I have a pair of Grid Static Racers on which I have done the following over the past 3 seasons (for racing approx distances include warmup and cooldown): Two training runs for a total of 20K Nine Half Ironman for a total of 200K Six Olympic to 1/3 Ironman Distance Tris total 80K Two half marathons: 45K
Looks like I am up close ~ 350K on these flats. Is it time for a change. They seem fine to me. What is the typical lifetime of a racing flat?
Dev,
I train in Saucony Fastwitch Speed, and get about 300 miles before they are in tough shape, then run another 150 or so until they are literally splitting everywhere. If I were just racing, I would probably toss em at the 150-200 mark - going hard in shoes that are past their prime is a lot riskier than simply training in them, I think.
I’m on my 4th season with my Mizuno Phantoms. No sign of degredation yet. Maybe it has something to do with only using them for races (<10k) & the Wave plate.
I’d say no more than 100 miles from flats, especially if you are doing IM. Don’t go by how your shoes look. Stress fractures don’t wait until your sole is worn out. My past coaches all recommended retiring flats after one marathon distance race. They were OK for track workouts, but no racing.
-Pete
Based on what some of you guys are saying I guess I better search for a pair before the NCM (www.ncm.ca) at the expo tomorrow as I am running the half marathon. My flats are not for marathon, but lots of races with running up to 21.1K.
Dev,
I have about 750 miles on a pair of Brooks T3s that I took to Iraq with me. Blown rubber is completely worn through to the mid-sole and I pulled the sock-liner out as well. I suspect they weigh about 3 oz. now. I used them for 15K at duathlon nationals and they are really fast. The number of miles you put on flats is directly proportional to the need you have for cushioning in shoes. I run most of my miles in an old pair of spikes, in flats and once a week or so in a pair of regular trainers. Now that the weather is warming up, I’m going to start in on some barefoot golf course runs. My shoe budget went from about $500 a year to about $150 a year and I’m averaging about 25-30 hours a month running. I’ve gone as long as 1:45 in the T3s, all on pavement.
Chad
No more than 100 miles. The forefoot cushioning in most shoes is crap. Wears down fast. You won’t know how badly the shoe is worn in the middle of the cushioning by just looking at the outside sole. And do you want the first sign of a worn/bad show to be an injury?
Dev, what’s your goal pace? Good luck to you!
CDW…you have great biomechanics but beware…that can change. I have a friend who ran the mile at arkansas and 10 years later he finally needs a bit of support in his shoes. I would rather run in some lightwieght trainers and be a cushioning guy for life if I was either of you two. I know it sounds stupid now since you are having so much success but it’s just a friendly piece of advice to consider.
Dan
Dev, what’s your goal pace? Good luck to you!
I think he is leading the trinewbies pace group;)
Yes, I am leading the 90 min trinewbies group after a 90 min warmup bike. Last time I checked, such a group would include the most estemed triyoda, who is yet to break 90 min off the bike for 21.1K :-).
All kidding aside for the past two years I get a group together for a 90K ride in the hills north of Ottawa and then we finish 15 min or so before the half marathon (www.ncm.ca) and race. I have been signed up as 90 min pace bunny for the past two years and am doing the same this year, so the pressure is on! This is why I need racing flats (I need all the help I can get…)
Dev
90 min would be a good pace for me. If the weather is cool I could possibly go 1:27 but it would take no GI issues as well, something that plagues me.
Post a report!
Dan
Dev,
90 minutes for a half and you need racing flats? That should be a good long run pace. 
When I hear about all your training events I kind of wish I didn’t live in the middle of nowhere. I train solo most of the time, but it is always nice to have company for the hard days. Have fun. I have the kids all weekend by myself, so we’ll see how well I can play Mr. Mom.
Chad
My opinion that it depends more on running technique then company-magazines recommendations - Some people needs to change Racing flats before first mile on it, others can use it till it’s fall off and then can run barefoot. Basically then better runner then stronger his feet and less need for support… and then more support you use then weaker your feet becomes, just keep the balance in training/developing it. Budda’s Middle Path
CDW, I am a blown masters poser on the wrong side of the age curve. 90 min is not a killer pace, and I can do lots of work passing out tips to my group etc, but the final 5K feel like a full out 5K drag race (Simon Whitfield style 14:14 perceived exertion except I am running more like 4:15 per K). Yes, I am luck. Despite this place resembling some sort of Siberian Gulag for the better part of 5 months we have a thriving tri community with a race per weekend all summer, >1000 triathletes and >60 racing at IMLP alone.
Adriy (sp?)…will you be racing Ironman LP?
Edit: Triyoda is going to love this trinewbie pic from last year, complete with the bunny ears and grid static racers (at least all the hot ladies were running with me…):
Yes, we (me/Andriy/ and Viktor) racing IMLP, actually right now in a process of looking for place to stay - we doing altitude camp and thinking to come to area 3 weeks in advance after that… may-be you know anybody to stay with??
Namaste
OK, I just went and got a pair of Grid Fasttwitch racers this evening.
Andriy, if you come three weeks in advance, you should join us in LP at our “Irontour LP 3 day camp”. Day 1: 4K swim (Fri evening June 30th) Day 2: 190K ride including Whiteface mtn hillclimb+30 min transition run, Evening, 3K swim Day 3: Reverse ~half Ironman-2 hour run-100K ride-2K swim
As for place to stay, I don’t know know anyone specifically in Lake Placid, but I am sure if we worked at it, someone locally in LP would step up.
I am located in Ottawa, ~2:45 drive from LP
Good luck to you and Victor in your altitude training!
i think that it all depends on the person. i have used nike triax tcs and get over 400 miles of tempo runs and races in them. unfortunately i am down to my last pair of them and they have not been made for several years. the concept that a shoe rapidly loses its cushioning is very over-rated – particularly when you consider that many guys run completely barefoot or train 100% in racing flats. i am sure that the shoe companies would like everyone to believe that you need to get new shoes after just a couple of hundred miles.
All I know is that my racing flats 15-20 years ago were a lot faster than my current racing flats. Must be the rubber.