Could it be the shoes?

Wally Runs

I am a three-time marathon runner with a neutral gait. Over the first two marathons I just did the training and ran, picking up the early stages of shin splints on the way. Later for my third marathon I took up Chi-running in the hope that if I was bit more focused on how I was running I might reduce my injuries.
The Chi-running has been a difficult process; you will appreciate this if you have ever tried to change your running style. The biggest difference has been how I hit the ground. I used to predominately heel strike and I now strike with my mid-foot (most of the time). This has seen me move from New Balance 1061 with a very large heel pad to Mizuno Wave Riders with a more normal heel pad. I should add that all my shoes have been fitted through gait analysis etc.

In the meantime I have been free of any shin complaints. Now I freely accept that I look after myself better than before and I can assume my body is responding better to the exercise etc

When looking at the wear on my shoes I can see that it is more on the mid sole than the heel. On all my previous shoes this is where the gap between the heel and the main foot is. I am guessing this has meant little cushioning from that area? but last night!

Last night, I went out in some New Balance NB800MF, these are new shoes specifically for mid-foot strikers. You can see the difference in the footpad.

http://www.newbalance.com/running/footwear/MR800
Anyhow from the first step I felt I was on fire, besides being much lighter than my previous shoes I just felt like I was skipping over the ground. At first I though it was just me being excited by the new shoes but when my Garmin told me that my HR was too low where on the run I would normally have to pull it back I was perplexed.

Over the 7-mile run, which I normally take mid week, I knocked off five minutes, which I though might be down to just putting more effort in. However when I looked later at the numbers and compared them to my previous runs on the same route, I had put in less effort in terms of HR. That is to say I spent 85% of the time last night in the desired zone compared to 75% previously and was still five minutes faster. The rest of the time was in the higher zones. (I hope this makes sense). So for less effort I was going faster. Moving from an average of 5.55 to 5.05 min/km.

Finally my question is. Can shoes make such a difference? I know I will have to go out a few times etc., I cannot see my fitness making such a step change. Can the right shoes do this, anybody

tunney

I'd say no its not the shoes.

Sometimes HR is just down. Sleep, hydration, can be lots of things. Doubt its shoes.

That being said when i too changed my running style a few years ago I moved to a lightweight racing shoe as my training shoe (yes I do 30km + runs in racers on concrete) and I found it helped me refine my new running style no end.

cfitz

My initial reaction would be: No. I would guess that either there is some other important difference about last night's run that you are missing or else it's a combination of a whole lot of things all coming together at once. A good pair of shoes can make a difference though.

However, I am not very familiar with Chi running, so perhaps these shoes are really well suited to this type of running...

Wally Runs

I will be out again tonight but on a more intense and longer run. I will see how that goes.

Update: Not the shoes, well a little bit the shoes. Went out again and not as much fire just a glimmer. Thank God for that though!

Imagine if it was the shoes and you could not get them again! Gald it was me and not them!