Marathon Racing Flats

dev paul wrote:

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Go with something in the middle. Maybe a lightweight trainer or a distance flat. I like the Asics Bandito in this kind of situatio but I realize they have been discontinued. Something along those lines though. Nike Marathoner? Even the Nike Streak has some heel drop but is lightweight

If you decide to go with something in between a trainer and racer I would recommend the Saucony Kinvara. It is 8.7oz, has a very minimal heel to toe drop, and is well ventilated. It is a bit soft/unresponsive for shorter races, but for a marathon at 5:50-6:10/mi it works well. Plus, after wearing 6oz racers my first couple marathons, I found that my legs weren't as banged up after wearing the Kinvaras.

Asics Tarther

Nike Lunar Racer. Lightweight and great cushioning. I thought that the Streak 3 midsole was a little too firm for a full marathon.

Mizuno Wave Mushas work for my old and slow legs.

What is the fastest marathon ever run in the Brooks Beast? Anyone BQ in them?

Foogo, you just received mostly anecdotal suggestions from well-meaning people who don't have feet like yours. People like to talk about themselves.

The T5/T7 is unique among flats in that it's practically the least flat racing shoe on the market. Everyone suggesting a shoe like the Bandito (now DS Racer 8), Musha, or Lunaracer are suggesting shoes that are more flat and provide stability. Sounds like you want a shoe pretty similar to the T5, which would mean not much flatter and not much more stable. The T7 is obviously the most equal, but you're saying you only feel comfortable in the same or more substantial.

Stability is probably not the answer to something more substantial. If you run fine neutral, then you probably don't want to vary it much. (What sort of shoes do you train in? Are they different from what you used in your half marathon build up?)

Neutral shoes that are close to the T5 in terms of "flatness" and/or cushion:

Brooks Green Silence

Asics Tarther

adidas adizero Adios

Mizuno Precision

If you're willing to pick up stability or go lower to the ground, then that opens up a lot more options. As it is, the guy who suggested the Tarther was pretty on the mark.

But don't take it from us! Try on like a zillion shoes if you can. You still have time.

Hey Shoebacca. thanks for getting back to me.

I think you hit the nail on the head with why i like the brooks T5 and I didn't even realize it before: It's a very light shoe, but the heel is a little more built up than most flats.

I am tempted to just go with the T7 if the heel feels the same way. I understand its a very light shoe for the marathon, but i dont feel like i get too tired in it because of the way it is built.

I actually train in the Mizuno elixir 6 right now. Before the halfmarathon i was in the elixir 4 or 5. The heel to toe height difference isnt too much in the elixir i dont think, but moving to a flat with much less heel seems to kill my calves.

Any recommendations for a light shoe with a bit of a heel?

Surely there are other people out there in the brooks T7 for sub 2:40 marathons. I am shooting to be right around 2:38.