What's in a shoe?

Today I ran 10km on new shoes. While teaching my core conditioning class 2 hours later, I found myself subconsciously massaging the middle of my foot. One of my students interrupted me and asked if I was okay. Not realizing what I was doing I stopped, cocked my head in question and sighed a large "oooh!" as I understood why my foot was a bit sore.

A few days ago I bought new Saucony Kinvara shoes (my first ever purchase from the Saucony brand). I surprised the attendant at the store when I announced that I wanted a shoe with no support, no motion control, no cushion. He pointed jokingly at the casual Converse shoes on display and I started marching toward them when he caught my arm and steered me toward the Kinvara's. The Kinvara is the first step to a minimalist shoe - a good transition shoe from a traditional runner to a more extreme minimalist style. With a race looming two weeks from today, I knew it wasn't the best choice to go to any extremes quite yet. I promised myself I would use my Kinvara's for the next two weeks and during my race and afterward as a long run shoe until I can comfortably fulfill marathon distance almost barefoot.




My new Kinvara's :) You'll see me coming with this pink shoe.

  A day later and after a bit more research, I visited another store and put on layaway the New Balance Minimus - to be paid in pull after I successfully complete my race as a reward! One shoe at a time right? The Minimus was released only a week ago and encourages the new trend of minimalist running becoming mainstream.

I strongly believe in the idea of minimalist running (http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=19196) and re-programming your body to run naturally, without the correction or support of a traditional running shoe. I have had custom orthotics, exceptional motion control trainers and even ankle braces but it wasn't until a running injury I experienced in 2010 where I considered the idea that my shoes might be doing all the work and my body was weaker for this compromise. My solution was my purchase of Vibram Five Fingers and  I wore them while rehabbing my injury (a torn IT band in my ankle) with the intention to feel and strengthen every fibre and muscle in my feet and legs. And it worked. Although I did not run in my Vibram's initially, they were worn while at work (its acceptable in my line of work) and during every alternative fitness activity I did.



My Vibram KSO's. Similar to frog feet - get ready for some comments!


Within weeks, my gait started to change, my Achilles stretched further and my legs were rocks. I trained stronger, ran faster and was less tired. I started to believe that those who preached about these types of shoes might have a point. Through experience, research and discussion with fellow runners and experts, most seem to agree that we are experiencing the decline of the era of high tech shoes, bulky runners and traditional advice on gait and form. Instead, professional runners, coaches and healthy related corporations are really encouraging runners to go back to basics, train your body first and bring you shoe along for the ride.


My feet will probably be sore later today and my calves and shins will ache and throb, but instead of tossing my new shoes aside, I will run longer, faster and further tomorrow. I know that my aches and pains are cries of thanks from muscles who have gone to long unsupported - and no support with they receive.


Yours in health,
Jenna