Traditional Running Shoes vs. Toe Shoes
I've been experimenting with the Adidas Adipure zero profile toe shoes for the past month and have made some observations for anyone interested in trying out running in a zero profile shoe. I actually have two pairs of toe shoes, the Adipure and a pair of Vibram. For all practical purposes, they are essentially the same in that thay have zero profile and keep your toes separate. I prefer the Adidas Adipures based purely on the fact that they are black and just as comfortable with no straps to worry about.
When I run, I attempt to utilize a technique known as Chi Running, which involves a bit more consciousness about how I run than simply going out and getting miles behind me. The idea is that you lean forward from the ankle and allow gravity to pull you forward, regulating your pace by the degree of lean. If you do not move your feet, you would fall on your face. Because you are leaning forward, your foot placement is when stepping down is either directly below you or slightly behind. You never step out in front of your body, as this creates a breaking motion which is the percussive action that eventually will destroy your knees. There is a bit more to it that this, but those are the basics necessary for the continuation of this entry.
When I run in the toe shoes, it is actually essential that I practice the chi running technique. The first reason is that zero profile shoes have no padding at all. They simply have a protective rubber form on the bottom. The heal is not raised up above the rest of the shoe at all, as it tends to be in traditional running shoes. Because of this, if I extend my foot ahead of me when I run and come down on my heal, it hurts. So I am forced into the style of running I prefer. The impact is absorbed through my calf muscle instead. The positive for me with the toe shoes is they make the chi running method occur naturally, so I can get lost in the music I'm listening to, an audiobook, or simply in my thoughts. Also the toe shoes weight next to nothing. The negative is that the lack of cushioning is very hard on my feet, and anything beyond a 10k leaves me desperate for a foot massage.
With traditional running shoes, I still utilize the chi running technique, but it is a bit more difficult. For one, because the heal is padded and elevated, if I don't stay focused, I fall back into the habit of extending my feet out in front with each step, which tends to cause both knee and IT band pain that I've essentially eliminated by chi running. The other thing the raised profile does is cause me to lean forward more to get the technique right, which increases my pace, and makes me wear out faster. Also, after wearing the toe shoes for running for almost a month straight, I've grown to notice how much heavier the traditional shoes are. The advantage to the traditional shoe of course is that if I stay focused, I can run for hours without my feet hurting.
I think I'm going to adopt a style where I run in both, using whichever one feels right on any particular day, and will likely do most events in the zero profile adipure toe shoes.
When I run, I attempt to utilize a technique known as Chi Running, which involves a bit more consciousness about how I run than simply going out and getting miles behind me. The idea is that you lean forward from the ankle and allow gravity to pull you forward, regulating your pace by the degree of lean. If you do not move your feet, you would fall on your face. Because you are leaning forward, your foot placement is when stepping down is either directly below you or slightly behind. You never step out in front of your body, as this creates a breaking motion which is the percussive action that eventually will destroy your knees. There is a bit more to it that this, but those are the basics necessary for the continuation of this entry.
When I run in the toe shoes, it is actually essential that I practice the chi running technique. The first reason is that zero profile shoes have no padding at all. They simply have a protective rubber form on the bottom. The heal is not raised up above the rest of the shoe at all, as it tends to be in traditional running shoes. Because of this, if I extend my foot ahead of me when I run and come down on my heal, it hurts. So I am forced into the style of running I prefer. The impact is absorbed through my calf muscle instead. The positive for me with the toe shoes is they make the chi running method occur naturally, so I can get lost in the music I'm listening to, an audiobook, or simply in my thoughts. Also the toe shoes weight next to nothing. The negative is that the lack of cushioning is very hard on my feet, and anything beyond a 10k leaves me desperate for a foot massage.
With traditional running shoes, I still utilize the chi running technique, but it is a bit more difficult. For one, because the heal is padded and elevated, if I don't stay focused, I fall back into the habit of extending my feet out in front with each step, which tends to cause both knee and IT band pain that I've essentially eliminated by chi running. The other thing the raised profile does is cause me to lean forward more to get the technique right, which increases my pace, and makes me wear out faster. Also, after wearing the toe shoes for running for almost a month straight, I've grown to notice how much heavier the traditional shoes are. The advantage to the traditional shoe of course is that if I stay focused, I can run for hours without my feet hurting.
I think I'm going to adopt a style where I run in both, using whichever one feels right on any particular day, and will likely do most events in the zero profile adipure toe shoes.