Vibram Five Fingers/minimilast users

[momto3gr8boys]

Hi everyone,

I have a question for those of you who have gone the minimilast route.

I have a few physical conditions that when researching, pointed to the five fingers shoes helping. I have two disintegrating discs in my L4 and L5 and my lumbar is fused to my sacram (from birth, not surgery). I also had a tendon rupture in my left calf three years ago.

Typically after a few miles, the calf aches. It's been the same residual ache no matter the exercise. And the back twinges here and there (at which point I slow down my pace).

So, a few weeks ago I took the plunge and bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers Komodo Sport LS. I wore them around the house, running errands, etc. Then I used them at the gym on the eliptical and tried the treadmill for a few minutes. Yesterday I ran in them for the first time for a three mile run. I noticed an immediate difference. I purposefully set out to run a slower pace to get used to them, but without trying, was comfortably going faster. I don't know if it was the lack of heel strike or posture change, but my back was comfortable through the whole run, my legs didn't feel as heavy as they usually do, and afterwards I have no typical "I ran today" feeling. There is one area on both calves that I never knew existed lol...man are they tight and sore this morning! But not painful - just tight and sore from different muscle use. So overall, I would say I feel significantly better than I usually do after a run.

So my question is, where do I go from here? Do I alternate with my regular shoes for a while? Do I jump in to the five fingers for all my runs? I'm aware that you need to build up...just wondering how quickly and what kind of schedule people have used.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Haas4Concern]

I would say keep training with the five fingers. Just slowly build up the mileage again. I dont see a point in using your older shoes for running anymore if you are planning on switching. Although one of the more experienced runners might say differently. I would just hold on to the old ones just in case the five fingers cause issues after several runs. Sounds like you found a winner though. Good luck.

 

[FFigawi]

I alternated with my minimalist shoes when I first starting using them. I spent several weeks doing 30-45 minute runs in them and using my regular running shoes for my 1-3 hour long runs. It takes a little while for your calves and ankles to adjust to the extra workload.

 

[girlw1dimple]

I switched to minimalist shoes back in December! I learned from my pediatrist (who's a seasoned marathon runner) that because of my spine damage and my natural inclination to walk on my toes switching was actually a great idea. He did warn me that it is a totally different muscle group being used and to be ready for new soreness. My tiger tail roller is my best friend.

I did both Tinker Bell half and Princess half in them and there's no way I'm switching back to traditional running shoes.

 

[Danhockey04]

I have been using vibrams since 2010. You must start slow in transition or you will experience a lot of pain. You don't normally use those muscles when running with normal running shoes, you need to build them up. I did one run a week 2-3 miles and my other runs in normal shoes. Then I slowly progressed to transition. It should take at least six months to fully transition without any injury. Once you are fully switched, you won't want to go back, but it is easily done. Switching does take time to do it correctly to ensure no injury is experienced.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Thank you, everyone for the replies! As the day has progressed my calves are killing me! I expected it though. I will go back to my Brooks for my next two runs and then use the Vibrams again.

Injury is the last thing I want to deal with! I can see myself loving these, but plan to do it the right way.

 

[SAHDad]

A little late to chime in, but as others have said - take your time in making the transition. The first time I switched, I managed to injure myself by doing too much, too soon, too fast. I switched back to my old shoes, got better, and then made a much more gradual transition. Now I use them in my daily runs, and have run a goofy in them (and a normal marathon as well).