Triathlon - Nike Free

Just bought a pair of Nike Free 5.0 today. Man, I thought I was in shape. My calves are sore after about a 2.5km run.....man, if this is the way they work, this will make me an insane runner.....:rolleyes: well, atleast up to the average level.

Go to www.nike.com to check it out. I dont usually like Nike stuff, but these are pretty good training tools.

Congrats on the good work-out! I have a question for you though. Maybe the 5.0's are different, but I was told by a Nike Rep that I would not want to get a pair of the Frees (when they first came out) because I run at least 8 miles a day (I'm on a cross country team) and they would wear out WAY too fast. He said they really should only be worn for people doing a very light load of running. Have they changed the shoes to be more durable? Just wondering. Take care.

well they have(from what I saw). For running 4.0, and 5.0. Then for cross training, they have the 4.0, 5.0, and the 7.0.

The lower the number, the less support/sole/cushioning there will be.

The guide book that comes with them sais you shouldnt even run in them for atleast 2 days. You should just wear them around the house. Then slowly increase your milage starting at 2-3 miles. I think they will wear out kinda quick. Though they are fairly cheap comparitivley to other good shoes($100 bucks canadian). Not to mention I dont run alot to start with, that is one reason I like that these are supposed to really help you get stronger mucles in your feet and legs.

I first tried on a pair in January and thought there was no support. Then I learned that they were supposed to help strengthen your foot and ankle muscles. So the second time I got around to trying them on was in late April. I had been training for a marathon in May since Dec. I bought a pair of the shoes, wore them around my house for a day and took them back the next day. I didn't think much of them once I had done some miles in my other shoes and become stronger. I think if your feet are not used to the shoes, and your legs aren't strong, then they will help out. A local marathoner with 165 marathons under his belt recommends running with different shoes as much as you can to help this problem. Anyway, I hope they work for you. I have heard some horror stories about plantars facilitis or however it is spelled. Don't over-do it! Good Luck!

What typy of surface should you run on with them (track,pavement blacktop), does it matter?

I dont have a track to run on. So I will just be out on the road....We'll see.

I've had these shoes for about six weeks. I absolutely love them. They're still like new, so Nike must have resolved the quick wear issue. I alternate them with my New Balance 991 for running. They're just so freaking light. I hope they work with your feet - I know they work with mine.

Barefeet provides the same effect.

Barefeet provides the same effect.

It also provides **** in your feet. Barefoot is all good on grass or the beach, but for concrete, notsomuch.

Thats the thing, these are designed to provide the same effect as barefoot running. Minus the rocks stabbing into your feet.

I have the nike free and I love them. I never really noticed anything different other than that they are extremely light and comfortable. They seem plenty durable for running, although I tore the suede? outer layer on my right shoe after playing soccer in them(stupid idea). My left one is fine though and I have had them for over a year.

The torn layer doesnt seem to affect the shoe that much as I still run in them and they do just fine with the lower layer intact.