Originally Posted by
robxdrew
Originally Posted by rockthisMIC
^they are comfortable enough to walk around in/go to the gym with, but I wouldn't recommend them for long-distance running if you are flat-footed; you'll pay for it afterwards.
Oh no. I wasn't going to run a marathon or anything in them. I just need a pair of sneakers for my long clinical days. I need to feel comfortable walking and standing around a hospital for hours. Are they fine for just that though?
-Drew
Guys, people with all foot types can wear frees. I have flat feet and used to use arch supports/orthotics and always ended up with knee pain also, until i switched to frees. I started back with the free 5.0 OG and have worn nothing for running since.
If you have flat feet, you have to start slowly. All frees for the first 2-3 years of nike making them, came with an instruction guide on how to use them, and i think it is a great guide and following it you will most likely avoid any types of pains,especially those of us with flat feet.
When i first started using them, of course i didn't completely follow the instructions, and had some pain around my medial ankle area after awhile, but this went away after strengthening the muscles of my feet and legs. When i first went from 3 miles running to 5 miles running, had some pain in one of my feet, but that also went away after strengthening my feet more.
I have been doing half marathons and a couple sprint triathlons in my frees and have been fine, don't want to wear anything else, and have no problems with knee ankle or foot pain.
After rupturing my achilles, i did my rehab in my og free trainer 5.0s and free 5.0 v4, best shoes i could have ever used for rehab
To the dude who said he got rhabdo from his frees, there are multiple causes of rhabdomyolysis one of which is excessive muscular activity such as strenuous sporadic exercise (like doing a marathon). really don't think it was the shoes. I did the disney half marathon 5 months after achilles surgery, ran/walked it, only ran about 5 miles (only ran 1 mile prior to the race) and didn't go into rhabdo.
Anyways, in the spirit of the niketalk community, i am going to post the official instructions that the frees used to come with. I hope that this can help those of you considering switching over to frees, or those that have had some pain wearing their frees.
NIKE OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS ON WEARING FREE FOOTWEAR
How can i help you train? Start slow. wear nike free footwear around the house. ease into it, just as you wouldn't hit a weights program full-bore the first week. Then you'll be ready to start a training program
Soon, you'll be strengthening the muscles that help prevent injuries while you improve your fitness and training performance.
Nike Free. Natural technology
RECOMMENDED WORKOUTS
(i am going to skip the sports/training and womens fitness section, and go straight into the running section, since we are talking about running)
RUNNING
This is a suggested training program based on progression and ASSUMES that you are currently running at least 3 miles at a time. It requires no equipment, just nike free footwear.
For 2-3 days a week, follow the program below that corresponds with the TYPE OF SHOE you currently train in.
STABILITY AND MOTION CONTROL SHOE ( most likely us with flat feet)
Weeks 1-2: Casually wear them around the house, building up to walking and light runs.
Weeks 3-4: Easy runs of 1-3 miles
Weeks 5-6: Gradually add more distance
Weeks 7-8: Gradually add higher intensity, faster runs
Week 8+: Avoid longer runs, unless you feel confident.
NEUTRAL CUSHION SHOE
Weeks 1-2: Casually wear them around the house, building up to walking and light running.
Weeks 3-4: Easy runs of 2-4 miles
Weeks 5-6: Gradually add more distance
Weeks 7-8: Gradually add higher intesity, faster runs
Weeks 8+: Add longer runs, once you feel confident
LIGHTWEIGHT TRAINING SHOE
Weeks 1-2: Casually wear them around the house, building up to walking and light runs. If you feel confident, add shorter easy runs
Weeks 3-4: Easy runs of 3-5 miles
Weeks 5-6: Gradually add more distance
Weeks 7-8: Gradually add higher intesity, faster runs
Weeks 8+: add longer runs
*Consult your physician before beginning the above running or training programs. Stop activity immediately if you feel any undue pain or discomfort. if you have any questions about whether Nike Free footwear is appropriate for you, consult your doctor.