I bit the bullet last weekend and spent $100 on Five Fingers KSO's, $85 for the FF and $15 for the fancy toe socks. I've run 4 times in them so far. The first 3 runs were 1-3 miles as I didn't want to aggravate my knee and the calf muscles are going to need some time to adjust. All three of those runs I had a little pain in my knee, especially the first one after doing a few miles last weekend in my old running shoes. Today I did 4.5 miles in the FF and had no pain at all in my knee just a little tight afterwards. I can't believe it. I'm sold on the barefoot hype. I can feel my feet turning over faster and I don't do anymore galloping down hills on my heels.
On the downside, this is definitely an adjustment as my calf muscles have been tight and sore since I started running in them. The bigger problem is that they are not great for winter running. Toes have been very cold 3 out of 4 runs. They ought to make a winter version, mitten style. Reluctantly I'm probably going to buy another pair of minimalist shoes that give a little winter protection. I'm thinking about x-country racing flats, perhaps with spikes, that I can use on the trails and in the snow. Or one of the so called transition shoes. Any recommendations?
5 comments:
Doesn't five fingers make a winter version that's made out of neoprene or something?
I'm really happy to read this. I've been injury-free since switching to Nike's lower profile shoes in the Frees and Lunar Trainers back in late-2008. There's definitely something to be said for having maximum control over your foot and just letting them do their thing. Most, if not all, running injuries start at the feet, so it was wise of you to start with your feet in making a change. Keep rehabbing that knee with ice, foam rolling, etc., though.
I know that you want a minimalist shoe for the winter season, but you should wait until the Spring to get your hands on a pair of the New Balance Trail (or Road) Minimus. Tony Krupicka, arguably today's top ultramarathoner, basically designed the shoes. Read more about them on his blog: http://antonkrupicka.blogspot.com/
He logs upwards of 200 miles/week in these shoes in the mountains of Boulder, CO. In the winter, he throws Microspikes on them. He seems to know his shit, what works and what doesn't...
You'll wanna check this out, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ofkrxZvyrI
Cheers.
I know what you mean about downhill running in less shoe. If you lean forward slightly (instead of back, which most of us tend to do), and let your feet come down flat (instead of heel-first)--coiling up and acting as a spring to propel you forward--gravity does most of the work. Even running on flat surfaces, leaning forward slightly makes sense. Stand up and lean forward: what happens? You begin to fall forward.
I forgot to mention. Jessica switched to the Frees about a year ago or so and is doing 70 miles per week in them. She's run both her marathons in them, as well. Before the Frees, she was running in your everyday running shoe. Granted she has near perfect bios, all it takes is the will to make the change and a little bit of discipline to adjust.
Hi Em!
Apparently FF does make a neoprene version. The FLOW model. For another $5 that probably would have been a good idea. Probably a bit hot in the summer though. I ran this afternoon in a pair of NRS neoprene shoes I bought 10 years ago for $20. As far as I could tell they gave me the same barefoot benefits as the FF, calf muscles hurt just as much. They are quite a bit heavier and create some hot spots. But toasty warm! Come summer time I'm going to build my own sandals. www.invisibleshoe.com
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