THE RIGHT OLY AND SPRINT RUNNING SHOE. HOW TO SELECT?
Stupid Question (I guess....): is there a "best" way to choose "your" ideal tri-running shoe? or only trial and error? I got many nice answers and suggestions, amongst them, to open the subject for general discussion in this thread. What's your opinion?
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"I wear the least shoe (as in lightest, with the least support and cushion) that I can get away with for the race distance. My sprint/olympic distance shoes are different than my half-iron shoes. Post this in the forum and see what people say. For Sprint/Olympic distance, you should be okay in minimal racing flats. Since transition times can mean the difference between a top-10 and not, I use Zoots. But ultimately, you can turn any pair of racing flats into a tri shoe with some body glide and a pair of elastic laces." (Michael)
"Juan, try the wave rider 14's...they are a neutral shoe and are fairly light...I am about 10lbs heavier than you and about the same height. I race in Zoots and K-Swiss, depending on how cold it is (long story) If you like mizuno's fit, give the riders a shot " (Ebe)
What type of shoe do you train in?
Any complaints about them or injuries?
Were is the wear on your current shoe, i.e. centered and by the fore/mid foot, is the heel really worn?
What are you looking for, i.e. fast to get on and off, light weight but with some support still, etc?
For short course racing I like the Zoot Ultra Speed, but I'm biased as Zoot provides me with shoes. I always use them on the treadmill, short open running races and sprint races. I have run an open 13.1 in them but not sure if would use them for a 70.3. For my 70.3s and IM last year I ran in the Zoot Ultra Race 3.0s. Which is only about 1.5oz heavier than the ultra speed but adds a good bike more support due to a different midfoot carbon shank and slightly thicker sole. Plus it has laces so I can adjust the fit a little which is nice for longer races.
I joined the TRI world about a year ago, running with Mizuno's Wave Creation. While educating myself on TRI stuff I doscovered forefoot running and switched to Newtons (which I liked A LOT) but despite following their advice for adaptation and 90 strides per minute, I injured my calf twice then decided to go back to the Mizunos Wave Creation. No more injury but after running with Newton the FEEL HEAVY. Thus, my search for the "ideal shoe for Juan" begins.
Juan - based on your shoe experience, you might find my current race shoe strategy helpful. When training, I use the Newton Gravity (it's blue, with a black heel cover) for bricks; these are 9.5 oz. For my intervals and long runs, I use the Mizuno Wave Universe racing flat (3.9 oz). Reasons I like them: low rise from forefoot to heel, wide toe box. Last year, I took a bunch of shoes I had and tested all of them for speed during my weekly brick - a 5 mile run after a one hour trainer session, on the same course, weather condition, effort level etc. I also had a pair of the racing Newtons, which differ ONLY in their color (neon monkey vomit green) and the lack of that black heel cover, so only 0.5oz lighter). They were 5 sec/mile faster than the standard Newtons, and the same speed as the much lighter Mizunos. These were the three fastest shoes, compared to Saucony Fastwitch, Saucony Kinvera, and Asics 21XX (which was about 25 sec/mile slower!)
And, in races, I used the Newton racers in my two Olys last summer, and had my fastest times ever (@ age 61!), very close to my stand-alone 10K best time from a few years earlier. And I routinely use those racing flats for IM marathons, because the heel of the friggin' Newtons is just raw foam (no protecting harder heel cover) and it wears out very quickly.
So it sounds like the Newton's have not worked for you, but you might try Mizuno's lightest shoe (which is hard to get at present) and see if it gives those precious 30-45 sec/10K that I get out of it.
The Newtons aside, especially for racing, I have a pair of Zoot Ultra TTs that I still absolutely love. Extremely easy to get into in transition without feeling loose, etc. Love the lacing system and the relatively low heel/toe rise. The models have changed since I purchased them, but I would certainly recommend them to anyone.
@ Paul : What would you call this:
The lighting doesn't do it justice - they are indeed neon bright in a putrid green color.
@ Al , I think I would call that "neon monkey vomit green"!!!!
William,
Bought those Zoot Ultra TTs you recommended and LOVED THEM!!!!
Tks much for the tip!!!