I’ve got some zero-drop Altra paradigms - I have bunions and so the wide toe-box really appealed to me. I’ve had them for a week and have gone on some fairly lengthy walks with the dog and they are the comfiest things ever. I started Ju-Ju’s magic plan this morning and this seemed a good time to take them for a first jog. Interesting - they were a little ‘jarring’. More so than my regular Brooks GTS anyway. I wouldn’t have predicted this from how they feel walking in them. We’ll see how we get on - the spacious toes are great although I think I look a little like a toddler in them! This is my first post in the Bridge to 10K community - looking forward to getting to know everyone. I have, in fact, run a 10k - in Oslo a few months ago when I was only heading out for a 5k, but felt so good that I just kept on going. I’ve entered the Edinburgh half-marathon next year, but thought the first bit of the plan will be to get to comfortably running 10k !
Trying out new shoes ! : I’ve got some zero... - Bridge to 10K
Trying out new shoes !
🤔 when you say 'jarring' do you mean they move on your feet or just that they're not very cushioned?
Well, they’re really, really cushioned - like marshmallows or clouds or something - when walking, but I just felt more of an impact through the heel when running. I suspect, like roseabi says below its to do with getting used to the zero-drop at the heel. I’m pleased that I’ve given them a little outing - i’ll Just use them for the shorter runs for now and if I don’t take to them when running, we’ll, they’re the comfiest walking shoes I’ve ever had - so they won’t be wasted!
They are probably jarring because they do not have the higher heel you are used to.
It is a good idea to get used to zero drop shoes slowly - wear them for one short run in three for a good few weeks, swapping back to a higher-drop shoe for your other runs. Introduce extra runs in the Altras gradually.
Yes - thanks. This is my plan! It was just that they’ve been so springy and cushioned when walking in them, I was surprised by the difference running made!
Interesting.
When walking you’ll be landing on your heel and rolling the foot onto your toes. Your body weight is supported on the ‘other’ foot and you’ll be landing gently.
When running, you’re probably landing heel heavy, getting not support from the shoes and they’ll jar. With the lower heel, you’ve got another 10mm for your heel to travel before it hits the ground and this will increase the impact.
Try to reduce your stride-length to land mid-foot. It’ll feel funny at first but will stop the jarring.
You have gone from 12mm drop in the Adrenalines to zero in these. That’s quite a change, I would suggest you build up distance gradually in the new shoes, particularly if you heel strike. If you are feeling a jar, it probably means you are landing on your heel. Shoes like those are designed to encourage forefoot striking. Make sure you are not overstriding as you will land on your heel if your foot is ahead of your knee at the time of impact.
I went down the bare foot route and got badly inflamed patellar tendons following a 10k in Merrell Trail Gloves. out of running for two years. Researched the subject and saw a podiatrist who said my left leg is 7-8mm shorter than my right, got an orthotic to correct this from sub4. On the sub4 web site, its owner, Clinton Bradley advised against zero drop shoes as most folk have forefoot equinus, ie the ball hits the ground before the heel, ie this is why we wear shoes with heels. Wearing shoes without heels places more stress on the chain of muscles from the achilles upwards. So I wear normal running shoes now. How many marathon elites wear zero drops?
Oh gosh - That’s interesting to know. I shall proceed with extreme caution then!
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