Training
How to pick your race-day shoe
Your marathon shoe should feel like a known friend, not a stranger. Here is how to choose it and when to break it in.
· 6 min read
Every fall I get the same question from athletes a few weeks out from their marathon: should I buy something new for race day? The short answer is yes, maybe, but only if you start now.
Start with what already works
Look at the shoe you have done your longest runs in. If it has carried you through 18 to 20 miles without hot spots, it is already a strong race-day candidate. A fresh pair of the same model is often the safest choice of all.
If you want something faster
A lighter, more responsive shoe like the Tempo 2 can save energy over 26.2 miles, but it needs at least two long runs and one goal-pace workout before the race. Your feet, calves, and Achilles all need time to adapt to a new geometry.
Nothing new on race day applies to shoes more than anything else in your bag.
The final check
Ten days out, lace up your race pair for a 6-mile run at marathon pace. If it feels good, put it away until race morning. If anything rubs, go back to your trusted trainer. You will not regret it.
