I run in nothing but zero drop shoes, specifically New Balance Minimus 00. They’ve been great so far for run only races and I’ve run everything from 5k’s to half marathons. So far so good. My question is basically this, once I jump up in distance, be it either a marathon distance or the other two legs of a triathlon when my legs will probably be shot, is it better to have a shoe with more padding? I’ve been able to run injury free with these shoes, but I see a lot of people in Half IM and IM distance races wearing Newtons, Asics and the like. Any input is appreciated.
The shoes you’re wearing don’t have much coushin, but there are quite a few shoes with a zero or <4mm drop that have some good coushining. I ran my last IM wearing Saucony Virratas, a zero drop shoe that have decent coushining. Most of my running is in Kinvaras, which are a 4mm drop. I’ll probably run Boston in them over the Virratas.
I don’t think the drop is necessarily the hang up, as much as the amount of cushioning. Like was said before, there are plenty of options out there for 0 drop shoes with plenty of cushion/protection. Cushion is a personal preference and not a one-size-fits-all characteristic of the shoe. If you are comfortable in a minimus, you will probably not be too comfortable in a softer shoe. I would start with the Virrata from saucony, then try the Connect or Drift from Brooks, depending on what your local shop carries. Altra is a good option, but the forefoot might be too much of a transition given it is VERY wide. Especially compared to an NB 00.
Don’t wear something just because you see others doing it. That’s how injuries happen and you don’t need that leading up to a big race.
+1 for watching the cushioning.
I started running in the Vibrams in August 2010. Since then I’ve run two marathons and the run leg of IM. My feet were sore from the pounding after each, and I’m pretty sure I was slower than I would be in traditional runners .
Marathon #1 (May 2011) I wasn’t trained, and I had a horrible day. >1hr off my best standalone marathon from 2008. I don’t blame the shoes at all.
Marathon #2 (May 2012) I was trained, and had a great run. ~6min off my best.
IM Louisville 2013. Great day, and hot. I was ~22min off my best standalone marathon time. I’ll credit the heat for some of those minutes, and the fact that it was a freakin’ IM for the rest.
I had no lingering problems/injuries from any of the above (except frustration after that first one). I always knew there was an adaptation curve to running in them, but I underestimated how long it was. I think today, I can do any distance in them, but I suspect that I would always be a little bit faster in a more cushioned shoe. Others have said that switching to a traditional runner for race day would be faster (after having trained in the Vibrams), but I don’t have enough data points to agree yet.
Cheers!
I’ve done three IMs in Altras – two in the Instinct and one in their tri specific 3-Sum. (As well as a 50K in the Instinct.) I’m really sold on their concepts. They are expanding their product line and probably have something at just about every conceivable level of cushioning. If you want minimum, or supermax, or something in the middle. All are zero-drop of course. And to the other post, I like their wide toe box. It is one of my favorite parts of their line. Just my $0.02.
I have to agree with the above on Altra… I run in the 3-sum and Instincts for marathons, the wide toe box is great. They do run small though, I wear a 10.5 and get an 11 in Altra.
I’m in your exact same position. I typically run in asics racing flats that are 3.8 ounces. Love them, but I wanted something with a little more padding for longer distances and pounding out the miles on pavement, but still keeping with the minimalist theme. I found these and a LOVE them: Adidas Hagio. Very light, almost zero drop, but with a little more padding under foot vs. nothing. The best thing is the wide toe box. That’s a huge deal for me, letting my toes “splay” naturally. I did a LOT of searching to come to these. A LOT.
I run in nothing but zero drop shoes, specifically New Balance Minimus 00. They’ve been great so far for run only races and I’ve run everything from 5k’s to half marathons. So far so good. My question is basically this, once I jump up in distance, be it either a marathon distance or the other two legs of a triathlon when my legs will probably be shot, is it better to have a shoe with more padding? I’ve been able to run injury free with these shoes, but I see a lot of people in Half IM and IM distance races wearing Newtons, Asics and the like. Any input is appreciated.