Super shoes have taken over the running world. With their carbon plates and high-tech foam, they promise better efficiency, faster times, and reduced fatigue. But here’s the catch—if you’re throwing them on for speed work while running at a pace that doesn’t actually challenge you, you’re missing the point entirely.
The Science Doesn’t Lie
Super shoes are designed for high-intensity efforts. Their foam is meant to compress and rebound efficiently, and the plate helps propel you forward—but only if you're running fast enough to activate those mechanics. If you're holding back to match a training partner’s slower pace, you’re not engaging the shoe's full potential, which means you’re not getting the benefits you think you are.
Wasted Miles, Wasted Shoes
These high-performance shoes don’t last forever. Every mile you run in them chips away at their responsiveness, and if you're using them for workouts that don’t demand peak effort, you're burning through their lifespan for no real gain. Save them for race day or key workouts where they actually contribute to your progress.
Training Intent Matters
Speed workouts are meant to push your limits. If you’re constantly adjusting to a slower pace, you’re not hitting the effort zones needed to build speed, endurance, or neuromuscular coordination. The workout becomes an in-between effort—too slow to be quality speed work and too fast to be an easy run. That’s a recipe for stagnation.
Train Smarter, Not Just Faster
If you’re investing in super shoes, make sure your training aligns with their purpose. Prioritize workouts that challenge you at the right intensity, and if you need to run with a slower partner, save it for easy runs or cooldowns. If you're unsure how to structure your training for maximum results, let’s talk. I help runners train smarter, build speed, and get the most out of every mile—without wasting effort, time, or expensive gear.
What’s your take? Have you felt the difference when wearing super shoes at different paces? Drop a comment and let’s chat!