I agree with you. It’s just that running 26.2 at a relatively fast
clip is very taxing on the body, and I don’t think i have have the
muscular strength in the right spots at this point in my transition to
manage good minimalist form for the duration.

Pete

On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, Disqus

Aaron,

You hit the nail on the head about the Kinvara – my only hesitation as well
is the sponginess and how it might cost energy. I may be leaning to the Nike
Free Run since it’s a bit firmer.

Pete

Kevin,

It’s a tough one to measure accurately since the upper is one unit (no slots
on the sides of the tongue to access the forefoot. My best attempt puts it
around 6-7mm. Less than the Free 5.0, a bit more than the 3.0.

Pete

Mark,

Thanks – I’m really looking forward to doing the Ultra, should be fun.
I am likely leaning toward the Nike’s at this point, but still have a
few more long runs to help me decide.

Pete

On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, Disqus

From reading your blog over the months I have come to understand that you don’t run un-shod as much as just minimalist. One of the things I like about running completely bare is that once it “clicks” form really can’t break down. I used to think it did, but as I progressed it dawned on me that I will stop from exhaustion before my form breaks down. When I’m not wearing shoes it almost seems as if there is simply no other way to generate locomotion that with proper form!

Yes, the GS is a bit firmer. I may also add the Mizuno Wave Universe to my
list of possibles. Hard to turn down a return trip to VT!

Pete

With regards you shoe choice, I agree that you need to have a heel to allow for late-race fatigue-induced heel striking. I think either the Nike Free Run+ or the Kinvara’s would work for you (though, as I’ve only minimally run in the store in the Kinvara’s – which I did like though not as much as the Newton’s I bought – vs. more than 200 solid miles in the Nike’s I’d lean that way FWIW).

It definitely does. I look forward to hearing how your race goes and I may even tweak my strategy based on your experience!

Yeah, just to clarify, it’s really the cushiness of the Kinavra that gives me pause when choosing my shoe for the marathon. Although I really like the 4 mm heel-to-toe drop and what it does for my footstrike, I do wish they where a little firmer. Though I don’t have evidence of this, I feel they offer me less energy return than, say, my DS’s, and that the squishiness ends up being a bit dampening. I worry some that over 26.2 that may cost me some energy and lead to greater fatigue. That said, they are lighter than my other shoes, which presumably will save me some energy, so maybe it’s a wash.

Dan,

I have a 6 and 4 yo in addition to the baby, so I know what you mean! It’s
amazing how fast they grow.

Vermont is an awesome race, and a great place to bring the family if you
haven’t been. There’s a children’s museum right on Lake Champlain near the
finish line, and some great places to visit nearby. My kids love chasing the
chickens at Shelburne Farms.

Pete