Flats for marathons?

You may want to try the Adidas Taper or the Nike Air Streak. They both have a little more cushioing than the Cubatos, which I think are a great shoe, but I don't think I would try a marathon in them.

~MP

Addidas Taper are great,I am going to wear them in Chicago, trying to run low 2:30's. I did a 15 mile MP run in them and they felt great. They have extra cushion not found in a shoe like Cubato, but still feel very light like a flat. See you in Chicago...

I ran Boston in 2:29 in the Nike Streak Ekiden. They are very light and I didn't have any problems. It was actually my second marathon in them. I just got a new pair and plan on running my next marathon in them. I am 6'1" and 155 lbs. I think of myself as fairly efficient as well, so I haven't had any problems with wearing the super light flats in the marathon.

Ditto on Taper RC. Wore them last year in Chicago. Not much heavier than my Rats Racers but more support for the distance.

I ran Boston this year in a pair of Nike Air Streaks. My legs got pretty destroyed in the last few miles, but it WAS my first marathon. They have pretty good cushioning.

Still, for my next marathon (Cape Cod, Oct 27) I'll be wearing Nike Air Triax TC(+). They're about an ounce heavier than the Air Streaks but they have great cushioning. I have a feeling that good cushioning will serve me better than saving an ounce or two.

-Joe

I've run Boston several times in the Streaks (low 2:50's). Good shoes with adequate cushioning for me, but everyone is different and you'll have to determine what works for you. I'll be trying out the Brooks Hyperion Racers next weekend in St George. Guess we'll see what happens. I never say "good luck" since "luck" doesn't matter if you've done adequate training. So ... Best wishes to all running marathons this fall.

another vote for the adidas Taper. Good 1/2 mar.-marathon shoe. I\'ve run one of each in them and definitely recommend them (especially if you\'re a little bigger).

Agree on the taper rc for a 1/2 marathon, a very nice feel. have never tried them at a full marathon but am tempted. I use adidas gazelle proplates which work for me.

5 10, and 150 big for a distance runner?? This kills me. I'm 6 3, and 170-175. It's fun to run races and tower over everyone. I haven't tried the full marathon yet, only a few halfs here and there in 1:20 to 1:24. I'd love to run a full marathon under 3, possibly 2:50. Is my size really going to hurt me? And are there any flats for truly big guys? It's too bad I suck so bad at Bball that I have to run. That's ok, runners are cooler.

Any opinions on the Wave Phantoms?

Dude, I'm 6'4" and I'm 170 or so, so I know what it's like to be the "big guy" in distance running. I think my size hurts my running a bit, but what can you do? I have the cubatos right now, but there is no way I would race anything over a 10k in them. I think I'm going to get some of those nike triax t/c (or whatever their called) before I run a marathon this spring.

I'm a litle slower than ya'll but I plan to run the Motorola Marathon in February and am trainimg to run sub 3:15. I am currently 5'3 and no more than 110 lbs. Should I wear flats or my super light Asic Verdicts? Thanks for any imput.

Try a fairly long run or better yet a race in the light shoes and see how it works. YOU are the only one that can make the decision as to whether or not it works for YOU.

Sugarland (SW suburb of Houston) hosts a 30K in early December and it's mostly concrete. It'll give you plenty of time to recover before MM, and if your shoes / feet hold up, you'll have your answer. Plus, as a 3:15 marathoner, you'll probably place well (sorry no cash attached, though).

I think I'm going to compromise and where my Asics Gel DS Trainers. They're much lighter than mine other training shoes. Thanks for the input 6 4 guy. Hope your training goes well.