What Running Shoes?

Joseph Lombardi

 So was curious what peeps in the HAUS have been choosing for Running Shoes Training & IM Race Day?

Last year up until the final RR...my plan was to race in lightweight "racers" ...(Saucony Fasttwitches). I was doing most of my training in Nike LunarGlides and doing faster/shorter workouts in my Fasttwitches.........but in the final week(s) I decided to run in my LunarGlides......Post race I believe I was appreciative of the extra cushioning.....

This year...I'm posing the same question to myself again....and the choice is between the lighter thinner Nike Lunar Racers or my trainers....either Nike Zoom Elites or KSwiss Bladelights......I have run in all of them for speed and long runs...

 

What do EN Teamsters sport....and any Thoughts on the decision for race day?

morpheus

This is such an individual call, but I'm sure you knew that when u posted.

I can't advise you but I'll share my experience.

I'm 5'11" and 162-165 lbs, depending on how many slices of pizza I had the night before. I'm a pounder, not a fleet footed gazelle. Mid foot to heel striker. Have tried the forefoot stuff and got hurt every time. Short squatty strides. We call it The Hardbeck Shuffle.

All training has been in Karhu stabilizers, for mild pronation. They've been good. Enough cushion for long runs and light enough for me. My only negative is that they REALLY hold water, and I sweat and douse ALOT. So might change by IMFL.

Joseph Lombardi

 Absolutely understand the implications of the question...just was very curious about the individual thinking...more than a recommendation....acutally the soaking factor is one of the reasons I am considering the lighter shoe...less material...and I had a very wet RR...was not happy with the slogginess of my Zoom Elites...

[Deleted User]

I like to race in the ASICS Gel-Noosa. The lining is designed so that you can run comfortably without socks. Also the arch is pretty stiff, and that really helped me run with more of a mid-foot strike (used to be a really aggressive forefoot striker). But most importantly, wearing them makes me look like a badass...

morpheus

Def bad ass!

mancona

Even though I run in all Zoot shoes, I figured I would share so you can see which I use currently for different races/runs.

Zoot Race 4.0 (~8.4 oz neutral 10mm drop) - for IM, some HIM, threshold/tempo workouts
Zoot Kiawe (6.8 oz neutral 6mm drop) - for some HIM, Olympic, Sprint, and VO2 workouts
Zoot TT5, TT Trainer, or Ali'i (all are ~9 oz neutral 10mm drop) - most long runs or recovery runs
Zoot TT Trail - wet or cold weather runs (and the 1-2 times I actually run on trails)

[Deleted User]

I guess it's also worth mentioning that my pair of Noosa's are a bit of the heavier side for racing (a little over 10 oz I think), but I find I like the extra cushioning more just because I tend not to run well off the bike in a very lightweight shoe. That is, the extra pounding from a light shoe seems to take a bit more out of my legs and degrade my form a bit. I seem to run okay in light shoes (say, for a half marathon) if my legs are fresh though. That's something I'll have to adapt to, perhaps by doing bricks with my race flats...

Al Truscott

While I generally prefer a lighter, flatter shoe, one thing which also matters is impact on toenails. Somehwere past 130 minutes, I often start to bruise them (the toe nail beds). I've found shoes with a wide "flat" (as opposed to sharp, pointy end) toe box can help with that problem.

I'm training with Saucony Kinvaras, 4 mm drop from heel to toe, 7.8 oz, and Newtons (for bricks and runs over 2 hours) and plan to race my next IM in Newton racers (3 mm heel to toe drop, 7 oz). Which will be a more cushiony choice, as I usually go with radically light/flat racing flats for IM marathons (Mizuno Wave Universe, 3.9 oz, minimal drop).

Joseph Lombardi

 Great feedback...and I am more confident in my thinking to go with the lunar racers...they are actually quite cushy....

Anson I have been eyeing those BadA$$ Muthers....I love obnoxious in a sneaker...and if I'm correct they latest versoin is lighter than prior......

Al - Newtons are definitely not for me...but I have also eyed the Kinvara...I think they are a great shoe.

Matt - Zoot suited!....I've never worn any ...how long have you run in them?

 

 

Tom Glynn

I've gone to lighter shoes in the past year. I train and race in the Kinvaras. I really need to focus on my cadence. When I get tired/lazy it drops to the 85-87 area and turns me into a heel striker which is very tough on my calves. If I'm paying attention, my cadence sits 90-92 and all the stress goes to my upper legs, I become a mid foot striker and my shoes last a whole lot longer.

mgraffeo

I was a DS Trainer fan, and still use them occasionally, but am pretty much a total convert to the Zoot OVWA. Light, a small amount of pronation control, and very, very comfortable. Pretty much use them for most every run now.

mancona

I bought a pair of Zoot Energys back in 2009 and really liked them but I was still half running in some Nike and NB shoes I had left over from big sales when I stocked up.  Spring of 2010, I signed on with Zoot and have trained and raced in their shoes ever since (except for when I'm occasionally testing a competitor shoe for a very short period).   I got really lucky as I have the right size foot and  I've gotten to know the two shoe designers quite well so I get to regularly wear test new designs and actually have some input into product design.

@Mike - glad to hear you like them.  The OVWA isn't one of my go to shoes as it is a stability shoe, but a lot of people love them as they are a true stability shoe built like a very lightweight trainer.  Lot's of people also like that shoe for IM as most people could use a little extra stability towards the end of 140.6 miles.

[Deleted User]

I use Newton Distance for Oly/Sprint and Newton Gravity for HIM/ and hopefully for my first IM at Louisville next week ;-)

Joseph Lombardi

 Matt...I might give Zoot a try...(not for Louisville but after)...I like lightweight trainers....like Nike Zoom Elites or Lunar Glides...I'm faily biomechanically efficient, slight supinator, about 150lbs...which would you suggest?

 

...and how do I get signed on? 

mancona

Start with the TT5.0 as it is their best selling shoe for a reason.  It's a good balance of light enough to be a race shoe, but also cushioned enough for daily training for most people.  If you like it then you can figure out if you want to go lighter for the next shoe and try something like the race/kiawe/speed or if you want more cushioning or support there are about 5 other shoes you can choose from.  Most people end up just stickiing with the TT (or Tempo which is the same shoe with a medial post for stability).

The TT trainer is the same last and sole as the TT5, but with a more traditional running upper and no tri features (i.e. no drain holes or quick laces).  If you are only using them for training you can go with the TT trainer and save a few dollars.  If you are going to race in them the tri features are nice to have.

PM me for 25% off if you are interested.

As far has getting hooked up with Zoot, they accept applications for sponsorship late every fall (like just about every other tri company out there).

david ware

@Matt: I was wearing Kinvaras. Did a gait analysis with Al Lyman and he recommended a more traditional (more drop) shoe and some stability. I saw your note above to Mike. Would that be a good shoe for me? Other suggestions? Thanks.

mgraffeo

David, I usually choose the Zoots because they're fairly low on the drop (which I need due to some hip problems). The OVWA or the Tempo would be their lightweight shoes with some stability, but both have about 10mm of drop.

For a shoe with more drop, look at the Brooks Adrenaline, Asics Gel Kayano.