I have always been a huge fan of Saucony’s slogan “Find Your Strong”.
To me this says we are all unique, that my “strong” may look different, but in reality we are all working hard to be the best version of ourselves. If we all put heart rate monitors on we would see how hard we are really working. The heart doesn’t lie and someone doing a 14 minute mile might be working harder than someone doing 7 minute miles. You just can’t judge someone from the way they look on the outside, a little metaphor, but oh so true.
Finding your strong also requires that you have the right tools to get you where you want to go. I have a large collection of “tools”, aka shoes, in my closet and I am very particular about which ones work best for me. Recently, I was sent a pair of the new Saucony Viratta’s and, if you judge these beauties by what’s on the outside, than in my book they get an A+. I think the colors are gorgeous, I love the bright hues in contrast with the black background. I did not feel like a circus clown while running in these, instead I felt confident and proud to wear them.
Ok, well my daughter felt a little like a clown with my gigantic size 10.5 on her little feet.
You may be saying, “great, so they look good, but how do they perform? What’s on the inside?” I have been wearing them for almost two weeks now, I wanted to take them out on several different types of runs to really be able to tell you what I think. So here we go… this shoe is different than any other minimalist running shoe I’ve ever run in. Why?
So as you can see, I am liking the Virrata but I want to add that if you have never run in a minimalist style shoe, then there are a few things you need to know.
First, running in this shoe is going to be a step above running barefooot. These are built on a 0 mm offset, meaning there is NO elevated heel like there is in a traditional running shoe. This is one of the reasons this shoe is so light. For my ladies, think ballerina flat not wedge heal, got it? What this means to you is, if you have never run in a shoe like this, you want to start slow, you will be using your calf muscles more and you may feel it in your achilles. If you suffer from chronic Plantar Fasciitis or you are just not sure what shoe is right for you, you may want to use the Saucony Shoe Advisor to help you find the right pair for you. Here are a few tips for runners who are purchasing their first pair of zero drop shoes:
1.Transition slowly: start with a 10% increase each week: example: you’re running 40 miles a week, the first week run in these shoes 4 miles, then add an additional few miles each week until you feel strong enough to make these your full time shoe.
2. Make sure you are gently stretching your calves out, using a belt or strap at least a few times a week.
3. Adding 5 X 50 yd. barefoot strides on a grass surface, ie: park, soccer field or football field. Start with 5 a week and gradually increase. Keep your strides easy in the first 10-15 yards and slowly add a little speed toward the end. Don’t go at an all out sprint, the point of these is to strengthen all of the little muscles in your feet that have not ever been used and to focus on a mid foot strike.
4. Walk First: Start by walking around in your Virratas and focus on your gate. Are you still heel striking? If so, try to allow your stride to fall mid foot, you may need to quicken your cadence a bit.
5. Put away your headphones. Try running free of distraction, until you change your gate, you need to really be in tune with your body.
For more suggestions on how to transition to natural running, see this article by Competitor Magazine: Safely Transitioning To A Minimalist Running Shoe
Why would you want to go to all of this trouble to change your shoes? Because there are many studies out there that indicate having a more natural mid foot strike reduces injury and allows us to reach our full potential as runners. For some, it helps us to “Find Your Strong.” I am not saying this shoe will be for everyone, but it certainly is at the top among the natural running shoe category and personally, I have seen improvement in my running since making the gradual switch over.
To learn more about Minimalist running, see this Runner’s World Article: Much Ado About Minimalism
One last cool thing about Saucony: if you post a picture of you and your shoes with the hashtag #FindYourStrong or #Saucony on Twitter or Instagram, they will post it on their website! I love that!
Follow Saucony on Twitter HERE and Instagram HERE
Saucony via FitFluential LLC sent me a pair of Virratas free of charge for this Campaign. All opinions are my own.
How about you? How what tools help you “Find Your Strong?”
Are you running in zero drop shoes?
About Lisa
Love that picture of you at the top!
I am a big minimalist fan, as you know. I like that Saucony has developed a zero drop that is welcoming to people who are in traditional shoes. For me, they would be far too cushy with all that heel rubber on the bottom, but that’s me. I like my shoes pretty stripped down.
I agree with the transition tips and would add that the barefoot strides should be done first before running in shoes. This allows your body to use the muscle memory of the proper form when you put the shoes back on.
Such great advise! Thank you so much for your suggestion Amanda, whenever I think of minimalist running, I think of you!
How do these compare to the Kinvara? Did your calves get sore at all? I’m interested in these shoes, but I worry about AT issues because I run a lot of hills. I do ok in 4 mm, but after a hilly run my Achilles flares up a bit.
Great review!
Hello Rebecca,
I am not sure how to compare these to the Kinvara’s since I have never run in them, such a good question and one I would love to answer, I can ask around for you. My calves have been achy as well as my achilles, and we run similar terrain, very hilly. I have had to cut back on using these, I went a little crazy because I like this shoe so much and, I can feel my stride getting slightly stronger. I am still using my Cortana’s on long runs, because I don’t want to get injured right before Boston, but I can see myself making the a full time switch to the Virrata very soon. Hope you’re well. I am thinking our long run together may be Boston…that’s crazy! One day we will set up a run together!
I’m happy to offer my own perspective here. I’ve been running in the Kinvara 2, which I LOVED, and I just switched to the Virrata (after trying out the Kinvara 3 and not liking the changes). I’ve only run in them about 12 miles or so, but so far I love the Virrata even more than the Kinvara 2. I didn’t do anything special when transitioning to the Virrata, and though I do feel a bit of a difference in my calves, it hasn’t been a difficult transition. My first long run in the Virrata was my best run in a long time! I’d recommend them!
Miss Meaghan,
Thank you so much for this, I have not run in the Kinvara so your perspective is welcome, and as you can see by my comment feed, well needed.I am glad to hear you loved the Virrata as much as I did! Thank you for participating in the conversation and adding this information. Have an great weekend.
Nice advice
Here’s a very general plan that we often provide to runners: http://skorarunning.com/transitioning
Kyle @ SkoraRunning.com
I love ‘find your strong’ as a slogan, too. I’ve just started running in these too… I’ve never run in such a lightweight shoe! Great review- I love your tips. It’s easy to jump into zero drop shoes too quickly.
I just got the shoes but haven’t run in them yet. can’t wait!
A review AND good, useful advice? I love it! I need to link to this post when I do my own review of the men’s Virratas.
I can’t wait to read your review. I just read a men’s Virrata review that was very detailed, I am interested in hearing what you have to say.
I’ve been seeing the Virratas everywhere and have been interested. Of course they’re pretty but you gave the most in depth review I’ve seen so far. I’m interested in making a transition to a more minimalist shoe and the Virrata might just be a good option. Thank you!
thank you thank you!!! i love these tips and you know I WILL USE THEM!
I know you have the shoe too! I read your review, this is such a nice shoe for so many reasons!
Awesome review!!! I totally want to try out a pair!
Hands down the best review I’ve read on these shoes! Also great advice on making the transition to zero drop.
Michelle, Thank you so much! You just made my day!
Great review! Tons of extremely helpful tips – thank you! Any thoughts on how I would fare coming from Kinvara with a 4mm differential? Wonder how long it might take me. Hmmm.
That’s a very good question and one that keeps coming up. I have never run in the Kinvara, but I would take it slow, especially for your more difficult workouts like hills and speed work. Some have brought up the question, “Do you need to drop down to 0mm from 4mm?” I think it’s a valid question and one that I would need to research to answer. Keep you posted! Knock em dead in Boston!
Great review and very helpful tips Lisa! Although I don’t have a pair of Virratas, I am currently transitioning to Newtons, and these notes are all in the Natural Running book I’m reading by Danny Abshire too!
Thank you Beka! I have run in Newtons as well, really good shoe, yes, I should have stated that these tips are not really new, I just did not want someone to purchase this shoe thinking it was just like a standard running shoe… ouch, that might hurt. Thank you so much for your comment, I’m so glad you liked the review!
What a great review! I have been wondering a lot about “zero-drop” shoes. Do these shoes run wide or narrow? They look like awesome shoes!
Hey Sandra! Thank you so much! I felt like they run just a tiny bit wide, in fact I would like to try these a half a size smaller and see how they do.
OK, so you’ve basically convinced me to try these. I’ve been nervous about trying a zero drop shoe or any other minimalist shoe but these sound kind of great. I know that I probably should try to transition anytime soon but once my knee is stronger and everything is feeling good and stable, I may have to give these a go. Love your tips and such a great review Lisa. Thank you!
Love Saucony shoes!! I was just talking to a friend about transitioning to a zero drop shoe. I will forward her your blog post!
I think those are the best tips I’ve read for transitioning to a zero drop shoe. Thanks for sharing this important information.