Racing Flats

Don't know about you but where have i been all these time. I just came across the kind of running shoes that I never knew existed. "The flats". Apparently these are for professionals and the elite as such. Not for the average Joe. Also not many people don't worry about these because Joneses don't wear them, why only professional use them. So don't have to keep up with the Joneses- ha ha..... lame i know.

So what are flats. Nothing to do with housing flats. They are called flats because they dont have tall heel nor tall sole/base/deck/platform. Ok this picture says a thousand words. This is the "Adidas adiZero Rocket"




As you can see the heel is minimal. Also the mid sole section is minimal too. No air, gel, lunar foam, shocks, springs or other gymnastics. Just minimal, lightweight and looks like it does the job. It is designed to be minimal, lightweight and let the feet do its talking. It feels right but i have not worn a single pair for running. It does not have any springy sole which leads to absorbing the energy with every foot strike. Also I like the minimal part. Minimal support, minimal cushioning just a well designed, do the job running shoe. Can wait to try one of these puppies.

Also one of the never answered question that have with running shoes is the height of the heel. I have rolled my leg few times and I think partly blame my self for that and side of me who is looking for someone else to blame says it is the high arch. If the shoe is low to the ground non of this rolling over landing on uneven surfaces, rocks would have happen. Rock and roll baby.......


Now the question. Do you think i should stop wearing traditional running shoes you asked. So i replied " No way ". All the cushioning, high heel, support, air, gel and all sorts of technology is there for a reason. No doubt there are hours of research gone in to designing these as well as the people who design them are not stupid and not coming up with these technologies and terms only for money. With the competition on hand, people have too many choices. People are free to make up their mind. The high arch/ hell is there for a reason, it to control the motion of the feet as well as give the feet enough support. I never understood the reason behind the huge plastic thing on the ankle section called the heel counters. Guess it is protect the Achilles tendon and that big joint.


So as for my research; racing flats are for racing purposes. But guess have to wear these on training runs as well. Reason being don't need any surprises on a racing day with, running 26 miles on a unfamiliar pair of shoes. Also i found out that elite runners use racing flats all the time due to not having to deal with all the additional support and protective thingo's that has been introduced in running shoes over the years.

So for the writing purposes and my own curiosity, went out there on my freedom machine to the Nike as well as new balance store in Melbourne to see and get a proper feel to these shoes. Nike had the Nike Zoom Speed Racer 2. It is extremely light weight. Couldn't even feel the shoe. They sure don't have that stiff part at the front of the hell. Extremely flexible like elastic. The heel counters are near extinct from the shoe. Very low to the ground. Looks to me this a good choice. But have to introduce these shoes for taring gradually. Until the foot get used to it.