Do you have a pair of shoes for racing and one for training?

runrchk · Mar 30, 2008

I tend to race in the same shoes I train in. When I was in high school I had a pair of racing shoes and a pair of training shoes. I need a lot of cushioning and the racing shoes I had were a step above running bare foot. Have they gotten any better with the cushioning over the years?

ctxcrossx · Mar 30, 2008

You can get them in all sorts of weights and amount of cushioning. Your best bet is to go to a running store to try on several pairs to see how much "shoe" you're comfortable with. You may consider using a shoe in the category lightweight trainer. Here's a quick definition I just found online: Lightweight Training Running Shoes Lightweight training shoes come with a general classification of being under 11oz. (Men’s 9) or 9oz. (Women’s 7). These shoes usually contain more cushioned and supportive structures than racing flats, but less than Cushioned and Stability shoes. Lightweight Training shoes can usually be used up to marathon distance in race conditions. <a href="http://www.trisports.com/lightweight-training-shoes.html" target="_blank">http://www.trisports.com/lightweight...ing-shoes.html</a> 
I personally like the New Balance 902 shoes in this category. 
Chris

runrchk · Mar 30, 2008

Thanks!! I will look into it. I know it is not good to run and train in the same shoe.

mykemp1971 · Mar 31, 2008

Really? I race and train in the same shoe for most races. Every once in a while I break out with my racing flats for 5-15k races. Generally though, I haven't had any problems racing and training in the same shoe, I just make sure to keep track of the mileage, and replace them when they are between 400 and 500 miles.

RunAsics · Mar 31, 2008

Personal preference I guess. I used to have one pair of shoes for everything. No problems. These days I have lightweight trainers that I use solely for speedwork and races. Works out well. With flats, I'd maybe do the occasional track workouts to get used to the feel but that's it. However, I haven't felt the need to get flats since shoes are generally pretty light to start with 
For me, the key is not to run too many miles in the lighter shoes as the tread tends to wear down faster than standard stability or cushioning shoes. You can make them last the entire season (or longer); whereas your standard shoe will have to be replaced a number of times (depending on you mileage).

willamona · Mar 31, 2008

I train in trainers and race anything under a half marathon in racing flats. The half and full marathon are done in lightweight trainers if I am racing. But I have like 4-5 pairs of shoes I rotate through at any given time, and I do train in my racers.

Timr1 · Mar 31, 2008

Yeah me too, but too a point. runrchk are you saying not to train and race in the EXACT same shoe (ie only own one pair at a time) or not to train and race in the same model of shoe. Currently, I have two pairs of the same model shoe in heavy training rotation. I have a third pair of the same model that has much lower mileage on it. That will be my shoe for the marathon this week. And, I have a pair of low mileage lightweight trainers that I'll wear for 5Ks and 10Ks (basically anything shorter than HM). I'm going to pick up a pair of trail shoes for this year's Xterra 10K (off road) to see how I like those. You can get by with one shoe, but I find it's better to rotate multiples of the same shoe and that sometimes you need a specific shoe for a specific purpose. I bet that's clear as mud. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

mykemp1971 · Mar 31, 2008

Tim - I totally agree on the rotation. I always have at least 2 pairs of shoes in rotation at any given time.

runrchk · Apr 1, 2008

<img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> Yes it was about as clear as mud<img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> 
To be honest I have one pair of shoes that I train and race in. The only time I had two different pairs of shoes was in high school. I always THOUGHT the proper way to do it was to have a pair for training and a pair for racing. The racing shoe would be lighter and less bulky than the training shoe. Having one pair of shoes has worked for me but I didn't think it was the proper thing to do.

fox-runr · Apr 12, 2008

I've done it both ways. Raced and trained in same shoe brand (not same shoe, I always rotate 3-4 pairs) 
I still do it that way for most races, but for my key 1 or 2 races a year, I wear lightweight trainers thta shouild be consider flats (5-6 ounces). I have a pair of flats that have raced in twice, I only bring them out when a 5k or 10k PR is in mind. Maybe next year.

bhearn · Apr 12, 2008

Wow. My "flats" are ~10 oz. Sucks to be size 11.5! I am going to be looking for something lighter at the Boston expo, though. (Not for Boston, of course!)

kingsley zissou · Apr 18, 2008

I was told by a knowledgeable salesman in a reputable running specialty store that before even considering a lighter, performance-oriented shoe - like the Asics DS Trainer - I should be running a little faster. Something like sub 38 minutes for 10K. 
The only information he had to go on was that I usually run in the Asics 1000 series and have a PB of 44 in the 10K. 
Does this sound like valid advice?

bhearn · Apr 18, 2008

Well I run about a 40-minute 10K, and I use flats up to marathons. Really it depends on how you personally handle less cushioning, and there's no real way to know without trying. 
However, that extra weight does make a difference, much more than extra body weight.

chances141 · May 30, 2008

I rotate three pair of AsicsGels, and race in them, too. Considering some lighter shoes for shorter races.

RunAsics · May 30, 2008

I'm not sure lighter shoes will shave 6 minutes off your 10k but they do make a difference. Often it's a mental boost to know that you have light, fast shoes. Later in a race, it's nice not to have "heavy" shoes. 
I now train in DS Trainer 13s and race in Gel Banditos, based on changes in shoe design. The Banditos are a posted long distance flat. Until this Spring, I used to train in GT2xxx and race in DS Trainer 10/11s. Before, that I trained and raced in GT2xxx. 
I only rotate shoes when one pair is nearing the end of its life. That may change as I'm about to pass the 50 mpm point.

mykemp1971 · May 30, 2008

I run in the Landreth, which is a lighter trainer, and I haven't had any problems. I do most of my training in the Landreth too. I'm not a sub38 guy... far from it. I'm pretty consistent between 42 and 43 in the 10k, with a PR of 41:59. 
Lots of times for 5 and 10k's I use Asics GEL Magic Racers (which I need to replace now), they are more of a racing flat. However, I'm not sure they make much of a difference for me other than psychologically. 
My PR is 41:59 on a flat course in April 2007, and I wore the Magic Racers. January 2008 on a VERY hilly 10k course, I wore my Landreths (trainers) which are heavier than the magic racers, and I ran it in 42:04.

bhearn · May 31, 2008

I wouldn't really call the Landreth light. I ran in them for a while; they seem comparable to the Saucony Trigon Ride. Your standard neutral cushioned trainer. 
I also raced in the Gel Magic Racers, for about a year. If you're going to replace them, the <a href="http://www.asicsamerica.com/products/product.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=240010093&TITLE_CATEGORY_ID=250001546" target="_blank">Gel Hyper-Speed 2</a> is the current equivalent shoe in the Asics line-up -- but much lighter. I almost bought a pair at the Boston expo, but instead opted for the <a href="http://saucony.com/ShoeDetails.aspx?gen=m&use=Race&id=1115&rel=1110,1115,1083,1128,1086,1093,1089,1116,1090" target="_blank">Saucony Grid Type A2</a>, which is also a neutral flat, and just a bit lighter. I've got five marathons on that pair now, and I have no complaints! 
All other things being equal, a lighter shoe should give you a faster time, if your feet can handle it.

Do you have a pair of shoes for racing and one for training?

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