I'm with you on this. I've had good experiences with mid-range shoes, they might not be the most technologically advanced, but they do the job. And let's be real, most of us aren't elite athletes, we just need something that won't leave us crippled after a 5k.
For me, a good pair of shoes and a water bottle are essentials. Everything else is just nice to have. I've run with and without fitness trackers, and honestly, I don't feel like I'm missing out on much. Give me a good pair of shoes and some hydration, and I'm set!
Time waits for no one, not even legends. Congrats to the new champs!
I've dabbled in minimalist shoes, but never gone full-on barefoot. I can see the benefits of strengthening your feet and ankles, but I'm not sure it's worth the risk of injury. Plus, have you seen the state of our roads? There's glass and trash everywhere! I'll stick to my trusty kicks, thanks.
For me, it's the fear of losing my hard-earned fitness level. I know if I skip a few runs, I'll be back to square one, huffing and puffing like a beginner. That thought gets me out the door, even on the laziest of mornings. Plus, a good cup of coffee doesn't hurt either.
About time we started recognizing the differences. Would be great to see more studies like this, maybe we can finally get rid of those 'en's' and 'women's' categories and focus on individual performance instead.
I was like you, relying on feel, until I realized I was lying to myself. Got a watch, and oh boy, it was a rude awakening. But yeah, tracking splits is the way to go. No more 'I'm pretty sure I'm running a 7-minute mile' when in reality it's more like 9:30.