Super Shoes: Redefining Records, Creating Kenyan Divides
Supershoes are reshaping distance running
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Resources & Recommendations
Books
- "The Martian" by Andy Weir - Mentioned as an example of how the author's previous work explored themes of survival and problem-solving, drawing a parallel to the challenges faced by runners.
Videos & Documentaries
- "The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young" - Mentioned as an example of an extreme endurance event, though not directly related to the super shoe discussion.
Research & Studies
- Study on Vaporfly prototype by Wouter Hoogkamer's lab at the University of Colorado Boulder (2017) - Found that the vaporfly prototype stored and returned significantly more energy than leading marathon shoes at the time.
- Brigham Young University study on super shoes - Preliminary data suggests super shoes may offer a greater running economy benefit as an athlete progresses through a race.
- 2023 study by Adidas affiliated researchers - Tested elite Kenyans in carbon fiber prototypes and a traditional racing flat, recording varying energy use among runners.
Tools & Software
- NotebookLM - An AI-first tool for organizing complex information and uncovering insights, offered by Stephen Johnson, co-founder.
Articles & Papers
- "Super shoes are reshaping distance running" by Jonathan W. Rosen (MIT Technology Review) - The primary article from which this podcast episode is narrated.
People Mentioned
- Kelvin Kiptum (Runner) - Kenyan runner who set the official men's world record in the marathon and was associated with Nike super shoes.
- Eliud Kipchoge (Runner) - Kenyan runner who ran a sub-two-hour marathon in an exhibition event, associated with Nike super shoes.
- Tigst Assefa (Runner) - Ethiopian runner who lowered the women's world record in the marathon, wearing Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 1.
- Ross Tucker (Sports Scientist) - South African sports scientist and critic of super shoes.
- Gervais Hakizimana (Coach) - Coach of Kelvin Kiptum.
- Wouter Hoogkamer (Professor of Kinesiology) - Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, whose lab conducted early research on Nike Vaporfly shoes.
- Ian Hunter (Professor of Biomechanics) - Professor who led research at Brigham Young University on super shoes.
- Moses Tanui (Kenyan Runner) - Two-time Boston Marathon winner.
- Brigid Kosgei (Kenyan Runner) - Former women's marathon world record holder.
- Cyprian Kotut (Adidas-sponsored Runner) - Marathon winner.
- Claudio Berardelli (Coach) - Italian coach of runners at the Adidas-sponsored camp.
- Benson Kipruto (Runner) - Club member and Tokyo Marathon winner.
- David Kirui (Physiotherapist) - Treats many of Kenya's top marathoners.
- Jonathan Maiyo (Elite Road Racer) - Elite road racer since 2007.
- Daisy Candy (Aspiring Runner) - Young aspiring runner in Iten, Kenya.
- Abdi Nageeye (Dutch Marathoner) - Dutch marathoner who trains in Iten.
- Dustin Joubert (Super Shoe Expert and Professor of Kinesiology) - Professor at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas.
- Stephen Cherono / Saif Saeed Shaheen (Kenyan Runner) - Competed for Qatar and previously held the world record in the 3000m steeplechase.
- Hezron Mana (Rwandan Runner) - Trained near Kelvin Kiptum's home and took him on as a protégé.
- Daniel Kemboi (Training Partner of Kelvin Kiptum) - Training partner of Kelvin Kiptum.
Organizations & Institutions
- Nike - Brand that introduced the Vaporfly, a paradigm-shifting super shoe.
- World Athletics - Sport's governing body that tracks world records and has implemented guidelines on shoe technology.
- Adidas - Brand offering versions of super shoes, including the Adizero Adios Pro 1 and Adizero Carbon Fiber lineup.
- University of Massachusetts Amherst - Where Wouter Hoogkamer is a professor.
- University of Colorado Boulder - Where Hoogkamer's lab was located for the 2017 study.
- Brigham Young University - Conducted a study on the running economy benefits of super shoes.
- St. Edward's University - Where Dustin Joubert is a professor.
Websites & Online Resources
- notebooklm.google.com - Website to try NotebookLM.
- newsoveraudio.com - Website where Noah reads articles.
Other Resources
- Vaporfly - Nike's paradigm-shifting super shoe introduced in 2016.
- Alphafly 3 - A Nike super shoe model.
- Adizero Adios Pro 1 - An Adidas shoe model.
- EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) - A foam used in shoe midsoles, lighter and bouncier than previous materials.
- Peba (Polyether Block Amide) - A foamed polymer used in the midsole of shoes like the Vaporfly.
- Carbon Fiber Plate - A component in super shoes that adds stiffness.
- O'Sullivan's live rubber heels - Mentioned as the type of heel used in shoes from the early 20th century.
- Nike Streak - An older EVA-soled Nike shoe.
- Adidas Boost - An Adidas shoe made with thermoplastic polyurethane.
- Prime X - An Adidas Adizero model for long sessions.
- Takumi Sen - An Adidas Adizero model for speed work.