What shoes to wear for my first marathon?

Running Shoes/Running Gear Shoes

7 years ago 04/12/2017 2:02pm EDT

I'm a former competitive runner who ran ~14:10 in college 6 years ago. I barely ran at all the last few years but have gotten back into it and am training for my first marathon. My goal is 2:30 (a bit aggressive, but I want to set the bar somewhat high to keep myself excited and focused). Anyway, I would really like to race in something lighter than my usual trainers but am unsure if this is a wise decision. Because of other life obligations, my mileage is going to top out at about 60mpw, and I've always been big for a runner besides (5'11 and 160lbs). While I know racing in some sturdy flats would help me achieve my goal time, I wonder if my feet and legs could tolerate the beating. Since this will be my first go at the marathon distance, I don't really know what to expect.

Any thoughts on this?

7 years ago 04/12/2017 2:06pm EDT

re: Serious amateur

Kinvaras are pretty light for trainers and are also super comfortable. I'm debuting in the marathon in a month too and that's what I'm wearing.

7 years ago 04/13/2017 9:48pm EDT

re: Serious amateur

As a triathlete, we are all big, and we all have to swim 2.4 and bike 112 before starting the 262. run which means are run form is junk by the time we start running, I have found that you can have your cake and eat it two with the Nike Lunaracer. They are now up to #4. I have spend the better part of 7 years in the #1, #2, and #3 and they are incredibly light yet have a ton of cushioning at the same time. 190 grams for 42.5.

I am looking forward to trying the #4 at some point but I am cheap and you can get the #3 for pretty good prices these days on close-out.

Link to Nike Lunaracer #3s:

http://amzn.to/2osmWtH

7 years ago 04/13/2017 10:00pm EDT

re: Serious amateur

Something that you have either done long runs or a lot of marathon paced work in. It's just shoes. Don't overthink it.

7 years ago 04/13/2017 10:24pm EDT

re: Serious amateur

Serious amateur wrote:
I'm a former competitive runner who ran ~14:10 in college 6 years ago. I barely ran at all the last few years but have gotten back into it and am training for my first marathon. My goal is 2:30 (a bit aggressive, but I want to set the bar somewhat high to keep myself excited and focused). Anyway, I would really like to race in something lighter than my usual trainers but am unsure if this is a wise decision. Because of other life obligations, my mileage is going to top out at about 60mpw, and I've always been big for a runner besides (5'11 and 160lbs). While I know racing in some sturdy flats would help me achieve my goal time, I wonder if my feet and legs could tolerate the beating. Since this will be my first go at the marathon distance, I don't really know what to expect.
Any thoughts on this?

Ignore the guy who says shoes don't matter for a 2:30 marathoner. The adidas Adios Boost is a good choice for you. 2:30 goal and low mileage.

7 years ago 04/14/2017 1:23am EDT

re: Serious amateur

Since you are a bigger guy, I wouldn't wear true racing flats for your first marathon. If you can find performance oriented trainers geared more for tempo/threshold runs that would be faster than your every day shoes. For comparison, I'm a fairly small dude (was 5'8 and 120 lbs at the time of my marathon), but have no athletic talent to speak of. I wore my regular trainers for both my half and full marathons and still ran well relative to my lack of talent.

7 years ago 04/14/2017 1:27am EDT

re: Serious amateur

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