Classic trail race Lantau 70 finally re-opened on 25/3 and ran successfully despite the unpredictable weather! Even the ground on race day was muddy and slippery, many runners still capable of finished the race in a pleased time. We were lucky to interview this year’s female Champion – Katrina Hamlin on her shoe strategy during the race, from a pair of max-cushioned Ultraventure Pro to a super ground-feel Runventure 4. What’s the idea behind it? Let see what Katrina shared to us:
“I’m so happy someone noticed the shoe strategy because I spent way too long thinking about it! I wanted the race to go well because I’ve waited years to run a “real” LT70, not a virtual edition. I tried to buy new shoes for the occasion but the ones I tried in the shop all felt wrong. That race needs super grip and very light weight uppers, especially in the wet weather, and I just couldn’t find what I wanted.
Then I remembered I’d worn the Ultraventure when I ran the virtual LT70 during Covid. They were just right for the Lantau Trail, excellent Vibram grip and not too much fabric, so they didn’t get too heavy in the rain. I would have liked to run the whole course in them, like last time, and I probably would have done that too, but when we got stopped at Tai O to wait out the storm, I decided to grab my backup pair from the drop bag - dry shoes and socks for the speedy concrete sessions sounded nice! I knew the Runventure 4 are also very light and feel nice when I’m trying to go a little faster so even though it wasn’t what I’d planned it was a good idea. I moved pretty well in the second half and overtook a fair few boys.”
Katrina finally won the race in 9:36, what an incredible time! She also added a few words why she loves TOPO so much:
“I don’t have a lot of ink to spill on that! They just work. For the last few years they are the only shoes I’ve used for long training runs and races because they can handle HK terrain, even in wet and wild weather, and they never hurt my feet or mess with my gait. Just no-nonsense, hard-working gear :)”
Ideas of changing shoes in the middle of the race really works differently to runners. Some might need to change for dry feet, mix of terrains… There is no right or wrong to it, just make sure you always find the most comfortable gear and suitable plan for you race. Don’t try new stuff you were not familiar with. Happy trails!
比賽中途應否換鞋？
經典比賽Lantau 70相隔4年終於在25/3重新開跑，即使當日天氣不穩但賽事亦能夠順利完成！ 即使當天路面比較濕滑，不少跑友依然能夠以不錯的時間完成比賽。 我們有幸採訪到今年的女子冠軍—— Katrina Hamlin ，了解她在比賽中的換鞋策略，從最大緩衝的 Ultraventure Pro 到一雙超級接地感的 Runventure 4。背後的想法是什麼？ 讓我們看看Katrina的分享：
「很高興有人注意到我在這場比賽的換鞋策略，因為我花了太多時間認真計劃它！ 我希望自己可以順利完成賽事，因為我等了很多年才終於參與到“真正的”LT70，而不是虛擬賽。 我試著為這個場合買新鞋，但我在店裡試過的鞋都感覺不對。 這場比賽需要能應付潮濕天氣的超強抓地力和非常輕的鞋面，但我就是找不到我想要的東西。
然後我想起在 Covid 期間跑虛擬 LT70 時所穿的 Ultraventure。 它們正好適合鳳凰徑，出色的 Vibram 抓地力和輕身面料即使在雨中濕了水也不會太重。 我本想像上次一樣穿著它跑完整條賽道，但是當大會宣佈我們要在大澳停下來等待暴風雨過去時，我決定從寄存了的行李袋裡拿出我的備用鞋Runventure 4和換上乾襪。Runventure 4很輕，當我想跑得再快一點時感覺很好。所以即使換鞋不是我原定的計劃，但也不失為一個好主意。換鞋後下半場我跑得很順暢，還超過了幾個男選手。」
Katrina最後以9小時36分勇奪女子冠軍，簡直驚人！她另外在補充了幾句為什麼這般喜歡TOPO︰
「多年來的長跑訓練和比賽我都只用TOPO，因為TOPO足以應付香港潮濕的天氣和濕滑的路面。而且穿著TOPO我從來沒有腳痛的問題，亦從不影響我的步姿。沒有差錯，TOPO就是最「踏實」的裝備！」
在比賽中途換鞋的想法對跑步者來說確實有不同影響。 有些人可能需要為換鞋來保持雙腳乾爽；或由於應付不同地形而換上不同的鞋等。 但換不換鞋純屬個人意見，只要確保您總能找到最舒適的裝備和適合您的比賽計劃即可。 不要嘗試你不熟悉的新裝備。 Happy Trails！
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