For the sub 2h40 runners, did you find running a marathon in flats or trainers better for performance?

Always wear flats, you take a beating anyway and clunkers won't help with that. Decided to wear Mizuno racers when I ran Boston in peak shape. Ran 2:28 (16min improvement) and lost 3 nails plus some skin. It was the only marathon that I didn't not lose momentum over the last 6 miles. Not 100% sure that was from the racers but doesn't matter, would do it again the same way.

1500s wrote:

Why are you apprehensive about them? I've always thought of them as more of a lightweight trainer than a true racing flat.

It isn't the shoes, specifically, that I'm worried about... just the first time wearing a flat in a marathon. I've only worn the 1500s for 4 races so far, ranging from 5 miles to a half. They've been exceedingly comfortable and I've PR'ed in each race I've worn them in. I'm a big fan.

My comment was probably more a product of nerves a few days before the race. I'm excited to give a lighter shoe a try for the full 26.2.

6"1 (185cm) / 170pounds (77kg)

2:26 PB / 2:34 avg for the world marathon majors

Always raced marathons in lightweight trainers. Primarily Saucony Kinvaras and NB 1400s.

Rule of thumb: Lightest shoe you can wear that has enough cushioning to get you to the finish! Trial and error. Start with light weight trainers and move to flats after that.

Wear whatever you wore when running your MP workouts and tempo runs.

At this point it's too late to mess w shoes!

Next marathon do all your MP and tempo runs in your marathon race shoes.

If possible train on the same surface as the race, which means not just concrete vs asphalt, but also freeway vs. major vs minor roads vs bike paths. I admit, kinda tough to train on freeways, but they are the have the highest "Structural Number" for hardness.

How do you define 'flats'? It seems like the definition has gotten hazier in recent years as companies put out super light shoes with decent cushion. As an example, check out the shoes on the top runners in this NYTimes photo. Would you categorize any of those shoes as 'flats'?

Someone here recommended "the lightest shoe you can get that still has some padding." I agree, and it might not be a traditional flat.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/sports/nikes-vivid-shoes-and-the-gray-area-of-performance-enhancement.html?_r=0

Take no chances wrote:

Wear whatever you wore when running your MP workouts and tempo runs.

At this point it's too late to mess w shoes!

Especially on Boston hills, i'd say a bit of extra padding is worth the extra weight.

I don't think it matters much. If you have a trainer that weighs around 8oz your fine. I've done 2:30ish marathons in both and the only thing I noticed is that my legs felt much more beat up if I wore flats. I don't think the race was affected either way based on my shoe selection.

i'm so sad wrote:

i'm 5'8" on my best days

So how tall are you on your worst days?

Train and race everything in Nike Lunaracers. 5.9 ounces of plush cushioning.

Saucony Fastwitch for the marathon. Trained in Saucony + Asics breeze blocks though made sure I did prep races and a couple of faster sessions in the Fastwitch to break them in. 6'0 and 172Lb

always wore marathon racing shoes. not flats. and instead of wearing orthotics i taped up my arches. i never had an lingering problem doing that but i would not want to train in the lights shoes. they are considerably lighter and you feel it when you run. a few breakin sessions are worthwhile just to make sure you don't get blisters, ...

adidas guy wrote:

Easy training miles: Glide

Tempo workouts: Boston

Track work: Adios/Takumi Sen

Marathon: Adios

2:32 PR, 6", 150#

The marathon beats you up no matter what. Wear something light.

Agreed. That's approximately what I use as well.

I've got a 2:35 PR and have run multiple sub-2:40 marathons, all in what is nebulously named "marathon flats" including: Adidas Adios (EVA and boost versions), Brooks Green Silence, and Asics Speedstar (which I wish Asics would resurrect). They're all approx. 8 ounces, so are lighter than regular trainers but more shoe than true flats.

I've done loads of marathons in the Hitogami. Used to do everything from 3000 up in them too until I discovered the Mizuno Ekiden. These are light as fck and I got away with running a marathon or 2 in them with no real issues. The Hitogami are super durable, I easily get 1000 miles on them whilst the Ekiden show more wear after 100-200 miles and I only race in these, never train in them.

Didn't *quite* break 2:40 in my first and only marathon but I was only a few seconds off so I'll throw my $.02 in.

I wore Mizuno Wave Inspire or Asics GT-2000s as my daily trainers. I'm a bit heavier at 5'10" 175lbs, not a graceful runner, and I like a stability shoe. New Balance 1400s for speed work (mile interval or below). Asics DS Trainers for tempo work and longer runs at MP.

For 5K - HM I race in NB 1400s. Great shoes, absolutely love them. I was a bit nervous that the marathon would beat me up a bit so I picked up the DS Trainers and wore them for 5 or 6 workouts and 'raced' a controlled HM about a month out. Felt OK so I wore them for the marathon and had no major issues. Some soreness on my insteps which was consistent with how I felt after MP work and the HM.

To be honest I don't love the DS Trainers. They are kinda the worst of both worlds- not especially cushioned and heavy for the limited cushioning they do provide. The 1400s feel much softer and are a good bit lighter. I would like to try the NB 1500s but nobody seems to carry them around me.

I suffered big time in my racing flats the last time out because I hadn't done long runs in them and my calves got shredded so that I was on 2:36 mid pace through 14 but feeling the calves tighten up (it was also around freezing at the start) and bombed by another six and a half minutes. I knew it was unusually bad because my calves were insanely tight still four or five days later. A halfway between trainers and racing flats probably works best. This used to be the Nike Skylons about a decade ago before changes. The lunar racers back then were good too.

the real deal wrote:

i'm so sad wrote:

i'm 5'8" on my best days

So how tall are you on your worst days?

however tall tom cruise is? and not tom cruise as jack reacher.

Asics DynaFlyte could be a good option for you too. Nice and cushioned if you're worried about a lack of support over time but very light. Fits narrow like a flat and runs smooth.

Newton Distance Elite racing shoe is my favorite

The 1500v2s will be fine. They have a bit more substance, and I trained in them for a while. Good luck