As might be obvious by the complete lack of blogging in almost two months, I’ve been distracted. Busy. Changing up a lot of things. I’ll be able to reveal all in a few weeks (and no, it’s not a 4th baby!). But as a result of the massive ongoing distraction knitting has suffered. Running has suffered. Reading has suffered. It almost seems like I’m not doing anything I love as much as I used to, except tending the kiddos.
Then I suffered a bout of late-night online consumerism and bought a new pair of shoes. This may not seem very exciting to most people, but I have been known to make shoes last a decade or more – I still wear a pair of Teva sandals I bought in 1992. The purchase of these particular new shoes required quite a bit of research and lurking on several running-related forums, my favorite being the Running With Sharp Objects Ravelry group. Knitters do everything better!
Since I took up running again almost two years ago I’ve been suffering various aches and pains, the most annoying being a persistent case of runner’s knee in both knees. I am determined to run the Missoula Marathon this summer with my long-distance running buddy Courtney, but my training willpower is at an all-time low. I joined a gym, I’ve been working on core strength and flexibility, and I’ve been trying to inject some fun into my physical routine but nothing was working. It was all blah, blah, blah. (Maybe that was just due to it being a particularly grim February.) I decided that this new pair of shoes might just be the ticket out of all this misery and went ahead and ordered them. They arrived today. I think they might be magic.
I bought a pair of minimalist running shoes: men’s Merrell Trail Glove shoes, in a snazzy grey and yellow combo, size 7 1/2. This is 1/2 size larger than my big foot (aargh, I have two different sized feet) and large enough to wear with Smartwool running socks. I love these shoes. I took them out of the box and put them on and immediately felt like I’d been wearing them forever. I’ve been working on my gait this spring, and discovered that I naturally have a “barefoot” running style. I land on the ball of my foot, I lean forward slightly so my shins are perpendicular to the road, and I take small quick(-ish) steps. It may seem counter-intuitive to go to a less padded shoe when I have tricky knees, but I believe that my strength has improved enough to have the correct posture to pull this change off without making things worse – plus I spend all my time in the house barefoot, and most of the summer as well. I like to think that I have well-developed barefoot muscles.
The roads have been lousy and the trails are still buried under a foot of crusty snow, but today Browns Meadow Road was bare though a brisk wind was blowing from the west. I cheated and drove down our very long and steep and icy driveway and ran three easy miles on the dry pavement – just a few minor hills. The shoes are aptly named. They do feel like wearing a glove. I took a chance with the men’s version. The women’s shoe has a pleated elasticized heel that was suspect to me, and since I have feet like a dwarf man anyway, I thought I could switch genders. No problems with heel slippage, the toe box is delightfully roomy (no more black toenails!) and the minor cushioning in the foot bed feels like it’s in the right spots. The lacing is really responsive, and I could make the shoes fit tightly without cutting off circulation. On the road I concentrated on my running form, my foot placement, and my ankle stability. I could feel the muscles in my lower legs, ankles, and feet working in a different way, but it wasn’t a painful way. I could really feel the road, and though I was plodding along at my usual tortoise pace I felt as speedy and light as a hare.
I’m glad I found a pair of minimalist shoes that aren’t the VFF. (Apologies to all VFF lovers out there, but I need to wear socks with my shoes. It gets really cold in Montana.) And so thanks to the Trail Glove I take barefoot out of my home and onto the roads. Will it be enough to get me through a marathon? Updates to come!
The shoes look nice… I know I get excited when I buy shoes. I tend to use them longer then recommended also but they are so expensive!! Interested to read how those minimalist shoes work out for you
cheers
Since these shoes have little padding to break down, I’m thinking I’ll get a lot of wear out of them – if they agree with me in the long run (ha ha). Good luck with your running …
It’s good to know there are VFF alternatives (they couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to make money off the trend, could they?). Don’t remember if I told you I tried some VFFs and loved them. If I were going to even THINK about running in the winter (who does that anyway?!… oh right, you
I would get the neoprene version which is water resistant and warmer. The only concern I have is foot funk. With socks it might be better, keep us updated – and congrats!
I heard that the sockless funk is BAD with these types of shoes. I love my Smartwool running socks. I’ll never go without. That’s the beauty of wool – it takes a lot of funk to make wool smell bad. Hence baby soakers. (And by the way, I haven’t washed my wool running shirt yet this winter and I don’t think it smells … much.)
well golly, that just made me want to get out there and go for a run. except i probably won’t. i seem to be stuck in the non-running rut since mylo. i miss having you as a running partner (remember how much fun those months were when i was back at home and we ran- i think we were a good match)- something to look forward to in 1 1/2 years!!! enjoy the shoes!
You know we love the fivefingers…I also loved the Born to Run book…maybe you already read it…
How exciting! I’ve never thought about getting a pair of men’s kicks. I have really narrow feet though, so don’t know if that would work well. I’ve also never even heard of the vibram five fingers… I feel very out of the loop.
And although it’s not nice to hear about black toenails, it’s nice to hear that happens to other people, mine aren’t quite black, but I ran 3 miles on the treadmill today and walked a couple miles, and my little toes really hurt when I got home!
I’ll have to check out these shoes… I’m about to shop for a new pair of running shoes anyway so good timing to see your post
A couple little Q’s: how long do you usually have a pair of running shoes last?
And, are you really going to run a marathon?? Or is it a half marathon? The idea of a full marathon is so crazy to me! I’d like to do a half though someday soon
Heather, sorry for the delay responding. I had computer problems for a few days but can finally answer your questions. I have chunky feet, so men’s shoes usually fit better than women’s. If you’ve got narrow feet, I’m not sure you’d have the same success in switching shoe genders. My running shoes last a variable amount of time. I’ll usually wear them for about six months if I’m consistently running, but I’ve never trained for a marathon before (yes, full!) so I expect things will be different. If you want to do a half marathon, I highly recommend the Missoula Half Marathon on July 10. It’s practically local, the course is mostly downhill or flat, and the community support is incredible. It’s a really fun run. Or you could try the Two Bear Half in Whitefish on Sept. 11. I’ve heard good things about that run too, and I think I’ll try it this fall. Good luck with your running!
Hi Kara, how are those Trail Glove shoes treating you? Are you training for a big run?
I just wanted to check in and see how you’re liking those shoes, since I’m going to start shopping for a new pair of running shoes.
Do you think they’re a good pair for running outside, and working out/running at the gym?
I’ll have to check them out when I’m shopping, and I’m excited to hear your latest review on them
miss your posts sister! hint hint…