How many people train in flats? I have never tried it. Do you wear them for basically every workout or just once or twice. Do they have enough stability for trails and other terrain, or do they just work for roads?
Also what flats would you recommend for Training in?
I was thinking about the asics geltiger paws
flat man wrote:
Do they have enough stability for trails and other terrain, or do they just work for roads?
If you build up the strength in your feet and lower legs, you don't need to rely on the "stability" of shoes. Your legs and feets provide the stability you need; the shoes are just there to protect your feet from being jabbed by a sharp rock. I spent 6 weeks last summer running 70+ miles/week on the rockiest terrain I've ever run on up in Boulder, CO. I did it all in the Puma H Streets. Granted, I had spent 8 months building my foot and leg strength up by training in flats and barefoot.
I had started out in the Asics Tiger Paws, but I found them to be too soft and unstable. Others may differ.
How many people train in flats?
Reputable coaches like Jack Daniels recommend using racing shoes for some training, and most of the people I know who train in flats also use them for speed work.
Using flats for base work is unusual, but there is a sort of local "cult" at letsrun who are into it.
It's important to understand that one doesn't need to wear the same type of shoe for every workout.
Regarding trails, it's not an issue for me because I don't do speed work on trails. But if I were doing speed work on trails in prep for a XC race, I'd use the same footwear I'd use in that race (probably XC spikes).
The tiger paw is a really good flat to start out with. It's well cushioned, but still has a low heel, and no medial posts or stability "features".
Where does a training shoe stop and a flat begin?
GODDAMMIT CAN WE PLEASE STOP BRINGING UP THIS SHIT EVERY TEN MINUTES!!! THERE ARE AT LEAST 300 THREADS CONTAINING THIS EXACT TOPIC SO PLEASE PUT THE SEARCH TO GOOD USE AND STOP STARTING NEW ONES!!!!!
Where does a training shoe stop and a flat begin?
Don't know, but if you agree to (somewhat generously) call the mizuno precision a "flat", then I'll agree to do all my training in "flats" (-;