Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[Chris_]

Hey sneaky bugger, i see your name is on the start list for UTD 160 171 . How is the body feeling? are you in full taper seen as its just over a fortnight away?

 

Hahaha indeed it is. We rolled over the entry from last year. Bodies fine, as usual I'll be going in with the 'rather undertrained than injured' philosophy... But ja, really looking forward to a nice long outing in the berg. I had a pretty pitiful-attempt DNF in 2019 so it would be nice to do this one a decent go.

[dave303e]

I have a question for you guys who are more technically minded than I am..

 

I have been drinking the minimus/zero drop cool aid for 15 odd years. The biggest heal/toe difference I've had was 2mm in my Nike run free knit in 2015.

 

On the trail, what would be the effect of going from a zero drop (Read Altra Lone Peak etc) to say a 6mm drop?

 

The new Nike trail shoes look RAD and I feel like I want a change. But not sure if I've hamstrung myself. 

 

Is it really going to make no difference at all? My heart says I should just try it but my head says I should at least ask first.

 

As far as I am concerned going to a higher drop shouldn't cause issues, usually lower drops put more strain on shorter muscles and tendons.

 

I don't know about the wild horse, but I am 1200km into my Pegasus 36 trail shoes and about to order the 2nd pair now. Uppers are still perfect, tread is good, was super comfortable for the first 120km at karkloof in them and only swapped to the salomons for dry shoes for the last marathon when the rain had stopped. I bought a pair of salomon ultras a week after the nikes and the salomon ultra's today have 260km on them total. I just automatically go to the Nikes. 

[Jackes]

 Pegasus 36 trail shoes 

 

Then there is this as well...

https://www.nike.com/za/t/air-zoom-terra-kiger-7-trail-running-shoe-PFRMNz/CW6062-002

 

I like the colour scheme on this one

https://www.nike.com/za/t/pegasus-trail-2-trail-running-shoe-ZCfbql/CK4305-301

[Jewbacca]

As far as I am concerned going to a higher drop shouldn't cause issues, usually lower drops put more strain on shorter muscles and tendons.

 

I don't know about the wild horse, but I am 1200km into my Pegasus 36 trail shoes and about to order the 2nd pair now. Uppers are still perfect, tread is good, was super comfortable for the first 120km at karkloof in them and only swapped to the salomons for dry shoes for the last marathon when the rain had stopped. I bought a pair of salomon ultras a week after the nikes and the salomon ultra's today have 260km on them total. I just automatically go to the Nikes. 

I went and tried on all the 'top' shoes, did some treadmill testing and came home with 2 different variants of the ASICS range. 

 

After growing up with ASICS tigers and other variants, they felt like home. Ugly as sin, but comfortable and feel like they will do the business.

 

Looking forward to testing them out over the coming months. 

 

It feels liberating having shed the brand shackles 

[usxorf]

I went and tried on all the 'top' shoes, did some treadmill testing and came home with 2 different variants of the ASICS range. 

 

After growing up with ASICS tigers and other variants, they felt like home. Ugly as sin, but comfortable and feel like they will do the business.

 

Looking forward to testing them out over the coming months. 

 

It feels liberating having shed the brand shackles 

I swap between 0 and 10/12mm drop without even noticing, but a narrow toe box or rigid heel cup is my achilles heel.

[Jewbacca]

I swap between 0 and 10/12mm drop without even noticing, but a narrow toe box or rigid heel cup is my achilles heel.

Yeah, the toe box HAS to have room.

 

The other big issue for me is the height of the shoe at the toe and over the top of the laces.

 

The Salomon shoes I tried felt like they were really shallow. The next best option for me was the Saucony Peregrine 11. I might try those next if I'm feeling daring in a couple of months time.

 

I'm going to do another 'race loaded' 13 peaks next week sometime and test the asics and the new head torch (as well as the legs) so we will see. 

 

Did one 2 weeks ago Friday but my trusty head torch stopped working and I've subsequently got a few new toys that need breaking in.

 

It's a cool route with lots of variety and under foot conditions as well as forcing me to follow a route and not just run trails I know and am comfortable on. It's good race simulation

[dave303e]

Ya I have 6 or 7 brands worth of running shoes in the cupboard, I think as well running in different shapes and drops week to week keep your feet adaptive. 

But it is nice to see shoes for shoes not for tags.

 

I have a fast pair for speed work, a fast longer run pair, some plush cushioned recovery run shoes.

The for trail there is a wet run pair, the nikes for most trails and the salomons for off trail stuff...

 

I must say next time I pop into slaapstad I think a 13 peaks is in order, need to spend a few weeks on those maps because I am sure there is a faster route than the standard one, just in terms of out and backs and climbing etc.

 

Same goes for 9 peaks, a few good sneaks and ideas there...

[Jewbacca]

Ya I have 6 or 7 brands worth of running shoes in the cupboard, I think as well running in different shapes and drops week to week keep your feet adaptive. 

But it is nice to see shoes for shoes not for tags.

 

I have a fast pair for speed work, a fast longer run pair, some plush cushioned recovery run shoes.

The for trail there is a wet run pair, the nikes for most trails and the salomons for off trail stuff...

 

I must say next time I pop into slaapstad I think a 13 peaks is in order, need to spend a few weeks on those maps because I am sure there is a faster route than the standard one, just in terms of out and backs and climbing etc.

 

Same goes for 9 peaks, a few good sneaks and ideas there...

There are definitely a few places one can make changes, but the hout bay out and backs are definitely the fastest. 

 

I have a few ideas I'm going to test next week too. I'm not really going for time, more race simulation, so fully loaded and fun. If you want to go fast, run as much tar and gravel road as you can, don't do ledges and get your mates to carry everything for you!

[Chris_]

Yeah, the toe box HAS to have room.

 

The other big issue for me is the height of the shoe at the toe and over the top of the laces.

 

The Salomon shoes I tried felt like they were really shallow. The next best option for me was the Saucony Peregrine 11. I might try those next if I'm feeling daring in a couple of months time.

 

I'm going to do another 'race loaded' 13 peaks next week sometime and test the asics and the new head torch (as well as the legs) so we will see.

 

Did one 2 weeks ago Friday but my trusty head torch stopped working and I've subsequently got a few new toys that need breaking in.

 

It's a cool route with lots of variety and under foot conditions as well as forcing me to follow a route and not just run trails I know and am comfortable on. It's good race simulation

Which headlamp?

 

I got a Silva one the other day. I'd never heard of the brand, but looks legit - light, waterproof, comfy. They lie flat-out about the brightness burn time but I'm looking forward to giving it a proper test.

[Jewbacca]

Which headlamp?

 

I got a Silva one the other day. I'd never heard of the brand, but looks legit - light, waterproof, comfy. They lie flat-out about the brightness burn time but I'm looking forward to giving it a proper test.

hahahaha I got the silva trail runner free..... Purely for the burn time! hahaha I will see how it holds up next week on my tour round the mountain.

 

I'm giving it a bit of a beef up with some carbon fibre around the join where the light unit attaches to the fitting which integrated the cables and the headband. Otherwise yeah, it looks like a solid, well thought out piece of kit.

 

The Petzl IKO core also tickled my fancy but the burn times are pretty bad.

 

I have been a big fan of Silva compasses for years and we raced against their flagship AR team a number of times 'Haglofs Silva' where we got to ogle over some of the kit.

 

Good luck to Ant. He brings in Raidlight and Silva now, which are nice alternatives.

 

I also picked up a UD Halo vest for R1500 as an upgrade for my Ultraspire 2.5, which does not have the capacity to hold much. The Ultraspire was always supposed to be a 'day run' bag as it maxes out with a tiny waterproof vest and some snacks, so hoping the Halo delivers on the kit carrying front.

 

The chest bottle holders fit normal 750mm bidons which is a massive win. I'm not a fan of soft flasks. 1.5L up front and the 2 soft flasks as stowed water in the back will be perfect for the first 100 miles of MacMac and for Tusker (also those first 65km at UTD) where the aid stations are up to 50km apart.

 

Kit... such a headache!

[PhilipV]

I

 

It feels liberating having shed the brand shackles

I used to be an inov8 disciple, but I tried an Asics trail runner and I liked it. A lot. So I bought it.

Then my last pair of inov8 snuffed out and I needed a pair of road shoes, while not really able to afford it. I run more road than trail (Wifey prefers road, and she looks like fire in tights,) and I cringe when running road on my trail knobbies.

So I bought a pair of Adidas Duramo off a sportsman's warehouse markdown table, and I'm enamoured with how nice they run. So much so that I will definitely try an Adi pair when I need to get new trail shoes.

 

But when that time comes I reckon I'll pull into one of the specialist run stores and try on everything I can, because being a brand disciple (and a snob) just puts blinders on yourself.

[b-rad]

Gerda Steyn smashed Colleen de Reucks 25 year old SA marathon record (Berlin Marathon 1996 2:26:35) in Italy today. (Note. Elena Meyer ran 2:25:15 at the 1994 Boston Marathon but it's not considered official as its an aided course).

Gerda ran 2:25:28 to finish in 9th. Brilliant!!

 

Irvette van Zyl ran a PB and Olympic qualifier in 2:28:40 finishing 13th.

Edited April 11, 2021 by b-rad

[Wayne Potgieter]

T8 Sherpa V2 Shorts with Commando undies for the win!

 

Absolute game changer. Totally in love with these.

 

 

[PhilipV]

How do you stay visible when running in the dark?

 

I started a bit late last night and finished on the dark. Running down Spook bult in the dark wasn't bright of me, fortunately I saw neither cars nor ghouls.

 

I have two headlamps that I'll test to see which one I prefer for running, but I reckon some form of hi-viz as well won't go to waste?

[Wayne Potgieter]

How do you stay visible when running in the dark?

 

I started a bit late last night and finished on the dark. Running down Spook bult in the dark wasn't bright of me, fortunately I saw neither cars nor ghouls.

 

I have two headlamps that I'll test to see which one I prefer for running, but I reckon some form of hi-viz as well won't go to waste?

this is really popular over here.

 

https://www.decathlon.nz/products/run-light-100-running-light-black?variant=33116613705781&currency=NZD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw38-DBhDpARIsADJ3kjnNEBmZRZRv5akLFDX5TjQ2qtF9GiofnEO89IGsypgaEFZwPA6Lm70aAvdDEALw_wcB

[Stretch]

How do you stay visible when running in the dark?

 

I started a bit late last night and finished on the dark. Running down Spook bult in the dark wasn't bright of me, fortunately I saw neither cars nor ghouls.

 

I have two headlamps that I'll test to see which one I prefer for running, but I reckon some form of hi-viz as well won't go to waste?

Remember head lamps can blind motorists. High viz vests are used here. In fact you just go into the police station and ask for one, or send away for one and they will send it to you