Mt. Washington Road Race: Shoes?

Dude,

It's an uphill run (a slow one), just run it, why the hell are you worrying about shoes?

[quote]heyyo wrote:

Anyone here done this race and can make some recommendations about shoes?

I'm deciding between, Saucony Grid Fastwitch 3's, Saucony Grid Type A3, or Nike Zoom XC Streak 2's.

I'm leaning against the Grid Type A3's because they seem to put my on my toes the most, which seems like extra stress on my calves going up hill.

So that leaves the Fastwitch or Streaks? The streaks are super minimal so I'm wondering if that could be a problem in an uphill 7 mile race?

Or does it not matter since I'l likely be running 10 minute miles.

Thoughts.

very light ones

I would go with these in case it is snowing at the top.

https://web233.secure-secure.co.uk/sinfulsoles.co.uk//images/Clash-435-BPU.jpg

snow? possible but high 80s this weekend in new hampshire.

grappone toyota wrote:

snow? possible but high 80s this weekend in new hampshire.

Dude, It's 45° and overcast right now. Snow is very possible. Haven't you heard of global warming?

I ran the race last year and I think you would be fine with either the Fastwitch's or Streaks. It looks like Eric Blake is wearing the Fastwitch 2's in the header picture at

http://mtwashingtonrecords.blogspot.com/

1) I agree with light shoes, uphill every once counts. Also you not going to pound your legs so light shoes are fine.

2) Good traction, there are couple short sections towards the top that are not paved (packed dirt) so the Zoom XC Streak's would probably be good for this.

use the lightest shoe you have

traction not an issue on the dirt portions

more importantly what do we wear if it's 80 at start and 40's with wind/rain at top? is this normal weather?

I'm running this for the first time Saturday - I've been doing 12% inclined treadmill workouts in A3s and they felt good -I'm sure we'll be on the balls of our feet as long as we can stand it no matter what shoes we wear. Not sure how that translates into shoe choice.

The weather looks perfect - 75 at the start and 50 at the top - can't ask for more than that. I'll wear either a singlet or tech tshirt.

I'm really looking forward to this - sounds like a perfect running grind it out experience. I've heard from vets that it's like a marathon - at 1/4 distance you should feel like you are sandbagging, and that you can pass a lot of people in the last mile if you train well.

It's a great race. So neat how everything around you changes as you keep climbing. The last incline to the finish line is just ridiculous.

Ok, wear a white mesh hat to let the air in and heat out, the visor will keep the sun (strong at this elev.)from burning your face.

Wear a fuel belt, you will be out there for over an hour. Breathe right strip on the nose, gotta get that oxygen.

Tech shirt, vest style, keep the sun off the shoulders, matching shorts, gotta look like your serious. Garmin so you know where you are (in case you suffer altitide problems), heart rate monitor, don't want to overdo it with the effort.

Light weight shoes, cut the laces in half (only use half), decreases the weight, make sure the shoes don't clash with your uniform.

Should be up in the valley tonight to get acclimated, carbo load beginning 48 hours before the start, races of this length are demanding. Might even consider going up a day in advance and stashing some gels and water bottles every mile to get you through.

Good Luck, you will need it!

laugh if you want - this looks like a brutal 7.6 miles. Rickey Gates won last year running 7:54 pace. He placed 28th at the 2010 Bolder Boulder running 5:18 pace. If a 33 minute 10k guy can barely shuffle through 7.6 miles at 7:54 pace, it is a hard race.

I've run it three times. It's a hard uphill run, not a real race. The year I ran my fastest time (which was a top 10 all-time at the time) I walked several times (backwards) to give my back a rest. I was also in training shoes, not that it matters because it's a slow uphill run.

You won't need shoes, go barefoot.

heyyo wrote:

Anyone here done this race and can make some recommendations about shoes?

I'm deciding between, Saucony Grid Fastwitch 3's, Saucony Grid Type A3, or Nike Zoom XC Streak 2's.

I'm leaning against the Grid Type A3's because they seem to put my on my toes the most, which seems like extra stress on my calves going up hill.

So that leaves the Fastwitch or Streaks? The streaks are super minimal so I'm wondering if that could be a problem in an uphill 7 mile race?

Or does it not matter since I'l likely be running 10 minute miles.

Thoughts.

Ok, this is a little comical. You DO realize you're going to be up on your toes with massive calf burn for over an hour, right? I ran several hip climbs 2 years ago, including Mount Washington, and I personally found that thin, low-heeled shoes (~XC flats, mountain shoes like the INOV8's) are wayyyy better than thicker, road flats, in terms of performance,grip to get up the hill, and getting up on your toes to push off. I ran Mount Washington in the Saucony Kilkenny XC flats, which were awesome. I later did a hill climb in a pair of Brooks T5's, and they were horrendous (horrible grip, too thick, couldn't climb as effectively as the XC flats). If you have calf or Achilles problems to begin with, it's going to be a struggle cause you're going to be up on your toes. Make sure you doubleknot your laces and wear good socks that protect the heels from friction (+ vaseline). Go with the grippiest, thinnest, and best climbing shoe. The cushioning is moot and will make it harder to climb.

Regarding the guy who thinks 70 at the bottom and 50 at the top is "perfect" (well, maybe better than some years with rain + snow)-- make that "hot and steamy" at the bottom, with a gall wind at the top. The heat and humidity with the trees at the bottom is stuffy, like a bowl of heat, and could make you sick when you start climbing and going up in elevation. Then, you'll likely be shivering at the top until you get some clothes on.

I DO REALIZE and that's exactly why I asked. It takes 30 seconds to double check on letsrun or I could suffer for 1 hour on saturday. That, sir, is a no brainer.

heyyo wrote:

I DO REALIZE and that's exactly why I asked. It takes 30 seconds to double check on letsrun or I could suffer for 1 hour on saturday. That, sir, is a no brainer.

No, you're going to suffer no matter what shoe you wear. That's a given. And what I'm saying is you want to be more on your toes because you'll have an easier time getting up the hill. Thicker shoes is a detriment hill climbing, even if you think it somehow relieves the burn (which, you're going to feel, extremely, anyways).

Okay, given that reasoning I can race in boots when I race the mile because I'm going to be tired regardless if I'm wearing a boot vs a track spike...

And you're missing the point, actually. The A3 has a greater heel-to-drop which I think puts you even more on your toes. That doesn't necessarily make it easier to get up the hill. And that's why I asked the question, to verify that.

Whatever you wear, it's a good idea to keep your laces loose at the top of the shoe near the ankle (or don't lace the shoes at that last set of eyelets.) You'll be up on the balls of your feet for pretty much the whole way because of the extreme incline, meaning your foot will be really dorsiflexed (pointed up towards your shin) for a long time. You're apt to cut off circulation to your feet if your laces are too tight. This happened to me one year. It was relieved by walking backwards for a bit, but best to avoid that altogther by just loosening the laces. Another option is to use shoes without laces- like the Nike Presto Faze (out of production, but still available on Ebay).