Hodgie-San,
What's your take on all this shoe business with running in more minimal shoes. As someone that was at the top of their game when shoes were less built, do you think that shoes are better off now than before? All things equal, do you think they really matter? Just thought it might be interesting to hear about it from one of the elites back in the day. Thanks.
I learned the hard way that any footwear that forced my footplant to be anything other than what it would naturally be, any forced correction was a bad thing.
Orthotics did not help me at all and I had a plantar problem from my earliest days as a runner (soph. in HS).
There are some better materials for shoes these days but the structure, the end products, for the most part are no better
Hodgie,
Are the flats of today really like the trainers of yesterday?
Let the record reflect that, while Hodgie-San was some 20 minutes or so faster in the marathon, I was able to wear orthotics more successfully. It's just ridiculous that modern society puts greater adulation on the race performance.
Ignore my silliness. Thanks for posting your insight. I ditched my orthotics recently and have gone to lighter shoes. Although my feet and calves are sore from the adjustment, now I have no soreness at all above the calves, and my back is starting to feel better.
I don't know why the concept that what works for one person--or 300--may not work for another person. Way too black & white here sometimes, especially on this shoe thing (Essentially, "If you don't believe in the minimalist shoe concept, die! Die! DIE!!") ;-)
In the late 60's early 70's the shoes were made of leather and the EVA sole material would hardened up fast, especially after getting wet repeatedly and then dried out.
There was not much variety in racing flats and they were very thined soled for the marathon, not offering a whole lot of cushioning.
By the late 70's racing flats had improved dramatically. The NB Comp 100, Tiger Obori and NIKE Boston were good shoes at the time.
The NB's had the best cushioning but were good for one marathon race.
Hodgie, do you recall when the first mass-produced digital runner's watches came out? I was under the impression it was around '76, but may be wrong.
tick tocker:
I got a CASIO for a prize at the 1979 Bay to Breakers RR. First digital I had.
The race director gave me one. Then I got a second one when I did a clinic at a store. After I won the race I got a deluxe model for a prize.
When I returned home, a friend picked me up and we went to the Eliot Lounge. Tommy Leonard, our host, and friend to all runners, was admiring my Casio, so I gave it to him.
Next day when I un-packed my two Casio watches had been stolen from my bag as well as my old Timex.
I had to go out that afternoon and buy myself a watch!
Oh wow, that s*cks.
Hey, your website is pretty good. Lots of info and a very interesting read.
tick tick tick BEEP wrote:
Hodgie, do you recall when the first mass-produced digital runner's watches came out? I was under the impression it was around '76, but may be wrong.
Hamilton, who in 1957 came out with the first electric watch (Ventura, the "Men in Black" watch) came out with the first digital watch in 1970 (Pulsar), mass produced in 1972 for about $2000. By 1975 Texas Instuments, Seiko and scores of others were producing digital watches for less than $20.
OK, then.
Thank you.
OK, now, can you recall if it was indeed you and Rodgers in (I think) a 1979 RW shoe issue - doing repeats on some track in Boston? ...I know, pictures were plentiful, and I'm sure it's difficult to pinpoint one, but I can't find this one - I thought I had it. Just curious. (Yeah, I do have a job - and a life.)