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Permalink Reply by John McLeod on February 21, 2011 at 2:28pm

I just tried the forefoot strike for the first time, on the treadmill (winter in Vermont), 5 miles.  Felt great in terms of breathing/cardio, and form felt great too.  Only thing is painful calves and forefoot blisters after.  Is this normal for just starting out?  Was 5 mi. too much?  Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Orton on February 21, 2011 at 2:35pm

Hey John - this is all normal, but 5 miles is be too much if this is a drastic change for you.  I would start out with 10-15 mins at a time and progress from there.  You think your calves are sore now, wait till tomorrow - ha!

Thanks for the post - E

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Permalink Reply by John McLeod on February 21, 2011 at 2:40pm

Hey, thanks for the quick reply Eric.  5 miles is a typical weekday run for me, it's just been heel-strike prior to today!  (Been reading Born to Run and checking out your website.)  Might also be my NB 719s and/or the thin Wigwam Ironman Triathlon socks. 

Thanks a lot for the feedback.  I'll brace myself for tomorrow.  J

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Permalink Reply by Eric Orton on February 21, 2011 at 2:45pm

Be patient with it, as that is the hardest part until your foot strength and form catches up with your cardio fitness.  As your foot strength improves, you will want to get out of those shoes, as they will start to feel very uncomfortable, especially near the arch.  I have a new foot strength program coming in DVD - hopefully launch in April.  I am trying to hurry - ha.

E

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Permalink Reply by John McLeod on February 22, 2011 at 10:09am

Eric what shoes would you recommend switching to?  Nike Frees, Vibram FFs, others?  I'll keep an eye out for the DVD.  Thanks, John

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Artery on February 22, 2011 at 1:05pm

I did 2 miles on Sunday, barefoot, on the treadmill.  Normally I'd rather eat rocks or pull out my armpit hair than run on a treadmill.  But this being my first week of barfefoot/minimalist training and there were wind gusts of 45 mph, I thought I would try it.

 

I gotta say, the newness of running barefoot made it almost fun.  Had some pretty big blisters on my big toe, but other than that, it was good.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lofquist on February 25, 2011 at 7:08am

did you notice the belt actually gets pretty hot?  I bet treadmill designers never considered that! :)

 

when i look for a treadmill i purposely look for one with the least 'spring' or cushioning.  treadmill belts can be suspended by springs that are supposed to ease your footstrike.  but it really has the opposite affect, the softer the surface the harder you come down on it (in search of 'firm footing').  

 

I was watching a guy at the gym this week running on the TM with nike free 5.0s (like the ones I put >1500miles on) - he was still heel striking, but the treadmill is so forgiving and the 5.0s have 13mm of heel lift and a cushioned heel.  this shows that you can still cheat on your form :(

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Artery on February 25, 2011 at 11:36am

Regarding the heel strike:  A few years ago, I was training to run with a heel strike; my 2 mile and 5k times got fast, but the injuries piled up.  But, I think what promotes a heel strike in me, is the raised heel, which my Nike frees had.

 

Although new to minimalist running, I am fairly certain that if i were to go run on grass barefoot, that I could do a heel strike.

 

I wonder if a person could train to run barefoot on hard surfaces with a heel strike?  If you used other leg muscles to land softly, I think it could be done relatively painlessly.  Not that I am going to try it, haha.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lofquist on February 25, 2011 at 6:19pm

lol, yeah not going to try it either! Best cue that worked for me to forefoot strike was the increase in cadence (to 180). When I showed my local running store the miles i'd put on the shoes i'd bought from them they said ' you must have a light for strike' haha, I want a trophy that says that.

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