Do elite train in flats?

I am looking to buy the h streets online. Are they pretty much all the same, except some are leather, I see different letters next to each. Just want to make sure they are all the same shoe.

Some h streets have a more open mesh upper, while others have a tighter weave - probably a little more protection from the elements.

hell no.

H Street R is ripstop nylon.

H Street NM is open mesh.

H Street M is light garment leather.

Yes, the ripstop will provide a slightly better barrier if you run through a puddle - especially if you spray them.

I like the gola coupe as a black leather shoe. They aren't exactly dressy, but it looks ok with black pants.

Get H Street NM; lovely mesh outer. Feels like a true racing flat.

As for weights and whatnot, I know that the New Balance RC 150 and the H Street each weigh 5.2 ounces and have a heel of 20 mm and a forefoot of 12 mm.

That is about the thinnest sole you will find anywhere. Only the Free (one of the versions AFTER 5.0, I suppose) has a smaller heel drop at 6 mm.

As for the weights, next to your bare feet (0 oz) and the Nike Mayfly (4.7 ounces) and Nike Zoom Miler (4.7 ounces) there are no lighter shoes anywhere.

Are you kidding? Go Old Skool and get some Nike Cortez or adidas Gazelles.

oasis wrote:

What about the runner who has been in stability trainers with orthotics, no injuries but really likes the feel and less weight of running in flats or lighter trainers, should he try training in flats or lightweight trainers with orthotics or no orthotics.

I have (or I should say "had") flat feet and made the switch from cushioned trainers and orthotics (which I had worn for 4 years) to wearing just flats. I started from scratch, as I had layed off for several weeks because of IT Band problems. Yes, my calves (for a few weeks) and ankles (for about 3 months) were very sore! However, I was patient and simply kept the intensity low and built my miles up by about 10 each month (10-20-30-40-50-60-70). I started out in the Ultimate 81s in Dec. '03, and by June '04 I switched to the Puma H Streets, which I've been wearing since. Around March '04 after training in flats for 4 months, I started adding in some barefoot running. Now, I'd say about 10% of my weekly mileage is done barefoot on grass. My training in flats is done on all surfaces.

The past year, I've averaged well over 70 miles/week, and have been over 80 since July. The reason I use the word "had" flat feet is because I've actually developed somewhat of an arch. If you were to take an imprint of my feet before and after, there's a difference! Flat feet correlate with 'weak feet'-- strengthen the muscles in your feet and lower legs, and your feet get stronger and fatigue less. I could walk around barefoot or with flip flops all day if I wanted to. This was impossible when I wore trainers and orthotics all the time. However, you have to remember to gradually transition to wearing less, to let your feet and lower legs adapt to the new stress. Something hurts, change something.... I've found that the barefoot running keeps me in one piece.

Sounds like you've tried most of them. After reading threads on them I've gone to the Mayfly from the T4 (great flat)just for a change. Could you compare the Mayfly to the Streak XC? Fit, function, etc.? Thanx

Very interesting. Thanks

You have also stayed healthy running in the h streets and flats right??

Do you go barefoot when there is snow on the ground?

"I know that the New Balance RC 150 and the H Street each weigh 5.2 ounces and have a heel of 20 mm and a forefoot of 12 mm."

That is incorrect. The H is about 12/7. Many current "racing flats" are closer to 20/10.

What type of exercises do you use to strengthen your feet and lower legs? I haven't been injured with stability shoes and orthotics, I just like running with lighter shoes, I don't know if I could drop the orthotics completely, "if it ain't broke don't fix it", I think I will try lighter shoes at first with my orthotics and see how this feels.

If I were you, I would start with walking/jogging/drills w/o shoes on grass. I was doing that before I moved to minimal shoes and it definitely made a difference.

I would limit it to 10min at first.

Pose22 wrote:

"I know that the New Balance RC 150 and the H Street each weigh 5.2 ounces and have a heel of 20 mm and a forefoot of 12 mm."

That is incorrect. The H is about 12/7. Many current "racing flats" are closer to 20/10.

Did you measure it? I had always heard it was 20/12. 12/7 sounds ridiculously low, but who knows?

Recommendations wrote:

Pose22 wrote:

"I know that the New Balance RC 150 and the H Street each weigh 5.2 ounces and have a heel of 20 mm and a forefoot of 12 mm."

That is incorrect. The H is about 12/7. Many current "racing flats" are closer to 20/10.

Did you measure it? I had always heard it was 20/12. 12/7 sounds ridiculously low, but who knows?

Yes, I did. +/- 1mm. The Tiger Paw is 20/10. You can see and feel that the Hs are much lower than the TP.

yeah, 12-7 sounds right from the look of the h-streets. 2 centimeters (20 mm) is fairly substantial.

Last pair of H-streets I bought was from Journey's - a mall store. They had some discontinued colors for $39.95.

I've been doing most of my training in H-streets lately. I still get a sore achilles when I push hard on hills, but it seems to clear up overnight. Maybe it's my age (60). I've been doing a combination of flats, H-streets, and barefoot for 6 months. It's funny to put on a pair of Mizuno Phantom's - they feel like they have a mile tall heel - like marshmallows.