I have been running for the past six years and have ran several marathons as well as triathlons. I have typically been running in Asics for most of this time, but I have developed a bunion (gross) and any type of traditional running shoe hugs me foot too tightly and by mile 5 my foot is numb. I just switched to a New Balance Minimus.....and it is great! I just did a 3 mile test run tonite and I felt great afterwards. They are super light and there isn't the heel that most traditional running shoes have, but still allows mid foot striking during your stride. Has anyone else tried out a minimalist shoe?

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"Abba-Zabba, You my only friend!"
-Thurgood Jenkins

www.abigailpfeiffer.com

I lift far more than I run, as far as my fitness regime goes. When I do run I'll wear my go to adidas cross-trainers, and I've never had a problem with them as far as comfort, irritation etc. I'm certain when I get to the point in my life where I become a runner I'll invest in a type of minimalist shoe. I used to make fun of my old roommate who loved to wear those barefoot styled toe shoe thingies (for lack of the proper name for them). I totally understand why people wear them, I don't judge, but those things crack me up.

I applaud you for your marathon and triathlon achievements. Do you have an all time favorite running path?

Someday I'd like to accomplish my goal of running a marathon, but I have other things to finish first.

I'm not a runner but have a couple of friends who do marathons...one has these really light weight runners...they are nearly like a slipper and he loves them. It sounds like what you are describing. He runs in about 2 1/2-3 hours I think, and he said they make a big difference especially in terms of leg fatigue as grams count on your foot over 42kms!

Well done on your achievements too....it's difficult training but you must feel such a great sense of acomplishment when you finish

Hello fellow runner! I've been running for eleven years. I had to take a year off in 2010 because of a back injury that I had corrected by surgery. I've completed three have marathons and a gazillion smaller races. I run three to four days a week. I love running. It is a HUGE part of my life. I've always run in asics. I have a very narrow foot with a high arch and I overpronate. I've never tried a minimalist shoe. Do you have any goals for the coming year? I'm doing a 5k this coming Saturday and a six mile run after thanksgiving. My body tends to favor shorter races these days. I'd love to do another half someday but for now I am cherishing every run I do.

Currently I'm training for a half marathon in December and then I plan on keeping my base up so I can run another one in January. I really like the minimalist shoe so far, but I've only ran a 3 and 4 in them. This week I have a five miler and a nine miler so I'll probably stick to my regular shoes for the nine miler this week.

I prefer the half marathon and 10K distance. I liked doing marathons but I have a hard time with my right foot when I go over 15 miles so I like to stick to the half. I like the triathlons because it's awesome cross training and I haven't done a tri that has more than a 10k for the run portion. I'm entertaining the idea of doing a half Ironman after I finish grad school, but I need to chew on that idea for a little longer before I'm ready to commit.

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"Abba-Zabba, You my only friend!"
-Thurgood Jenkins

www.abigailpfeiffer.com

Reviving this thread because I just found it.

I was a marginally better than average high school runner who became a completely average D3 runner in college. I quit running for many years due to a knee injury, then started running again 9ish years ago when I figured out how to get around it, ran 9 okay marathons and a bunch of shorter races.

Now I'm out with another knee injury, only it's the other knee. So at this point, I'm starting all over from zero again. My only goal is to get back to normal by fall.

I'm a pretty new runner (just started running seriously last October).
I never thought I'd like running, but the first time I finished a 5k loop I ended up getting hooked. Right now I'm up to comfortable 10k distances. I'll be doing my first half in late October, and I'm simultaneously terrified and super excited about starting my "official" training in couple weeks. I may try to keep this thread alive so I can bug those of you who are more experienced

I quit smoking and decided to take up running. I'm no "runner" by any means but I would like to run. I recently started the Couch To 5K program since I have two friends who have done it with much success. I've mostly been sticking to the treadmill as I don't feel safe enough to run through the city without a dog or another person yet (and my significant other often works 16-hour shifts so he's in no mood to move once he gets home).

The shoes I own are Reebok Runtones and Rykas. I like them but have worn both out so I am in need of a new pair. Oh, I wore them out by wearing them as every day wear shoes. Oops.

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"It is always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them." -Alfred Adler

I'm a runner too
I'll be running my first marathon in two days, I'm a bit tense right now
I used to have knee problems when I ran for more than 20k, but when I started training for the marathon at the beginning of this year (I did the FIRST 16 weeks program) I got ON CloudTec shoes and I haven't felt any pain even after the very long runs

I have too many pairs of running shoes... among them two pairs of FiveFingers but I haven't been using them lately (too cold in winter). I also have a pair of Mizuno Wave Universe that are quite minimalist, they're light as paper and really awesome!

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Respect means not trying to change who people are.
~ katherine

I'm not sure if I can really call myself a runner or compare the the rest on here but am snagging the thread for hints and tips.

Having had a lifelong aversion to sport of any kind as well as a love of food of any kind, my weight had been slowly creeping up over a period of time. I also had a few bouts of depression and anxiety which always results in my gaining more weight in a short time anyway. Last year, when MiL was diagnosed with cancer, I decided there and then that I was going to enter the 5K Race for Life to race funds for cancer research, having never done anything like that before. I had 5 months to train and at the beginning couldn't even make it to the end of my street. With time and determination however, I increased my stamina and fitness and found to my surprise that I actually enjoyed running! It was a great way to clear my head and allow me to get lost in my own world when stresses were piling up. I was able to do the 5k quite comfortably in just under 35 minutes on the day of the race - I raised approx £600 and had, along with portion control and cutting snacks, lost almost 2 stone in weight!

I have kept up running and still enjoy it - I try to go out at least 3 times per week in my work lunchbreak and can usually fit in 5k in about 30 minutes (plus showering and changing - can't really run for any longer) plus at least one evening a week I try to do a longer run. I am planning to do a 10k this year to take things to the next level but at the moment find I hit my wall at around 8k so am trying to get past that. Once I achieve a 10k my ultimate goal is to do a half marathon. I think I am unlikely to ever get to full marathon stage but then again, never say never...

I do think running has also helped with depression and anxiety. If I am having a stressful day at work, often the last thing I want to do is get changed and go running at lunchtime but when I do start, I find it much easier to think through the issues and challenges facing me and come back tot eh office with a clear plan of how to tackle the afternoon.

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I don't hate children but I do hate the sense of entitlement in parenthood. I want more from life than a child and no-one else can make my life decisions.

The Rambling Life of a Thirtysomething Wife - http://scotswife.blogspot.com/