Iron Bars wrote:
She is probably right on at least 1/2 fronts.
1) We don't know how using super shoes at a very young age will impact the musculoskeletal system. Hence, as a parent, she is right to be skeptical and cautious.
2) Perhaps she is right about the 2016 trials as well. I watched the race in LA, where Cragg literally carried Flanagan to the finish line. Maybe their performance was enhanced due to "better" shoes? We shall never know.
On the first point, I think you're right, and I think all runners should be a little cautious about the potential long-term effects of carbon plated shoes. I'm not a "born to run" advocate but more than one physio has recommended to me regularly walking around the house barefoot and doing a few grass strides barefoot just to retain some strength in the feet. The potential issue with carbon plated shoes is that they don't flex at all. Your feet don't have to work but there's also less natural movement in the foot. That is likely only going to be a problem if you're wearing carbon shoes for every run, which is probably unlikely for most non-elites.
This does only refer to carbon plates. The nylon plates in Nike Tempo and Endorphin Speed flex a lot more so your foot has to do some work.
Personally, I will continue to race in carbon plated shoes but I wouldn't use them for training (even if I could afford to). At the same time, I can see why Goucher is being extra cautious with her kid. Kids are still developing physically and you don't want to risk setting off a long-term problem.