I runners am just as stubborn as you are. I too make mistakes. I’m known to push too far and too fast than a smart training program would prescribe.
On Sunday I did my 3 mile recovery run in my Nike Frees just to see how it felt–TOO FAR runners! You should run .5-1 miles at most when starting with minimalist shoes. I also ran my normal pace. (You should run slower at first.) Part of the run was downhill and that was where I felt my knee. (Not smart since hills bother my knees in normal shoes.) I kept running and my knee stopped nagging. I felt fine Sunday night, but sure enough Monday morning 1.5 miles I felt a sharp pain in my knee. 4 strides later I shut it down and hit the stepmill and then after foam rolled foam rolled foam rolled! (I may keep trying stupid things but I have done enough to know how to fix them or not make them worse!) Tuesday I wanted to try running again but decided from past experience I should be PATIENT and take at least one more day. I did the stepmill again and foam rolled instead. Today I hit the an awesome 6x400m speed day and am proud to report I ran my hits at 9.0, 9.7, 9.9, 10.3, 10.3, and 10.6! Pain free!
Moral of the story. If something doesn’t feel right, shut it down!
Then give yourself rest. Your body will tell you when it’s ready to go again! If I had run yesterday I wouldn’t have hit those speeds.
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