:D Barefoot Running

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Originally Posted by JSBean

slightly off-topic, but i'm running the barcelona marathon on sunday and don't know which shoes to wear. i did most of my training, including all of my longest runs in a pair of Asics Ds Trainers. i've done a lot of my recent shorter runs in a pair of Inov-8 220s.

The Asics weren't perfect and I did get a couple of niggles (ankles mostly) after about 90 mins of running, but I know where I stand with them and could live with it for 3 and a half hours on Sunday.

I still get the same sort of aches in the Inov-8s, but I haven't done as many longer runs in them, with my longest being about 12 miles last weekend.

My head says wear the Asics, but the Inov-8s are so much lighter and I am tempted to think that if it is going to hurt, then I might as well do it in the faster shoes. Yes, the Inov-8s have less protection, but I do run 'better' in them, and I think my problems with the Asics stem from lazily slipping into a semi-heel-striking gait.

Which should I wear?

PS: I think a barefoot marathon may be a bit much for me at the moment.

;-)

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Sounds to me like you've answered your own question. the Asics give the illusion of protection but you're saying you get niggly injuries wearing them! If you're used to wearing the Inov-8's on long runs, stick them on for the big one me thinks. I don't think 'slipping into a semi-heel-striking-gait' in the Asics is going to benefit you over a marathon distance!!!

I agree. I've just done the Marrakech marathon (first one on road since 1982) in a pair of featherlites (220's) and wouldn't have contemplated anything else. It took me I guess about twelve months to train myself away from tradiational road shoes to using featherlites and five fingers (although have always used 330's on the fells and love X-Talons - probably my favourite shoe ever - and the featherlites give me the X-talon without a stud. Perfect.

cheers gents. it's funny, but i think the old way of thinking about shoes is going to take longer to train out of than the old way of running (if you get what i mean). it still seems as though it should be slightly illogical but only because it's contrary to the perceived wisdom.

a couple of millimetres worth of foam is going to do far less for me over 40,000 steps than running properly will.

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Originally Posted by JSBean

a couple of millimetres worth of foam is going to do far less for me over 40,000 steps than running properly will.

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Absolutely!!!:)

So anyway

I ran in my Walsh PB racers today
you really don't get much less cushioning and a flatter sole than they give.

Lets face it Walshes are pre-technology shoes; straight out of the '50s.
no science, no flannel, no sell, just shoes.

(particularly with this pair - proper vintage they are, made from leather - how long has it been since they were made with leather ? They've been at the back of the cupboard a long long time. I've had several pairs of "modern ones". I've been preserving these, love 'em )

The more you go lighter (or should that be the less you go lighter?) the more you can't go back to heavy.

I've been pretty exclusively running in Vibrams and X-Talons since the last of the snow. Went for a quicky this morning in my 285's which most would class as "racers" - they felt like two huge clumps of lead strapped to my slabs of meat.:D

Now, this is not a complaint. I love the 285's. Got me round 46.6 miles of the Beacons last year with almost no complaints and after being completely immersed on a number of occasions, a surprisingly low blister count too.

I've just come to the point where they actually are noticeably heavy.

Can't wait for the new shoes II ;) Should be soon now...?

I know how you feel. I've been running a lot in my F-lite 230s and the 295's feel really clumpy in comparison.

I like them so much managed to grab another pair for £30 inc p&P!!!

what you reckon to the flites for road running?


Fancy going lightweight instead of my clumpy asics

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Originally Posted by Fleeter

what you reckon to the flites for road running?


Fancy going lightweight instead of my clumpy asics

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Will marshalls got some 230s and says there great for speed work, the canal bank and odd field or two he really likes them

Just got back from spain where I ran the Barcelona marathon (road) in 3:28 in a pair of 220s. It hurt because marathons hurt, but it didn't hurt because of the shoes. Very pleased.