Fitness and hiking club

[hatidua]

For those of you having knee issues when you run, I suggest you try a minimalist shoe like Vibram Five Fingers (the original, but no wide sizes), Fila Skeletoes (actually fit my square feet), or New Balance Minimus (pricey, looks like a regular shoe). These pretty much force you to use a barefoot running gait, where you land on the balls of your feet instead of the heel. That allows the arch of your foot, your Achilles tendon, and your calf muscle to act as a shock absorber for your knees. I've been using the Skeletoes for a few months now and I run about 6-7 miles a week. I've also backpacked in them (9 mile roundtrip overnighter).

It takes some time to get used to them, but I've had torn meniscus repaired once and this style of running doesn't cause me the knee pain I used to suffer. It was bad enough, that I pretty much quit running for a couple of years. "Barefoot" running has made it enjoyable again.

Another suggestion - squats and lunges. I do this at my desk while working and they help strengthen the muscles that stabilize the knee. I got that tip out of the Elk Foundation's magazine!

Anyone considering going with a minimalist running shoe should thoroughly research that plan before doing so. A number of runners were over for dinner the other night and the topic of 'barely there' running shoes came up. Although many had adopted the Five Finger shoes early on, all of them have abandoned such shoes and some of the more serious running stores in town will no longer sell anything of that nature due to a larger number of injuries associated with such shoes. What worked for Zola Budd doesn't work for everyone.

Google for the various studies, but here is one to get started with: http://www.runnersworld.com/barefoot...ot-bone-injury

[Tim K]

Anyone considering going with a minimalist running shoe should thoroughly research that plan before doing so. A number of runners were over for dinner the other night and the topic of 'barely there' running shoes came up. Although many had adopted the Five Finger shoes early on, all of them have abandoned such shoes and some of the more serious running stores in town will no longer sell anything of that nature due to a larger number of injuries associated with such shoes. What worked for Zola Budd doesn't work for everyone.

Google for the various studies, but here is one to get started with: http://www.runnersworld.com/barefoot...ot-bone-injury

I've been running minimalist for 4 years now. They may not work for everyone, but for some of us they are the only way we can run. In traditional shoes, I could run 2 miles, twice a week. Between runs I had to use ice and Advil for the knee pain.

Up until just recently, I was running 18 miles a week with no pain. That was my weekly minimum, some weeks were 5-6 miles more. I still run minimalist, but I'm training for an event and am doing other things for exercise at the moment. I'll never be a true high mileage runner, there is still pain if I run too much. However, I wouldn't be a runner at all without the minimalist shoes.

[Sparky]

Going to head out to Sloans Lake about 6:30

[Tim K]

Atta baby, keep up the good work. Weight loss is all about attitude and dedication.

[Irving]

I run in Vibrams, and would strongly recommend against rucking, or even walking in them. Walking is too slow and too difficult to land mid foot with your steps unless you want to feel like you are shuffling every where. That's my opinion /experience.

[Tim K]

I run in Vibrams, and would strongly recommend against rucking, or even walking in them. Walking is too slow and too difficult to land mid foot with your steps unless you want to feel like you are shuffling every where. That's my opinion /experience.

I agree absolutely. Minimalist shoes for running only. Walking in them sucks.

[hatidua]

I've been running minimalist for 4 years now. They may not work for everyone, but for some of us they are the only way we can run.

I don't have an iron in this fire, my running days are behind me, just passing along what my runner friends have mentioned. Glad to hear they work for you.

[Irving]

I went out for a run today, and hatidua's earlier post motivated me to run a little further than usual. Due to poor planning I accidentally ran 5 miles. I've only ever run 3.2 in these shoes.
I didn't have the calf soreness I mentioned in the other thread, and am overall excited about how far I ran barefoot. I'm less excited about the grapefruit sized blisters I have now.Thanks hatidua.

Oh yeah, Endomondo says I burned 914 calories. Not bad.

Tim, do you find that a high heel is preferable in your boots when you are rucking?

[RobertB]

I saw a commie chick climbing up Mt. Sinai in high heels, and it didn't look real comfortable. She didn't even have a ruck. I'd recommend against it.