Peek inside an elite runner’s shoe closet
As goals increase, the need for specificity increases.
Rachel Hannah earned a bronze medal in the women’s marathon at the 2015 Pan Am Games. She’s a registered dietitian at Medcan.
In my closet I wear a variety of different shoes for different purposes.
Added substance protects against injury
I wear the New Balance 860 for every day mileage and longer runs. I like the added substance under foot with a 10mm offset; the stack heights of 24mm in the heel; and 14mm in the forefoot. Many people think elite runners are only wearing light and fast shoes. In fact, most wear a substantial shoe for the majority of their running (80% of my weekly mileage). Personally, I find it helps me stay protected and healthy.
Lower offset for longer runs
I wear the New Balance 870 (soon to be Vazee Prism) for long road and cross country workouts because it is a slightly lower offset at 8mm drop and lower stack heights. It also allows me to get closer to the ground and have better “feel of the ground” when I want less dwell time into the mid-sole of the shoe.
Race choice is low and light
For races, I wear the New Balance 1600 because it is very low and light, almost feeling “paper thin”. These I wear for races 10 miles and less. Since racing shoes don’t offer much cushion or protection, I don’t wear them that often — not even for training because the goal is to carry as little equipment as possible in a goal race situation.
My marathon strategy includes light stability
Finally, I wear the New Balance 1500 for long-road races like the marathon. The 6mm drop light stability takes me the full distance.
This all to say, specificity in equipment, just like in any pursuit, can be very important.
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