The crowded Comrades Marathon finish line in the last hour
records over a variety of events , raising the shoe question on each occasion . the running shoe market with around 70 % of the market , as the brand dominated the store shelves , and so even specialist running shops were forced to stock these jogging type models , as runners themselves had been both restricted and brainwashed into believing that the technology was superior to the basics of a true running shoe .
A look at the levels of performance from the mid- 1990 ’ s show a steady decline from that period amongst average club runners , as their investment in control type shoes increased ( and debatably augmented by the ever-increasing move to sedentary activities promoted by modern technology ). This reduction in performance level is seen over the same period in many countries , including Finland , a nation with a rich distance running legacy .
As South Africa entered the new millennium , even the 11-hour Comrades tradition was sacrificed in order to increase the number of potential participants . By 2003 the 12-hour cut-off was here to stay , and now around 50-60 % of the field finish between 10:30 and 12 hours . This pace of 7-8 minutes per km is more likely to be considered a jogging pace and style for non-age group runners . This equates to around a 4:30 marathon , which some consider the split from mid-foot to heelstriking , or running versus jogging . a plate sandwiched between two highly cushioned foam layers . The reality is that advancement in our sport has been commercially driven , and it has affected not only the performance level of mass participation athletes , but also potentially influenced the rate of injury amongst average runners .
The Awakening Begins
As most sponsored elite runners had no challenges in accessing racing type shoes , but were paid to promote mass participation shoes , the gradual awareness of style changes took time to develop momentum , beginning in the early 2000 ’ s . There had always been epic barefoot running examples , with Ethiopian Abebe Bikila ’ s win in the 1960 Rome Olympics one of the early classics . Having been unable to get his size in the adidas model he was sponsored to wear , he went barefoot , but this unplanned barefoot run still delivered a new World Record for the marathon , clearly stimulating questions on shoe status . Others , such as Zola Budd , won cross country victories and set world
In 2005 , Nike not only produced the Nike Free 5 , but included instructions that these shoes should be eased into by a programme that commenced with 10 minutes of running for the initial sessions . This was in recognition that other shoes had not allowed the feet and leg muscles to fully exercise , so there was a need for adaptation . A major boost to this thinking came with the publication of Born to Run , which became a bestseller and highlighted the exploits of Mexican Indians whose culture included running massive distances wearing only sandals . ( Chapter 25 went into great detail about the education of a natural running style , allowing average Joe runners to make the transition as well .)
Since 2005 , there has been a gradual but steady reduction in heel height , an increase in flexibility , and basically , a return to the sort of shoes of the 1970 ’ s and 80 ’ s . Some brands such as Nike , with their Free range , acknowledged the problems , while companies like Brooks , Saucony , Innov8 , Newton , Altra , and Vivo have built their marketing around low-drop shoes , and even the width and shape of their toebox . Meanwhile , Asics has continued rolling out their same model names , increasing their model numeral with each yearly generation , but silently and gradually lowering the heel height and rigidity .
Nike Free 2.0
As discussed last month , the increase in heel height put the centre of gravity behind the point of landing – effectively sitting the runner on his heels , thus requiring energy to lift up and into the next stride . This also meant that runners would suffer lower back pain after long runs , as they were hammering their heels against the ground , and those impacts were carried up the spine . There are now generations of medical professionals who have been presented with runners showing impacted or compressed spines and similar complaints , as though this is normal .
It is incredible to think that shoes were better designed in the early 70 ’ s than all through the following 35 years . Of course , there has been considerable advancement in the materials and construction techniques , but not in the actual ‘ mechanics ’ of shoes until the recent innovation of
Abebe Bikila wins the 1960 Olympic Marathon , running barefoot !
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