The Running Thread --2025

[accm]

My name is in the lottery for NYC Marathon! I might start looking around for a refundable hotel to book just in case. Also set up a flight search on google flights. Because I have zero chill.

 

[jmasgat]

How different are the 16s from the 15s? I've generally liked the 15s, even though I'm not confident they're *the one* yet. I've considered buying a couple of extra 15s in case they go and screw them up, but I'd rather not if I don't have to.

I don't think I ran in the 15's....just the 14's and previous. Also, I am mostly "shoe-oblivious" in these, which means the various versions of Ghosts have worked fine for me, and I doubt I could tell the difference in drop, cushioning or performance if I had to.

And totally get the hotel thing. NYC prices are---I was going to say high, but honestly compared to Disney that would not necessarily be true! I stayed downtown in 23 when I ran--Hotel Indigo on Water St. Partly for cost reasons, partly for tourist reasons and partly cause I could walk to the ferry. And the price was good when I booked.

 

[FlyingDonut]

Does anyone use the Galloway running app on iPhone? I decided to give one of his training plans a try after a great time running with their pacers at the Disneyland half. I put in the date for my next half (April) but I don't think it realizes I'm not starting from zero.

I got one of his books from the library so I may just stick with my NRC and track in excel manually if I can't figure it out.

 

[KCO5988]

Opposite of a "saga" I guess, but I just ordered a pair of Nike Alphflys and they are supposed to come Thursday. I'm very excited but also nervous I won't feel stable enough in them.

My name is in the lottery for NYC Marathon! I might start looking around for a refundable hotel to book just in case. Also set up a flight search on google flights. Because I have zero chill.

I'm in the waiting room now! Luckily my aunt and uncle live like 20 minutes from the start so if I get in, I'll ask to stay with them the night before.

 

[PrincessV]

On the ever-escalating stack heights thing…

Ghost 7 in which I happily ran my first marathon? 17mm in the forefoot (where I land), 22mm in the heel.

Glycerin 16, in which I happily did Dopey? 22/32

Altra Torin 5, in which I did my last Dopey and last marathon? 28mm

Fast forward to the current models:
Ghost 16: 22.5/34.5
Glycerin 22: 28/38
Torin 8: 30mm and they also made the fit narrower and added a rocker

 

[accm]

I don't think I ran in the 15's....just the 14's and previous. Also, I am mostly "shoe-oblivious" in these, which means the various versions of Ghosts have worked fine for me, and I doubt I could tell the difference in drop, cushioning or performance if I had to.

And totally get the hotel thing. NYC prices are---I was going to say high, but honestly compared to Disney that would not necessarily be true! I stayed downtown in 23 when I ran--Hotel Indigo on Water St. Partly for cost reasons, partly for tourist reasons and partly cause I could walk to the ferry. And the price was good when I booked.

I have DVC, so I always feel like my stay is free (she says having clearly drank the kool aid)

 

[The Expert]

I also applied for NYC because why not?

 

[rick1zoo2]

On the ever-escalating stack heights thing…

Ghost 7 in which I happily ran my first marathon? 17mm in the forefoot (where I land), 22mm in the heel.

Glycerin 16, in which I happily did Dopey? 22/32

Altra Torin 5, in which I did my last Dopey and last marathon? 28mm

Fast forward to the current models:
Ghost 16: 22.5/34.5
Glycerin 22: 28/38
Torin 8: 30mm and they also made the fit narrower and added a rocker

Funny that I didn't like the Hokas when I tried them on as they felt too high and too squishy. Either I was going to turn my ankle or sink in like quicksand. But the Asics Novablasts are actually higher (40.5) than the Hokas were. The difference to me was the Asics feel more stable. And then they have a bit of spring action too.

I also tried on the Brooks Ghost as I had a few pairs in the past (not for running) and they felt very firm and low.

 

[Zutroy]

Opposite of a "saga" I guess, but I just ordered a pair of Nike Alphflys and they are supposed to come Thursday. I'm very excited but also nervous I won't feel stable enough in them.

I just ran the MW weekend in the Alphafly 3s, and loved them. I find stability with high-stack super shoes to be more of an issue at lower speeds. At marathon pace I had no issues, even with the tight turns by the Grand Flo path. I’ve previously run in Nike 4%, Vaporfly 2, Adios Pro 3, and Endorphin Pro1. The ZoomX is definitely the softest of all of them, but the Alphafly is more stable than other models with ZoomX.

 

[PrincessV]

Funny that I didn't like the Hokas when I tried them on as they felt too high and too squishy. Either I was going to turn my ankle or sink in like quicksand. But the Asics Novablasts are actually higher (40.5) than the Hokas were. The difference to me was the Asics feel more stable. And then they have a bit of spring action too.

I also tried on the Brooks Ghost as I had a few pairs in the past (not for running) and they felt very firm and low.

I actually liked the ride of the Hoka Mach 5, but the fit just does not work for me - every Hoka I’ve ever tried is too loose in the heel and too tight across the metatarsals. I’ve tried Novablasts, too, but the drop is too high and the heel flare too much since I don’t even land on the heel!

 

[The Expert]

They've moved the Skyway Bridge 10K to virtual this year due to hurricane damage. But if anyone was looking for a spring 10K and doesn't mind a virtual, registration is open and it's discounted to $60 right now: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/SaintPetersburg/Skyway10K

It lists an event date of April 6 and does mention two days of pre-race pick-up, so it sounds like maybe they aren't shipping anything? I've sent an email to clarify and will report back.

I got a response. They do offer an option to pay for shipping during checkout.

 

[flav]

Regarding shoes’ saga… I abandoned the Asics Nimbus 25 for running since my last marathon in June. As my last pair of Nimbus 24 was approaching retirement, I tried a bunch of shoes. I have started running in Saucony Triumph 22 a week ago. I am having a hard time evaluating whether I am very slow because of them and my adjusted gait, because of the road conditions or just because. I have a speed training tomorrow and will report back if there is any conclusion.

I used Asics Novablast 3 for racing two 10k last year and they were a good fit for that. One word of warning on airpin turns, the stack is really high and they might be stable on a forward motion but sideways, they are like high heels.

 

[Naomeri]

How different are the 16s from the 15s? I've generally liked the 15s, even though I'm not confident they're *the one* yet. I've considered buying a couple of extra 15s in case they go and screw them up, but I'd rather not if I don't have to.

I haven't actually bought any 16s yet, but I tried a 16 on one foot and a 15 on the other foot and couldn't notice any difference walking or jogging around the store.

 

[PrincessV]

I am having a hard time evaluating whether I am very slow because of them and my adjusted gait, because of the road conditions or just because. I have a speed training tomorrow and will report back if there is any conclusion.

I can only speak from my own experience, but shoes play a dramatic role in speed for me. In a shoe that works properly with my mechanics and fits correctly, I’m easily a minute per mile faster at no additional effort. This has held up for me over a couple decades of running. Generally, my turnover is relative to shoe weight - heavier shoes = lower turnover, lighter shoes = higher turnover - but overall pace doesn’t vary much based on weight, only design and fit.

 

[rick1zoo2]

We just got back from a run at the indoor track (snowed again). I tried the Brooks Glycerin 21's and felt the ITBS creeping in, so I changed to the Asics Novablast 5 about half way through. Wow, what a difference, the Novablasts felt really comfy and springy and the ITBS didn't materialize, so happy about that. I even did a coupe of laps at almost full speed. I am trying to hold steady to get to the Princess Weekend races next week. We are doing short, slow runs (about 30 minutes around 11-11:30 pace) and that seems to be working - don't feel worn out.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

We just got back from a run at the indoor track (snowed again). I tried the Brooks Glycerin 21's and felt the ITBS creeping in, so I changed to the Asics Novablast 5 about half way through. Wow, what a difference, the Novablasts felt really comfy and springy and the ITBS didn't materialize, so happy about that. I even did a coupe of laps at almost full speed. I am trying to hold steady to get to the Princess Weekend races next week. We are doing short, slow runs (about 30 minutes around 11-11:30 pace) and that seems to be working - don't feel worn out.

And there's the thing: shoes are a truly YMMV type situation as to what does and doesn't work, even if you stay with a certain model or manufacturer. It's hard to say if this is like software and user interfaces where there are changes for the sake of change and not necessarily improving anything (like MS does, and Ford just did...), or if actual improvements are made.
For that reason, I don't buy online any more unless it is to buy an exact model that I already have. Otherwise I'll go to the running store with a nominal Glycerin n+1 or Waverider n+1 model in mind, but if they don't cut it then I'll see what else looks good or that the guys in the store recommend. The nice thing about going to a running store is that the employees are usually runners themselves and are knowledgeable about what has/hasn't changed.
Meanwhile, we have all-day rain here and that is interfering with my desire to do an outdoor walk/jog. As I've been ramping back up to longer and slightly faster walks, I'm wanting to do more and I'm getting back to being antsy if I'm not putting in steps and milage. <I know: first world problems.... grouse, grouse, and more grousing....>
Thank you for listening.

 

[Herding_Cats]

haaaaa. wrong thread.

 

[flav]

I am having a hard time evaluating whether I am very slow because of them and my adjusted gait, because of the road conditions or just because. I have a speed training tomorrow and will report back if there is any conclusion.

I was able to respect the speed workout paces. There might be a little gait ajustement that makes me feel like I am working harder or I am slightly out of that shape. Probably both. I will keep these shoes for training for now and will probably use the Novablast for the April HM.

 

[fatmanatee]

Speaking of shoes, have started looking into carbon plate race shoes, any thoughts or recommendations? My preferred race shoes are Hoka Cliftons, have also used Asics Gel Kayano. Have been looking at a couple of options, both look good, but open to other ideas. Asics Magic Speed looks like they're similar to the Gel Kayanos, so from a perspective of not being a significant change from what I have they might make a lot of sense. Also intrigued by Nike Zoom Fly, only worry in this case is the heel looks like a big change from what I'm used to. I wouldn't say that I'm a heel striker, although to be honest I'm not sure I have the best sense of my own form to know if I'd be considered one, but I do see that the Zoom Fly's have less "roll" than what I normally use. Lots of good reviews though. Nice thing about both these options is that they're reasonably priced so they feel like sort of a beginner carbon shoe. At this point I'm mostly just looking for an extra boost for a new PR if possible.

Anyway, open to thoughts!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Speaking of shoes, have started looking into carbon plate race shoes, any thoughts or recommendations? My preferred race shoes are Hoka Cliftons, have also used Asics Gel Kayano. Have been looking at a couple of options, both look good, but open to other ideas. Asics Magic Speed looks like they're similar to the Gel Kayanos, so from a perspective of not being a significant change from what I have they might make a lot of sense. Also intrigued by Nike Zoom Fly, only worry in this case is the heel looks like a big change from what I'm used to. I wouldn't say that I'm a heel striker, although to be honest I'm not sure I have the best sense of my own form to know if I'd be considered one, but I do see that the Zoom Fly's have less "roll" than what I normally use. Lots of good reviews though. Nice thing about both these options is that they're reasonably priced so they feel like sort of a beginner carbon shoe. At this point I'm mostly just looking for an extra boost for a new PR if possible.

Anyway, open to thoughts!

I actually tried the Magic Speed 3 recently and they did NOT work for me at all. They're very narrow and very firm. So if you're okay with that, great, but be warned! I do, however, love my Metaspeed Edge Paris-es with a slightly disturbing level of passion. They're definitely not what you would call reasonably priced, though...