Want to train full time in racing flats

You'll be fine since you are doing plenty of running in minimal shoes.

I'm twice your age and probably 40 pounds heavier and I run exclusively in two pairs of battered Asics racing flats.

The most minimal pair I actually duct tape before every run because they are full of holes.

There is nothing in them to break down so the upper falling apart is my main issue.

Thank you for your gracious response.Unlike the first commenter.

You really should do sone of your runs barefoot!

I am doing at least one run a week barefoot sometimes 2 or 3. Asphalt around where I live is super rough that even painful in skeletoes.

hfssfhj wrote:

You really should do sone of your runs barefoot!

my only issue with the noosafasts is that they hurt the top of my feet after about half an hour of running, but that could be due to the elastic laces (which you don't have to put in.) never tried the hyperspeed, although i will be come fall, but if it's what you're used to, then it should be fine and actually beneficial. i train in the excel 33 (1,2 and 3's) which is similar to the lyte 33s, and ive had no issues doing 4-5 miles worth of running in blazingfasts (wouldnt recommend it though because they fall apart pretty quickly)

I've still got a bump on the bottom of one of my feet from training too much in flats. Having done it myself the real reason you like training in flats is because they feel faster

Do elites train in racing flats the whole time- no. They have better biomechanics than you. High arch also needs support not necessarily on the heel but flats tend to have no arch support

You are typical of a runner who claim to never get injured having run for 2 years. Wait and see

If you land on you fore foot your heel still strikes the ground unless you are sprinting flat out. Keep flats for interval work or short off road runs. Even then look for one with some arch support or your arch will eventually drop and you will get pf

I ran 8 years (HS and College) in bulky trainers. Switched to racing flats after college. I run 60-70 mpw training for the 5k in Nike racing flats. The benefits have been tremendous. Like you, I transitioned in light-weight shoes. I had tendinitis issues in my knee that had been around since I began running that went away after a week in racing flats. Make sure you ease into it by dropping the mileage a bit then building back up to normal. I know it is an n of one, but I have nothing bad to say. At the very least give it a try now instead of the middle of a season.

ukathleticscoach wrote:

I've still got a bump on the bottom of one of my feet from training too much in flats. Having done it myself the real reason you like training in flats is because they feel faster

Do elites train in racing flats the whole time- no. They have better biomechanics than you. High arch also needs support not necessarily on the heel but flats tend to have no arch support

You are typical of a runner who claim to never get injured having run for 2 years. Wait and see

If you land on you fore foot your heel still strikes the ground unless you are sprinting flat out. Keep flats for interval work or short off road runs. Even then look for one with some arch support or your arch will eventually drop and you will get pf

I have never had an injury that could be attributed to flats. I have been running in minimalist footwear for over 15 years and running for 30 years.

I like running in lighter shoes with no heels, so flats made sense for me initially. However, flats are meant for you to go fast, and usually very stiff. So, it started giving me pain, and don't like running in them.

I used to really like the Skechers Go Bionic 2, but I tried the Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit, and they're the real deal. I know that they're expensive so try it out where you can return it easily in case you don't like it. I like to run them sockless and without the insoles. Haven't given me any blisters and they're the best shoes.

I train in flats because it seems silly to run in shoes that are so dissimilar to the ones you race in. I don't know or terribly care what shoes elites run in, but I'm sure some train in flats as well.

Just be careful with long efforts in the flats, as you can get sore calves or hurt your achilles if you're not ready yet. I'm a fan of the racing flats with little drop -- currently training in the Zoom Streak LT, previously in the Piranha.

Adidas Hagios are wondeful shoes. Try them.

Try thinking less and running more.

OP, I'm just like you (but older).

In the 10th grade, which was 12 years ago, I started training in my flats which were Asics Magic Racers. I then switched to the Hyperspeeds, and now to the NoosaFast.

Pretty much injury free the whole time. Good luck.