For about two months now, I’ve been running with less shoe around my feet. I’ve been alternating between two zero-drop shoes: the New Balance MR00 (which we’ll call the Minimus); and the MV2 (“M V Squared”), a performance shoe by Newton. The time has come to review both.

The original pic for this article had a big bloody “vs.” in the middle, and lots of fire and explosions. But it wouldn’t be fair to declare a winner. After all, I’m not comparing apples to apples in this post; as I said before, the MR00 is a cushioned minimalist-style shoe, and the MV2 is for road-racing. I’m comparing apples to very, very apple-like oranges.

Anyway, on to the categories!

Fit

Minimus: This slipper is long and loose. It works for my feet, but a narrow-footed runner would probably find it baggy.

MV2: The ‘Squared is tight, but it has such a soft, light upper that it doesn’t squeeze or pinch. It just feels like a race-day shoe.

Feel

Minimus: This shoe makes me feel like an overweight ninja. It’s so light that I can really get a good cadence going, and so thin on the bottom that I feel every bump in the road (in a mostly good way).

MV2: The feel of the forefoot lugs creeped me out at first. It was like having a couple balls of yarn under my forefeet. But now that I’m used to it, the extra cushioning feels a lot more protective than the Minimus.

Function

Minimus: I wouldn’t recommend this shoe to anyone who isn’t ready to run minimal. Try to trudge or land on your heel and you’ll discover that there’s no soft padding to protect you. The low profile is excellent for weightlifting, however. It works for the run to and from the gym, and everything in between.

MV2: While the MV2 is inherently less stable than the MV2, it was my go-to for each week’s long run. I found its design far more protective than the Minimus.

Bottom Line: Wide-footed runners will find something to love in each of these shoes. For the true minimalist experience, I highly recommend the Minimus. For a go-fast shoe with a little extra protection, try the MV2.

Well, time to swallow my pride.

Two nights ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with spasms and pain in my left knee. On the side of the knee, on my illiotibial band. The spot I injured in my last race, forever ago.

I’ve been nursing it back to health, giving it everything I thought it needed to get better. Rest, strengthening, massages, stretching, more rest. Seven months of care and it’s still not healed. I’m up to 8-mile long runs, but those end with a wobbly, tired left leg.

I’m a little frustrated.

So the other night, as I lay in the dark, massaging the leg in question, I decided it was time to seek medical help. It’s time to be a runner again.

Those following the debate over minimalism have no doubt already heard about the class action lawsuit filed against Vibram. Valerie Bezdek, a Florida resident, is trying to sue the company over claims that barefoot-style running has health benefits. She’s citing the large percentage of people who, ignoring Vibram’s instructions, run in Five Fingers improperly and get injured.

In other words:

Now, I have a vacuum. The box it came in claims that it “removes embedded dirt and minimizes scatter on carpet.” And it does—if I first plug it in. But what if I didn’t plug it in? What if I disregarded the vacuum’s instructions and rolled it around my apartment with the power set to “off”? It sure wouldn’t remove any embedded dirt.

What if I could prove that the majority of people didn’t use the Wind Tunnel properly? Should I sue Hoover?

It’s easy to scoff at the comparison. Everyone knows electricity is required to power a vacuum, right? But I have a hard time believing that Ms. Bezdek didn’t know that barefoot-style running comes with some dangers. The Vibram site is peppered with warnings, disclaimers, instructions, and more warnings. Any good retailer would have explained to her that these shoes require major changes in running form, and that adjusting is neither a quick nor an easy process.

Working for such a retailer, I’m not surprised by this lawsuit. I’ve had to dash the hopes of many, many customers. I’ve had to explain to them that minimalist-style shoes are not magic. That they merely promote healthy form. And I’ve seen customers’ eyes glaze over when I try to disabuse them of their fantasies. People want to believe that merely buying a new product will solve all their running problems. They want to believe this so strongly that they won’t listen when I suggest otherwise. It’s little wonder that they react poorly when the product fails to live up to their expectations.

That’s why I’m not surprised that Ms. Bezdek would resort to a lawsuit. When an American doesn’t get what she wants, suing is usually the next step. What I find disturbing is how far her case has gotten.

My Dear Running Shoes,

First off, thank you all for being here. I’m glad you could make it from the shoe rack in the closet. The secret shoe rack.

I called you here to welcome a new member to our group.

His full name is MR00RB, but he prefers Minimus Zero. Less of a mouthful, you see.

I know he’s a little different. Well, a lot different. More slipper than shoe, actually. But don’t be mean to him.

And don’t be afraid, either. His presence here doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m looking to replace you all.

Unless he works well… in which case, you’re all out of here.

One question posed often by my track runners is about protein shakes. Do they really work? Will they work for me?

The truth is that, as a runner, you do need more protein than most people. In fact, you require about twice as much as the typical couch potato.

But an average runner doesn’t need as much protein as a shake holds. Muscle recovery demands about .7 grams of protein per lb. of body weight. Most people already get this much through their diet. Your chicken dinner, in addition to the milk from breakfast and the peanut butter sandwich you had for lunch, is sufficient.

Your body can absorb more protein than this in a day, but still only about 1 gram per pound of bodyweight*. Any protein beyond that point just leaves your body with urine. And if that protein comes form an expensive shake, you’re literally pissing your money away.

If you’re a runner and concerned about building muscle, where your protein comes from isn’t as important as when you pack it in. There’s a half-hour window after workouts when your body is craving carbs and protein. A turkey sandwich or peanut-butter covered banana will give it what it needs. And chocolate milk. God bless the inventor of chocolate milk.

*This excludes whey protein, which can be absorbed in greater quantities.