Throwing in the Towel on Vibrams - Why I Quit Minimalist Running
For many years I, like many other runners, wondered what it was like to run in minimalist (vibram) shoes.
Could they really be comfortable? Will they make me faster? These were just two of the questions that ran through my mind.
Well, this past March I took the plunge and bought a pair of Vibram Bakila shoes.
Two months later I deeply regretted this decision - here's my story.
Before I share my experience, and why I chose to stop wearing these shoes I thought I would share my running experience/level.
I am 38 years old and ran cross country in high school as well as at a division II college.
After college I shelved running for many years as I started a career and family but resurrected my running shoes about 5 years ago.
Leading up to my 'Vibram experiment' I usually trained in Brooks Adrenalines and raced in Saucony Kilkenny flats.
I was running 25-30 miles per week with a 'long' run of usually 10 miles.
My training pace hovered between 7:00-7:45 miles depending on how far I was running and I was still able, on occasion, to break 20:00 on a 5K race.
Point being - I wasn't the fastest runner, but I was not the slowest and I had years of PAIN FREE running behind me.
Now, before I bought my first pair of Vibrams I did my share of homework and knew that there was going to be a transition period that would require reduces mileage and effort until my legs (specifically my calves) adjusted.
I also knew that many other runners complained that running in these shoes caused a great deal of calf discomfort but took my chances anyway - boy do I regret that! In March I began training in Vibrams.
I started out slowly and for the first 6 weeks I had no issues or complaints.
My legs felt fine and I loved the 'feel' of the shoes.
I was still not confident enough to race in them (in fact, I have not raced at all since March) and I also stayed away from longer mileage runs (5+ miles).
Then in mid-April I began to experience a 'pinching' sensation in my calf which would be followed by an all out spasm.
I would rest a week and then try to run again only to have it happen again (and again, and again).
Each time it would happen at a different mileage point in the run and would put a quick end to my training/running for the next week.
I began resting for longer periods (2+ weeks) which was not easy for me (call me a running addict) but each time I tried to run it would happen again.
Finally in July I called it quits, took a full month off and began receiving massage therapy for my calves.
I bought a new pair of running shoes (not minimalist) and started to run again (very slowly).
I have been back at it for the past 4 weeks but I only run twice a week and never farther than 5 miles at a time.
I am still VERY cautious about how I run but so far have not had any calf issues (knock on wood).
Aside from the physical pain and frustration of being injured, which is never easy, I have found the 'mental' effect to be much worse - let me explain.
Before this 'experiment' running for me was my escape, my solitude.
The phone was not ringing, kids not crying and I had that time to decompress and relax.
I LOVED to run and was carefree when I did.
Unfortunately, since this things have changed.
I am now worried when I run that I am going to re-injure myself.
I run almost 'scared' and don't have the same confidence as before.
I would even say that this has affected my stride and running form (not to mention the loss of fitness that occurred over the past several months with so much downtime).
To be clear I am not writing this to bash Vibram or minimalist running.
Lots of people love doing it and their bodies allow them to do so.
I am just sharing my experience so that others can be educated as to the risk of attempting this type of running/training and the effects it has had on me.
Could they really be comfortable? Will they make me faster? These were just two of the questions that ran through my mind.
Well, this past March I took the plunge and bought a pair of Vibram Bakila shoes.
Two months later I deeply regretted this decision - here's my story.
Before I share my experience, and why I chose to stop wearing these shoes I thought I would share my running experience/level.
I am 38 years old and ran cross country in high school as well as at a division II college.
After college I shelved running for many years as I started a career and family but resurrected my running shoes about 5 years ago.
Leading up to my 'Vibram experiment' I usually trained in Brooks Adrenalines and raced in Saucony Kilkenny flats.
I was running 25-30 miles per week with a 'long' run of usually 10 miles.
My training pace hovered between 7:00-7:45 miles depending on how far I was running and I was still able, on occasion, to break 20:00 on a 5K race.
Point being - I wasn't the fastest runner, but I was not the slowest and I had years of PAIN FREE running behind me.
Now, before I bought my first pair of Vibrams I did my share of homework and knew that there was going to be a transition period that would require reduces mileage and effort until my legs (specifically my calves) adjusted.
I also knew that many other runners complained that running in these shoes caused a great deal of calf discomfort but took my chances anyway - boy do I regret that! In March I began training in Vibrams.
I started out slowly and for the first 6 weeks I had no issues or complaints.
My legs felt fine and I loved the 'feel' of the shoes.
I was still not confident enough to race in them (in fact, I have not raced at all since March) and I also stayed away from longer mileage runs (5+ miles).
Then in mid-April I began to experience a 'pinching' sensation in my calf which would be followed by an all out spasm.
I would rest a week and then try to run again only to have it happen again (and again, and again).
Each time it would happen at a different mileage point in the run and would put a quick end to my training/running for the next week.
I began resting for longer periods (2+ weeks) which was not easy for me (call me a running addict) but each time I tried to run it would happen again.
Finally in July I called it quits, took a full month off and began receiving massage therapy for my calves.
I bought a new pair of running shoes (not minimalist) and started to run again (very slowly).
I have been back at it for the past 4 weeks but I only run twice a week and never farther than 5 miles at a time.
I am still VERY cautious about how I run but so far have not had any calf issues (knock on wood).
Aside from the physical pain and frustration of being injured, which is never easy, I have found the 'mental' effect to be much worse - let me explain.
Before this 'experiment' running for me was my escape, my solitude.
The phone was not ringing, kids not crying and I had that time to decompress and relax.
I LOVED to run and was carefree when I did.
Unfortunately, since this things have changed.
I am now worried when I run that I am going to re-injure myself.
I run almost 'scared' and don't have the same confidence as before.
I would even say that this has affected my stride and running form (not to mention the loss of fitness that occurred over the past several months with so much downtime).
To be clear I am not writing this to bash Vibram or minimalist running.
Lots of people love doing it and their bodies allow them to do so.
I am just sharing my experience so that others can be educated as to the risk of attempting this type of running/training and the effects it has had on me.
