"Bekele admitted on Wednesday that he had injured himself earlier this year trying to use the latest incarnation of Nike's shoe technology.
The shoes, which use a carbon plate and highly resilient foam to maximise the energy returned to runners, have coincided with new world records in both the men's and women's marathon.
"Several times I had some minor injuries, like a muscle stretch, because the shoe is not stable under the foot," said Bekele. "
"It's really unshaped. It's really soft. The muscle needs to adjust to the movement under it. It's really difficult."
He could have been wrapped in packing foam and layered in bubble wrap; and he’d still be injured. He’s almost 40. The machine can only take so many years of beatdown before it just doesnt work right anymore. All that extra weight throws off biomechanics, leading to even more injuries.
Loved the 4%
Loved Next%
Tried the Alphafly twice now, not only are my times way slower wearing them - like strapping two bricks to my feet, but my Plantar Fascia flares every-time I use them.
I don't get it, I want them to be good and obviously Galen Rupp used them to maximum effect earlier this year but its obviously a shoe that requires alot of training in so your foot can adapt.
Sub Max wrote:
Loved the 4%
Loved Next%
Tried the Alphafly twice now, not only are my times way slower wearing them - like strapping two bricks to my feet, but my Plantar Fascia flares every-time I use them.
I don't get it, I want them to be good and obviously Galen Rupp used them to maximum effect earlier this year but its obviously a shoe that requires alot of training in so your foot can adapt.
You don't get it? You are not an elite runner nor have the bio-mechanics for a shoe like that, that's why.
The lower drop might be why your plantar is flaring.
The few people I know who have the alphafly are really lukewarm on them. They do look like they're designed for elites with better form and footstrike than amateurs
Elite runners have a model made for their foot. What the consumer buys is one type fits all.
doctorj wrote:
Sub Max wrote:
Loved the 4%
Loved Next%
Tried the Alphafly twice now, not only are my times way slower wearing them - like strapping two bricks to my feet, but my Plantar Fascia flares every-time I use them.
I don't get it, I want them to be good and obviously Galen Rupp used them to maximum effect earlier this year but its obviously a shoe that requires alot of training in so your foot can adapt.
You don't get it? You are not an elite runner nor have the bio-mechanics for a shoe like that, that's why.
Being an elite runner has nothing to do with it. Even Bekele has problems with the Alpha and he's as elite as it gets. Bottom line, the purpose is to sell shoes. Its not good if both hobby joggers and Bekele can love the 4% and Next%, but hate the Alphas.
honestly it seems to me that they made the alphafly that kipchoge wore in Vienna and it was probably a dope shoe. then the shoe reg came out and they had to adjust to the new standards and the shoe is proably meh.
Interesting how the alphafly made Kipchoge 5 minutes slower.
Nike should discount these shoes. Personally I would like a pegasus turbo 3.