Forums >Gears and Wears>Thinking of getting some flats
Runner
2010 Races: Snicker's Marathon(2:58:38), Scenic City Trail Marathon(3:26:36), Laurel Highlands Ultra 77(19:13:44), Ironman Louisville(13:07:07) 2011 Races: Mount Cheaha 50k 5:22:47, Tobacco Road Marathon, Mohican 100 Miler
"He conquers who endures" - Persius "Every workout should have a purpose. Every purpose should link back to achieving a training objective." - Spaniel
http://ncstake.blogspot.com/
.... I am running beyond my GCM, I know very quickly and can adjust.
DWARP Marathon Madness Mob
After taking part in the favorite shoe thread it got me to thinking of how good of an idea it would be to try racing flats. I've been running for two years seriously now and wear Asics Nimbus 9's more than any shoe. I'm a supinator and a forefoot striker. I weight 165 give or take a few pounds and that is on a 5'11" frame. I'm still not sure they are for me but I think I'd like to try them. I like the looks of the asics hyperspeed 2's because of good luck I've had with asics. I especially like the 6.6 ounces vs. the 12.4 ounces of the Nimbus. I'm looking for other people's experiences when they used the flats. Did injuries become more frequent/ or just arise? How much did you run in them to begin? What brands did you try? What distance do you think it is a good idea to race in them? Also feel free to throw in any other good pertinent information! Thanks!
~J
Suspect Zero
I’ve run exclusively in lightweight trainers or flats since I was in my late 30’s. I’d estimate 70% flats and 30% light trainers. I’ll even run 9-minute miles in flats on recovery days. Who wants to be picking up a pair of heavy gunboats with every step when your legs are tired? I turn 62 this week and have never had a serious injury (knock on wood). Two years and 9 months ago I had to take 10 days off for a minor one, which was my longest time ever on the sidelines with an injury. I don’t often wear the super lightweight models, though, and prefer the ones that have decent cushioning between 6.0 and 9.5 oz. The models I’ve tried are too numerous to mention. I sure wish they still made the Nike Air Sock, though. It was kind of an elastic sock with a sole on it. I’ve never worn a shoe before or since that fit so well, and it was surprisingly cushy for having so little to it. I ran everyday in those things and even raced a marathon in them. Favorite models that are still being made are: Saucony Grid Type A - 9.1 oz – This is a trainer that is light enough for racing. Perfect for HM and marathon. Good cushioning and a great fit. I like this one a lot. Asics Bandito Racer – 7.9 oz - A great flat with very good cushioning. It replaced the Ohana that is one of my all-time favorites. I still have an almost new pair of Ohanas but they won’t be making any more. The Bandito is very similar. I have several other discountinued models that still have plenty of miles left in them. Of those the Asics DS Racer VII (6 oz) is one of my favorites. Although I’ve not yet tried the Adidas Adizero I have heard that it is similar. >What distance do you think it is a good idea to race in them? This is highly individual, imo. I wear flats or lightweight trainers (usually flats) for all distances up to the marathon. My advice would be to try them on training runs first.
The Greatest of All Time
Exactly my experience. My everyday shoe is the Asics DS trainer which is a lightweight trainer - used it for my entire running life. I run marathons and some speedwork and just some easy miles in racing shoes. I had a pair of DS racers that I used for several marathons - loved 'em (got em from telarunner for like $15 I kid you not!). Now I use Adidas Adizero (which I got at shoe pavilion of all places for about $40) and they're pretty good too. I may have to try out the Bandidos. So racing marathons in flats for me = GOOD. I'm 5'8" 170lbs.