I’ve got a pair of Saucony A6’s, my second pair that I’ve had. I love the shoes, but I do notice that over the last 6 mo-year that my legs feel pretty wrecked after my runs. Whether it’s a 3 mile easy run, or interval sprints mixed into a 6-7 miler. I’m on the trainer 3-4 times a week and play hockey every week, so I don’t think it’s a muscle weakness issue. I’ve been mulling over the idea of getting a 2nd pair of shoes with a little more cushion and reserve the A6’s for racing. Does anyone do this? is it helpful? Is it weird on raceday going back to a (near) racing flat?
thanks,
I’m a fan of using cushy shoes to train in, at least for long and/or easy runs. Often I’ll wear my race shoes for interval/speed days. I’m a Saucony wearer too… I picked up a pair of Hurricanes for training. I race in Guides (yeah I know, not exactly a racing flat… but I had issues with bone bruising that I don’t want to repeat).
Yes. I generally train in something with a little more cushioning (currently Saucony Virattas) and use flats or minimalist shoes for speed work and racing.
I use Saucony Kinvara’s for everything. No problems.
I just picked up a pair of Kinarva 4’s that I’ll race in, but I train in my ultra cushy Saucony Jazz. If I could find an identical pair, I’d buy them in a heartbeat (they’re old, I bought them on closeout and I have big feet. I don’t like the new Jazz’s the same). Picky picky!
I race in the A6’s and highly recommend doing most of your miles in the Kinvara if you don’t need more support, but you do need more cushion.
Most of my runs are done in Brooks Ghost; racing in Zoot Ultra TT’s.
trav
I would guess it’s common for most people to do some of their runs in different shoes than they plan to race in. I race in A5’s and I’ll do fast brick runs and some speed work in them. Otherwise it’s softer, heavier shoes. I like to know when I put on my A5’s it’s to run fast.
I moved from Saucony Kinvara to Saucony Cortana as I still got the 4mm drop but I got more cushioning for ‘everyday’ running, and I’ve found it has helped me stay uninjured. Now that they don’t make the Cortana anymore, I’m wondering which is my next best option? Zealot? Any thoughts?
I just got the Zealot, feels great! Felt better on my feet than Kinvara. the ISO fit is very nice. they are cushy yet still have a pretty good road feel. Plan to run a marathon in them this weekend. I’ll update after! I have been running in Altra One2 for everything the last year but have been feeling like they are sloppy and needed something with a little firmer ride to race in.
MC
I rotate through a few pairs of shoes during the week depending on what the workout is or how my legs are feeling. Cushier shoe for long runs or if my legs are achy / tired. Lighter shoe for tempo days or mid length runs when my legs feel good. I also have a pair of Saucony FastTwitch that I use almost exclusively for racing or shorter mileage stuff and have absolutely no issue switching back and forth between all of them.
I just went to the running store last night & tried on the Zealots. Felt great, so I had them order the yellow ones for me. Not normally so shallow, but I don’t know what it is, I can’t stand black/gray running shoes. So I should have my new shoes in a few days!
Just like others, I alternate between a few shoes.
Short and/or interval runs - Brooks Pureconnect
Long and/or recovery runs - Kinvara
Add in Peregrines for trail. That all take a backseat in winter where I use pretty exclusively Saucony Xodus for snow and ice.