Any runners trying to move to forefoot strike?

[philbee]

I started walking in 'minimalist' shoes and love them, so am now trying to run in some nearly flat and less cushioned running shoes and land on my mid / forefoot instead of heel. Just wondering if anyone else out there is doing the same. I've cut down from 30-40 min runs to 5 mins a day to try to adjust slowly. Feels very odd at the moment!

It does sound odd. I'm curious - Why? And how slow do you have to be to tiptoe in this fashion?

there are websites that show you how to do this.
Its better known as barefoot running.
I tried it for a week but it hurt way too much for me (old male wuss)
It is supposed to be a more natural way to move nad cause less injuries and stress on the lower limb joints.

I've been scouring websites, yes, just wondered if anyone else was up to the same. Cote, as kunahero says, more natural etc. For me it was more because I got used to walking in flat shoes, and then when I put on the big-heeled running trainers it felt very uncomfortable and I couldn't get used to it again. But I find that its quite uncomfortable to land heel first in flatter shoes, so am experimenting with the forefoot thing. I mince along like a weary snail, but I pretty much did that before too, so can't speak for speed!

Have been looking at merrel barefoot training, they have videos on their site showing you how to run, recommended to me by my PT but i'm injured at present . Interested to hear how people get on with it

I do it, but I'm only a beginner at running. So I never ran heel striking, forefront running is the only way I know.

It was recommended to reduce stress of running as I am very overweight, even having recently lost 2.5/3 stone (down 3 dress sizes)

I do run very slowly 4/5 mph but when I finish the C25K program (Week eight next week) I'll work on getting faster.

No running related injuries yet but I did hurt my knee twisting in aerobics last month.

I like it :)

Well, I'm running for 8 minutes each time this week. Will try 10 next week. I get sore calves after, which I expected, but nothing else, and it feels comfortable quicker then when I heel striked (?) as I'd have five mins of achey shins before I warmed up with the heel striking. I do find it hard to gauge where to land, it takes me a while in the run to stop landing too far forward on my foot, and just relax my feet a bit so the heel doesn't have so far to come down. I guess that comes with practice.

Babies what was it like when you started? Did it feel odd? Did it get less odd .

It did feel odd, but running full stop felt odd, IYSWIM.

My calves ached for the first 4 weeks after running but I was a total beginner.

Now it feels totally natural. I started by running on my treadmill in my running socks and then repeating a short run in trainers. I did that a couple of times and it got me use to the right feel.

Despite being very heavy (260lbs down to 218lbs and going down) I have never had shin or legs pains whilst or after running. (so far and I hope not to get them in the future) I hope that means I am doing alright ?

I think it does mean you are doing alright! I've had shin pains on and off for years, which I think is from heel striking and having to use the shin muscles to stop the toes hitting the ground. I've also had problems with the side of my left leg. I guess this is another motive for trying something different. I'm starting to feel like it's a more normal movement, but it's only been two weeks, so we'll see how I feel after four. How much did you build up at a time?

I just followed the C25K running program. Roughly 30/40 minutes each run. Currently running 25 minutes maximum.

Starting with 8 minute of running (8 x 1 minute run) and 22 minutes of walking When/If I finish I will end up with 10 minute walking and 30 minute running.