Running Shoe Challenge
I'm trying to take advantage of the fact that I seem to have a lot of shoes lying around, after taking advantage of a recent RoadRunner Sports sale. So I'm testing all the shoes to see which is fastest; they vary in weight from 4 oz to 13.2 oz. I've claimed for years that very light weight racing flats make a measurable difference in 26.2 miles after biking 112; I'd like to prove or disprove that, so I can find the best value shoe to use in races. Here's the first go around for me; I welcome others to jump in with their own investigations.
I'm doing these tests as a 5 mile brick after a CT bike session. My idea is I'm trying to find the best shoe to race in, so I should simulate to some degree race conditions: running after biking. The course will be the same, a mile uphill of warm up, then a mile down, a mile rolling (turn around half way), and a mile up, with a cool down until I get to 40 minutes. The course is all in the shade, and I hope to keep the temps within the 60s - not that I have any control over it. I'll monitor HR as kind of a control of effort level, but I'm doing this at an RPE of an open marathon. I'm weighing the left shoe on a digital postal scale, just before I run (so it's dry!)
| Shoe | Oz/Gm | Date | Temp | Mile 1 | HR | Mile 2 | HR | Mile 3 | HR | Mile 4 | HR | Mile 5 | HR | Time | Dist | HR | Notes |
| Asics 2100 | 13.2/375 | 6-Aug | 60 | 9:32 | 115 | 7:57 | 126 | 8:28 | 127 | 8:34 | 129 | 9:00 | 119 | 4040 | 468 | 123 | PT tend, knees hurt |
I haven't run in these shoes in several years, but they used to be my routine training shoe. They feel like boats on my feet now, and I immediately noticed pain under my knee caps and along my left post. tibial tendon, which was an injury I got 6 months into my running career with these shoes. They're going to Goodwill now. The HRs aren't what I would hit for a brick MP, rather they are my usual EP HRs.
Next up, Newtons, trainers and racers, followed by two different Sauconys and two pairs of racing flats.
Comments
Good stuff.
I have not worn conventional shoes since Nov 2009.
Will try my NB 769 motion control shoes (used them in my last marathon May 2009), recommended for Clydesdales with low arch, very stiff according to Runners World review.
I am 170 lb with a high arch. But the 769s were recomended to help with my PF.
Will have my finger on the eject button. But will try to be opened minded.
.
Eject. Eject!! My fault, more like a failed attempt. After 3 Km developed a surface blister caused by the ache support. Apparently my feet are not used to having anything under the ache. Will try with socks next time. I have become unconditioned to these shoes.
Other than the blister everything was fine. I was very focused on good form, forefoot strike, high cadence, posture ....
Shoes felt dreamy soft. I think I could have run long with continued focus on form and some thick socks.
Will try again for a 5k another day.
When I ran passed my house, as I circled the block, my wife told me I sounded like a horse. Clomp Clomp Clomp.
Thanks Al
Thanks.
Vince
I totally agree that the lightest shoe that enables good stride mechanics will be faster. Simplistically it is less weight in a revolving process. We have to supply the energy to move that mass through the circular running gait. On the bike we pay $$$ for low weight wheels do to the energy savings of turning them over.
Good testing !!!
Matt
Inquiring minds want to know, I guess. I bike and run in socks in the IM, so this test will be with socks - thin wigwams. I have orthotics which I use in hiking shoes and ski boots, but nowhere else. The wear pattern on my shoes is different left and right. I had a bunion for years on my left foot, repaired in 06, and my left shoes show significant wear on the outer heel before anywhere else. My right shoe seems pretty even in its wear pattern. I've got a neutral foot.
...I am a pisces, bat right handed, kick left footed, and am an omni-vore. I like long books, movies with surprise endings and I look vaguely like Dos Equis' "most interesting man in the world."
Thanks for doing this Al!
Developed knee pain the next day after running in my old shoes. There is a bit of risk in switching shoes.
Another test today; following an FTP test on the road, including 8 mile warm to get there, and 8 mile cool down to get back home.. Sunny, 72F, run in the shade, but much "warmer" (as we call it in the Pac NW) today than before. (It will be 90 this weekend - a once a year event, usually!)
Shoe
Wt
T
Mile 1
HR
Mile 2
HR
Mile 3
HR
Mile 4
HR
Mile 5
HR
Time
Dist
HR
Notes
Asics 2100
13.2
60
9:32
115
7:57
126
8:28
127
8:34
129
9:00
119
40:40
4.68
123
PT Tend, Knees Hurt
Newton Gravity
10.4
72
9:01
119
7:39
132
8:02
133
8:02
138
8:30
132
40:00
4.86
132
“Warm “ day
Today's test followed a one hour session of 30/30s on the trainer; temp was back to normal, and so was my HR. Remember, the "test" portion is miles 2-4:
Shoe
Wt
T
Mile 1
HR
Mile 2
HR
Mile 3
HR
Mile 4
HR
Mile 5
HR
Time
Dist
HR
Notes
Asics 2100
13.2
60
9:32
115
7:57
126
8:28
127
8:34
129
9:00
119
40:40
4.68
123
PT Tend, Knees Hurt
Newton Gravity
10.4
72
9:01
119
7:39
132
8:02
133
8:02
138
8:30
132
40:00
4.86
132
“Warm “ day
Newton Racer
9.5
62
9:20
115
7:32
127
7:49
127
7:57
131
8:06
122
40:03
4.91
122
This week's test was the featherweight Mizumo Wave Universe 3:
Racing
Shoe
Te
st
Shoe
Wt
T
Mile 1
HR
Mile 2
HR
Mile 3
HR
Mile 4
HR
Mile 5
HR
Time
Dist
HR
Notes
Asics 2100
13.2
60
9:32
115
7:57
126
8:28
127
8:34
129
9:00
119
40:40
4.68
123
PT Tend, Knees Hurt
Newton Gravity
10.4
72
9:01
119
7:39
132
8:02
133
8:02
138
8:30
132
40:00
4.86
132
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