Chi Discussion Forum

Sooohohohohoooo I started back running seriously again, and ran into a slight problem. I bought new shoes. But, yea, since my re-introduction with running I’ve managed to get my 5k times from 24-25ish to the 22s. I been running lots of LSD runs (6-8 miles) and Tempo runs around track (3-4miles). All this training an miles, running 6 out 7 days a week, I’ve ran relatively pain free. Then for my birthday I got me some minimalist shoes…. and now I hurt everywhere… ish :D

I got New Balance “minimalist” shoes at a discounted 60$ and thought “Great!!!” Well the first run I got a side-stitch, my calves hurts, and my right foot hurts (feels like I’m tearing something something somewhere where my arch touches the ball of my foot.) At first I thought it might be the trail I ran, you know bruising my feet and therefore hurting my form. Well I ran somewhere less rocky and my foot still hurts the same way, got the side-stitch, and calves hurt even worse. Then I took these shoes to the track, and my calves hurt even worse now, my side hurts still, and the foot pain returned after running 1 lap…. and this is after I ran very slowly, and trying hard to focus on running more relaxed… etc.

Is it the shoes I got, or is my form not “proper” enough for “minimalist” shoes?

Minimalist shoes take a lot of getting used to!  I read that you should only use them for about 10% of your running time at first and slowly build up.  That said, since using them (and getting used to them), I have run pain-free for the first time in 30 years.  My calves and achilles were sore at first due to the zero drop of the shoes.  But now other shoes feel constrictive to me.  Take it super slow in minimalist shoes, is the big take away.  But they are worth it - I found they enhance my form and make it easier to run correctly.

Easier to run correctly in minimal shoes but don’t expect them to correct your form. get that sorted first and take it slowly