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How risky is this? (minimalist shoe question)

posted about 2 years ago | Report

I have a half marathon on Sunday and I want to switch shoes. I have been working on a transition from (what I now consider clunky) Saucony Guide 3 trainers to VFF and racing flats (Mizuno Wave Universe 3). I have been working on my form for months and although I only recently started training with the minimalist shoes I have had very little issues. With the VFF's I have some Achilles heal tenderness like I was told to expect because of the heal drop, but I don't have that issue with the Mizuno's. So here is this half-marathon staring me in the face and I haven't yet done a long run with the Mizuno's. The highest so far is 5 miles... but I encountered no issues at all during or after that run. Here is the thing... wearing the VFF's take about 35 seconds/mile off my pace and the Mizuno's take about 25 seconds/mile off my pace. So I am feeling greedy and am thinking if I take a huge chance and run in the Mizuno and avoid a DNF I will get a great time (for me). I know that the standard answer is ARE YOU CRAZY? but I am wondering if anyone has pulled a stunt like this and how it worked out? I would not consider pulling this for a full marathon, but I am thinking the half-marathon will be much more forgiving. There is no doubt that if I run this in my Sauconys it will be the last race I do in non-minimalist shoes, but I am impatient.

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