. But I'm pretty sure even that ends up being more than 1 mile.
Anyhow, I don't really care about the weight of the shoe, as long as it's within reason of course. I chose my Brooks over a pair of Asics - the Asics were lighter but the Brooks felt better on my foot. I'm going for feel over weight.
I believe that cushioning is useful if you are running on pavement, but otherwise not, and I think it is best to avoid running on pavement.
Try this experiment: buy two pairs of your favorite shoes and run in one pair for several weeks. By the 2nd or 3rd week compare the used pair to the unused pair, and you'll find that the cushioning under the ball of the foot is totally flattened and useless.
Unless you are going to replace your shoes every two-three weeks, a better approach is to run on grass or dirt trails, or treadmill, where cushioning is not critical. I only run on pavement for races, and even then I am not really happy about it.
I believe that cushioning is useful if you are running on pavement, but otherwise not, and I think it is best to avoid running on pavement.
Try this experiment: buy two pairs of your favorite shoes and run in one pair for several weeks. By the 2nd or 3rd week compare the used pair to the unused pair, and you'll find that the cushioning under the ball of the foot is totally flattened and useless.
Unless you are going to replace your shoes every two-three weeks, a better approach is to run on grass or dirt trails, or treadmill, where cushioning is not critical. I only run on pavement for races, and even then I am not really happy about it.
I'm of course not going to do the buying 2 shoes expirement but will take your word for it. I run on dirt where possible...but it 'taint always possible.
Running on a treadmill gives me the oogies. I have on OK one at home but it's for my wife.
I go for OK distances sometimes but am not an ultra marathoner type person. And I'm lean and trim - not heavy at all so the impact isn't as bad, and I try to maintain good form and all that jazz to prevent injury. Still, I have gotten shin splints here and there. I usually just do slow recovery runs until they are well enough to punch it again, but sometimes I'll sit out for a while. As I age I get less conerned about putting in a lot of time and don't get too anxious if I take some time and not do a work out. I often times come back stronger after a good break.
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