I've been running in my Sprint VFF's all summer and running faster than I've ever run (just did a 10K practice run at a 7:35 pace), running more miles per week than I've ever run, running injury free (used to have deep hip pain from running causing me to give it up for two years) and having more fun running than I ever had running in my 48 years. I really like them.
I've also been running barefoot, but either because of running too many miles too soon, or bad form, I've had some toe blisters.
But then I read Jimmy Hart's really great review of VFF Bikilas, and worrying that I won't make it far into fall in my open top Sprints, (I live in Minnesota) decided to try them on at the place I bought my Sprints.
1) They look really really cool.
2) They feel cool.
So I ran around the store (its a big store) with one of my sprints on the right foot and a bikila on my left.
What a difference! The Sprint felt like I had a piece of flat rubber on my sole and the Bikila felt like a bouncy sponge. Compared to the sprint, it didn't feel minimalist at all. It felt like I was moving in the wrong direction, so I didn't buy them.
But now I'm not so sure and am thinking about what I want out of a shoe. In order,
1) I don't want hip pain (or other repetitive stress injuries)
2) I want to go fast.
3) I want to enjoy running.
I guess if I could achieve these wearing a bowling ball on each foot, I would be ok with that. I like barefoot or minimalist for the results I'm getting, not for themselves.
So has anyone gotten Bikilas and then started heel striking again or any other bad form that they weren't doing with other VFF's?
I've also been running barefoot, but either because of running too many miles too soon, or bad form, I've had some toe blisters.
But then I read Jimmy Hart's really great review of VFF Bikilas, and worrying that I won't make it far into fall in my open top Sprints, (I live in Minnesota) decided to try them on at the place I bought my Sprints.
1) They look really really cool.
2) They feel cool.
So I ran around the store (its a big store) with one of my sprints on the right foot and a bikila on my left.
What a difference! The Sprint felt like I had a piece of flat rubber on my sole and the Bikila felt like a bouncy sponge. Compared to the sprint, it didn't feel minimalist at all. It felt like I was moving in the wrong direction, so I didn't buy them.
But now I'm not so sure and am thinking about what I want out of a shoe. In order,
1) I don't want hip pain (or other repetitive stress injuries)
2) I want to go fast.
3) I want to enjoy running.
I guess if I could achieve these wearing a bowling ball on each foot, I would be ok with that. I like barefoot or minimalist for the results I'm getting, not for themselves.
So has anyone gotten Bikilas and then started heel striking again or any other bad form that they weren't doing with other VFF's?