Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Marathon Footwear Poll

I was curious about what kind of shoes you all have worn in your various marathons- regular trainers, lightweight trainers, flats, etc- and what your experiences have been, good and bad. I ran in fairly sturdy trainers (kayanos) for my first marathon but will probably wear a lighter version (nike zoom elite) this time around. I've been doing long runs in them with no problem. I'm curious about what others have done... Don't get me wrong, I'll be wearing whatever shoes I decide emanate the greatest amount love (i.e. whichever come in the prettiest colors) but wanted others' opinions.
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11 comments:

  1. Matt Ernst5/30/07, 7:55 AM

    Melissa,

    Not that I'm as fast you you all, but here is how I think about it. Flats now have enough cushioning to run a marathon and are lighter and don't need to be broken in. Your Kayanos weight about 10 oz., the Nike zoom Elite III weight 9 oz. and the flats I use...Saucony Fastwitch II weight 7.6 oz. for the women models. It may not sound like a lot, but the difference between the Zoom Elites and the Fastwitches is 1.4 oz...multiply by about 180 steps per min. for the 210 min. it will take you to run the marathon (2:30 time sounds right) and you will be lifting about 53,000 more oz. for the race...or 3,300 pounds. Just something to think about....Matt.

    PS...I probably have over thought this.....If I don't see you...Good Luck.

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  2. Melissa5/30/07, 9:28 AM

    Thanks, Matt. This is helpful!

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  3. Holly5/30/07, 1:05 PM

    Melissa~
    I ran my last (and first) marathon in Asics DS trainers. They weigh just under 8 ounces for the women's. I got them not too long before the marathon because I was going to originally run in trainers. I didn't break them in very much and they were fine. They definately have enough cushion for a light-weight shoe. Hope this helps. Good luck!

    Holly

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  4. Melissa5/30/07, 1:54 PM

    Hi Holly,
    Thanks! I'll check them out. Good luck with wedding preparation!
    Melissa

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  5. MAX5/30/07, 3:44 PM

    i once ran shoeless and shirtless, if that that helps

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  6. Merkel5/30/07, 4:45 PM

    I worry a lot about the issue of marathon shoe choice, mainly because you have put in so much work - why ruin it all by having to drop out at 15 miles with blister-torn feet? Therefore, I say use caution and what has worked for you in the past. I try my shoes out in workouts and long-runs. While this may be the safe thing to do, it isn't necessary - I read on ChasingKimbia.com that all those guys do to break in their racers is walk around the house in them prior to the race.

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  7. Matias5/30/07, 5:31 PM

    Asics DS trainers rule. I ran my first marathon in them as well.

    And since you take like 300 steps per minute, the lighter the better. I've never seen anyone move their feet that fast while running.

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  8. LTO5/30/07, 9:06 PM

    I have run marathons in both the (old) Zoom Elites and DS Trainers so far. Liked the Elites better, but I like softer shoes. They were lighter when I wore them in 2005. Wore the DS Trainers at Boston because I wanted something sturdier as I returned from ankle surgery (my arches were KILLING me when I first started running after the surgery, so I needed more arch support). I just picked up a pair of Brooks ST Racers (along with a new pair of Brooks Adrenalines-- switching back from the Kayanos which I wore after surgery for the better arch support). The ST racers are a bit lighter-- more like a flat-- but, they still feel like a training shoe. I'll let you know how they feel after I've done a few workouts and races in them.

    For now, I have to agree with Merkel-- wear what you've been training in. Weight doesn't matter much when you're cruising at 6:30 pace (vs. 5:xx pace). You won't notice a few ounces-- at least I don't (though Matt's point about the 3,300 pounds is a bit scary). However, I've found that my feet are the parts that hurt the worst after a marathon. With lighter shoes, I can't even imagine how they'd feel!

    If I don't talk to you soon, GOOD LUCK!

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  9. Dane5/31/07, 9:47 AM

    I am one of those annoying people who can slap on any old pair of shoes and do a decent run. My 4 fastest times in a marathon have been in four different pairs of shoes: Nike Zoom Miler, Adidas Adizer; Some pair of Sauconys and I think Brooks.

    See how helpful I am? :)

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  10. Melissa5/31/07, 11:18 AM

    Wow, thanks everyone. I'll let you know what shoes I go with.

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  11. DaveO6/4/07, 3:46 PM

    Hey Melissa, I'm a big heavy donkey and the Brooks ST Racer was great for my marathon. I'm out right now but I blew my IT Band out before the marathon and ran anyway so I'm 99% sure it was not the shoe. I know you wear them too so try them out on a long run 20miles or so and see what you think.

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