I did end up with pretty sore calves for several days. I was able to run 14 on Wednesday night in my Asics, but stairs remain a bit tricky!

I just got back from 6.2 in the Kinvaras. It took 59 minutes, not bad for me, but I did notice that I negative split pretty well, which I almost never do. Mile 6 was at 8:20. Maybe because the shoes are lighter?

I tried to concentrate on reducing impact rather than how my foot was landing. I figure if it feels like I’m running “lighter” then I’m probably getting it right. It took a mile or so to figure it out.

I think I’m going to enjoy running in the Kinvaras, especially once the newly engaged muscles strengthen up a bit. The short term goal is, “don’t get injured.” The medium term goal is, finish Montreal in Sept. The long term goal is, “don’t get injured.”

I’m wearing the Kinvaras around town when I’m not running, and doing short little runs across streets and through parking lots, concentrating on landing on the balls of my feet. I’m probably taking this more slowly than necessary, but my biggest fear is getting hurt. I’ve only been running since January, but I’m miserable when I have to take time off.

I finished my first marathon last night in the Kinvaras. I think the best thing I can say about the shoes is that I did not notice the shoes at all. It’s been just over 24 hours since the finish. Some muscle pain and stiffness, but no joint pain at all. Other than a couple of toenails that will soon be departing, the feet are good.

Thanks for this blog, I’d probably have not tried flatter shoes had I not read it. Getting out of my 2150’s has been a big help.

Don’t be alarmed, that’s usually my default response when it comes to
injuries since I’m not a medical doc and it’s hard to say for sure what an
injury might be in a venue like this. I’ve had my share of aches and pains,
but have never required a doctor’s visit. I just try to be smart about
things, and often even find that switching to a shoe with different
properties can allow me to run until the ache heals up. As you said, couold
just be that you’re pushing too hard after a solid race effort. Rest is
important!

I’m feeling a bit sorry for this guy. Mad Dude needs to chill out. I’m pretty sure he’s just trying to stir the pot and get a rise out of us since his entire comment boils down to an unsupported, name-calling, poop-throwing paragraph. I’m unsure what exactly makes Mad Dude think that Pete wants any media attention for himself. His only desire, in my humble opinion, is to educate others and provide another voice to us minimalist runners who have actually found joy in running with as little as possible on our feet.
Minimalism is here to stay Mad Dude. The status quo in the shoe industry is coming to an end. You can either embrace the increased diversity in shoe choice which others (like Pete) have helped bring to us, or you can continue banging your head against the wall. I hope you’ll choose to do the former rather than the latter. Unfortunately, based on your comment, I think it’ll be the latter.

Failed?  Mad Dude, you just don’t get it.  I run 100 miles a week now.  That would have been impossible before.  The truth is that I don’t care what you think.  In Ultrarunning there is an expression that we use when somebody asks advice about moving to these kind of diststances.  We say that it is “an experiement of one”.  I, as well as Pete, are simply just sharing our experiences.  When you find something that works and it is 180 degrees different than what tradition has taught us you feel compelled to share it.  Do with it what you will.   The day you compete against me in a 100 mile race and whoop my ass is the day that you gain crediblilty with me. 

John,

Be careful to not force a forefoot strike – your heel should come down and
touch the ground, otherwise you will put lots of strain on the calf and
Achilles.

Pete