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Sep 2012
9:21pm, 1 Sep 2012
12,558 posts
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DeeGee
Since I started this thing, as a 16 stone run-walker, I've run in thickly cushioned shoes, usually Nike Triaxes. I overpronate quite wildly on my right foot, so the structure helps as well.
I'm somewhat slimmer now, and as such I decided to take the risk and invest in a pair of racing flats, and have a pair of Brooks ST5. The guy at Sweatshop told me to only wear them for races and tempo runs of under 10 miles.
Thing is, I love wearing them, and thus far have had no ill effect four months in. Even wore them today in a 10 mile race to see how they went (huge PB, thanks for asking). I haven't risked them for anything either slow, or long, though. Strictly speedwork and racing.
If I could avoid needing a wedge of sponge between my foot and the floor in my high-mileage shoes then I reckon I could save a lot of money on replacing shoes, although given that I seldom run less than 16 miles of a weekend, and at least a quarter of my LSR mileage is over 20 miles I haven't yet retired a pair of shoes this year.
Do I really need the same cushioning that I enjoyed as a heftier man?
Is it worth my while sticking with what I know, or transitioning to something lighter for mileage as well? Maybe another trip to Sweatshop is in order, but I'd like an idea of what I'm looking out for first.
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Sep 2012
9:29pm, 1 Sep 2012
6 posts
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BigFanOfCheese
Hi DeeGee,
For what it's worth, I still run the bulk of my on road miles in an old pair of Mizuno Idatens (1st edition, to give you an idea how old!) (- maybe slightly thicker than ST5s? Not sure). They're pretty shredded, but still have enough cushioning in the forefoot for ~15 miles on road. I'm not heavy, but not whippet thin, either - 5'9 and 11st4.
I'd say if you've been comfortable using less cushioned shoes, there's no reason to switch. You certainly don't need the cushioning of a heavier man: in fact, is a better question: did I need this cushioning as a heavier man? Just 'cos the shoe companies tell you something, doesn't make it so.
If you're happy with flats, and no injuries, why change?
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Sep 2012
9:36pm, 1 Sep 2012
12,559 posts
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DeeGee
Thing is, I'm running the cushioning now, and wondering whether to move to the flats, or something lighter anyway on a more permanent basis. The flats have been a successful experiment up to 10 miles. I'd like to try them at GNR, but then I'm wary I might mash my legs up and knacker myself for Mablethorpe Marathon, which I'm going to run in the Triaxes that I've done all my high-mileage stuff in.
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Sep 2012
9:43pm, 1 Sep 2012
7 posts
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BigFanOfCheese
Sorry, misunderstood - thought you were doing the bulk of the miles in flats. Personally, I'd just go for it for GNR - if you experienced no issues over 10 miles, the *worst* you can expect is over the next 3.1 miles, and I don't think your flats are so engineered that they will work for 10 miles, but not 13.1 - if you understand me?
Or to put it another way: you're happy with the shoes at 10 miles. What do you think will happen over the next 3.1 that makes your flats unsuitable? I know the constant impact takes it's toll, and that's worse when you're heavier, put if you're landing cleanly on your forefoot, you shouldn't require vast amounts of cushioning to go beyond 10 miles.
It's what you're comfortable with, when it comes down to it. I think the benefits of cushioning are oversold - much like barefoot - if you've got a shoe you can run 10 miles in happily, what's to stop you running 20 miles in it happily? Marketing?
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Sep 2012
9:44pm, 1 Sep 2012
7,946 posts
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Liliaicha
I bought my first racing flats - Adidas Adizero Adios - originally for 5 and 10ks. I'm now on my 5th pair and have run a 37mile (road) ultra in them. Have used them for plenty of long runs too.
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Sep 2012
9:45pm, 1 Sep 2012
8 posts
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BigFanOfCheese
Er, yeah. What Liliaicha said.
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Sep 2012
9:48pm, 1 Sep 2012
12,562 posts
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DeeGee
Right then. Brooks for GNR, Triax for Mablethorpe, then Brooks for Town Moor.
Thanks gang.
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Sep 2012
9:50pm, 1 Sep 2012
1,058 posts
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HuwH
Not sure why your weight would make the difference. My running weight is around 15-16 stone and I do all my races in the equivalent of racing flats with no cushioning. My only advice is transition slowly from cushioning to less.
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Sep 2012
9:53pm, 1 Sep 2012
12,563 posts
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DeeGee
Thanks Huw.
A gradual transition is definitely part of the plan.
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Sep 2012
10:02pm, 1 Sep 2012
27,673 posts
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Hills of Death (HOD)
I'm heavier now but at your weight now pounds for pound etc I've worn Skylons for Marathons and halfs. They are halfway shoes
But I've also used Kona S
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Minimalist Footwear Thread
Jun 2025