That is the question. My answer lies somewhere in between.

There is lots of buzz about minimalist running. And no, it’s not about running as little as possible (even though I know many people would be all over that trend). Minimalist running is all about running with as little as possible on your feet. Including nothing.

I have never been a big trend follower when it comes to running. I have been running for over 20 years, long before those overdone Running Room “cover your ass” coats and before running became a highly social activity. But, I am always keen on a technique or product that can make you a stronger, better runner.

Minimalist running is about reducing the amount of shoe you wear when you run. The theory claims that when you take away the padding, the bounce and the arch support, your foot gets stronger and your running gets better. In a recent article on the trend, the Running Times states “the movement embraces the notion that the beefier the shoe, the more a runner’s natural stride is inhibited.” Minimize the shoe, and you will run more naturally. Minimal shoes or running barefoot will push you to land more in the middle of your foot than to strike with your heel, which makes for less impact, a shorter stride and a better feel for the terrain you are running on.

I won’t go into tonnes of detail on minimalist running, because The Running Times article lays out the debate and the research very well. In a nutshell, there is evidence that minimalist shoes can make you run faster and more efficiently – to a point. There is even a Barefoot Running University site for those who really want to dive right in. And you can read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, which sparked much of the recent mainstream interest in minimalist running.

I am tip-toeing into the minimalist running trend because:

a) I just can’t ever see myself running Edmonton’s trails in bare feet. Actually, I can’t see myself going barefoot anywhere. Maybe just the beach.

b) I think those five-finger shoes are creepy looking. Plus, I can’t imagine a -20 degree run on a snowy day in skin-like slippers. Did I say they look creepy??

c) I have never had a running injury in all of my years, which for many is the reason why they make the switch to minimalist shoes (as regular running shoes can lead to injuries for many people).

d) I don’t take point ‘c’ for granted. If I can run stronger and better now, I might be able to keep running healthy for many more years to come.

e) I found super cool Saucony shoes – the only brand I wear. While I love that they weigh less than 7 ounces, they had me at the pink laces (fashion sense never dies).

As you explore minimalist running, you will see a lot of talk about transitioning into the shoes – starting short and slow and building your tolerance. As such, I was cautious at first, doing short runs to see how I felt. Surprisingly, I never had the sore calves the experts said I might. Running definitely felt different though. That characteristic bounce that you get from new shoes was nowhere to be found. My stride was definitely shorter so my feet hit the ground far more often. I dragged my feet on occasion because minimalist shoes encourage you to lift your foot off the ground, rather than it rebounding from a heel strike in a normal shoe. My feet are definitely a little tighter and I have a minor ache on the top of my foot, which I understand is fairly typical.

All in all, I am enjoying my stripped down running. I am going to keep with it. But one thing is certain, I will never go all of the way. You will never see this girls toes (covered in fivefinger rubber or not) on any running trail.

I would love to hear other people’s experiences with minimalist running. Especially from those freaky fivefinger types and those brave enough to go completely naked.