Get the email.
Get the look.
Meh - you saw my Strava matching orange.
Gotta complement the trainers innit.
Today i wore bright pink trainers, awful red shorts and a black tshirt.
I don’t think i’ve ever got the memo!
2 Likes
There’s such a thing as “nice” red shorts???
Which reminds me…doing a 10km, some absolute LAAADDD jumps into the front pen with about 30s to go, wearing Man Utd football shorts, a cotton t-shirt and what looked like Donnay socks. And he smelt of beer and BO.
I thought “WTF?!? Does he know this is the Top Boys enclosure?”
He only went and won it in sub-31 
2 Likes
you’re right … maybe a continuum, and these are at the far end!
I can get on board with this. I have a matching leopard/camo print vest and sweatband 
The main question is, if the shoes go back do the shorts and cap? 
3 Likes
Have you done a similar comparison verses a ‘normal’ trainer?
Good question. No, not as structured as this. It’s a fair point that I probably should to demonstrate the advantage gained.
The challenge with this one was I was shoe-horning the test into the session I had set. Taking extra rest between sets like GB suggested is probably better for a fairer test, but not so good for my session.
To truly compare, I think more tempo type intervals would be better, and also factoring in HR. As whilst I trust stryd, there’s still some subjectivity there given it is algorithm based.
2 Likes
There are a few of us over here with the full set ‘4%/Next/Alpha’. One of them is a professor of umm exercise( 
) or whatever he is at Auckland University. Bottom line he has access to a treadmill, breather apparatus etc. We are trying to line it up so we can all go down and give them a proper test.
6 Likes
Phwoar!!! 
Just went out for an easy 8km early morning jog in the box fresh Alpha’s - turning over at 4:36/km for 141bpm
My standard training shoe (Peg 36/37) I’d be 4:50-5:00/km for 138-142bpm.
Which is just bonkers.
The last IM run I did I was in shoes similar to the pegs. And then I walked a bit, too.
If these save your legs AND are 15s/km quicker, I could easily knock 20mins off my IM mara 
5 Likes
Following this test run, and after walking around Windermere, then six 330ml craft ales the night before, I went out and did a half marathon in them.
HOLY. SMOKES 
Absolute piece of pie.
Cruised round in 1:27.
Man, I remember when <1:30 was an achievement, now I can knock them out before breakfast 
We then walked about 10km during our day out.
Woke up today and my legs know nothing about the half marathon yesterday (the soles of my feet however, are not thanking me from the walking over the weekend!)
Tip top findings and definitely “cheat” shoes!
4 Likes
In your experience you would say that they are faster than the NEXT% anecdotally over here the jury is still out, so interesting that I think you think they are…
EDIT: Nice running btw 
For me, I didn’t get on with the Next% at first (UK10.5 and UK11)
I’ve since got an 11.5 which are better.
However, I find the front foot lacks anything of note - the cushioning is minimal up there (in comparison to the Alpha’s and 4%)
I’ll deffo be wearing these for IMUK (just gotta practise a full T2 change for matching kit )
I’ve not done anything scientific, but placebo is big.
I wouldn’t wear the 4% or Next% for “A” type races now, of any distance, I’ll reserve the Alpha’s for that.
My knackered 4% will be general speedwork and parkruns (when they come back)
Next% will be long runs and any more specific speedwork sessions.
My new 4% will be reserved for triathlon up to 70.3, as the Alpha’s take too long to get on and comfortable in, but for IMUK, I’m happy for that trade off - will also be wearing placebo compression calf length socks.
1 Like
I was thinking along the same/similar lines.
4%s for all races up to 70.3 and Next% for full distance. I still can’t get my head around the look of the Alphas. You can’t get em on quickly? Has anyone tried them with elastic laces?
I’ve often thought that to be fair. In an IM, a fulll kit change will cost you, what, 1 min max?! And it would be way comfier running in short shorts and a vest compared to a sweaty, manky tri suit
I’m even tempted at 70.3 level.
1 Like
I find the Alpha’s just “bouncier” and the outsole hasn’t been destroyed like my Next%
1 Like
Snap.
I found it hard with 4 and Next. I bought the Next 2s this tme around, as i just can’t get my head to agree with the Alphas! May be missing a 0.5% trick there?!
1 Like
I suppose when they’re on your feet you haven’t got to look at them.
Just hear them squeaking
I think the 4s and next look relatively normal these days!
More than a couple.
Plus you have to weigh up if you’re throwing water over yourself.
Tri suit is more suited to that.
Vest and short shorts could end up chafing way more when wet
1 Like
You’re sounding like Poet now. I’m pretty sure i could be done in under 60 secs. But i digress.
Yes the water thing is a fair point if it’s a hot day. Whilst an IM is clearly a different game, i’ve never had a problem in a standalone running race.
But it’s probably so minor in favour of one or the other, that it’s simply easier and more fluid to keep the tri suit on. Clearly they’re much more comfy than the kit of yesteryear.
I haven’t tried my trisuit on for years now, and i’m a little bit afraid to do so as i don’t want to find that i have even more purchases to make!!! Maybe i’m pre justifying a cycling/running kit change in anticipation of a negative tri suit test!!!
1 Like
trisuit for IM? is that no toilet breaks required?