most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-06-19T18:52:55Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/157173 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/157173/cross-country-shoes Tom 2012-10-21T20:59:36Z 2013-01-11T08:08:39Z

<p>My son is just finishing up his first year of cross-country in high school. Out of ignorance on my part, he has done all his training in Nike Free 3.0's, which I now realize is in the minimalist camp of shoes. He races in racing flats. He hasn't had any injuries apart from some minor calf soreness late in the season.</p> <p>Once the season is over, he will start base training. Are these shoes safe for putting in mileage? Is my son now acclimated to minimalist shoes, even if by accident? </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/157173/cross-country-shoes/157179#157179 HeavyD 2012-10-21T21:25:37Z 2012-10-21T21:25:37Z

<p>Minimalist shoes are the way to go. The muscles of his feet and lower legs will be stronger in shoes with less cushion, less technology. Also, minimalist shoes tend to have very little differential between heel and toe, which is good. Traditional running shoes (post mid-seventies)have a higher heel, which can lead to an adaptivly shortened achilles tendon. The strongest argument is that he races in racing flats, so training in minimalist shoes will approximate the shoes he races in. I have not found any research that validates the claims made by shoes companies regarding the supposed benefits of their shoes with a cushioned sole, pronation control, stability, etc. It is all marketing. If the Nike Frees are working for your son I would continue with those. If he is looking for a change there are some great minimalist shoes to choose from.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/157173/cross-country-shoes/157190#157190 CD 2012-10-22T00:08:59Z 2012-10-22T00:08:59Z

<p>Just my two cents. I switched to a minimal shoe for my daily training, and the pounded led to herniated discs in my lower neck and upper back. When I went to a physical therapist to work on fixing my back she said she sees more runners now (a sports-based physical therapy office) than she had in the previous 20 years. And almost every single one has come in with minimalist shoes. </p> <p>Her advice was essentially, If you want to run fast over a short distance (less than 2 miles) or slow over a long distance (slower than 12 minutes/mile) then minimalist shoes are the way to go. Everyone else needs to get their stride analyzed and to wear appropriate shoes.</p> <p>Since this is your son's first year, I doubt the coach had him above 35 miles per week. So he was probably fine in his frees since he wasn't running a ridiculous amount (and he is likely a fairly light-weight efficient runner anyways). But I would still suggest getting his stride analyzed -- Who knows, the shop might say he should stay in minimalist shoes.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/157173/cross-country-shoes/157197#157197 polynesian_metal 2012-10-22T00:46:59Z 2012-10-22T00:46:59Z

<p>I race in these <a href="http://www.zappos.com/nike-zoom-streak-xc-3-solar-red-black-white-volt" rel="nofollow">http://www.zappos.com/nike-zoom-streak-xc-3-solar-red-black-white-volt</a> I put a usual 40-50 miles a week on those and I've won trail racing medals in them so I'm going to tell you I am a trail running half marathon specialist and these shoes are the shit. Was skeptical of the VFF movement because of debris on the trail and shit on the street and these seemed to be the most minimal and less cushioned shoe out there but they are 2 seasons old so get a pair for your son, if he likes then get all you can. I have 2 pair in rotation and 1 pair in the box. The oldest pair I've had over a year. I swear by these. Seriously.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/157173/cross-country-shoes/157223#157223 PhysiqueRescue 2012-10-22T04:12:53Z 2012-10-22T04:12:53Z

<p>I am a strong believer in minimilist shoes as they have been game changing for my wife and I in regards to running and cross training. I now will typically pull off my shoes and do some running barefoot just for the sensation. The strength increases in my ankles and muscles around my feet was incredible. I felt much more stable during my lifting as well. Growing up, I had EXTREMELY flat feet. I had custom orthotics in an attempt to build an arch and had several surgeries for sports related ankle injuries. Fast forward 10 years: After wearing VFF's for an extending period, my foot actually developed an arch. I used to have chronic back pain from running (heel striking) in traditional shoes. My ankles are the strongest they have ever been and I do not have any pain when running. </p> <p>Matt<br> <a href="http://physiquerescue.com" rel="nofollow">PhysiqueRescue.com</a></p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/157173/cross-country-shoes/157236#157236 Nater 2012-10-22T06:46:30Z 2012-10-22T06:46:30Z

<p>I want to second the "my foot actually developed an arch" comment.</p> <p>I don't have particularly flat feet, but after using vff and running my arch was significantly more pronounced and I could feel a tight strong accumulation of muscle where there was previously none.</p> <p>It sounds like he is already adapted, but to anyone considering trying minimalist shoes make sure you walk a lot and only run in short burst. If you try to run like you've been in the typical padded high heel you will have some serious pounding on your joints.</p> <p>(For reference: I rarely run more than 2-3 miles, and my recent 5k is in the 22 minute range)</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/157173/cross-country-shoes/157246#157246 daffy 2012-10-22T08:34:03Z 2012-10-22T08:34:03Z

<p>How old is your son? Growth plates in children only close roughly 14-16 years old so I'd be cautious of running in minimalist shoes as growth plate injuries MIGHT result... But I'm no doctor </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/157173/cross-country-shoes/172553#172553 upere 2013-01-11T08:08:39Z 2013-01-11T08:08:39Z

<p>I just read a post about what type of shoes is suitable for wearing for cross-country, you can read it and follow some suggestions, this post is at <a href="http://www.upere.com/fashion/what-type-of-shoes-is-suitable-for-wearing-for-cross-country/" rel="nofollow"><strong>http://www.upere.com/fashion/what-type-of-shoes-is-suitable-for-wearing-for-cross-country/</strong></a></p>