All of my regular miles are done in Asic 20XX, and long runs in Kayanos, both with orthotics.
- Any suggestions for a suitable racing flat for marathon distance running?
- Advice on whether or not to run in these with the orthotics?
going from a shoe like the kayanos to a flat isn’t the best idea…unless you want to be one of the thousands of runners that have done the same and end up in the doctors office with feet issues.
All of my regular miles are done in Asic 20XX, and long runs in Kayanos, both with orthotics.
- Any suggestions for a suitable racing flat for marathon distance running?
- Advice on whether or not to run in these with the orthotics?
I use the 20XX as a trainer and the Saucony Fastwitch for a flat and I wear orthodics. The Fastwitch is probably the lighest shoe you’ll find with a post. I’ve done a half-marathon and two 70.3 races on them and they worked well every time.
the support in the 21xx and the kayano are no different, the kayano just has way more gel and is actually heavier. Its not a bad shoe but I think it is just a bit over rated, and over priced. 140dollars is alot for a shoe. The DS trainer is a option, a bit less of a shoe but still has the posting and its a asic. The new DS racer is another good option, a bit less support than the trainer but a good flat. I do also agree that the fasttwitch is great. i have been using it as my training shoe and while it has minimal support it does have some posting and sets up very well. It also has holes in the sole so water can get out.
the asics ds trainer 15 is probably the nicest update to the series and offers a nice bit of cushioning, light stability and low weight.
personally, i wear asics speedstars with my orthotics for a half or full marathon.
I like te 2040’s because they are wide and I have a pr. of new balance 904 or 905’s that are pert near flats I am at work and cannot remember exact #
I also use the DS trainers with my orthotics for racing.
I train in the Asics GT 21XX shoes (or similar shoes, such as the Saucony Progrid Guide). I also wear orthotics. I raced a marathon last fall in the New Balance 905. The 905 is technically a lightweight trainer, but it is very light for this category and feels more like a flat. I bought the shoe in a wide width in order to accomodate my orthotics.
The question of whether or not to race in your orthotics is a difficult one for someone else to answer. In my situation, I feel pretty strongly about racing in orthotics. After years of chronic achilles problems, I opted to have surgery in January 2008. By last year, I had built my training up to 70-80 miles/week while training for a marathon. I never thought I would be able to train this hard or to run marathons again after years of being hobbled, so I don’t want to mess with what’s working for me. However, I do know that some people use orthotics for a time, then gradually work up to not using them anymore if their problem has been corrected. Another option would be to have a PT make racing orthotics for you. These are more minimal in nature and designed to fit into a traditional racing flat. I’ve never had a pair of these, but I’ve heard about them.
Good luck…I hope you figure out something that will work for you.
I run in the brooks adrenaline which is similar to the asics 2150 and I have raced up to marathon and IM in the brooks racer st and love them. They have a mild post but are light enough to feel faster than a normal trainer.