I’ll never run in a super shoe. Here’s why.

It’s not cheating if all of the other competitors have access and are allowed to use them. The genie is out of the bottle and there’s no putting him back in.

Having said that, anyone who wants to pretend they aren’t actually 4 seconds per mile slower if they were in 2018 shoes is seriously deluding themselves. This isn’t the same conversation as, “well, track technology got better or training methods got better.” No, the shoes literally helped you improve one sec per lap overnight. Now, watch all the downvoting highschoolers go to town…

Then you should DEFINITELY wear super shoes. All the older runners I know swear that these shoes have made their legs feel 10 years younger. They wear them like 75% of the time.

That’s why I don’t even wear shoes, nor moisture wicking material. Literal cheating. /s

Track spikes were invented in 1850 bruh. 1 8 5 0!!! How is a piece of tech invented at the dawn of competitive running considered cheating? Nice false equivalency. The spikes pre cheat-shoes have more in common with spikes from 1890 than they have with the current tech. But keep justifying your 15:58 5k.

I think your life is pathetic. Weedwacker!

the Fosbury Flop looked ridiculous at one point too

Swimming was facing this same issue (when super suits came out and everyone realized all the world records would be beaten).

what did they do? They banned the suits.

Why didn't running? because the people who make these decisions also worked for Nike, the company that lead the revolution. When Asics made a shoe with a spring in it - they declared it illegal just after the 10K road record was broken. So there is precedent for them banning things that give an advantage. The question now is how far do they go - in what they allow.

I have joked for years super tracks (with springs in them like a gymnastics floor) would be next - only to see that we are now at that point. If these are allowed, what next?

wind aided tracks - putting large fans stationed around the track (particularly indoor tracks)

Propulsion devices that could be worn by the runners (like a jet pack)

the sport has to step in and make some rulings...I can't stand the state of the sport today. I will also not wear super shoes, take PED's, etc. to be faster. actually I'm not ever sure I want to race anymore - what is the point. If I run fast I will be accused of cheating (especially if I am not wearing super shoes). The sport has lost it fun and fairness.

thanks Nike and Seb Coe (enjoy your money)

You raise good points. The problem is that some of the companies making these things aren't independent from the governing body, at least off paper. When Seb Coe benefits from Nike getting its way and other big wigs benefit from nike and other companies, there is a vested interest to allow what the companies want.

World Athletics would have to be restructured or subject to some kind of outside integrity body.

Just run raves where they don't real work. Xc,trail, soft beach sand

I coached a guy for a while who wanted to get under 3:00 for the marathon. He was very close but not quite there. It was about then that the super shoes hit the market and I suggested he get a pair. He was close enough to 3:00 that I was pretty sure it would do the trick. But he didn't want to do that. He didn't want "aid" to get under 3:00 and I completely respected that. But he didn't say that people using the shoes were cheating, just that he didn't want to go that route, which I also completely respected. It always annoys me when someone decides to call something that's legal cheating just because he doesn't like it.

But I too think they look ugly as sin.

I have a friend who's a pretty big shot at a shoe company that isn't Nike. When the super shoes came out I asked him if he thought the shoes would have been allowed if a company other than Nike had gotten them patented onto the market first. He was sure the shoes were only allowed because Nike made them first.

I totally agree. I love beating runners who pay 300 dollars to run fast. If super shoes are ok, why not wheels on shoes. If everyone has access to them,it's ok right?

I was able to double my mileage when I started training in super shoes. Injuries faded and got the double effect of better training and supershoe effect.

looking forward to improve 3,5% 😁

Specifically choosing your racing shoe for it's slowness. Like taking a spoon to a swordfight. On purpose.

Another thought. Track benefits from records. They are exciting. Frequent records falling mean large crowds. If records get rare, less people care about track. So world athletics has a vested interest outside of the influence of corporations too. I'm not sure what viewership or attendance at swim meets is, but I can't imagine it's high except for the Olympics.

there are people who do this in the world of competitive video games. Choosing to play as a "low tier" character unlocks the low tier option select.

If I win, I am amazing because I just beat you with a low tier character.

If I lose, it's because I am playing a low tier character

I'll never do a lot of things that are trendy now...like download Strava, run with a phone, buy a smart watch or even wear a watch for easy runs. Remember Nike Waffle racers? It was all very exciting back in the day. I 100 percent would be doing all the trends if I were younger. It does stink for the old school crew when their records fall due to better shoes and tracks.

1850 was the dawn of competitive running? I'm thinking the ancient greeks (heard of the Olympics have you?) might beg to differ....

I have never worn a pair of super shoes. At 57 I can barely run these days, I ache terribly. Would the super shoes help?

I assume they were more for racing and help to shave off those few seconds per X that lead to better times, but not necessarily something that will reduced the shock and help old arthritic knees.

$250 shoes are a lot better than knee replacement, or not running at all.