Hello friends! Let me begin by saying that although we're talking Carbon today, one can run or race in any shoe. We all have different feet, ankles, shins, bodies, etcetera – so each of us will have a different reaction to footwear. Hard stop. Walk, jog, run, sprint, race in whatever fits you best and makes you feel comfortable. My last race was in the Nike Infinity 4. My next race will be in the Nike Zoom Fly 6 more than likely. Mix it up and have fun!
Ok, the last time we talked I proceeded to give my best impression of a person who paid attention in any chemistry or physics class. What I was trying to do was lay the foundation, in this case Carbon, define it, and explain its usage in some of the footwear models that have hit the running industry over the past almost decade. Here's a brief summation: footwear brands are using Carbon in some of their models' manufacturing processes to create plates that are inserted into a shoe's midsole foam cushioning. That carbon, in community with the foam, is intended to provide an increased propulsion effect in your underfoot experience.
Propulsion – think of a rocking chair for your feet so that you feel as if you're flying as opposed to running. Compare getting out of a rocking chair versus a stationary chair. THAT feeling.
Energy Return – think of jumping on a trampoline. You can bounce higher than on solid Earth. And you can bounce higher and longer. THAT feeling. Until you get tired.
We also talked a bit about the importance of today's advanced foams. Some studies show that the advanced foams, not the carbon, may be the most important factor in improving running economy. The carbon–fiber plate stabilizes these advanced foams, and also contributes some to improving economy/performance. Their effect depends on their placement and geometry.
What I didn't mention was the shoe's "rocker". And yes, it's just as it sounds. Think back to that aforementioned rocking chair versus a standard chair. The base of a standard chair is typically flat and completely parallel to the surface that it's rested on. Rockers have a curve. A primary intention of the rocker is to replicate the natural curves of our feet (toes and ankles), which reduces pressure on those lower extremities and assists with injury prevention. Another key benefit to a rocker, working in collaboration with a carbon–fiber plate and advanced foam, is that reduced pressure – what we typically label as 'smoother transition' – can also work with the overall running experience to make one faster.
And after all of that "racing" shoe talk.....what in the Earth is a "tempo" shoe? Well, a tempo run is, usually, a continuous run at a pace faster than your easy pace, but not as fast as your race pace. Its intent is to work on your speed, endurance, and lactate threshold – which measures at what intensity we can maintain this pace, and for how long. Tempo Shoes are made primarily to assist with these workouts.
Now here's where the fun starts! Today, when most people are talking about a Racing Shoe, it is assumed that its carbon–plated. When it comes to a Tempo Shoe, some contain carbon (e.g. the aforementioned Nike Zoom Fly 6) and some are carbon free (e.g. the ASICS Novablast 5). Generally speaking, a tempo shoe with carbon can be called a Super Trainer. A tempo shoe without carbon.....tempo shoe. Here's what's true about most tempo shoes, "super" or not:
Tempo shoes weigh less in the upper material than your normal training shoes. So the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4, one of my favorites, weighs less than the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 or New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14.
Tempo shoes contain lighter, sometimes bouncier midsole foam that's geared to help you run faster. The foam on the Brooks Hyperion Max 2, another one of my favorites, versus that of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 or Brooks Ghost 16.
Tempo shoes have midsoles and outsoles comprised of lighter materials. So the lifespan of a tempo shoe is shorter than that of an everyday trainer.
A lot of runners I know, myself included, have an everyday training shoe, a tempo shoe, and a racing shoe. The choice is yours! Racing shoes can be racing shoes. Tempo shoes can be racing shoes. Training shoes can be racing shoes. Racing shoes can be tempo shoes. And so on. We can talk about this all day!
Next week I'll make a list of models that we carry at Philadelphia Runner and what category they fall under: Super Shoe, Super Trainer, Tempo Shoe.
Extra Credit:
A) Sometimes carbon–plated shoes in our inventory are limited by their brand manufacturer. These shoes are sometimes difficult to special order. That's industry talk for if you see it and like it.....buy it!
B) Please remember, per Philadelphia Runner's Return Policy, that plated shoes are final sale and cannot be returned. Pro tip: if you're unsure about a Super Shoe, don't guess. Come visit us in store (locations below) to get fitted and ask questions. Or drop me a line – brodie@philadelphiarunner.com – and I can point you in the right direction.
PR Center City: 1711 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
PR Manayunk: 4358 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA
PR Glen Mills: 505 Glen Eagle Square, Glen Mills, PA