Lifespan of Racing Flats

Dave Tallo

Any rules of thumb?  I´ve put a 90´ training run, 2 x 30´ warmups, and an IM on a pair of DS racers.    I´d like to use them again for an upcoming IM.    They still feel kinda cushy, but my experience with flats is very limited.  I´m pretty light and most of the running has been on roads or unpaved trails.

Is this okay, or a seminal work in the field of Bad Ideas?

 

 

Al Truscott

@ 145 pounds, I average about 100 miles on my Asics Piranhas, which are lighter/flimsier than those DS racers. That's usually a year with a couple of IMs, an HIM, and several Olys/Sprints, along with 2-3 running races 5-21K. The "injury" I ever get is losing 2-3 toe nails a year (usually from the IM), but that can happen just as easily with new shoes as old.

Norton

I did all my training and racing in Nike Lunar Racers for two years and I'm no lightweight at 165 lbs. Mid-foot strike, no injuries. None.

Paul Hough

Whatever mileage you get out of a trainer, you should cut by 25 to 50% for racing flats. But for me, the key is whether the mid-sole is not providing enough cushion...regardless of how well the shoe looks otherwise. When the midsole is gone, the shoe is toast...except for lawn mowing.