Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[SeaBee]

What's the low down on running with differing heights of heel drop? 

 

Personally I'll be switching between trail and road - zero drop trail and I think the new road Brooks are 10mm(?). Anyone else run in different heights interchangeably?

 

Will it help strengthen calves, feet, or does it put strain on the tendons/muscles?

I run with a variety of drops in both environment, but most I go to is 8. And the 8 is the exception, I prefer 0 and 4(-6).

 

I keep mixing it up, so that I don't run just in 4mm for 2 months, then 0 for 2 months. The fact that I don't heel-strike, does (in my mind) make a bit of a difference to the relevance of drop. 

 

I did run in a 10mm drop once - positively hated it. Felt like the heel was "wiggling" under me from the very first run. And it bothered me so much subconsciously that I ended up with a short of serious Achilles injury, fortunately diagnosed early enough, from not putting down my heel at all during my stride due to not wanting that feeling. 

[Chris_]

I run with a variety of drops in both environment, but most I go to is 8. And the 8 is the exception, I prefer 0 and 4(-6).

 

I keep mixing it up, so that I don't run just in 4mm for 2 months, then 0 for 2 months. The fact that I don't heel-strike, does (in my mind) make a bit of a difference to the relevance of drop. 

 

I did run in a 10mm drop once - positively hated it. Felt like the heel was "wiggling" under me from the very first run. And it bothered me so much subconsciously that I ended up with a short of serious Achilles injury, fortunately diagnosed early enough, from not putting down my heel at all during my stride due to not wanting that feeling. 

 

Hmm I'm still working to move away from being a crushing heel striker, I'll have to check that I don't do this too. 

[b-rad]

Dude...I was stalking your Strava yesterday.... You're all over the place... Where do you actually call home? Howick?

The joys of Strava????. Howick is true home but for the last few months have been based in Europe. Really enjoying Germany at the moment.

Edited October 10, 2018 by b-rad

[seven]

What's the low down on running with differing heights of heel drop?

 

Personally I'll be switching between trail and road - zero drop trail and I think the new road Brooks are 10mm(?). Anyone else run in different heights interchangeably?

 

Will it help strengthen calves, feet, or does it put strain on the tendons/muscles?

I try and fit in at least a couple of sessions a week in different shoes. Since I strated mixing it up it feels like the different shoes almost gives me a bit of a break.

 

If you are going to a zero drop all together, you should look at decreasing milage and building up slowly again...

[dave303e]

I must say there is no harm in running in a few different pairs of shoes with varying drop, I do it as well. At one stage I had Brooks TR7's with 12mm drop and trail shoes with 3mm drop running both pairs atleast once a week and it was not an issue. I am weary now of going to extreme with anything so am happy now between 4 and 8mm...

[Chris_]

I try and fit in at least a couple of sessions a week in different shoes. Since I strated mixing it up it feels like the different shoes almost gives me a bit of a break.

 

If you are going to a zero drop all together, you should look at decreasing milage and building up slowly again...

 

Thanks all for the comments. I'm coming off 5mm Hokas so I reckon a fair bit of the work has already been done. I will however be building up slowly again, The last 3 weeks have been super chilled so my lungs won't let me build up any faster anyway...

 

The zero drop is because I'm desperate to try Altra's on trail. Mainly for the awesome shape, but I'm also a real sucker for a sexy write up and some shoe 'science'. Also mom-in-law is visiting from the States so I can get some well priced stuff over. 

[ADe]

I haven't posted here in a while. Last couple of seasons Ironman/70.3 was my main focus. This year I decided its time to tick that Comrades box.

 

But since July I have been struggling with injuries. Before these injuries, I have had no injuries for probably 3 years+. First I injured a tendon in my foot, which took about 2 months to heal. Now my ITB started with issues. So I have lost about 2.5 half months' run training (still keeping swimming and cycling going).

 

The problem is, I have Soweto marathon coming up at the beginning of November and I am seriously undertrained. My fitness is fine, but time on legs not so much. Time goals have gone out the window. I am now considering if its actually worth doing it and risking more injuries by going into a marathon underprepared.

[mon-goose]

i would skip it and get the injuries sorted and slowly build up to a marathon early next year maybe

[CobusV]

I must say there is no harm in running in a few different pairs of shoes with varying drop, I do it as well. At one stage I had Brooks TR7's with 12mm drop and trail shoes with 3mm drop running both pairs atleast once a week and it was not an issue. I am weary now of going to extreme with anything so am happy now between 4 and 8mm...

Agree with you, about going to extreme (minimal and maximalist).

 

I'm now transitioning into Saucony Freedoms (4mm drop). I pronate severely with my right foot where as my left foot is neutral. I can use 8mm drop neatral shoes, but after 400km they are shot. I tried Adidas UltraBoost stability - that made my right foot happy, but my "correction" is too much for my left knee. I found with the 4mm everthing is happy and with the Freedoms I have enough cushioning as well..

[Mats]

Agree with you, about going to extreme (minimal and maximalist).

 

I'm now transitioning into Saucony Freedoms (4mm drop). I pronate severely with my right foot where as my left foot is neutral. I can use 8mm drop neatral shoes, but after 400km they are shot. I tried Adidas UltraBoost stability - that made my right foot happy, but my "correction" is too much for my left knee. I found with the 4mm everthing is happy and with the Freedoms I have enough cushioning as well..

 

I'm currently running in the freedoms and love them lots.

 

Have 360km on them and they are still very good.

Also pronate with my one foot.

The shoe does not look out of alignment when looking from behind.

However it is not standing flat on the ground anymore as it was when I bought them.

But this I put down to normal wear and tear.

Also does not feel if the shoe is busy collapsing.

 

When my shoes are finished I normally start getting all sorts of knee pain.

 

I'm hoping to get 1000km out of them but will have to wait and see.

[Iron]

I'm currently running in the freedoms and love them lots.

 

Have 360km on them and they are still very good.

Also pronate with my one foot.

The shoe does not look out of alignment when looking from behind.

However it is not standing flat on the ground anymore as it was when I bought them.

But this I put down to normal wear and tear.

Also does not feel if the shoe is busy collapsing.

 

When my shoes are finished I normally start getting all sorts of knee pain.

 

I'm hoping to get 1000km out of them but will have to wait and see.

Also running in Freedoms and Im at 535km and they still fine, i can add that the heel box is a little softer and has less structure than my Kinvara's that have done about the same milage however the sole of the freedoms in in way better condition than the kinvaras , i feel i will go well over 1000km in the freedoms.I wish i could take the top of the kinvaras and fit them to the sole of the freedoms 

 

im a "normal " runner so to speak so I strike basically ball of foot to flat.

[Andrew Steer]

Also running in Freedoms and Im at 535km and they still fine, i can add that the heel box is a little softer and has less structure than my Kinvara's that have done about the same milage however the sole of the freedoms in in way better condition than the kinvaras , i feel i will go well over 1000km in the freedoms.I wish i could take the top of the kinvaras and fit them to the sole of the freedoms 

 

im a "normal " runner so to speak so I strike basically ball of foot to flat.

Nothing normal about you pal 

[Iron]

Nothing normal about you pal 

dont be mean, Im a sensitive soul .

[CobusV]

I'm currently running in the freedoms and love them lots.

 

Have 360km on them and they are still very good.

Also pronate with my one foot.

The shoe does not look out of alignment when looking from behind.

However it is not standing flat on the ground anymore as it was when I bought them.

But this I put down to normal wear and tear.

Also does not feel if the shoe is busy collapsing.

 

When my shoes are finished I normally start getting all sorts of knee pain.

 

I'm hoping to get 1000km out of them but will have to wait and see.

 

Even on the New Balance Zante's I've used, after about 600km the right shoe was severly out of alignment (as you put it). Sloping inwards.

 

The Freedoms are a revelation for me. Together with Ultraboosts I've used the New Balance Borocay(4mm) in rotation. They have also treated me well and hold up well for 800km. No colapsing of midsole or nothing. Only the upper has worn through. So I was fairly confident that another 4mm shoe should work for me. But Freedom blows all of them away. A really nice shoe! 

[Khronis]

Let's see if there are any major changes

[Mats]

Also running in Freedoms and Im at 535km and they still fine, i can add that the heel box is a little softer and has less structure than my Kinvara's that have done about the same milage however the sole of the freedoms in in way better condition than the kinvaras , i feel i will go well over 1000km in the freedoms.I wish i could take the top of the kinvaras and fit them to the sole of the freedoms 

 

im a "normal " runner so to speak so I strike basically ball of foot to flat.

 

True, The more structured heel of the kinvara would be amazing on the freedoms.

My kinvaras only lasted just more than 700km, they are so used up that I feel bad donating them.