The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer for increased training and long distance racing

It’s time to increase your long runs as you prepare for the Great Trek. As you increase your training you may want to look at a carbon plated training and racing shoe like FuelCell SuperComp Trainer. Carbon plated shoes help reduce injuries and allow you to run faster.

New Balance brings the race day feeling of energy-return technology to a high mileage training shoe. The new FuelCell SuperComp Trainer is designed to look, feel, and perform differently. In this execution of new Energy Arc technology, an arched carbon fiber plate is sandwiched between two layers of FuelCell cushioning, leaving a hollow channel through the middle of the shoe. The plate is flattened into the void with each foot strike, and returns energy as it reshapes, creating a high rebound sense of propulsion.

Energy Arc pairs sport-specific carbon fiber plate geometry with strategic midsole voids, designed to increase stored energy to deliver a higher amount of total energy returned along with FuelCell foam propels you down the road.

I have run in the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer and it delivers a high cushion energy return. It’s suited for long distance running and racing. The extra stack height (47mm) delivers extra cushioning and a pronounced rocker helps move you forward.

A new form of cross training

As a runner, the main reason to cross train is to improve your fitness without the injury risk of increasing weekly running mileage. You can use the traditional forms of cross training to add aerobic fitness which include: swimming, cycling, elliptical workouts, or pool running. Recently carbon plated shoes for racing have entered the market. The new kind of shoes are considered to be another form of running shoe but are they more than that?

Going back to why runners cross train; it is to improve fitness without the risk of injury. Carbon shoes do some of the running work for you and improve your running technique. The carbon plate reduces the impact of running on the road. I have trained with carbon plated shoes for three years and I can say that there is definitely an improvement as workouts are easier to compete and faster reduction in the risk of injury.

Running technique improved because there is more focus on mid foot strike to yield the maximum benefit of the carbon plate.

The benefits of training in carbon plated shoes are:

1) Easier to run fast solo speed workouts -There are benefits to

running in groups during speed workouts.

2) Long runs and easy aerobic runs – Recover faster as there is more

protection from impact on the road allowing you to run more weekly mileage

3) Bad weather – It’s easier to motivate yourself to run in rain when

you know your shoes will help you out.

Carbon plated shoe running is a different form of running. I would consider it cross-training. The primary purpose for runners in cross training is to improve aerobic fitness without injury. With carbon plated shoes you can train more. When compared to other forms of cross training rowing machine, stair machine, spinning etc. carbon plated shoe running is more event specific running and will yield a greater benefit.

You want to plan your cross training to improve or maintain your fitness. If you run exactly the same volume and pace as when you ran in regular shoes then you may not yield any benefit. Why? Carbon plated shoes do some of the work for you. Staying exactly with the same volume of running could result in no improvement. You should be able to train twenty percent more with carbon plated shoes and then you will see an improvement. (That is why you cross train anyway. To add more volume without the risk of injury).

I would also recommend that you run at least once per week in regular shoes to maintain foot strength. The carbon shoe is assisting some of the toe off for you. Training in regular shoes helps keep your feet strong and maximizes the benefit of a strong toe off. A mix of carbon plated shoe running and non carbon plated shoe running should yield the best results. I recommend long runs and easy aerobic runs in carbon shoes and tempo and speed-work primarily in regular shoes to maintain foot strength. Once in a while run a speed workout or tempo workout in your carbon shoes to enjoy the experience of running faster.

Carbon plated shoes are the new cross training. Try a shoe designed just for that with the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer.