What I Am Running In - TRAINING SHOES
I often get asked what running shoes I’m training in for day-to-day mileage or my races or what I might recommend. I also get asked which shoes I’m wearing when lifting, performing speed and agility drills, or simply playing basketball. As I rotate through different shoes for each of these things, I’ll share here what I’m wearing and why. This will include a short review and whether I ultimately like them or not. So, let’s get started with the shoes I’m currently wearing for my training runs; the Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT%.
The shoes that you choose to consistently run or train in for your daily mileage is a lot like choosing the mattress you sleep on every night. One of the most important investments you can make is your bed, because you spend (or should spend) 1/3 of your life there. With your running shoes, it’s so important because it impacts your joints with every single stride, your foot strike, your running posture, and several other factors. When you begin to progressively load the mileage week after week, you don’t want your body to take any more of a pounding than is necessary. You need quality wheels! You want to be fresh and feel great each time you step out to run. This shoe is built for a ton of mileage and keeping your body feeling good during and after your runs.
The Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% is a running shoe that is designed to provide a responsive and cushioned ride for runners. It features a ZoomX foam midsole, which is a high-energy return foam. You’ll feel this energy return the second you run your first 10 strides. The shoe also has a Zoom Air unit in the heel for additional cushioning and support.
The upper of the shoe is made of a breathable and lightweight material that is designed to help keep the foot cool and comfortable during runs. The shoe also has a dynamic fit system that wraps the foot for a secure and supportive fit.
This shoe is suitable for both short and long-distance runs. It is technically appropriate for a variety of running surfaces as well, however I would recommend them mostly for dry pavement or road-like surfaces based on personal experience. When it gets a little wet or rainy outside, it can be a tad slick running in these shoes. I will also add that you do not want to wear these shoes for anything lateral. These should be worn for straight line running only as they are not built for lateral movement and will breakdown; and you could also potentially roll your ankle.
From a price point perspective, the Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% shoes are not cheap. But I will tell you that you absolutely get what you pay for with these. At the time of this writing, they are listed at $200 on Nike’s website. Nike will often run sales or offer nice discounts that can be applied to this shoe; something to keep an eye out for if you’re trying to save a few bucks.
At the end of the day, this is the greatest training shoe I’ve ever trained in for my races (so far). I have personally put up to 90 miles in a single week on these shoes and they continue to perform week after week. I am on my second pair already. You could also use this shoe for road races if you were looking for something you needed to use for both training and racing purposes.
I think it goes without saying, but I am definitely not paid by Nike to promote this shoe. I just want everyone to know that I love it and this is what I’m currently getting all my daily mileage in. Give me a shout if you decide to try this shoe and let me know what you think!
Until next time, happy running!