Comments on: Using Minimalism as a Tool Not a Way of Life

By: Sore Shins Got You Down? How to Get Rid of Shinsplints For Good

Sore Shins Got You Down? How to Get Rid of Shinsplints For Good — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:53:54 +0000

[...] your lower legs with barefoot strides, slow barefoot running (not too much!) on a soft surface, and avoiding shoes with a very high [...]

By: How Christopher McDougall Really Became an Ultra Runner

How Christopher McDougall Really Became an Ultra Runner — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:30:32 +0000

[...] or other motion control shoes. Pick a fairly neutral trainer with a low heel and implement barefoot running as a tool: wear flats or spikes for workouts and do some barefoot strides a few times per week. Most of the [...]

By: Barefoot Running Research and More

Barefoot Running Research and More — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:01:57 +0000

[...] When it comes to barefoot running for those training for a race, should you kick off your shoes permanently? Absolutely not! Despite the overwhelming research that running barefoot can help you tremendously, I still very much believe that it has to be used wisely. Like I’ve mentioned before, barefoot running is a tool. [...]

By: Fitz

Fitz — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:35:14 +0000

It’s a spectrum – the majority of people probably aren’t ready for barefoot or VFF running. Keep progressing to a point where you feel comfortable and have fun!

By: Barefoot or $200 Nikes? - FuncThat – Functional Fitness

Barefoot or $200 Nikes? - FuncThat – Functional Fitness — Wed, 05 May 2010 05:38:34 +0000

[...] StrengthRunning.com Previous Post » [...]

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 05 May 2010 05:28:34 +0000

Nice! Thanks! Been going barefoot in the house for a year now and with laminate floors this was pretty uncomfortable at first. Was eying the five fingers but after reading your article I think I may go with something a tad more traditional. FYI – Putting a link to your article on my site http://www.functhat.com.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:02:24 +0000

Good point, I can’t really speak from the point of view of an elite runner or anything. I was running in Nike’s for a while, but was never competitive in races or anything. After completing my first half-marathon, I read Born to Run and figured why not give barefoot/minimalist running a shot! It can’t hurt right, since I wasn’t going to win anything anyways The process was pretty slow and painful at points (VERY sore calves in the first couple weeks) but now, about a half year later, my endurance is way up and now my speed is just reaching what it was with the Nike’s and starting to surpass that as well! It might just be a case of me training better these days, but I think a lot of it has to do with my new style of running.

That being said, if you’re winning marathons in running shoes, I’m not one to tell you to make changes!

By: Can You Race a Fast 5k With Little Training?

Can You Race a Fast 5k With Little Training? — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:32:43 +0000

[...] look like in a sample week. For simplicity reasons, I am not including any strength training, barefooting, core workouts, or supplemental aerobic work like biking or pool running. I’m assuming this [...]

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:37:33 +0000

Brandon,

I totally agree. If you take the necessary precautions and find yourself enjoying minimalist shoes, by all means transition to VFF’s (I own a pair myself). But the VFF’s are the bare minimum in terms of a shoe and should be used judiciously for somebody training at a high volume/intensity. When you throw in that extra stress, you may have to cut down on intensity/volume that could make you a slower runner. But if you love barefooting or Vibrams and you’re ready, then of course go for it!

By: Brandon

Brandon — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:26:54 +0000

Once you take a stab at minimalist running though, there is the chance that you’ll find it more comfortable and efficient than running in your old shoes. At that point, I see no reason why switching to a minimalist shoe like Vibram Five Fingers would make you an “extremist”, just someone who has found something that works for them Maybe you meant “let the (expert minimalist runners) stick to running 2 hours in their Vibram FiveFingers.”