Quote:
Originally Posted by PRB
... The only downside for me is I cannot daydream while I run...I have to pay attention to where I put my foot (trail running) so as not to stomp a rock.
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It is worthwhile to get a minimalist shoe with a rock plate, so that if you do hit a rock, you lower the risk of fracturing the foot. I've always had good luck with the removable spike cross country shoes, since they have an integrated plate (essentially a sheet of somewhat pliable plastic) in the forefoot. I've also taken to using a more padded zero drop shoe (Altra is my preference) in really rocky areas. While it does decrease proprioception, the added padding is more forgiving on the forefoot and allows for an overall more comfortable run. The zero drop still allows for a more forward running gait.
Watch any Kenyan running video where they are running in their home country with no shoes, that is the gait that everyone here is trying to mimic. Short strides, and when you want to go faster don't increase the stride length but increase the cadence. Dr. Jack Daniels talks about this in his books as well (Daniels' Running Formula), which is a good reference for any type of runner.