Over-pronating, Shin Splints and Nike Free

After preparing for my first triathlon last year, I found myself well trained.  I managed to avoid injury and finish MOP.  For whatever reason, I took about 5 months off.  Upon resuming my training, I struggled with injuries.  Most of my problems have been with shin splints.  I have also had moderate trouble with blisters.  I've been through four pair of shoes and, while I have managed to put some decent miles down, I keep struggling with shin splints.  

I have nearly flat arches and considered a severe over-pronator.  At the peak of fitness, I'll weigh no less than 185 pounds, so I'm also considered a heavy runner.  The status quo dictates that I buy heavy shoes laden with cushioning and support.  That hasn't seemed to do much for me.

I've got another Tri, as well as Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge on the horizon, so I need to do something fast.  I decided to follow the advice of the great Gordon Pirie and ditch the running boots while adopting his early form of Pose running.  After a painful day of running that put me at my absolute low, I ordered a pair of Nike Free, took three days off, popped two aspirin and gave it a whirl.  

I just got back from that first run.  First, these shoes are almost like wearing socks with soles.  Nike named them well, as I truly felt "free" while running.

Since resuming training, I've been running my roughly 6 mile course no faster than 57:30 with an RPE as high as 7. Today's run came in at 47:20 with an RPE of 3.  My shins don't hurt, but my knees ache slightly and my left ankle aches a little.

I don't know what's in store for me as I continue this experiment but, unless my legs fall apart, I've somehow managed to shave nearly 2 min/mile off my training runs.  The shoes probably can't be directly attributed to this, but I run a hell of a lot faster when my damned legs don't hurt!  :D