Shoes for Marathon Runners

I run in ASICS Cumulus.  They work very well for me... I've been running in them for years.  I think my first pair were Cumulus 6 or 7 so that's 5 or 6 years.  I've done 14 marathons in them and love 'em.  But that's me... as you said you are going to be your own best judge.

I've run two marathons and countless 1/2's as well as 5K's, etc, etc.

I wear Asics Nimbus.  Been wearing them for about 10yrs, and since I started running competitively, or shall I say 'recreationally?", LOL!!  I'm a neutral runner.  However, I have had my gait looked at and these 'are' the correct shoes for me.  Yes it's important to get to a running store to have your gait looked at and have them put you in the right shoe... regardless of distance.

happy running!

I used to wear Cumulus... and then the change the model like they're so good at, arrgggh... and made the heels too soft!!!  So I moved up to Nimbus... hopefully they'll keep the heels as is

Edited by pigfinn 2011-02-25 2:02 PM

What I REALLY would love would be a volume distribution like Newtons (more substantial up front and a minimal heel) but instead of lugs and massive upturn have extra cushioning or something like the nike air or asics gel stuff.  That would be frickin' awesome.

Anyone ever try pearl izumi's?  They advertize their shoes as having extra forefoot cushion.

Just scheduled my 16th marathon, 15th state. Most of them have been trained for and raced in Brooks Adrenalines and Asics 2xx0s. Having good luck with the Brooks Ghost now.

Is there anything about your current shoes you don't like other than thinking you need more cushioning?  Your feet will adjust to the additional mileage.  I would have no problem doing a marathon in Kinvaras.

Have you looked at the Hoka One One Mafete? It's about as anti-minimal as you can get, with a low heel drop. Also check out the upcoming Altra line (though there's rumor that their April introduction may be sliding by a month or two).

GoLite has a couple models that are zero drop as well -- Flash Lite and Amp Lite.

I could probably get to the point where I could run that far in the Kinvara...I just ain't there yet.  One day I hope I can be, but after playing basketball and baseball through HS and baseball through college and suffering several semi serious ankle injuries, I need the extra support for when my form starts to fall apart.

After 2 hours at the running store today (including 4 different shoes, about a 30 minute "interview" with the fitter, and about 3 miles worth of running on the treadmill in various shoes with a closed circuit camera aimed directly at my feet) I ended up with an Asics Gel Nimbus.

On a side note...a piece of advice.   2 years ago I was told I needed stability shoes.  Ever since then I just kept buying them without getting re evaluated.  Turns out that my form now is 100% neutral.  From now on I'll definitely get re-evaluated every single time, because gait changes over time and fitters are human and occasionally make bad recommendations.

Holy jeez!  I just looked at them online.  I'm 6'2" but with those I'd be about 6'9"! 

I am running Boston this year and debating which shoe to wear. I ran St George in Saucony Kinvaras and they were fine a bit narrow in upper and  because of 14mm forefoot midsole somewhat unresponsive, feel high. I have run for a year both roads and trails in the Hoka One One Mafates and now have the Bondi B (8.8 oz!) . Incredible cushion, feel like running on grass on the road.  4 mm heel to forefoot drop so natural. Walk away with no soreness from even a 3 hour run. Great for long slow runs and recovery. Problem is that I am not sure I can maintain 8:00-8:10 pace in them due to rocker sole and stiffness. Slower paces no problem, can go all day.

 I am leaning towards the new New Balance 890. Just got them and very impressed with responsive feel, light weight, and cushion. While quite a heel to forefoot drop they are less than 10oz have a very responsive forefoot (10mm) and a good heel cushion at 23mm. Only issue will be the ramp angle compared to my other options. Worried about calf tightness. More on 890's and Hoka One One on my blog.
samwinebaum.blogspot.com 

I never had Planar Fasciitis until I found shoes with more cushioning than the ones I'd been using forever. Then it felt like someone rammed a darning needle into my heel after every run.

Once I went back to the LESS cushioned shoe, everything went back to normal.

Your feet will adjust, just build slowly.

I mainly run 1/2s. I always wear Saucony. Currently running in the new Mirage and an older pair of Pro Grid Paramounts. Also have a pair of Fastwitch 5s that I am about to start breaking in. I think the Mirage would work for a full marathon.