Minimalist shoes and a marathon?

Running a marathon in minimalist shoes and barefoot has been done before. I've seen plenty of marathons run in 5 fingers. (they are easy to spot).

So, if you are starting your training plan then no worries about wearing the pure cadence.

My only Q. is, why are you scrunching your toes? this doesn't sound helpful or right. Is that something you need to address before embarking on a marathon training plan?

Ran a marathon in brooks green silence a few weeks ago - no obvious problems

Train in pure flow - very comfortable

Would like to try the pure connect - soon

Good luck in the marathon

Green silence are a lighter shoe -  I had done a few shorter quicker training runs in them prior to the marathon. They came out of the marathon relatively unscathed.

I believe Scott Jurek broke the world 24 hour record running in a pair of green silence so I think they have decent durability.

If you have the time to train and build up the milage slowly then do this. You are exercising your foot as you would any other bit of your body so treat them with respect.

If you build up the mileage as per your training plan then you really shouldn't have any problem running a marathon in them. I don't know where you got the tired feet more supportive shoe notion from. Ignore it, it's not doing you any good.

the whole point of the training that you are about to do is to get you through the marathon in one peice in a good time, not just to make the distance.

I really doubt that you will have any problems. I have run 2 marathons in Newtons. The only problem I had was tripping over a sleeping policeman.  Very crowded race, trying to dodge the walkers at the start. (VLM)

i did all my training for and ran a marathon in the brooks green silence with no problems. depends on the idividual i suppose but if they don't give you any problems in training then no reason why you couldn't run the race in them.

I've not ventured into the realms of minimalist shoes so can't offer any specific advice there, but IMO there are two tests to do for assessing a shoe's suitability for the marathon:

- running long distance
- running at target pace (or thereabouts)

(Obviously putting the two together won't really happen until race day.)

So while you're building up the long run distance, also try some marathon pace runs to see how comfortable they are, running at a good pace for a number of miles. 

The only thing that sounds concerning at the moment is scrunching up the toes.  Surely this means tensing up muscles (lower calves?) which should be as relaxed as possible, and which will inevitably fatigue in the latter stages of the marathon.  Maybe minimalist shoes are perfectly OK in theory for running marathons, but only if they are comfortable over a long period of time.

Hi Guys,

Surprisingly I'm all about maintaining right now as I'm coming back from 5 - 7 months of no exercise and just putting on weight! However my times are slowly creeping down to where they were which is nice seeing as I'm now doing a different foot strike. 

TBH I'm not worried about my toes scrunching up as it happens rarely and this morning I went for a run about 14km and it didn't happen once, I think its just my fitness levels returning and getting back in the routine of checking my form etc. 

I'm hoping to get in a half this weekend and I think that will be a good test, so far on 18km its been fine but I think I won't get true confidence till I rack up a 15miler. 

I'll let you guys know how I get on! 

I went on that half over the weekend and it felt perfectly fine. I didn't really even feel the need to use the foam roller when I got home! I did this morning just because I thought it would be a good idea to push some of that acid buildup.

You guys were right about the shoes! How to start the marathon training with some gusto although I think I might do a mileage cut this week just because I think I've been building up for about 4 weeks straight so it might be nice to allow for some recovery. 

One thing that did make me laugh, with all my worrying about the shoes I forgot to prepare and check I had gels, turns out I didn't! That totally threw me but I figured to hell with it, I've done the training all that will happen is that I just need some sleep. Anyway I was using a new drink as I dehydrate on long runs and was recommended this SiS Go Electrolyte, totally recommend it, didn't feel any issues apart from the usual running pain! I'm now questioning how much reliance I have on gels and whether I should be using them as much as I do? I generally take one if I'm going to be running for an hour and a half but maybe this is too aggressive and I should be saving them for race day?

Anyway, thanks for your help guys, really appreciate it

P.S. My toes didn't tighten up at all, you guys had me paranoid so I was constantly on the lookout and they were good little toes

I am doing London in barefoot shoes next year. Probably New Balance Minimus Trail, they would be ok for road. Yesterday did my first ever speed session in Vivo breathos and was able to keep the same pace as in the Newtons. So the Newtons are out and truly barefoot shoes are in. I am chuffed.

Wow acdcgirl, thats impressive, how do you think they will cope in the rain and snow?  I'm no where near my old pace but I'm not worried, I'm hoping that will come with time and strength, in fact I'm considering of doing this marathon training on heart rate instead but still debating that one...

These particular shoes (New Balance) are no good for mud and snow, they are US type trailer for dusty trail, that's why I got breathos, they have proper lugs for these conditions, I use NB ones in the dry weather. I am slow as well, at the moment about 11:30 a mile and even going down to 12:30 on muddy trail. Doing intervals every week trying to work on the speed. A lot of it is bravery to go a bit faster on a stoney path where you can get jabbed at any time in your foot. Your body naturally wants to go slow to pr otect itself from potential damage. I have about 10 months to go, should crack it by then and return to my 10 minute mile normal pace.

I ran Brighton 2012 and Edinburgh 2012 in brooks pure cadence I got PBs in both. My only problem is that I should have bought them half a size or a full size bigger as I ended up with blisters under my toenails from my feet swelling and toes hitting the toe box. Still I have only lost 2 nails this year and I lost 6 last year.

acdcgirl, I think my fear is that I'll end up reverting back to heel striking instead of forefoot but just so long as my ITB old pain doesn't reoccur then I'm most definitely game - something the book "Running with the Kenyans" also talks about, how their injuries aren't impact ones i.e. ITB. Be very interested to know how your progress goes as I feel quite confident in my pure cadence but I think its getting the leg turnover, I just don't have the full strength yet to get that happening at the rate I need. 

Hells85, thats amazing! I went a half size higher because I found I didn't have quite the room I wanted but I only really get the swelling in my feet the first time I run the new distance so I'm interested to see how the longer mileage goes Surprised you've been loosing toe nails though, never had that problem myself but I've always liked a roomy shoe, I even end up with Shin splins from just having the laces too tight! 

Yeah, I read 'Running with the Kenyans too', awesome. I wish he would really elaborate on the transistion though, how it was for him, how he started and how much, more for other people than myself. Not much has been written on it so far. I work with Running School coach, he taught me the right technique, I do lots of complemantary exercises and strength. Previously I had 7 injuries in 15 months, it was difficult to string some decent training as was always off with something, now running 5 months non stop, no niggles, no nothing, have learnt to take it easy when I need to. Very confident about running VLM next year barefoot, it will be fun (or so I hope).

There is a good book that I've only read and not really done the exercises but its called "Natural Running" by Danny Abshire, he is the creator of Newton shoes (he does promote his own brand). He has a few exercises in the back and talks a lot of things to be aware. He has an 8 week training plan on how to do it but tbh I just went out there and took my time. Although he did confirm some thoughts I had like adding a forward lean to help make sure you forefoot strike. I don't land quite on my forefoot but on mid to forefoot although sometimes it does feel like I'm just rolling higher on my heel to mid foot - not sure ifyou've had similar experience? 

That does make me think that I'm not quite forefoot striking fully yet but then again I'm only in minimal shoes and am not forcing it. 

I did find runblogger has a lot of information on the subject, one such link is:

http://www.runblogger.com/2011/09/slow-motion-video-barefoot-and-shod.html

I just watched the second video on that link and I think I've still got some work to do!

You definitely sound like you've given yourself the best opportunity to change your gait before vlm, how are you so sure that you're getting a spot already? I didn't think they announced until November? The only time I get injuries are when I start upping the requirements like trying to hit a time or marathon training, day to day running is normally good because I do allow rest days, which is why this time I'm going to start mileage build up now which is week 1 of 16 and I'm already on half marathon. The plan is to do the 10% rule for 4 weeks and then decrease by 20% for one week.... fingers crossed it works!

Thanks for info on that book, I met Danny Abshire on Newton workshop a few years ago, didn't know he wrote his own book. Will download this and read through. I am defo forefoot runner, I have fortnightly sessions with the coach and he said last time my technique is' very good' but can feel that am running with my body so to speak rather than working against it. Going back to Danny Abshire, he has Running form Fridays on facebook if you like newton running, videos that show you drill and technique how to run. What they say there however doesn't corrrespond sometimes with Running School method especially as to downhil running. The most important in barefoot running is upright body posture, good arm movement, heel lift and high cadence. And strong core so that's why I do core exercises every day.

As to VLM I wanted to run for charity so can raise funds, running for St John Ambulance, already got accepted and have a place. I entered a ballot but for sure will not get it. Good luck with your running!