What about the Steak XC?
What about the Steak XC?
8" wrote:
Guys posting here saying they train 100-120 miles a week in flats without injury ARE LYING TO YOU PEOPLE.
I'm a woman here and just PRed in the Half Marathon on Sat. (1:19:21) while wearing pink Puma H Streets. I've trained and raced in flats for 2 years, PRed at every distance from 5K and up, been up to 90 miles/week, and I'm still building to qualify for the Marathon Trials. No serious injuries (verses 7 prior stress fractures while training in trainers and orthotics... explain that now, will 'ya!!!!!!!!).
Pardon, it was Sunday, not Sat..
Jaguar1
When you transitioned to H streets, did you go straight to them or did you transition with other shoes, for example racing flats?
Thanks
While I find this thread very informative, the original question, "Do elite runners train in flats?", has not been answered. There has been mention of Japanese runners wearing flats to train but just speculation about other elite runners. Lets get some proof on what these runners are wearing to train in. I checked on the Hansons site and the majority of their team train in a mixture of stability and cushion shoes with a few mentioning they do some running in light weight trainers. Obviously the Hanson runners and probably other elite runners do their speed/tempo stuff in something lighter than there training shoes but to do the majority of their training in flats, I doubt it, unless someone can prove otherwise and please do.
Most runners, elite or not, run in conventional shoes. Some, Anne Audain, Jack Foster, Ric Sayre,numerous Japanese runners, train in flats.
No, most elite runners do not train in flats for more than 15 to 30 miles max a week. The rest is done in light weight or heavy trainers. What does this mean? That most runners to what everyone else does whether it is helpful or not. I do know that almost every elite runner races in flats or spikes. What does this mean? That in order to run fast it is best not to have a brick of a shoe underneath one's foot. Conclusion: if you want to run fast wear flats or spikes!
converting wrote:
Jaguar1
When you transitioned to H streets, did you go straight to them or did you transition with other shoes, for example racing flats?
Thanks
I started from scratch back in Dec. '03, after laying off for 7 weeks because of IT Band problems-- I donated my Nike Pegasus's to a homeless shelter and tossed out my orthotics, which I had worn for 4 years. I started in the Ultimate 81's (felt my Asics Tiger Paws were too soft), and trained in these for 6 months, building about 10 miles/month. Then in June '04 I switched to the Puma H Streets and have been wearing these since. I've averaged above 70 the past 16 months and have been over 80 since July (peaking at 90 right before my Half on Sunday); the most miles/week I had ever been able to handle in trainers was 62. The hardest part of the transition was dealing with sore ankles the first 3 months, but like I said I just gradually built my mileage and kept the intensity very low. I started barefoot running in March '04 (just 5-10 min. at a time)-- this works wonders! About 5-10% of my weekly mileage now is done barefoot on grass.
I'd say for anyone who's already at high mileage to successfully transition would be just a matter of doing more miles each week in flats, combined with more barefoot activity (walking/running). It's just a gradual process of letting your feet/legs adapt to the new "stress" and getting stronger. If something hurts, back off and change something-- don't continue to subject yourself to the same repeated stress to the point where you can't run pain-free. Just listen to your body and play it by ear.
Is this shoe worth looking at?
The Streak XC is an excellent shoe - I pr'd at Chicago with them. I do think it might be too big of a jump to move from thick trainers/orthotics to the Streak XC. Since you like Nike, you might also check out he Pegasus Racer.
Have you read "Pose Method" of running?
Converting,
Besides just listening to your body, I would highly recommend that you read the book "Pose Method of running". It has an excellent methodology of how to run most efficiently, with form drills in sequences that allow your body to quickly adapt to a new pattern of movement. Which in your case will be to wear the H street shoes which require maximum efficiency from your biomechanics in order to run injury free. Just check it out, it will save you lots of set backs. I have also been training in the H street shoes for almost a year. I no longer wear standard trainers or flats for my running. Once your form is at a level that you can efficiently run all of your miles in H streets you will not want to go back. The key to a successful transition in a dedicated focus on how you are running, that is why the book I mention will help you. Good luck!
Would you recommend moving to the Peg Racer or Zoom Elite first before going to either the Marathoner and Streak XC?
What would a natural progression be for someone moving from orthotics & stability shoes?
gc,
Just curious, why were you fitted for orthotics?
Hi, I have been running in the asics onitsuka (limber up moscow) for the past six months without any problem. But now they are so much worn out that I can see my toes coming out from the top of the shoe. For my next pair, should I stick to these shoes or buy something even more minimalist
Thanks for the advice. I usually wear stability shoes with orthotics and get a major injury once a year which I am always told is b/c I pronate. I guess I can't really get injured training in flats as much as I do w/ stability shoes and orthotics. I also run over 100 mpw in marathon training.
jag, your story is a very inspirational and really the only one I've read that backs up the claims of other minimalists with some solid markers (mpw's and prior sf's). And congrats on the half PR.
I'm just coming off a sf injury and am going to use this ramp-up period to rely wholly on minimalist shoes. Must get a tad better at landing and lifting correctly before moving to the h-streets, though, which I own and like very much.
ML
I would say it is worth trying the zoom elite, peg racer, or zoom marathoner (any of those 3) before moving to the streak xc. I think you may be limiting yourself by only wearing Nike. Here's my progression...
Through Fall '04
Structure Triax/2080/2090 (Zoom Elite for the marathon)
Spring '05
DS Trainer/NB900 (Zoom Streak Vapor for the marathon)
Wave Aero/Streak Vapor
Summer & Fall '05
Puma Aello/Streak Vapor/Wave Spacer/Streak XC (Streak XC for the marathon)
Now I'm training in Tiger Paws and Racing in Streak XC
Jaguar1 can you email me that paper, video etc.
How do all of your non-minimalistic training partners respond to your footwear selections?