Light Trainers or Flats for Calif 70.3?

Last year I wore “Light Weight” trainers and this year I’m leaning heavily in the direction of wearing my Flats. Why the change? Well, my Flats are very comfortable, I have good support from an orthotic and I’ve had some good Brick runs with my Flats. My wife asks last night, “do you really think you run faster in Flats?” and yeah, I do.

The ONLY thing that got me second guessing this idea was that someone (I think Jodi) reminded me in another post that there’s a hell of a lot of concrete on the run at Oceanside.

The ONLY thing that got me second guessing this idea was that someone (I think Jodi) reminded me in another post that there’s a hell of a lot of concrete on the run at Oceanside.

Something to think about.

Ditto Longboarder.

I ran in flats last year and that concrete got awful uncomfortable after 10 miles. If I had it to do again I would run in light trainers…

I was going to wear my Avia Bolts. Might bring the Avi Lite II’s as a backup though. The Bolts are kind of mid-way between a flat and a light trainer. And I have Superfeet insoles in them.

Jodi

Lots of concrete…over 50% of the course, maybe closer to 60%. I would lean toward LW trainers unless you are very light.

A lot of concrete and do you think they finally fixed that bridge that was dirt last year? I’ve also heard some years a bit of the run can be on sand.

What’s your longest run in flats? If you’ve been able to do anywhere near 13 miles without arch problems, blisters, or hot spots why wouldn’t you do flats?

The bridge construction is complete…big difference from last year. The sand section has be reintroduced…after crossing the bridge, the course turns right and goes around the condos on the beach side to the Strand.

How long is the sand section?

300 yards or so I’d guess. but you run over it 4 times.

I am wearing my Kswiss K-Onas, should be nice a coushy.

300 yards or so I’d guess. but you run over it 4 times.

Shit.

a lot of concrete on the run at Oceanside
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As compared to what? I think people overestimate the difference between concrete and asphalt. Neither of them is very soft on your body. If you have run the race distance in your flats and are comfortable with that, then you will be fine. The worst mistake people make in races is doing something radically different than they do in training. If you have never run 13 miles on pavement in your flats then you never know what will happen at 8-12 miles into the run. Sometimes it will work out and sometimes it will be a disaster.

Chad

concrete is significantly harder than asphalt. interesting article about the differences

Jack,
You dont like sand?

160 lbs maybe 164 with some carb and water weight gain on weigh-in at registration.

I’m still leaning in the direction of Flats. No matter what shoe I wear things are going to hurt during the last third of that run…yes, some may hurt worse than others but I think it will be hard to tell a difference - pain is pain. I’ve run several stand-alone 13.1 races in these Flats - not one issue and they make me feel light and fast. The longest I’ve gone in a triathlon run with Flats is a 10K in Oly events.

Stoked for Saturday. Saw you last year JP - was going to walk over and intro myself but my ride was leaving. Have a good race. I’ll try to spot you and say hi.

Jack,
You dont like sand?

Sand is afraid of Jack Bauer. Just like Heroin was addicted to Jack Bauer, not the other way around.

Have a good race.

that’s true…the last few miles hurt no matter what shoes you’re wearing. Yeah, definitely say hello. I’m in 35-39, bib #998 this time around.

My wife is running a kid’s booth near the finish…i’ll be over there most of the afternoon post-race.

be one with the sand. There is an art to running in the sand, something I have learned after spending many years at NAB Coronado~

Same AG for me #1085.

Fantasy about to be fulfilled…great race + In-N-Out Burger after. Can’t wait.

jp/jb, you two should make it a race…Loser buys the in and out!