I want to get some racing flats for Half IM races. If I have trained in Brooks Adrenalin and Asics 2XXX series as well as some Adidas Supernova’s, what are some shoes I should consider? I weigh around 165 and as far as I can tell have a pretty nuetral gait.
You and I are about the same size and train in the same shoes. I’ve used Asics DS Racers for everything up to the marathon distance for years. Give 'em a try.
Whatever shoes you can comfortably run 13 miles in are good for half-Ironman. For me that means I ran my last half-Im run (World’s Toughest Half) in an old pair of Brooks T4s since I had run upwards of an hour 30 in them. I had done enough of my longer runs in them to be comfortable wearing them in a race. DON’T just wear them a few times and then pull them out for the race. It may work out, or not, but don’t waste a race because you are experimenting on something new.
Chad
i tried to run 13 in my flats (about 2wks before my race) and they killed me. I than ran 13 in my nike frees and had no pain at all. I had the brooks flats if it matters
I did not explain myself very clearly. I run a good percentage of my miles, like 80 percent, in flats similar to the Brooks I used to race. The Brooks themselves had hundreds of miles in them by the time of the race and I knew I could run in them for the required time and on the road or trail as was required at World’s Toughest Half.
I can’t imagine running 13 minutes in Nike Free’s much less 13 miles. They are way to squishy and unstable for my liking. It depends entirely up how much you have adapted to a particular shoe.
Chad
Sure! But, as usual, train a little in them first to make sure you can handle it.
But, as usual, there is some confusion as to what a “racing flat” is. For ex, an Asics DS trainer is NOT a racing flat, but would be a good shoe to transition in for training to get used to a lighter shoe (although it is still posted).
If you like those 2 shoe lines for whatever reason, try an ascis DS Racer or Brooks T4/T5 racer. They are both pretty good shoes, but very different in feel (you will see when you try them on). I also like the Saucony Fastwtich and type-A. I’d try them as well.
The new Adidas racing flats have been getting great reviews as well, but I haven’t had a chance to test them out yet, but they look great in their design except the Pro which is nothing more than a 5 oz sock!
Good luck!
At your suggestion, I got some Saucony Type A. They do have a nice bouncy forefoot, and I think, for his purposes they might be a perfect transition shoe. For me the insole is too squishy. I’m going to try some firmer insoles. i like the bounce, but not the squish. They are only 1/4-1/3 ounce heavier than my gel magic racers, if anyone is interested.
I think it depends on how long you anticipate the run taking you…your pace per mile. If you’re able to run under 1:35 or so, you might consider a lightweight trainer or racing flat. Otherwise, stick with your training shoes. The support and cushioning those offer over a lightweight trainer/racing flat will benefit you more the longer you’re out there.
This Q couldn’t come in a different day. I’m slightly lighter than you but still it’s a fresh opinion.
So for the past two weeks I’ve tried out three of the most wanted racing flats for 20 Km’s. Asics DS racer, Adidas Response Light and Nike Air Zoom Marathoner. All are suitable for HIM’s and this’ just my somekind-of-review. I found that the Adidas’ are very narrow on the heel compared to the other two and the forefoot cushion is also not as good. But as these were a brand new pair MAYBE they will feel better after a few runs. Both Asics’ and Nike’s are truly soft on the impact and both felt great without socks (if you are considering going sockless). Extremely comfy. If you’d ask me, I’d advise you to pick one of these last two: Asics’ DS racer (found in every run store nowadays) or Nike Air Zoom Marathoner (harder to find but cheaper I guess).
Anything of that distance I prefer racing in a lightweight trainer, a little more comfort without adding much weight. The Saucony Grid Sinister or Tangent 2 are my weapons of choice (they’re both hella comfy, I just picked up another pair of tangents yesterday because they have more in the forefoot than the sinister and I’m a forefoot striker)
I tried the insole from my Vitruvians in the Saucony type A. MUCH better. Firmer, more rebound, less squish, but still good shock dissapation on my forefoot.
Hmmm … Thanks for your input! I’ll keep that in mind for a few peeps who might be looking for that. I still like the shoe a lot for a variety of reasons (just got back running to and from swimming with wet feet and the drainage holes and upper mesh came in handy).
As I mentioned when running a marathon earler this year (not Boston though) - I was wearing my old pair of type-As and had some new (about 55 miles on them) with me. I ended up running the marathon in the old (about 300 miles) pair as they felt better (less forefoot “squish” as you describe). On of the few shoes I’ve found that I like better with age! (let alone a racing type shoe)
Maybe when they get older I’ll put the original insole back in.
I should probably perforate the Vit insole to keep the drainage.