My Marathon race option died, advice on what to get next.
Two weeks ago, I finished my second marathon! My goal was 3:10, but I crossed the line in just over 3:15. Still, I’m happy with the result considering I’ve improved from 3:35 last year.
However, I ran into an issue with my gear. I used my Salomon S/Lab Spectur, which I also wore for my first marathon. They had about 300km (200 miles) on them and looked fine visually. Around km 30, I started feeling sharp pain in my left toes and calves. After the race, I discovered that the carbon plate in the left shoe had snapped right at the midfoot and I destroyed two toes...
I’m now looking for a replacement. I’m a 44-year-old male, mostly midfoot striking and prefer well-cushioned shoes. Currently, I’m considering these options:
- Hoka Cielo X1
- Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
- Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
- Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite (just checking current availability)
My current rotation:
- Daily Trainers: Puma ForeverRun Nitro, Nike Vomero 17.
- Tempo/Short Races: CEP Omnispeed Bowtech (double-plated). These work great for me up to a half-marathon, but I need something reliable for the full 42.2k distance.
Does anyone have experience with the options above, or do you have a specific recommendation for a well-cushioned marathon racer? Thanks in advance!