Thanks to Miss Zippy and Altra for the Delilah zero drop shoes!
Thanks to Beth and Altra for the Intuition zero drop shoes (they won the best Runner's World Debut in March 2012)!
So far I've received the Delilah shoes in the mail and taken them out for a little one mile jaunt.
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| Preparing to take my new Altra Delilah Zero Drop shoes out for a test drive... |
They felt:
-natural
-fast
-easy
-comfy
They helped me use better running form/posture.
They helped me use better running form/posture.
Verdict is in. I'm a new fan.
Which means a lot coming from me, because I've always been skeptical of natural running shoes.
By the end of the one mile run, I already felt like they had worked my calf muscles more than my regular 12mm drop running shoes. Maybe these will give me some awesome calf muscles, one can only dream...
I don't necessarily imagine myself running a marathon in these puppies, but I plan on wearing them for a few miles per week to start with and we'll see where I go from there.
I've heard stories of people getting injured when switching to zero drop or minimalist shoes, so I'm going to be extra cautious about adding in miles with them.
Miss Zippy recommended this great website to me to find more info on natural running. There are tons of resources on transitioning to minimalism. Lots of great videos too.
Do you drink the Minimalist Shoe Kool-Aid?
I'm taking sips of it! So far I really like my new zero drop shoes. Don't worry, regular old lady running shoes, I still love you...
Hi there! Just stumbled upon your blog and am loving it! :) I'm just getting started in neutral shoes (and LOVE them), but it's quite a change!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Megan
I tried minimalist once, but I didn't really like them. I'm just too worried about getting injured, because I have in the past. Those are super cute though!! and you are insanely lucky for winning two pairs, I have never won a give away!! (still looking forward to your Color Me Rad give away!!)
ReplyDeleteI've been SUPER interested in finding out more about the minimalist shoe. I haven't jumped on the bandwagon....yet ;)
ReplyDeleteThis entry is so timely because I just drank the Kool Aid last week. Well, I tried Brooks PureFlow in March and did not like them, but then did some more research and found the Brooks PureCadence. I got them last week and have taken them out twice (once on the road, once on the treadmill) and I am a convert. I LOVE THEM. Plus they look snazzy, which is always nice.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to keep my Ravennas around too, and switch on and off with them to ease myself into the PureCadence.
Ya know I do! I'm really glad you are liking them. I am up to about 6-7 miles in mine and am now finding that even when I run in my Pure Connects, it now feels like too much shoe. I definitely see myself only in the Delilahs at some point in the future!
ReplyDeleteWow--two pairs? That is crazy!
I'm not all the way minimalist - I like my cushion a little (I tried totally minimal and got injured). However, I adore the Saucony Kinvara and it's kind of borderline minimal - lower drop, flexible, light. Weirdly, I didn't like the Brooks Pure line I tried at all (but I never ran in them, just tried them on). To me they felt clunky and bulky!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried the minimalist shoes but have been curious for a long time. Maybe I'll give them a whirl one day soon! Thanks for the tips
ReplyDeleteI love my minimalists. They are not magic shoes but I do run a bit faster for short distances and love how they make me feel in tune with the trail. I've SLOWLY worked up to 10 miles in them - I'd like to get up to a half marathon but not yet. I absolutely feel like I'm working my calves harder in them.
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly one lucky lady!!!! And you know how I feel about the Altras - big fan :) Glad you like them! I found the transition for the Intuitions to be a lot easier than the Delilahs!
ReplyDeletei drank the minimal kool-aid last year. and now i run only in nike free's. definite advantage to running in the minimal free's? obnoxious bright colors! which i thought you might appreciate ;)
ReplyDeleteoh and to make sure you understand 'obnoxious' i mean that in the best way. i am totally addicted to bright neon colors. LOVE THEM! just wanted to clarify so you didn't think i was being rude :)
ReplyDeletethose shoes look nice! i have yet to try minimalist because i have been too scared but i keep entering the giveaways just in case;) haha! im excited to hear more about how you like running in them!
ReplyDeleteI just started running in a pair of Saucony Kinvaras minimalist shoes and my calves are getting some workout!! They were SO sore the other day. I definitely think I ran too much in them last week so I'm backing off, so definitely ease into them! We can figure out how to run minimalist together haha
ReplyDeleteLoving the shoes, girl! I have two pairs of Altras as well but like you, can't really see myself running a marathon (or even a half) in them. I really messed up my ankles running a 10-miler in my Nike Frees so I have been really cautious with minimalist shoes ever since. It took months before my feet and ankles went back to normal! I generally wear my altras for treadmill sprints or easy runs (under 10K). I love the look and feel of them!
ReplyDeleteThe Delilahs look great on you! I have the Intuitions and have run a couple of half marathons in them without any problem. I wore some New Balance Minimus shoes Monday for a 5K that we walked and my calves are still sore! Perhaps I'll have to spend more time running in those!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your Intuitions too!
I love the Brooks Pure series. I have the connects and the cadences and love both.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is awesome that you won 2 pairs!
ReplyDeleteMain thing is to transition into the shoes gradually, because your calf muscles aren't used to flexing fully with the minimal shoes. I heard a rule that you should only add a minute of additional minimal shoe wear a day or something (so day 1 do 1 minute, day 2 do 2 minutes, etc). Maybe that is too conservative, but just don't go out and do 5 miles in them on day 1.
I want to transition to minimal shoes, but my doctor said for me to hold off until I'm healthy before transitioning over.
I really need to try minimalist shoes. I have been hurting too much with my others and need to see if that's the case!
ReplyDeleteI won my Altra intuitions from Beth too and have since started running in them. I love everything about them, but my slower speed.
ReplyDeleteWow, winning 2 pairs! You better head to Vegas because you're on a roll! I switch over to minimal shoes almost 2 years ago and I'm a big fan. It did take a long time to fully transition but I don't think I could ever go back now. I've been curious about the Altras. I tried on the Eves and they didn't work for the top of my foot but I could try the others. I'm a big fan of the Merrell Pace Gloves. They're my current favorites!
ReplyDeleteI just got my first pair of minimalist shoes a few weeks ago too (Brooks PureCadence). I am like you, I LOVED them from the start but haven't run more than 2 miles at a time on them because I have heard stories about injuries, etc. Can you pass some of your good luck my way?!
ReplyDeleteLUCKY lady!:)
ReplyDeleteI got to test out a pair of minimalist shoes, and like you, I thought I was not going to like them. Now that is pretty much all I wear on track/speed work days.
I'm a big fan of minimalist shoes, but I've never heard of these! I need to learn more!
ReplyDeleteWOW that is some awesome luck! I have been trying to win some of those! I have only tried the Brooks Pure Flows that have a 4mm drop but I love love love them and will be getting more when those wear out. They feel so light natural and amazing to run in.
ReplyDeleteNice, lucky you!! I was hoping to win a pair at some point to try them out... I did try some Pure Flows but had a lot of Achilles/calf soreness and decided I wasn't ready to dive into the minimalist scene yet. But I really want to move in that direction eventually!
ReplyDeleteI bought some Brooks Pure Flows, figuring coming back from an injury when I can't run big distances anyway was a good time to try this out. My calves were screaming after the first run in them, but the subsequent runs have all been fine and they do feel lighter. I'm not sure how the transition back to "big running" will go--it would be nice to think I could wear such a light shoe for marathons (the lightness more than the minimalism has been the big temptation for me), but I'm skeptical.
ReplyDeleteI started with kinveras and they did not work for me over a distance longer than about 3,miles. However, I now run in pure flows on the road and pure grits on the trail and I LOVE them. Even ran a marathon in the pure flows earlier this month. It's important to find what works for you.
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of nike frees, but have never run in them...
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE my minimalist shoes. I have always liked super tight, minimal running clothes (spandex & a sports bra is fine by me...less drag. I need all the speed help I can get!). I made my shoes match my clothing about a year and a half ago to take the minimalist leap.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing...the one thing I'll say is you need to transition really slowly. It's easy to want to jump in, but my word my calves were a nightmare when I pushed it too far, too fast. I still have to stretch my calves more than ever.
You are one lucky girl! TWO pair of shoes!! WOW :)
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of Vibrams and love them! They never hurt and I just go out there and run and they really help my running form. I also got Brooks Pure Connect, but they hurt me a after a few miles. Overall I think it's great to mix them in and strengthen your feet muscles.
Be careful! You're going with a good plan to ease into them. Speaking of shoes, I still love love LOVE my my Brooks Pureflow, which are like the first step toward minimalist shoe from regular. Lots of cushion under ball of foot, not so much anywhere else. They're great!
ReplyDeleteThose look awesome! I'm running in Kinvaras right now. They've been pretty good until to a 1/2, but I don't think I could run a marathon in them.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome you won two pairs of shoes! My husband bought me a pair of minimalist shoes, but I haven't worn them yet. Since I'm recovering from injury, I want to keep things as normal as possible for a while!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely a big minimalist fan, but I also need cushioning under my old, achy feet. I love the Altras....and they are sooo pretty, too (at least the ones you have :)). Not quite neon, but almost!
ReplyDeleteI've been running in Nike Frees for a couple years, and love them. If I wear normal shoes, they just feel clunky and wierd. I really really want to try the Altras. They will be my next purchase for sure!! Hope you love them!
ReplyDeleteAwesome luck! I've been thinking about those shoes and am happy to have read your review on them. I run in some "minimal" nikes And have been thinking about trying out different brands like Altra or newton.
ReplyDeletetwo winnings in one week??? girl you're on a roll, you should play the lotto ;) i used to sport newtons and love the way they felt on my feet, but at $175 a pair i just couldn't justify spending that much so i moved back to brooks. love altra and one day i'm going to get myself a pair.
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty awesome you won two pairs of shoes!!! I'm jealous!!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to hear about your adventures and experiences in them!
I want to give the Saucony Kinvara's a try, but I'm waiting until I'm recovered and can run :(
Hopefully soon! :)
so far I haven't quite gotten to the full 0 drop shoes, but ohh my kinvara's do make my feet sing :) i am amazed that it took years of running to finally learn about these lighter lower shoees
ReplyDelete