Forums/

Competitive Running

David Y.

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.

Respond

13 posts

scroll to bottom

Brian W.
You have many races in front of you is it worth risking all of them for 1 race, your choice.

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Morey B.
go for it. With the Mizono's, not the VFFs.
Especially if this is your "A" race.
If you've got a different "A" race within the next month or so, I'd be more conservative.

Frankly- I'm impressed with how much faster you are in those lighter shoes.

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
PRO
David Y.
Well at my level it doesn't take much to improve speed. This for me is the difference between 10:00 miles and 9:30 miles. This is mostly because I am still working on getting my footstrikes/minute to 180 and for probably obvious reasons it is easier to increase my footstrike rate with these minimal shoes. If I was at a solid 180 and a 7:00 pace I expect the difference in speed would be much less between the traditional shoes and the minimal shoes. I am moving to minimal shoes because I love running in them, they eliminate lots of issues I get with shin splints and knee aches and I want to run forever :) The speed increase is a bit of the icing on the cake.

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Jason S.
My thoughts are if you've made it to 5 miles w/o issue you should be good in the Mizunos. Lots of people step down to a racing flat for races so I don't think it will be something that drastic. Of course as was earlier said if this isn't your A race then I would wait for that one. I am in the same place as you making the transition to more minimal shoes, Kinvaras at present and do some training in VFF's. Used Kinvaras to set back to back half PR's so I know this "thing" works!!!

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Rob Y.
VFFs are basically racing flats, especially if you're talking about the Bakilla (most popular running VFF). I'm not surprised at all you're faster (per mile) in VFFs over your other, bit heavier shoes. Like others have mentioned, it's not at all uncommon to race in a shoe you don't train all your miles in. When I ran track/XC in high-school/college we almost never wore racing flats until race day; only just some speed sessions. Typically had no problem. I'd rather not risk injury that could knock you out for months by racing in VFFs, especially as you still report some acclimatization issues. Race in the Mizunos.

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Greg
I do all my training in nike vomero,all 5k races in nike mayfly,anything above 5k i race in nike vaporfly,never had a problem.

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Jeff
Well? What happened?

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Tim M.
I'll second that....what was the result?

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
PRO
David Y.
Hey guys. I chickened out and ran in my trainers. I did bring my PR from 2:28 to 2:12 though.

I have entirely switched off my trainers now and now run in VFF's and Kinvaras exclusively. I have two half marathons in the fall and I expect my PR to take another jump.

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Dan S.
No shame in that. Great job on the PR! Just remember the wisdom of never racing in any equipment that you have not thoroughly tested on similar distances during training.

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Jeff
Sounds like you made the right choice. There will be plenty of opportunity to run in your
VFF's but injuries really suck.

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Fisher D.
www.pickmaxshoes.com is a professional online shoe shop specializing Nike Air Max shoes with low price and guaranteed quality. Our main produts are: Nike Air Max Shoes,Air Max 90,Air max 95, air max 2009,Air max 2011,Air max 24-7,air max 87,air max TN,BW,air max 2010,air max zenyth,air max skyline, air max structure triax 91,air maxtrainer 1+low,air max Taiwind 2009,air max 180,Air Max Griffey 2011,Air Pegasus 89, Air Waffle Trainer,Air Max Terra Ninety,2012 shoes. asics onitsuka tiger shoes, Asics Mexico 66,Asics MINI,NFL Jerseys ......They are very popular and sell well online with reasonable price, high quality and best service. Welcome to www.pickmaxshoes.com and get more details about more products. Nike shoes are chosen by many people all the time. If you also love Nike Shoes, http://www.pickmaxshoes.com is a good choice. If you have any question,Please contact pickmaxshoes@hotmail.com Free Shipping Paypal payment wholesale and retail.

Nike Air Max 90
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-90--s233/
Nike Air Max 95
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-95--s234/
Nike Air Max 97
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-97-s235/
Nike Air Max 87
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-87-s236/
Nike Air Zenyth
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Zenyth-s242/
Nike Air Max 180
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-180--s237/
Nike air max 2012
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-air-max-2012-s259/
Nike air max 2011
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-air-max--2011-s230/
Nike Air Max 2010
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max--2010--s231/
Nike Air Max 2009
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max--2009---s232/
Nike Air Max 24-7
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-24-7-s229/
Nike Air Max 2003
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-2003-s261/
Nike Air Max TN
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-TN--s239/
Nike Air Max LTD
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-LTD-s240/
Nike Air Max BW
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Max-BW-s241/
Nike Air Pegasus 89
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Pegasus-89-s264/
Air Max Griffey 2011
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Air-Max-Griffey-2011-s258/
Nike Air Waffle Trainer
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Waffle-Trainer-s265/
Air Max Terra Ninety
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Air-Max-Terra-Ninety-s266/
Nike Air Skyline
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Skyline-s243/
Nike Air Structure Triax 91
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Nike-Air-Structure-Triax-91-s244/
Air Max Trainer 1+ Low
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Air-Max-Trainer-1+-Low-s262/
Air Max Tailwind 2009
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Air-Max-Tailwind-2009-s245/
Womens Air Max 24-7
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-24-7--s246/
Air Max Tailwind 2010
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Air-Max-Tailwind-2010-s257/
Womens Air Max 2012
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-2012-s260/
Womens Air Max 2011
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-2011--s247/
Womens Air Max 2010
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-2010--s248/
Womens Air Max 2009
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-2009--s249/
Womens Air Max 95
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-95--s250/
Womens Air Max 90
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-90--s251/
Womens Air Max BW
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-BW--s252/
Womens Air Max TN
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Womens-Air-Max-TN-s254/
Asics Onitsuka Tiger
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Asics-Onitsuka-Tiger-c74/
Asics Mexico 66
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Asics-Mexico-66-s267/
Asics Onitsuka Tiger MINI
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/Asics-MINI-s268/
NFL Jerseys
http://www.pickmaxshoes.com/NFL-Jerseys-c77/

FAQ
Payment
For customers’safety, we take Western Union/Money Gram and Paypal the payment method.

Shipment
All the items in our store are free shipping.
Item will be shipped out as soon as payment cleared and tracking number will be provided for you within 12 business hours after shipping
Delivery will take approx. 5-7 business days.

Return Policy
If you don't satisfy with the quality, you are allowed to return the item within 7 days after receipt, then we will issue you a full refund or exchange accordingly.

If any questions, please feel free to contact us!

web site: http://www.pickmaxshoes.com

posted about 2 years ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel
Cheap Air Max 2.
Achieve your own brand-new Years resolution in 2010 inside the all-new Nike Air Max 2012

Wholesale.Designed for comfort and performance,Nike Air Max 2012 cheap wholesale features high-

end technology combines with streamlined to provide maximum comfort and cushioning for

runners.This design will probably be added and durable.But Nike Air Max 2012 shoes are light in

weight. Nike Air Max Shoes wholesale is going to be included with the Orion blue and add traction

rubber outsole combined with Air Max 2012.Remaining unchanged could be the running-specific 360-

degree Max Air footbed. When you for the Cheap Nike Air Max wholesale, you simply won't miss it.
nike air max shoes is very popular in the world. there are more than 1000 kind air max shoes. the

lastest I think is air max 2011 and air max 2012.
Link:http://www.cheapnewairmax.com

posted about 1 year ago
Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds
or cancel