[retsibsi]

But surely the reason people value a 7 minute reduction so highly is because of what it represents -- a successful effort to get fitter and/or mentally tougher. If you're simply 'buying' that reduction, what is the point, unless you're at the level where other benefits (public glory, sponsorship) are within reach?

[sgc]

I don't run competitively, but in the gym I feel like spending on better shoes takes away a false limit due to inappropriate technology. Unless you are running barefoot, I can see how a runner might feel the slower number is just false due to an arbitrary limitation. There is a decent chance, if you can afford it, that these shoes might help you progress faster as well. In the end it's all about how effectively your effort is translated into movement.

[justinator]

> I don't run competitively, but in the gym I feel like spending on better shoes takes away a false limit due to inappropriate technology.

Explain to me how, in a gym setting there are, "better" shoes that "take away a false limit due to inappropriate technology" What does that mean?

Honestly, I thought the best shoes to use in the gym were just a pair of All Stars. I would use the weight room barefoot, but they yell at me too much.

Are you talking about Oly Shoes? 'cause those just counteract a mobility problem. Kinda better to solve that mobility problem. But thinking that's cutting edge technology is garbage. It's just a raised heal.

[sgc]

I agree, I don't spend more than you do it sounds like - but I do spend on a specific shoe because coming in a pair of cross trainers or running shoes is just counter productive. But the point was completely separate from arguing about what a good gym shoe is.

[SmellyGeekBoy]

Totally agreed. Thankfully my gym does let me lift barefoot!

[retsibsi]

Good point, and I can understand that mindset in some cases. But even though the line between removing an obstacle and gaining artificial assistance is hard to draw sharply, the way these shoes are described makes me think they're clearly in the second category:

> Unlike most running shoes, they have a carbon-fiber plate in the midsole, which stores and releases energy with each stride and is meant to act as a kind of slingshot, or catapult, to propel runners forward.

[justinator]

> Unlike most running shoes, they have a carbon-fiber plate in the midsole, which stores and releases energy with each stride and is meant to act as a kind of slingshot, or catapult, to propel runners forward.

That's like literally every single midsole "technology" companies like Nike try to market their shoes with.

Your foot already has one of those catapult like things - it's called the Achilles. Just let it do it's job.

https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20810504/how-much-energy-...

[ada1981]

Most people don’t think like this. They’ll take the quick one time dopamine hit and then stay addicted to the shoes lest they lose the 7%.

[fma]

For someone who wants to brag on Facebook, though...$250 to save 7 minutes might be worth the bragging rights.