I am not sure whether I should plan on a shoe change in my next 100M.

In my last 100M, I was ok in my Cascadias, but after the race, I noticed that I had started to develop a hot spot/blister on the side of my heels. I guess if the race had been longer (time-wise), or if it had rained more, I would have ended up with huge blisters there.

Also lately I have noticed that my current Cascadias seem to be a bit short, so that my toes get bumped on long, frequent downhills. Not really serious, but a concern when I think of running 100 miles of steep, rocky trails in them.

So now I've been wearing my PureGrits more often, which are great for technical trails, as long as there are no wet, slick, algae- or lichen-overgrown rocks. Which are somewhat common in the remote PA forests. In that case, the PureGrits are disaster. Not so much after creek crossings, or mud, though. Haven't completely figured out that one.

And now I'm not sure if I should plan on changing the shoes at some point in the race.

Do I wear the lighter PureGrits in the beginning, and switch around 40 or 60 miles, or only when needed?

Or wear the sturdier Cascadias from the start (as they are a sure bet when it comes to wet conditions and foot protection on rocky trails), and change only when needed?

Another concern with switching shoes mid-race is that my legs tend to cramp up after 60 miles if I try to tie the shoes (when they come lose), so changing shoes without help would not be easy.

FYTC, are you taping your feet before the race at all?

I've started doing it with KT tape and tincture of benzoin prior to any long runs and it has alimented feet hot spots for me.

 

 

Birdwell: I haven't taped my feet yet, maybe I should try it out on my next few training runs. I was planning on just applying a thin layer of vaseline for protection against wetness. But my DD (who is a ballet dancer) has also strongly advocated for taping my feet.

 

Edit: Another question is, is it better to switch from lighter shoes to heavier, sturdier ones, or the other way around?

You have to try it! It is so much better than vaseline or bodyglide.

As far as switching, I'd go light to sturdy, or just stick with sturdy the whole way through, but what do I know.

AT: I will keep the sock change in mind, I did not think this would make a big difference, but obviously it does. I have also noticed that when walking, I tend to slip more, so the sturdier shoes will be more suitable for this.

It will also depend on the weather which shoes will work better.

And I'll have to ask the RD's about the terrain and trail quality.

No pacer so far, but traildc will ask her friend if she'd be up to the task.

FTYC,

Like you, I have only one 100 under my belt.

I did bring spare shoes to Leadville, thinking I might change them after the dual crossing of Hope Pass (since there is also a creek crossing or two where feet tend to get wet towards the evening).  I ran in La Sportiva Helios from the start (my preferred shoe and one I thought was best for any technical parts of Hope Pass). My plan had been to change into different shoes (Pearl Izumi N2s -- a bit more cushy and I would be running/hiking more slowly at night) if necessary at mile 55, with a spare of the Helios at mile 75 in the event the switch was a complete failure. I came into mile 55 feeling great foot-wise, and seeing the carnage at the aid station convinced me to head out with what was working.

In retrospect, that may have been an error since my feet were still damp and the bottom of my feet under the ball of the foot started to take a beating. By the time I got to the road section about 30 miles to go (going by memory, don't shoot me Lace), I did not have open blisters but the top third of the bottom of my foot was one big white tender spot, and I walked most of the road section. When I got to the aid station at about mile 75, I did have another pair of Helios, but one that was more used, so it was a bit looser and that helped. I started running again once I hit the trail to Powerline (then hiked a lot and had my best run of the night towards the 13 mile to go aid station).  On a positive note, I finished and my feet were not bloody, so I felt that was a success.

If I had a crew, I would have had spare shoes at each aid station.  Also, unless your feet are wet or miserable, I would keep with the shoes you have, and would run in the Cascadias unless you have run at least 50 miles in the Pure Grits. If you change, it would be great to have the option to switch back if that turns out not to work.

Finally, I would love to pace you, but I am worried about recovering from my ankle injury and flying cross-country for a weekend. If you are stuck in a few weeks let me know and I will see what can be done.

I have no experience with the distance you are running, but I have found that tape works well to prevent blisters and bloody feet for my longer runs. I keep adding places to tape with every long run.

Jamie, Stephen will be pacing me through the night, from mile 61 to 78. I hope the miles will come together with nighttime, but it should work.

I am still looking for a pacer for miles 78 to 100. There is no crew or pacer access, or drop point, between miles 78 and 100.

In a 100k trail I switched shoes at the 40 mile mark from the NB 101 to the Cascadi 7. It was a really rock/rooty course and my feet were getting pretty beat up in the 101's. I am really glad that I did go from light to sturdy. It made the last 20 a lot more enjoyable.

During my DNF at my 100 mile attempt I did think I made a mistake going from the Cascadia 8's to the Bondi 3's. I thought that it would be a good idea 50k in to go with a more cushy shoe. Big mistake!! It was on a rocky loop course and I think that the plate on the bottom of the Cascadias did a much better job "spreading out the impact" from the rocks where the hokas absorbed the rocks. I don't know if this makes sense at all but my feet were much more trashed after switching to the Bondi's.

I think switching is a good idea if the shoes are "similar" (ie same model but updated version)