ExRx.net

Hi guys. The time has come for me to start running, I mean just running, not some kind of real sport. I now don't have Physical Education anymore and I must start doing this.
I have some Adidas shoes that I use for every day occasions, and I tried running in them. But I got some calluses. So I went to buy some shoes and wherever I entered there were only those shoes with heels that wear models. With some stupid things inside that absorb landing impact so that we don't have to use our ankles. I guess that, in the years that come, we'll "run" in some sort of motorbikes or something.
So I must ask you this: can you tell me which thin sole shoes are most popular in your country. I live in stupid Serbia, and here are only rejects from your countries and we are very limited, but I guess that one or two companies that make those real shoes for running are here.
But, please, don't suggest those Vibrams. I won't be able to get out of my house if I try to ever wear them...

And is there some good book or some article for running technique that doesn't promote landing on heel? I don't want to say that you don't know how to run, but there are many body parts that need to be in the correct position, and writing about it would be very very long.

_________________
Don’t run if you can walk, don’t walk if you can stand, don’t stand if you can sit,
and if you sat, might as well lie down and take a nap.

I gather that you're looking for a minimalist running shoe. Just Google: "minimalist running shoes" and you'll come up with lots of options. However, I can't see the advantage over water shoes or moccasins. If I can get something for $10 that works as well as something for $100...

Or you could make your own running sandals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huarache_(running_shoe)

_________________
Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.~Hippocrates
Strength is the adaptation that leads to all other adaptations that you really care about - Charles Staley
_________________
Thanks TimD

that's interesting, I thought you were better to get a decent (expensive...) pair to make it easier on your joints

I'm sure the shoe companies would have you believe that.

_________________
Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.~Hippocrates
Strength is the adaptation that leads to all other adaptations that you really care about - Charles Staley
_________________
Thanks TimD

_________________
Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.~Hippocrates
Strength is the adaptation that leads to all other adaptations that you really care about - Charles Staley
_________________
Thanks TimD

haha, please tell me you have a pair of those?

seriously though I thought the shock absorption and ankle stability from a decent pair of running shoes was a must...

They are a must IF we land on our heel. The point is that we must not land on our heel, or (if we run marathons) we must learn to land on our heel and, after a small part of a second, lower our front part of the foot.

Stu, do you know some popular brands? That is even worse than those with fingers...

_________________
Don’t run if you can walk, don’t walk if you can stand, don’t stand if you can sit,
and if you sat, might as well lie down and take a nap.

I wear cheap moccasins and I buy the rest of my footwear at Sears discount store. Robert, no, I don't have a pair of those but I may make a pair. I have some worn out tires I could cut up.

I agree with Stefan, shoes are a new thing. People have been running in minimalist shoes or barefoot forever and cushioned shoes are a new thing that probably cause more problems than they fixed. You need to be careful in transitioning back since too much too soon can cause problems. You need to become accustomed to the old way of walking and running. When you don't have cushioned heels, you will naturally start running on the balls of your feet. People used to running on their heels sometimes forget and strike too hard, causing injury.

_________________
Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.~Hippocrates
Strength is the adaptation that leads to all other adaptations that you really care about - Charles Staley
_________________
Thanks TimD

i've run short distances ( 2-3 kms) in canvas top rubber soled flat shoes, websearch for images of chuck taylors - these shoes I also used for deadlifting and squatting. get good socks.
people have used these for a very long time. i understand highly cushioned specialist running shoes became available in the late 1970's.
your whole body will adapt to whatever you use, but it will do so slowly, so don't go too far too fast.

well there we go, I learned something today

I usually run in my wrestling shoes! its flat, no heel and very very thin. At first it was hard on the feet because I went from big cusioned running shoes to these ones and I honestly can say that when i started running 1 mile felt so awkward. Now I can just as much as I could in cushioned shoes and the ebst part is there are no more blemishes on my foot