Not running workouts in supershoes: anyone else?

I prefer to wear flats for track sessions, but when I’m doing longer tempo sessions (6+ miles) I like to wear super shoes to help my body recover faster. It definitely helps me to feel more confident on race day knowing that I’ve hit my splits in a slower shoe. Not sure I agree with the shoes being the reason why you bombed a few races, but everyone is different.

You’re overthinking. Working out in super shoes will help you recover faster and run more efficiently. Wearing different shoes in workouts probably has no correlation with having a bad race. If anything it’s mental. If wearing your trainers in workouts gives you the confidence you need to race well, then go for it. But I would say to take advantage of the new technology that allows you to save your legs and train at a faster pace at the same time. Look at all the pros, they aren’t doing their workouts in nike invincibles, infinites, or pegs. They’re wearing the damn super shoes. Embrace positive change in the sport. Too many athletes think that being “old school” somehow makes them tougher or more ready to race, when in reality they are missing out on the benefits of advanced technology.

Adapt to modern technology, I didn’t and my 12 kids all died of whooping cough

I'm not sure about plated shoes on a track - isn't the track bouncy enough?

I wear peg turbo 2s for track and then will use VFs for road stuff - longer tempos/m pace long runs/of course road racing.

save the pop brotha

Can you please explain how it is that supershoes help you get faster if you're putting the same effort into workouts? I am truly open to this idea, but I've been confused by this forever. If I "recover faster," does that mean I just did not break down the muscles as much, and then I'm not getting as much regrowth and adaptation? I also wouldn't say the bad races have been mental, since I wasn't then aware of the effect that I've just realized now.

Because getting better at running isn't just about breaking down muscles and building them back up. Probably the most important factor is your body's ability to perform the Cori Cycle--basically making lactate (lactic acid), sending it off to your liver, and having it return as usable energy. This is what threshold training is designed to improve.

The super shoes can help you work on this without as much muscle damage--meaning in theory you can practice hard for a longer period of time, practice hard more often, or simply have less residual fatigue for subsequent workouts/races.

Reduced muscle damage/fatigue from super shoes means the possibility of more aerobic benefit (working at a higher %) than you'd otherwise be able to. That can be a big impact.

Also, running faster in the shoes lets you practice efficiency of movement at higher speeds for the same effort.

If I wanted to spend a crap load of money, I'd be a triathlete.

Thank God I don't run competitively anymore so I don't have to put a bunch of money into this nonsense.

What are Supershoes and do they come with a Superman cape 🤔

I prefer doing my workouts in non super shoes because I like knowing that I will get a boost (physical and perhaps mental) in an actual race by running in faster shoes. The only exception is that I use an older pair of Endorphin Pros on a dirt trail, but I don't think there is much benefit on that type of terrain, they are just comfortable and lightweight.

I think you've got a little bit of a mental thing going with the super shoes, so you'll need not to put more importance/weight on them than they'll bear. They're not magic, and they won't sabotage your fitness. If they don't work for you, for whatever reason, don't use them. But I imagine they can work for you (for the reasons folks say in this thread about conditioning), so try not to give them so much baggage.

Personally, I have "super" shoes (multiple pairs of the Endorphin Speeds, which have the nylon plate, rather than carbon fiber) and I wear them for about 75% of my runs, which means about 75% of my workout days (I don't consciously switch them in or out). For me, the shoes (and their foam) make a noticeable difference in how my body feels after even a normal run during the week, compared to my non-super shoes (I have some Hokas and non-super Ons). My race performances stink (I'm slow) but they also don't seem to get worse based on whether I wore my Speeds in the workouts leading up to the race.

Good luck in your racing.