Hey, my name is Matt and I am an Exercise Science major and minimalist runner from the University of Puget Sound Class of 2013 (I'm originally from Portland).
I started running competitively my senior year of High School and pulled both IT bands during cross country and track (one per season). Thus I only made it 1/3 of the way through each season. I discovered the Vibram Fivefingers and began walking exclusively in them after the second IT band pull. Freshman year of college the injuries persisted. Finally during the summer of 2010 I changed my form to a forefoot/midfoot strike, completely left mainstream, clunky, super supportive shoes and began my journey into the area of minimalist running. So far, no injuries. I guess all the drills, form work, core work, and strengthening also helped. Also, I used the POSE method to help achieve a forefoot/midfoot technique.
I train really hard (85-105 miles per week right now), and have hopes of breaking all the school distance records (3k, 5k, 10k) at Puget Sound. I train in the Evo 2 and the Saucony Kinvara (which is really starting to bother my feet, ankles, calves, and hips from the 4mm heel lift. They will be dropped soon).
Also, as much as I love the Vibrams (I have the KSOs and KSO treks), my College XC/Track coaches hates them with a passion, and would probably kick me off the team if he saw me wearing them again. So I wear them in secret. A little example, during finals week I almost cross paths with him (a rare thing because he normally stays in his office at the fieldhouse) and ended up diving into the bushes so he wouldn't see what I was wearing on my feet.
I firmly believe in minimalism and currently basing my senior thesis on it and barefoot running.
Oh, and I'm REALLY looking forward to the Altra Instinct coming out. That would be the perfect minimalist shoe to fool my coach with, since he doesn't think highly of the Evo 2s either. The most important thing in my mind is ZERO DROP!
PRs: 3000m: 9:09, 5000m: 15:47 (roads), 10000m: 33:35. Goal PRs: 3000m: 8:00, 5000m: 13:45, 10000m: 28:30 (I know have a bit to go, but hard work and smart work will prevail! Plus I've only been running for 2 years, give me a break).