MANY MANY long-time runners are heel-strikers, and are successful.
I realize that minimalist shoes are being marketed as promoting toe-strike, and that toe-strike is the flavor of the month, but I think it's really irresponsible for a new runners who's never actually run distance to be proclaiming what is "good" and what's "bad." Run your first decent 5K or stay healthy (and training) for a year and then get back to us.
Advice: C25K progesses really, really quickly, and you're heavy for a runner. Slow down your progress, ice your shin splints, and make sure you're wearing properly-fitted, properly-chosen shoes _for your foot and strike type_.
Hi MariaMaria,
You were so right about C25K, it does progress fast... I didn't pass week 4, I put it aside for now, the lady seems to stress me more then anything! I train alone, with my music and Garmin! I'm now jogging 10min straight and I am really happy!!! I did get some new shoes (not total minimalist but close enough for a beginner like me) and let me tell you it's like DAY AND NIGHT!!! No more shins problems
There are lots of articles arguing that each (heel, mid-foot, and toe striking) is bad. The pro-toe articles have been a bit more prevalent lately due to the barefoot/minimalist running craze. I saw a chart in Runner's World a while back that broke down the pros and cons of each strike. The conclusion essentially was run how you run, because there will be good and bad any way you go.
BTW- I'm a toe to mid-foot striker and get awful shin splints!
You were so right about C25K, it does progress fast... I didn't pass week 4, I put it aside for now, the lady seems to stress me more then anything! I train alone, with my music and Garmin! I'm now jogging 10min straight and I am really happy!!! I did get some new shoes (not total minimalist but close enough for a beginner like me) and let me tell you it's like DAY AND NIGHT!!! No more shins problems
Yees! I too found that once I got to a certain point I was much better off, and made much better progress, venturing out on my own. My own music, my own pace, etc. I can now run for 30 mins non-stop. STILL haven't quite gotten to running 5k straight through but am very close. I swear half of it is just my head playing games with me! lol
I tried c25k last year (failed miserably.. now I'm waiting and doing other stuff to lose a few more pounds before trying again)
but I had the same problem. I bought the shoes (which I love) and it DOES change how you run. But it takes a lot of getting used to, and I still can't wear regular shoes and run correctly without a lot of thought. Maybe if I'd done it longer....
I'm no expert, but I think our bodies know what to do on their own. So for me I ran barefoot on grass in small intervals until I memorized the form my body self-adjusted to, and now I just use that form no matter what's on my feet and it works!
Good luck though!
