A Serious Discussion of Training in Racing Flats

I think Asics has some pretty good entry flats - something like the gel hyperspeed 6 that has 6mm heel to toe drop.

There are lots of cushioned shoes on the market these days that are as light as flats. They are very cheap too. They are made of the same materials as the much more expensive brands.

You don´t have to run in flats. Shoes like Saucony Kinvara have low drop, plenty of cushioning and are lightweight.

And cost 4 times the price of my even lighter cushioned shoes.

You're paying for the name, not the technology.

Sure, he doesn't have to run in flats, but why not?

cushioned lightweights wrote:

There are lots of cushioned shoes on the market these days that are as light as flats. They are very cheap too. They are made of the same materials as the much more expensive brands.

Care to give a few examples?

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well,. wrote:

cushioned lightweights wrote:

There are lots of cushioned shoes on the market these days that are as light as flats. They are very cheap too. They are made of the same materials as the much more expensive brands.

Care to give a few examples?

Kinvara (inexpensive)

Go Run (inexpensive)

Clifton

Lunartempo (inexpensive)

Gel 33

Zante

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I have trained and raced exclusively in flats for seven years or so. I think one thing that's really important for people who train in flats is that they are not heel striking. No, I'm not some born to run loser, but your form should be good before you try and transition to flats or you'll more than likely end up injured and unhappy. I changed my form completely to combat injuries and eventually ended up in flats. I'm not saying that this a cure all for every runner, it's just what worked for me (and still does I suppose). I have not had a running injury since switching to flats, or at least not one that prevented me from training. I have certainly had normal little stuff but nothing compared to what I was experiencing in trainers.

For me, I like my flat to be as flexible as possible. I want no rigidity in it at all. I prefer the Saucony Kilkenny XC flat. My test for a flat is I place it in my hand and try and roll it up like a ball. If I can to that easily, I think that it will be good for me. Again, this is what works for me and it may not work for other people.

As HRE said ( i think) you can wear the hell out of flats. I have put 1200 miles on mine and that is almost always on concrete/asphalt. 100 mile weeks on the roads and not a single problem. I like having no cushioning. For some that may take some getting used to. Fo me, it was not a problem,

My flats cost $55 dollars now. When I first started wearing them they were under $50. That's another huge plus.

What are some of your pr's?

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I have mentioned on this board more than once that it's almost always the cushioning in a shoe that's worn out when the shoe is worn out and that shoes with almost no cushioning can last almost forever because there's nothing to wear out. I don't know if I've said it on this thread or not and I'm not going back and reading it all. Just wanted to back you up.

And yeah, the great thing about some flats, the Kilkenny is the obvious one, the Zoom Streaks are sort of the same, is that they're much cheaper than anything else. Shoes like the Wave Universe, the Piranha 5, the New Balance Minimus series are really nice shoes but the prices are off the wall.

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HRE wrote:

I have mentioned on this board more than once that it's almost always the cushioning in a shoe that's worn out when the shoe is worn out and that shoes with almost no cushioning can last almost forever because there's nothing to wear out. I don't know if I've said it on this thread or not and I'm not going back and reading it all. Just wanted to back you up.

And yeah, the great thing about some flats, the Kilkenny is the obvious one, the Zoom Streaks are sort of the same, is that they're much cheaper than anything else. Shoes like the Wave Universe, the Piranha 5, the New Balance Minimus series are really nice shoes but the prices are off the wall.

I never liked NB sneakers until they started making the minimus and ones like that but I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a flat when I can get a Kilkenny for $55. No way in hell I'm going to pay twice the money for something else.

What are some your guys' mpw and pr's looking like after training in flats?

I'll chime in too wrote:

As HRE said ( i think) you can wear the hell out of flats. I have put 1200 miles on mine and that is almost always on concrete/asphalt. 100 mile weeks on the roads and not a single problem. I like having no cushioning. For some that may take some getting used to. For me, it was not a problem, My flats cost $55 dollars now. When I first started wearing them they were under $50. That's another huge plus.

These things are exactly what I look for as well, flexibility, light weight, durability, no cushioning, no heel counters, good fit and reasonable price. I'll take a look at the K's.

PR city wrote:

What are some your guys' mpw and pr's looking like after training in flats?

This. Anyone?