Core Running = New Balance

I was 15 years old when I went for my first “real” run. I wore bulky, over produced Etonic running shoes. They had white soles, white leather detailing and very white thick nerdy laces. Anyone watching me jog by would think I was wearing marshmallows for shoes. I progressed to a Nike runner with pronounced arch support and a thick sole weighing in well over 14 ounces. For years, I shopped at La Boutique Courier and Boutique Endurance in Montreal and ran my first 5km, 10km and marathons with products from these “purist” running shops. All the well-meaning and seasoned sales staff advised me that with my flat feet and Morton’s Toe, my shoe options would be limited to the “stability, control, support” shelf. This advice was gospel to my eager and believing ears.

Over the next 15 years, I went on to invest in every running shoe on the market using those descriptive features and benefits– stability, support, control. To this day, my shoe closet has 10 runners for every one sexy pump or knee-high boot. My collection has, however, evolved to include a range of lighter weight stability shoes, trail runners, adventure racers, racing flats and most recently, two pairs of New Balance Minimus Shoes: the Minimus Zero and Minimus Trail.

Minimus Zero

Minimus Trail

Sports medicine practitioners, kinesiologists, exercise physiologists, human performance experts, running coaches, running bloggers, as well as weekend running warriors have heavily debated the subject of traditional vs minimal shoes. In simplistic terms, findings prove that a less corrective shoe and a progressive training protocol will produce biomechanically efficiency, improved neuromuscular control, reduced injury and ultimately improved economy and performance. However (and this is a very important however), the key to owning these running attributes is in the progression to becoming a minimalist shoe runner. Umpteen running protocols exist to guide newbies in their new slipper-like runners. And speaking from experience, I would highly advise seeking advice from a knowledgeable running professional and strictly abiding by the pre-determined rate of advancement.

In my case, an expert sought me out. Curb Ivanic, founder of CoreRunning.com read my blog reporting on my running “come back” after a 6-month injury influenced hiatus. Curb coins himself a running nerd with serious credentials and qualifications to back up his passion and expertise. His CoreRunning.com business seeks to help anyone that wants to improve his or her run performance. While his protocol with every athlete is based on developing a strong foundation (fundamental movement skills) before moving into the fitness aspect (endurance, strength, power, balance, coordination) and technical skills (biomechanics and economy), Curb customizes his approach to every individual once they have undergone an assessments, gait analysis and muscle testing under his watchful eye.

After reading about the severity of my injury and my slow journey back to unihibited running, Curb suggested he might be able to help. Following run specific tests, a thorough gait and form analysis, mobility testing, muscle balance assessment and some in depth discussion about my run history, Curb summed up his findings and how we could unleash some run potential with a healthy and progressive approach. In less than one week, we met again to review a customized strength and mobility program as well as the “Interval I” 8-week running protocol using a minimal running shoe. Here is the protocol: http://www.therunningclinic.ca/medias/pdf/interval-program-i-2.pdf

Curb, being an avid proponent of going back to the basics, believes that we can re-teach our neuromuscular pathways, recruit the proper muscles for force application, and develop a natural running gait by developing our fundamental movement patterns, dynamic fitness and sport specific skills using a minimalist shoe. In his view, I was the perfect candidate for success since my running was in fact starting over from square one. Square one felt like a purposeful place to start.

In less than a month and a half, my progress has been nothing short of phenomenal thanks to Curb and my long time coach, Jasper Blake http://www.b78.is/ (also a running guru with a rich running pedigree and minimalist shoe supporter). The strength and mobility program has noticeably improved my muscular recruitment, core stability and gait pattern. The progressive run protocol (in a minimal shoe) is re-training my neuromuscular patterning. Having started with 3 x 1 minute run/1 minute walk and only adding 1 minute each day allows my body, joints, muscles and brain to adapt and absorb the effort. The stress is methodical and progressive with virtually no margin for overuse.

With no need for orthodics, corrective shoes, and an air of lightness in my step, I found myself researching all the minimalist shoes making impact with respected runners. In a few quick days, Hayley McGowan of Method Personal Training introduced me to Jordan Cluff, co-owner of the New Balance Vancouver, Delta and Langley Stores. Jordan was well versed in my athletic career and quest to integrate a minimal shoe into my running program. Following a lengthy discussion on the philosophy and research behind a minimalist approach and the R&D behind the various minimal New Balance shoe options, Jordan had me try on over 6 pairs for feel, fit and function. Without much debate, I was ecstatic to leave the store with two minimalist shoes (the Minimus Zero and the Minimus Trail) ready to start training new running mechanics. Here is a link to a great video clip of Jordan explaining the Minimus Zero shoe. http://www.newbalancevancouver.ca/info/new-balance-minimus/

In my research on New Balance and the evolution of the Minimus shoe, I found this summary to be very helpful: http://www.newbalance.com/performance/running/nb-minimus-zero-9-things-you-should-know/

Without a doubt, nothing feels better than running in a lightweight, airy, freeing and roomy shoe, especially after a holistic approach to training that prepares the body to run. Born To Run by Christopher McDougall is a great read for anyone questioning the possibility of applying a minimalist approach to running. I welcome your experiences with a minimal approach to running and maybe even life.

Off to clean out my running shoe closet…

Happy Strides.