So, I'm working my way back to a more natural running approach (as i've posted about in a few threads recently). A couple weeks ago I picked up the mt110 by New Balance. The fit was great, but it had this weird slant from the lateral to medial, forcing an overpronating gait and putting a lot of stress on my first three toes on each foot. Toes 2 and 3 are my problem children on the right side that knocked me out of the skin to ground race so these had to go. Fortunately my local running shop has a 30-day exchange period and a reasonable selection of natural/minimal shoes. After this month, I'm pretty sure my picture is up in their backroom as persona non grata (multiple exchanges in this month in attempt to run without hurting. Can't run barefoot yet; don't tell me to, please). I really wan't taking advantage; each time I went in I left thinking I had the right solution, and apologized each time (3) i went back, including today.
Today I went in with the plan of first getting feedback on the shoes I had (110's). The super helpful guy threw me on the treadmill and immediately said 'yeah, these shoes are not good for you. Have your knees been hurting?' Yes they have. Let's shop!
Tried on a handful of minimalish trail shoes, and then the Altra Lone Peak. not even a bit minimal, but zero drop. Curiosity piqued. Laced 'em up and ran a bit. Sold! felt unbelievably good on my foot, and I felt good from the ankles up as well (very important to me. I like to avoid injury
). Now let's look at road shoes. I gots some burfday moneys to spend, right? Tried on the new Altra instinct 1.5. Love. It felt super and ran awesome. I felt my mid-foot strike come back almost immediately. my whole person felt right in these shoes (Both pairs). These are just first impressions, but i spent almost 2 hours running, trying on, comparing and nit-picking shoes before I decided to pay my money and take my shoes.
So, no, they aren't minimal shoes; but, they are f-l-a-t. I feel very neutral, body-wise, and comfortable/confident running in them. My foot feels protected, which i still need (though rolling and stretching, as discovered by Bare Lee, have helped immensely) and i'm looking forward to this training cycle in these shoes. I'll update as I go as to how they hold up.
Today I went in with the plan of first getting feedback on the shoes I had (110's). The super helpful guy threw me on the treadmill and immediately said 'yeah, these shoes are not good for you. Have your knees been hurting?' Yes they have. Let's shop!
Tried on a handful of minimalish trail shoes, and then the Altra Lone Peak. not even a bit minimal, but zero drop. Curiosity piqued. Laced 'em up and ran a bit. Sold! felt unbelievably good on my foot, and I felt good from the ankles up as well (very important to me. I like to avoid injury
). Now let's look at road shoes. I gots some burfday moneys to spend, right? Tried on the new Altra instinct 1.5. Love. It felt super and ran awesome. I felt my mid-foot strike come back almost immediately. my whole person felt right in these shoes (Both pairs). These are just first impressions, but i spent almost 2 hours running, trying on, comparing and nit-picking shoes before I decided to pay my money and take my shoes.So, no, they aren't minimal shoes; but, they are f-l-a-t. I feel very neutral, body-wise, and comfortable/confident running in them. My foot feels protected, which i still need (though rolling and stretching, as discovered by Bare Lee, have helped immensely) and i'm looking forward to this training cycle in these shoes. I'll update as I go as to how they hold up.
