I love that there are other skydiver/runner out there! I have been an ultra/long distance runner for the past 6 years, I make all of my own training plans and have placed in age groups with a few podium wins the last couple race seasons on shorter (10K and 1/2 marathon) distances. I absolutely swear by my Altra's. How you run and the surface that you are running on are obviously going to greatly influence how your body handles the effort, but a good solid foundation is essential. I run almost strictly in the Lone Peak model, and have a few pairs from the last four versions they have released. When you transition from your shoes that you are currently running in to the zero drop models you are going to need to do so gradually- wear your Altra's like every other run until you stop being sore. That said, what I experienced what that my tendons and ligaments around my feet and ankles were sore for the first 4-6 weeks of running in zero drop shoes. Since then I haven't had any issues. Another EXTREMELY important consideration with injury prevention in running is your progression. The number one mistake that almost every runner makes is adding too much, too fast. Your mileage (or time if you run by that instead) should progress no more than 10% per week.... So if you run 3 miles week one, then run 3.3 miles week 2. 3.6 miles week 3. 4 miles week 4. 4.4 miles week 5...you see where I am going with this. It's really hard to limit the progression like this, especially when you start to get in shape and feel great with your current distance. That said, injuries never feel great. If you feel like you are not getting enough exercise with a 10% progression then cross train like crazy! Which is my point three for you- you cannot possible over-value crosstraining. I work out nearly every day, but I mix up what I do. Bike one day, run 2-3X a week, go to yoga (seriously, yoga is amazing for everyone but especially runners. It will be a game changer for you!), swim, hike...Stay active but keep running to no more than 3X per week. Sorry- this is a lot. The short answer to your question is that Altra makes several amazing shoes and I can't say enough how much they may help you. Try that and even a litttttle bit of the above advice and you should be back on the road to running without injury! Blue skies and happy trails, Lauren
