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At what distance do you stop wearing race shoes?

grosso27grosso27
in Racing Forum 🏎

This is the first year I have felt confident enough in run (and been light enough) to pull of racing shoes.  I don't wear true 'flats' as I need some posting, but they are still quite lightweight relative to my training shoes (Zoot Ultra Ovwa vs Brooks Ravennas).

I wear them for faster run workouts, and have felt great in them for my 2 Olys so far this year.  I have my first 70.3 of the year coming up & am wondering if I should go with the racers or stick to the trainers.  

Thanks all.

-Ed

Comments

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    I did a couple of 10 mile runs in my Brooks T7's as trial runs to see if I could wear them for a HIM run. Just not enough cushioning for my n=1 and my feet were hurting.
  • jburbattjburbatt
    I run all of my races, including my IM last year, in lightweight shoes (Avi Bolt IIs which are about the same as your Zoots ~8.5oz) and have never had a problem. But, I did all my run training in them, as I don't switch shoes based on the run. I would suggest trying it out on several long runs first.
  • brandonsaidbrandonsaid
    I've raced in Brooks T6 shoes for both HIM and half-marathon and they've worked out fine. If you can train in them then you should be able to race in them.
  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al

    I do all my training and racing in New Balance Minimus road shoes (8.2 ounces), weigh 180+, and have run as far as 13 miles with no problems. I suspect it is a matter of slowly adapting to the longer distances.

  • SwanieSwanie

    I am 6' and 190# and I do all my training runs in Newton Sir Issacs which are a heavier training shoe. But all my races, half to full marathon, 70.3 and IM are all done in Newton Distance S's at 8.4 oz's. I don't have any issues with pain or injuries at races. After training all year int he heavier shoes the race shoes feel like I am not wearing anything on my feet.

  • tgarsontgarson
    @Ed,

    I think this another one of those topics that's highly individualized and as a result, ultimately you need to make your decision with the knowledge that regardless of whether we all chime in and report that we run in glorified slippers, this still may or may not be the right decision for you.

    With that in mind, I've raced HIM through IM in Newton Distance "racers" @ 8.6oz, but I use that term somewhat liberally now since I don't consider them true racing flats in comparison to some of the other shoes in my line-up. Newton has even changed their name from Racer to "lightweight trainer" in preparation for the eventual release of their zero drop true racing flat.

    This year, I've raced up to HIM in Saucony Grid Type A4 @ 6.4oz. I'm still not entirely convinced I'm sold, I started off my last HIM run thinking that I pushed it a little too far going with such minimal shoes, but ultimately when I wound up and got my running legs I ended up feeling pretty good with no real issues. As a result, I'm planning to take the Saucony's back out to Racine 70.3 this weekend.

    So, given that you've done 2 Olys and felt good and that the Ovwa is not that extreme on the racing flat spectrum, I'd say to make sure that you wear your racers on your long brick on your race sim (if you have one left to do) to give yourself a bit more confidence that you'll still run ok in them after a longer ride, and if that all goes well, I personally think you'd be ok up to an HIM. Again though, you != me, so take it with a grain of salt.
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Ed,

    there is some good discussion in this thread started by Coach Rich on moving to a lighter weight shoe for IM.

    http://members.endurancenation.us/T...fault.aspx

    Gordon

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    Posted By Bob McCallum on 11 Jul 2011 01:43 PM

    I did a couple of 10 mile runs in my Brooks T7's as trial runs to see if I could wear them for a HIM run. Just not enough cushioning for my n=1 and my feet were hurting.



    I forgot to add that I race/train in the already lightweight Brooks Launch which are only like 8-something ounces.  The T7's are 6 oz. and I was just looking for something even lighter than the Launch. 

  • Jeff UnruhJeff Unruh

    Another thing to focus on when going to a lighter shoe is the heel-to-toe drop. 10-11mm is typical of a training shoe but when moving to something more like a racing flat this decreases to 4-5mm. That can add a good bit of stress to the achilles and should be tried in training before taking it out on a race. Main point, it isn't just the weight/posting that influences the shoe - the drop is important as well.

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