This is an informal survey/advice query about racing flats at the ironman distance. Do you use them? If so how terribly beat up are your feet throughout the run. Also, how much do you think it helps the run at that distance? Post your IM marathon splits too.
Thanks!
Asics DS racer are top notch
The Brooks ST racer are not bad either.
of course, I can only judge training wise… 
I do long runs in racing flats. I race everything in flats.
In fact, all I wear for running are flats. I never have ANY problems, uninjured and blister free for years now.
Your feet get beat up if you don’t wear them.
SO… wear them, LOTS!
They help build up your foot muscles as they offer less support.
What does my IM mary split have to do with anything? I run an IM mary over an hour faster than my girlfriend and she wears flats too. It’s not about how fast you are.
I have DS racers… would it be unreasonable for a 3:30 IM marathoner to wear flats? Do you think the benefit of having a light-weight shoe would outweigh the chance of getting my ass kicked by them due to less support?
If your running 3:30, you better be wearing flats.
I’m aiming for a 3:20 this year.
As I said in my last post, if you wear them in training, they’ll be fine on race day. I would train exclusively in flats with your fitness. What are your open run times?
I used to run with lightweight foam running shoes and my times were no faster than with more cushioned shoes. What I did notice is that the cushion relieved lower back discomfort during the run. I know that racing flats are theoretically faster, but I also think it’s psychological at the longer distance.
I require months of adjustment anytime I make changes to the cushion level of my running shoes. Typically when I find a shoe that really works for me, I buy several pairs. I don’t know when your IM is but if it’s this year you may want to wait until you train with them in the off season.
I was a sub 3:00 open run time marathoner. I used to run under 4 hours in the IM. I don’t train at that level anymore (now 3:20 open run time is good for me).
if you’re asking for shoe advice, you better ask for people’s body weight as well…
ok post bodyweight too… I’m 160 5’11’’
Nike Air Pegasus Racers have been (the same pair) my 1/2 - full IM shoes for two years (3 1/2’s and 5 IM’s). Seems like a relatively light way to drop down from a training shoe without the worry of what a flat will do to my feet. (while I try to train my feet for lesser shoes…)