The Running Thread --2025

[fatmanatee]

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...

I was looking at those too! But they looked very similar to the Speeds and yes, they're 80 dollars more expensive. Interesting...

Should also note that when I last looked at the Paris's it looked like they were running out of stock and I wasn't sure if they were done with them (I assume they're named after the Olympics), looks like they may have been restocked though. I also wear Asics for volleyball and it seems like they have a weird habit of running out of things randomly.

 

[Zutroy]

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!

What will you be using these for? Races, daily trainers, threshold runs? What pace will you be running in these shoes? Generally carbon plates aren’t that effective below 8 minute miles, and the high stack height makes them unstable at slower speeds. I find the foam (especially ZoomX) firms up at faster paces, whereas it’s almost like a marshmallow walking in them.

Both the Magic Speed and Zoom Fly 6 I’d put in the tempo run category. The idea for these shoes is that they are companion trainers to the Metaspeed and Vaporfly shoes, allowing you to train with a similar foam and plates in a more durable form factor. I’ve heard great things about Zoom Fly, but less than good things about the Magic Speed, since ASICS took a snappy minimalist racer and added a ton of stack height to it.

My current rotation I have the Superblast 2 for long runs or easy days, Vaporfly 2/Adios Pro 3 for 10K+ threshold runs, Saucony Sinister for speed days, and I’ll rotate Endorphin Pro 1, Speed 1, and Speed 3 as well depending on how I’m feeling.

 

[KCO5988]

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 just bought a pair of Nike Alphafly but don't have a review yet. They were 25% off on Nike website, so that was a bonus. Planning to wear for Princess 10k and can circle back with my thoughts after the race.

 

[fatmanatee]

What will you be using these for? Races, daily trainers, threshold runs? What pace will you be running in these shoes? Generally carbon plates aren’t that effective below 8 minute miles, and the high stack height makes them unstable at slower speeds. I find the foam (especially ZoomX) firms up at faster paces, whereas it’s almost like a marshmallow walking in them.

Both the Magic Speed and Zoom Fly 6 I’d put in the tempo run category. The idea for these shoes is that they are companion trainers to the Metaspeed and Vaporfly shoes, allowing you to train with a similar foam and plates in a more durable form factor. I’ve heard great things about Zoom Fly, but less than good things about the Magic Speed, since ASICS took a snappy minimalist racer and added a ton of stack height to it.

My current rotation I have the Superblast 2 for long runs or easy days, Vaporfly 2/Adios Pro 3 for 10K+ threshold runs, Saucony Sinister for speed days, and I’ll rotate Endorphin Pro 1, Speed 1, and Speed 3 as well depending on how I’m feeling.

Would be for races. Goal is <2:00 POT, so about 9 min per mile.

 

[FFigawi]

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!

Have a look at the Metaspeed Edge+ or Edge Paris, and also the Saucony Endorphin Pro. They’re all excellent race shoes and are fairly stable. Not as stable as the Kayanos, but stable enough that you won’t feel like a baby giraffe. I switch between the Edge+ and the Pro depending on the weather. The Edge+ are not quite as grippy when it’s wet.

 

[Zutroy]

Would be for races. Goal is <2:00 POT, so about 9 min per mile.

For a half: Vaporfly or Endorphin Pro. Both are nimble enough to allow the quick turnover that I find difficult in the bulkier high stack shoes. For a full: Alphafly or Adios Pro. The Adios Pro 3 is an absolutely brilliant shoe with a trash upper (that honestly doesn’t both me, but literally rubs some people the wrong way). I’ve heard the upper in the Pro 4 is much better, but the foam is softer.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I was looking at those too! But they looked very similar to the Speeds and yes, they're 80 dollars more expensive. Interesting...

I don't know if the specs are similar, but in practice, no, they do not feel similar at all. My go-to easy run shoe is the Novablast (have used 3 and 4), and I'd say the Metaspeeds are closer to a race version of that than to the Magic Speeds. Honestly I have never worn a shoe that I disliked so much.

I have also raced in the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3s, and while you can usually find pretty good deals on whatever the last model of these was, for me they didn't quite line up with the shape of my feet and so didn't work as well.

Whatever you end up with, I'd recommend ordering from like a Fleet Feet or Running Warehouse where they have a return policy that allows you to actually try the shoes on a run and return them if they don't work for you - everybody has a slightly different foot.

 

[fatmanatee]

For a half: Vaporfly or Endorphin Pro. Both are nimble enough to allow the quick turnover that I find difficult in the bulkier high stack shoes. For a full: Alphafly or Adios Pro. The Adios Pro 3 is an absolutely brilliant shoe with a trash upper (that honestly doesn’t both me, but literally rubs some people the wrong way). I’ve heard the upper in the Pro 4 is much better, but the foam is softer.

I don't know if the specs are similar, but in practice, no, they do not feel similar at all. My go-to easy run shoe is the Novablast (have used 3 and 4), and I'd say the Metaspeeds are closer to a race version of that than to the Magic Speeds. Honestly I have never worn a shoe that I disliked so much.

I have also raced in the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3s, and while you can usually find pretty good deals on whatever the last model of these was, for me they didn't quite line up with the shape of my feet and so didn't work as well.

Whatever you end up with, I'd recommend ordering from like a Fleet Feet or Running Warehouse where they have a return policy that allows you to actually try the shoes on a run and return them if they don't work for you - everybody has a slightly different foot.

Yeah at first glance I think I would be pretty happy with either the Sauconys or the Asics. Will continue researching but I have a few Fleet Feets nearby so when I make up my mind I'll see if I can get a test run at one of the stores. Thanks all!

 

[PrincessV]

Shoes revisited: I put in a 3+ mile run in the Newton Momentum’s, and… eh. Nothing was especially wrong - holy smokes, have I missed those lugs! The run felt practically effortless. But the midfoot fit is a bit sloppy: sloppy enough on my slightly smaller right foot that I kept adjusting my foot within the shoe during leg swings. I cinched the laces as tight as I could without causing issues, but it’s just a sloppy fit compared to the Fates. I also really felt the higher drop (6mm - I’ve been running in 0mm for months) and am not at all sure a higher drop works with Newton’s tech. They’ve got a 30-day trial policy so they may go back for either another pair of Fates if those work out (trialing them later today - they definitely fit better), the newest Gravity, or a refund.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I also threw my name in the NYCM lottery. I have never been picked for NY or Chicago, maybe this will finally be the year!

And in the shoe department, for me it is all about Hoka, they do a great job in supporting my large runner frame. Street running I am a fan of the Clifton and for trails and (since I live in Michigan) snow I use the Speedgoat. Real happy with both.

 

[The Expert]

I have never been picked for NY or Chicago, maybe this will finally be the year!

Me either, though I've really only sporadically entered for them over the last 5 or 6 years. For some reason, I decided to look up Chicago again, even though I was rejected in December. I checked charities, and while the one at the top of my list (One Tail at a Time) shows full, it appears Team Fox still has some entries. I've seen them at Disney races and always thought it'd be fun to run with them if I ever did a charity, being a huge fan of Michael J. and having a Fox tattoo for my dearly departed heart dog, Mr Fox.

So then I let myself get a little excited about MAYBE doing Chicago this year. Is that just silly? I even went back and read the 2018 thread from when a group of DISers did it, and DopeyBadger's trip report.

I'm not doing Dopey this coming January, which feels right. I don't think I want to do two marathons that close, just knowing my body and the training cycles.

Anyone have any experience running with Team Fox? I see there's an application -- how hard is it to get in and am I likely to at this point? It's a $3000 fundraising cost, which is high, but I work for a nonprofit and am pretty confident I could do it.

It feels kinda "late" to start planning, even though the race is months off, but I also feel like I should take advantage of the momentum and just go for it.

 

[marty3d]

I also threw my name in the NYCM lottery. I have never been picked for NY or Chicago, maybe this will finally be the year!

And in the shoe department, for me it is all about Hoka, they do a great job in supporting my large runner frame. Street running I am a fan of the Clifton and for trails and (since I live in Michigan) snow I use the Speedgoat. Real happy with both.

You just touched on a question I was going to ask - I'm happy with my road running shoe mix (Nike Pegasus for short/ temp runs, Vomero for long training runs and Vaporfly for Half/Full) - but have really struggled to find a trail show I like - and given I'm considering doing my first trail race in August I'm about to start shopping around. I've tried Nike's trail shoes and really dislike them - especially the soles.

The Hoka Speedgoat is on my shortlist to try. Sounds like you end up running in similar conditions to me - how do you find them in snow? mud?

 

[pluto377]

I put in for nyc too. I’m sure I won’t get picked but hey why not?!

 

[fatmanatee]

No NYC for me this year, although these posts about jumping in the lotto have been tempting me. I'm already marking that day on my schedule so I'll be out and about on the other side. I hope you all get in!

 

[mmm_texas]

Regarding shoes, if speed is one of your main goals, I have no insights.

For me, where enjoying the run and avoiding injury are my main goals, let me once again throw out there how well minimalist shoes have worked. I've been running in them for over 15 years, with no injuries of any kind. And I'm old(er) , could stand to lose weight, etc. It does take a few months to get used to using shorter stride, striking toward the front of the foot, and building the micro-muscles you're not used to using.

For the last few years I've been wearing Xero Speed Force, which I really like. But moving between one pair of minimalist to another is mainly the look, quality, and just making sure they fit and don't rub the wrong way anywhere, since the sole/support is going to pretty much be the same.

Of course, and with shoes especially, YMMV.

 

[Baloo in MI]

The Hoka Speedgoat is on my shortlist to try. Sounds like you end up running in similar conditions to me - how do you find them in snow? mud?

I really like their grip on a dirt/rock surface and their lugs hold pretty well in snow and mud. They provide a good foot base and I feel really secure in them in slippery environments. This is important to me as a bigger runner and having a little anxiety around re-injury of my ankle. It was several years ago and I should let it go but I just can’t seem to…

The only down fall to them from my perspective is they feel a bit heavy.

 

[Zutroy]

Regarding shoes, if speed is one of your main goals, I have no insights.

For me, where enjoying the run and avoiding injury are my main goals, let me once again throw out there how well minimalist shoes have worked. I've been running in them for over 15 years, with no injuries of any kind. And I'm old(er) , could stand to lose weight, etc. It does take a few months to get used to using shorter stride, striking toward the front of the foot, and building the micro-muscles you're not used to using.

For the last few years I've been wearing Xero Speed Force, which I really like. But moving between one pair of minimalist to another is mainly the look, quality, and just making sure they fit and don't rub the wrong way anywhere, since the sole/support is going to pretty much be the same.

Of course, and with shoes especially, YMMV.

I love a minimal racing flat for many reasons, but largely because it uses leg and feet muscles that are not engaged with high stack, high drop shoes. I think it’s important to have a variety of shoes in rotation to prevent injuries and build overall strength.

One of my all-time favorite shoes is the New Balance Minimus MR00, a zero-drop shoe that is a glorified aqua sock with a Vibram rubber sole. It was nothing but road feel, and I loved it. Alas, the minimalist trend died and now we have big chonky shoes.

 

[mmm_texas]

Alas, the minimalist trend died and now we have big chonky shoes.

It didn't die, it just went underground.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Circling back to this:

I'll have one this summer. NB has changed the 1080 so much that it's not working as well for me, so I'm going to be on the prowl for something else. I didn't hate the Saucony Triumph when I tried it on in the store, so that's probably where I'll start. My issue is that I've worn 1080s for literally everything (running, refereeing, and as casual-wear) for 4 years now.

I was looking at a few things today and noticed that NB now has a "Balos v1" (which is ridiculous because they introduced "just" a Balos in the first quarter of 2024. The appear, on the outside, to look a lot like 1080s. Some searching through reddit (for whatever that's worth) says that a lot of people who liked 1080s up until v14, meaning they liked the v13, like these. And that they are "soft but bouncy" and also that they have a pretty aggressive rocker. People were mentioning the supercomp trainer v1 (which I love, except I need it a half size bigger because it gives me a blister on my 4th toe tip and bruises the end of my big toes if I run more than about 8mi. What a lot of people don't like is the supershoe-esque price tag of $200 for something that doesn't have any kind of plate.

On NB's website they are 20% off, and there's a valentines day code for an additional 15% off, bringing them down to $136. I feel like it would be stupid to not try them, but uuuuuugh. Buying new shoes right before I'm trying to convince DH about MW registration, right before spring break, right after we got our propane bill....*sigh*

Also, the rebels come in like 10 colors now. Including that really pretty pink one I wanted before I realized I didn't really like the shoe.

 

[jmasgat]

Re:Shoes.....for yucks I did a search on "find a similar running shoe" and clicked on RoadRunnerSports Perfect Fit Finder. Entered my data, and it came back with......the Brooks Ghost16 in the exact color combo of the shoe I just retired!

Under "More Options" it pulled up the Asics Gel Cumulus--this was the shoe I tried when I was looking to change things up....and immediately brought it back cause it just felt weird when I ran.

Gotta laugh.