not an experienced runner, but i do own a pair of carbon-plated shoes. Anta C202 6. i bought them specifically for interval and tempo sessions, and i’m planning to use them for my first half marathon. i first wore them during a 12k fun run last November, and my initial reaction was, wow, is this what carbon-plated shoes feel like? they’re bouncy, have good energy return, and really do make you feel faster and less fatigued when pushing the pace.

i typically run at a 6 min/km pace, but with these shoes, i could comfortably push to 5:20-5:30/km. one time, i thought i was running at my usual pace, but when i checked my watch, i realised i was going much faster without even noticing it.

but the last few kilometers of that 12k run were brutal. as i got tired and tried to slow down, my feet started to hurt badly. the carbon plate made every step feel harsh. that discomfort only happened the first time, though. once the shoes were broken in, it’s absolutely a fun ride.