The times are getting faster, but is it all because of the shoes? Robbie Britton reflects on achieving faster times with the help of advanced footwear.
[This article was written pre-Milan Marathon, but the author changed races due to unforeseen circumstances and raced Perth 50k instead, clocking 2:57:17 for 50k and ~2:26/27 for the marathon split – Ed.]
As Robbie Britton trained for the Milan Marathon in April, there was optimism for a personal best (PB). Coach Tom Craggs even described some recent marathon pacing sessions as “bold” (meaning potentially risky).
Now, both coach and athlete are wondering, is this a PB achieved by the shoes, or a genuine new PB?
Looking back at the past
In 2018, just as the era of super shoes was beginning, Robbie prepared for the Valencia Marathon with the Adidas Adizero Prime Knit Adios on his feet. They were essentially like slippers with boost foam and continental grip. Comparing them to his current shoes, the Nike AlphaFly, which have a large bubble at the front and an odd appearance, Robbie initially swore he would never wear them.
However, after seeing Aleksandr Sorokin break the World 24hr Record in the shoes, he decided to give them a try. Being a competitive ultra-runner, Robbie believed that these shoes could make a difference in his performance.
The shoes from the previous 2:29:31 marathon PB.
Training for the marathon
Under the guidance of his coach, Tom Craggs, who helped Robbie achieve a 2:29 time in Valencia in 2018, the training for the marathon has been more focused on speed this time around.
Past training sessions often felt right in terms of effort, but the pace needed improvement. Training at high altitudes above 1000m, mainly on trails and gravel roads in Chamonix, Robbie knew that the actual marathon pace would feel harder compared to race day.
Building up to the marathon, Robbie achieved impressive personal bests in the half marathon and an 8km night race. The progress continued with each session and long run, except for one difficult run that was still better than his best long run in 2018.
An elephant in the room – the shoes. Photo: Trecate Mezza Maratona
The influence of super shoes
There is no denying that the super shoes are playing a role in achieving faster times. Some critics argue that the shoes are solely responsible for the improved performances. However, age is also a factor to consider. Despite being in his thirties, Robbie’s progress contradicts the idea that age hampers PBs, as seen with Sara Hall and Kiera D’Amato’s recent performances.
In Robbie’s case, his style of running as an ultra-runner could further amplify the benefits of these specific shoes. Additionally, he has noticed that the long runs, while challenging, no longer drain him as much as they did in the past.
Other contributing factors
Several other factors have contributed to Robbie’s improved performance. Over the past four years, he has dealt with an injury, but this led to a passion for cycling and increased training volume. His training hours per year have significantly increased compared to 2018. Incorporating cycling and working with a physiotherapist on balance, proprioception, and strength have also had a positive impact. Furthermore, his fueling strategies have improved, and he has paid attention to his day-to-day nutrition, resulting in a leaner physique and better training and recovery.
Does it really matter?
Ultimately, the question arises: does it matter whether the improved times are due to the shoes or the individual? For Robbie, it does matter on a personal level. While he acknowledges that some runners may solely credit their PBs to the shoes, he believes that self-improvement is a fundamental aspect of the sport and values the effort he has put in. Even if he were to go back to his older shoes, he remains confident that a PB is still within reach, albeit with slightly less certainty.
Ultimately, after the race, the debate will be irrelevant. If the previous PB was already achieved in super shoes, it will simply be considered a “personal best,” regardless of the influence of the shoes. Robbie jokingly adds that the runners from the 80s who achieved PBs in hob-nailed boots might have something to say about it.
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