Footwear for 50K sloppy conditions

brahmwindeler

Barefooters

Aug 6, 2010

8

1

3

brahm.windeler.net

Jul 9, 2012

#1

• Jul 9, 2012

• #1

Hey all,

I'll be doing the Run Woodstock 50k (my first!) in September and have been training in Invisible Shoes Connect sandals and original Luna sandals with the suede tops (mostly due to the rocky trails here in SE Michigan). If the conditions are good I'll likely run in the Lunas. However, apparently last year was a complete mud fest from 3 days of rain -- not very good for those Lunas. I'm looking for a good minimalist alternative for sloppy conditions in case I need it. Any recommendations? I'd like to start doing some training runs in them soon to reduce the likelihood of any surprises on the day of the event.

 

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Reactions: zapmamak

zapmamak

Barefooters

Sep 15, 2010

656

234

43

Rocklin, CA

www.nakedonsharppointystuff.com

Jul 9, 2012

#2

• Jul 9, 2012

• #2

My Merrell's got me through an ultra muddy 50k out here at the headlands in March. We had torrential downpours for the entire week prior to the race. I have some good pics on my blog. Never ran in mud for almost an entire 50k before. It was REALLY muddy. Check out the pics I took:
http://nakedonsharppointystuff.blogspot.com/2012/03/rodeo-50k-race-report-good-times.html

 

zapmamak

Barefooters

Sep 15, 2010

656

234

43

Rocklin, CA

www.nakedonsharppointystuff.com

Jul 9, 2012

#3

• Jul 9, 2012

• #3

Would love to do the Hallucination 100 miler there. Sounds like everybody's gonna be there. Sounds like a ton of fun!!

 

Last Place Jason

Barefooters

Mar 6, 2010

944

320

63

Montrose, Colorado

Jul 9, 2012

#4

• Jul 9, 2012

• #4

I was at Woodstock last year. The mud was beyond mud... it was like running through peanut butter. If it rains the day before or during the race, Zap's suggestion will be more than adequate. If it rains for days (like it did last year), no shoe will be very good. Heavily cleated soles will just collect mud and weigh you down; minimally-cleated soles won't provide enough traction.

The best solution if it's extremely sloppy would probably be something with wide gaps between the tread, like the Invo-8 Bare Grip 200s or Merrell Mix Masters. New Balance MT 110s might not be too bad, either.

 

brahmwindeler

Barefooters

Aug 6, 2010

8

1

3

brahm.windeler.net

Jul 9, 2012

#5

• Jul 9, 2012

• #5

Thanks, Krista. This account of last year's Hallucination is what has got me looking into a Plan B for footwear: http://lacorredora.blogspot.com/2011/09/woodstock-hallucination-100-mi-race.html

I've seen mostly glowing reviews of the Merrill Trail Gloves (the men's equivalent of the Pace Gloves), though a number of people have complained about the arch support causing problems so I've been hesitant. Jason Robillard has recommended the New Balance MT110 and Merrill Mix Master recently, though I'm not sure how I'd like the 4mm drop at this point. I'm also considering something in the Vivobarefoot trail runner line. I just need to find local places that carry all of these shoes so I can try them out!

I'm looking forward to hanging out with some of the ultra community. From what I've read in your blog posts and elsewhere, they seem like a fun group to have post-run beers with.

 

brahmwindeler

Barefooters

Aug 6, 2010

8

1

3

brahm.windeler.net

Jul 9, 2012

#6

• Jul 9, 2012

• #6

Thanks, Jason. Out of curiosity, what did you run in last year? Also, how often do you change your shoes in conditions like that?

 

ElyDave

Barefooters

May 28, 2011

530

129

43

Ely, Cambridge, UK, and the rest of the world

Jul 9, 2012

#7

• Jul 9, 2012

• #7

If you wnat to go zero drop, as well as the recommended MTGs (which I have) or Inov-8s (which I nearly bought) I'd also recommend the New Balance Trail MT00 (which I also have)

Why are my zeros (0) coming out as oh's (o)?

 

Bosenoge

Barefooters

Apr 20, 2012

6

5

3

48

Zagreb, Croatia

Jul 9, 2012

#8

• Jul 9, 2012

• #8

My choise would be Vivobarefoot Neo/Breatho trail. They are great for muddy(and other technical stuff) trails, in my experience.

 

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ElyDave

Barefooters

May 28, 2011

530

129

43

Ely, Cambridge, UK, and the rest of the world

Jul 9, 2012

#9

• Jul 9, 2012

• #9

I've got the same problem this Friday myself after months of heavy rain here, my first ultra, a 70-miler is mainly on hard trails but also includes aboout 20% fields which are likely to be very soft. I'm taking altra samson in case it's dry enought, NB MT00s, and MTGs, may also take some heavier, but zero drop walking shoes.

Lots of options possible in this case as it's a 10 mile loop course

 

Last Place Jason

Barefooters

Mar 6, 2010

944

320

63

Montrose, Colorado

Jul 9, 2012

#10

• Jul 9, 2012

• #10

brahmwindeler said:

Thanks, Jason. Out of curiosity, what did you run in last year? Also, how often do you change your shoes in conditions like that?

Click to expand...

I just paced, crewed, and drank beer last year. I ran the 100 the first year in KSOs, though it was a different course. The new course is very non-technical (I'm going to try it barefoot this year). Plan on using the Lunas... they'll be more than enough. In the unlikely event is is sloppy, no one trail shoe is going to be great. The 4mm drop of those two may or may not mess with you. it took me about 200 miles before I reacclimated to running with that heel drop. Now I seem to be able to change between the zero and 4mm drop without issues.

I'd try as many shoes as possible, and pick the shoe that has a last that fits the shape of your foot. On this course, that comfort will be more of an advantage than the tread.

As far as switching shoes, I just leave other pairs in my drop bags or with my crew and change as needed.

 

brahmwindeler

Barefooters

Aug 6, 2010

8

1

3

brahm.windeler.net

Jul 10, 2012

#11

• Jul 10, 2012

• #11

I ran the route in the Lunas two weekends ago to get a preview of what it will be like. I'm sure I'll be fine in them as long as the trail conditions are similar (and I can avoid stubbing my toe on that metal post in the middle of the trail coming out of Hell Creek Ranch!).