10K on the W&OD Trail

Today I continued to practice a forefoot strike in my running gait.  I ran the first three miles using a forefoot strike.  Then I switched back to my regular heel strike because I could tell my calves were getting very tired and I was losing form.

I think my calves will be sore tomorrow.

It still amazes me how harsh the heel strike style feels after having run a few miles with a forefoot strike!

If I'm really going to adapt to this "natural" running gait then I'm going to have to buy new "minimal"  running shoes.  Then when I go running to practice my new gait I'll only run with a forefoot strike.  If I want to run more with a heel strike I'll have to change shoes.  For a while this might be inconvenient, but I think it's better for my new running style to not run in my stability control Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11s.  Maybe this weekend I'll shop for something else.

Which brings up the question... what to wear for "minimal" footwear.  I know it won't be Vibram 5 Finger shoes.  Maybe New Balance's Minimus 20s?  We'll see what feels good on my foot when I try them on.