The Imelda Marcos of Running Shoes

At times, I wonder whether I'm turning into the Imelda Marcos of the running shoe world. After a spate of minor niggles last year, culminating in a fractured left heel that prevented me from running for about 4 months, I keep experimenting with different footwear. At last count, I seem to have accumulated eight pairs of what my wife might class as "trainers", ranging from the sublime (Zoot Kanes) to the faintly ridiculous (Vibram Five Fingers Speeds). I have four pairs of fairly traditional running shoes (from Zoot, Newton, Brooks and Somnio), a couple of pairs of off road shoes (from Inov8 and Salomon) and a couple of "experiments" (the aforementioned Vibrams and a pair of Terra Plana Evos).

Over the last few months, I've been trying to transition from landing on my heels (heel striking) to a more "natural" running form where you tend to land on the ball or middle of your foot. It's a mental as well as physical challenge, but is starting to feel more comfortable. Some of the shoes really require this style of running, particularly the Newtons, Vibrams and Terra Planas, as they offer little if any heel cushioning. The thing is, it really does feel more natural to avoid landing on your heels. I can feel my feet and knees acting as springs, absorbing more of the impact when landing "naturally", whereas I feel a significant jolt through my spine if I land on my heels.

If you watch good distance runners, they appear to glide along, touching the ground for the bare minimum of time before lifting off again. If you watch most "joggers", myself included, they tend to spend far too long actually on the ground. I'm going to persevere with the "natural" running form, whilst resisting the urge to buy too many more running shoes. Although... I am tempted to pick up a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves - http://www.merrell.com/UK/en-GB/Product.mvc.aspx/23456M/52217/Mens/Barefoot-Trail-Glove

Whether we run any of the Trailwalker route is entirely down to my erstwhile team mates. I'd happily have a go but I think certain individuals on the team might tell me to be a bit more sensible. After all, 100km is quite a long way.