It’s not you, it’s me - my Nike Invincible love affair is coming to an end.

Has my initial infatuation with the new Nike Invincible Run starting to fade?

I feel the heart zone training is coming along. I am getting used to running within a planned heart zone for a particular run. I have rediscovered that my Garmin Felix 5 watch can also give heart zone updates at regular intervals, which serves as a useful reminder to dial down the effort.

Invincibles give a smooth ride, but not enough stability for me. 📸hafi.run

After running a total of 35 miles, this was due to be a lighter mileage week - 22 miles in the end.  I was due to run a ten miler this morning, which I was really looking forward to on two fronts: the weather has been lovely this weekend, forecast to be 10C and the first time I was going to get to take out the new Nike ZoomX Invincibles on a long run.

The shoes do feel easy on the legs and the rocker design seemed to encourage good form. This is due to ZoomX foam that is present in the Vaporflys, Infinity Run etc, but unlike some of them no carbon plate, which as well as provided the much published pop and energy return also provides stability. The design of the Invincible compensates for the lack of plate with a wider shoe, particularly in the midfoot and more ZoomX foam - that provides the comfort and responsive that I experienced in my first two runs of the week. 

Unfortunately, I did notice some movement and slight wobble which I hadn’t noticed on my previous two runs of the week - a relaxed tempo run and an interval run.  I enjoyed both these runs in terms of comfort and my legs felt lighter after. I did notice during that my right foot felt a little tight - but I discounted this as getting used to a new shoe. I have noticed that my arches had been feeling a little sore and need a little more massage ball relief than usual. I must admit I had got a little taken by the hype, having loved the Vaporfly and related designs, I really wanted this shoe to work for me.

For a neutral foot strike, these are great shoes 📸hafi.run

As you may know, if you have read any of my previous posts, I have hypermobility and flat feet, which leads to over-pronation when I run. I have been reliably served buy Asics for the last 7 years, in particular buying the new edition of the Kayanos for the last four years, but I was keen to try something new.

Half way into my long run I had some flashes of tightening in my calves and noticed some lateral movement in the shoe at impact which I hadn’t before - probably as I was running at a slower pace and one of my focuses today was to concentrate on running with good form. Around mile nine some pain in right foot started to come through and then after my running partner left at mile ten, it got a lot worse. I had to run/walk - with the walking portions getting longer. I wound up doing 18.5km as opposed to the 16km that is 10 miles, purely to get home, but it wasn’t fun.

I hobbled into the house, taking weight off my right foot. I have got plantar pain which I have not experienced for many years, so I am going to take it easy and return to my trusty Asics Kayanos and reflect my next steps on the Invincible journey. I am starting to think that the large amount of ZoomX foam, which provides the comfort of the ride may not provide me with sufficient stability. I don’t want to give up on ZoomX range, maybe the React ZoomX foam with more stability is more my cup of tea?!

I know the range has been great for a lot of people and ZoomX has helped athletes break records, but it’s not for me. Read about Jerry’s more positive experiences.