Racing Flats for IM?
Looking for feedback on whether to use lightweight racing shoe for IMAZ or not. Race is 6 weeks out which I'd think is plenty of time to lightly break in me and the racer, but haven't used a racer in 20 years. I'm a long-time ASICS guy, and I dont run minimalist although I've got a fairly natural neutural gait and I'm @ 165lbs. I use the Nimbus now day in day out, which runs 11ish oz and drop of 9mm or so, its a workhorse long distance shoe. I'm looking at the Gel Hyper Speed which is 7oz and 5mm drop. What are other good options? Is this to big a change to soon? How should I break them in if I get a racing shoe?
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It is NOT the time to go minimalist, or even significantly lighter for IM.
Seriously, you are supposed to start small with something like 1/4 mile run, then slowly and gradually increase.
I went from heavy over pronator prevention shoes to Zoot shoes and this was a big change, but I did it in the OS and ran on a treadmill. I did not go outdoors for months as I adjusted. I also used Vibram's on some days- again- only on the treadmill. I did not sustain any injury or tendonitis, but I was very careful about going lighter.
That said, I am glad I did it, but it did NOT coincide with any racing.
I did get injured with the move.
You may pull it off. And, if you do, props to ya. But, it's a pretty big change. Short course stuff may allow you to be 'finished' with your wko or race and start recovering before you reach the breaking point. But, and it's just my opinion based on my experiences, with your IM buildup, you still have a handful of long run days left plus the raceday and this may be too much volume (fatigue + impact) for your legs to re-learn a stride appropriately.
Remember that the 'Build Slowly' that is cautioned by shoe manufacturers is very different than our tri stud mentality of 'Build Slowly'. Most of us are too impatient to do it the safe/right/recommended way. I know I was.
Good luck
I posed the same question to myself and the forums prior to IMLouisville...I ran the IM last year in my regular trainers (Nike Lunars)...last year because I thought comfort would be most important.....and it paid off...but this year I had more confidence and new what the IM marathon would be like...I ran in my racers....(Nike Lunar Racers)...loved it.
I don't think it made a wit of difference speedwise...I was comfortable in both....but think I liked the lighter shoes later in the race...and they didn't get as heavy/wet as the trainers...
Go with your gut...just be sure they are shoes you have already broken in and are comfortable from the first step....
6 weeks is plenty of time to run inthe shoes and know if you will be okay......fyi I am 5' 8 and 152
10-12 years ago, I was running in the Asics 2000 series shoes. My third year of running, second IM (totally flat course, even more so than IM AZ), I switched without any real prep to a racing flat for race day. No problems. Went back to the Asics boats for 4 more years, then in 2006, did an IM in flats again. Both times were a PR for an IM marathon @ that time. So that's on the plus side. Last year, I was switching back and forth between Saucony Kinvaras and Newtons, and when I went to the Newton's for a long run, with some HM pace thrown in 6 weeks before IM AZ, intending to race in them, I got Plantar Fasciitis, big-time. So that's the down side.
My rec: try the lighter, lower shoes on a couple of 30-40 minute bricks, with NO hills or speed work thrown in. If you don't get any bad vibes from your lower extremities, keeping upping the dosage, but stay away from any fast runs or significant downhills in them. If anything feels weird or odd in your calves or feet after the trial runs, save it for after the race. Otherwise, go for it on race day.
Good advice from all. Many thanks.
Since it is time to replace my shoes now, Ive ordered a slightly lighter distance road shoe with all the same fore and rear gel and 9mm drop as my usual Cumulus-> Asics DS-light speed. So I can at least train/race in a shoe about 1.5 oz lighter than what I've been using. But I also got a pair of the Asics Gel Hyper Speed Marathon racers. 7oz 5mm drop. I will try those out a little as per Al's protocol and see how it goes.
In the distant past I trained and road raced on the lightest shoes I could find, often training 10-12 miles in racing flats. But I was a lot faster then, and probably experienced a lot less impact. Funny now that minimalism is the catch word, I find myself using 'traditional' shoes. Age and fear of misery I guess.
My question would be in wondering what your form does towards the end of the marathon. I like minimal shoes and have adapted but towards the end of long runs my form goes to crap and that is where I end up hurting myself as I get tired and loose the ability to land as I should on my forefoot.
I think your weight should also be factored into the equation. I suspect that weighing 165 vs. being a lighter, svelte Al T type of runner is also a consideration.
Personally, and maybe I'm sort of the odd one out for this, but I actually go up in shoe weight for the IM marathon not down. I pretty much do all my normal everyday running in racing flats, my favorite go to shoe is the Saucony Grid Type A4, 6oz 4mm heel drop. I do a fair amount of running in the Newton Mv2 @ 5.2oz and no heel drop at all. However, for my longest training runs and for the IM marathon I go up in weight to the Newton Distance (7.8oz 2mm drop). It's not a heavy shoe by any means, but I for one appreciate a little extra support for when the going gets tough and my form starts to degrade on the second half of the marathon.
Definitely not trying to sell you on the Newtons though, just sharing my experiences for whatever they are worth.