Why I Decided to Hang Up My Carbon-Plate Running Shoes
Fresh from the Tokyo Marathon, Paula Radcliffe shared on her podcast that the persistent ankle pain during the race prevented her from crossing the finish line with her usual stride, eventually requiring her to be wheeled off the course. Despite her experience with Nike's cutting-edge Alphafly 4s, she concluded that the advanced technology might have been too aggressive for her feet. Radcliffe's love for running in super shoes began at the Valencia Marathon in 2019, where she achieved a personal best of 3:27. Since then, she's worn them in every marathon, but her calves, tendons, and ankles have consistently seized up.
Determined to set a new personal best, Radcliffe trained rigorously, incorporating carbon shoes into her speed sessions, parkruns, and races. The shoes made her feel springy and fast, but she didn't consider the impact on her feet. As her ankle pain worsened, it was diagnosed as a rare bone stress fracture, attributed to excessive training and bad luck. Since transitioning back to regular running shoes, her ankle has largely recovered.
Radcliffe questioned on Instagram whether her fracture was linked to super shoes, prompting a flood of similar stories from others. Dr. Lindsay Hill, a podiatrist and runner from Salford, confirmed her suspicions. She explained that many patients with newfound injuries have recently switched to carbon-plated shoes and train exclusively in them. The issue lies in the altered mechanics of the foot, as these shoes do much of the work for the runner, providing a firm base that returns energy with each step. However, this repetitive load can lead to injuries.
Tony Bignell from Nike advises Radcliffe on her podcast, emphasizing the importance of strong feet. He suggests that super shoes restrict foot movement, placing the metatarsals and toes in an artificial position, which can make runners faster but weaker over time. To mitigate this, Bignell recommends walking barefoot or engaging in other foot-strengthening activities when not wearing racing shoes. This way, runners can train consistently in their racing shoes while maintaining foot health.
Despite the lack of extensive research on the injury rates associated with super shoes, Radcliffe has decided to hang up her carbon shoes until her feet and ankles are stronger. Sophie Raworth, a journalist, newsreader, broadcaster, and long-distance runner, concludes this piece, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to running shoe technology and foot health.
