Personalized Marathon Training Plan Guide
Preparing for a marathon requires a systematic training plan. RunBox AI coach creates a customized 16-20 week marathon training plan based on your fitness level, goal time, and available training time.
Why Choose an AI-Customized Marathon Training Plan?
- Personalized Assessment: Based on your running experience and fitness condition
- Smart Adjustments: Training intensity optimizes automatically with progress
- Scientific Pacing: Based on your target finish time
- Injury Prevention: Reasonable intensity progression to avoid injuries
best value long distance running shoes r2 equator
This is a photo I took on the subway after completing the 2019 Zhengzhou Marathon, with a finish time of 4 hours and 8 minutes.
Next, let's talk about these shoes.
Illustrated Running Shoes
These R2 professional marathon running shoes (R2 Equator Marathon Running Shoes) are designed for long-distance jogging. The name 'Equator' signifies the longest distance around the Earth, implying that even if you run around the Earth, 40,000 kilometers is enough.
At first glance, you'll be amazed by its ultra-thick midsole. Although other running shoes also use this design, seeing it in person for the first time is still quite shocking.
The hangtag information on the running shoes is minimal, with no detailed technological explanations such as midsole information or upper material, but it does highlight the use of 3M reflective material.
The running shoes are primarily red, with gold lettering, silver-gray reflective strips, and a black sole as accents.
The thick midsole is the most striking feature of these shoes, measuring about 33.5mm at the thickest point.
The upper uses thermoplastic strips to enhance support, with reinforced areas at the toe and heel.
R2 running shoes, made in China, weigh 279.2g per shoe for a size 43.
The collar, tongue, and insole all look comfortable, suggesting a good feel on the feet.
The breathable mesh upper is lightweight and comfortable.
The toe cap features a collision-resistant design, and the midsole has a thermoplastic strip that provides support and water resistance. LSD is the English abbreviation for long slow distance, a term familiar to marathon runners.
The heel is designed with enhanced support to improve the wrapping feel, and the pull tab has reflective markings to increase safety during night runs. The brand logo and markings are also printed on the side.
The midsole uses special foam material, which is lightweight and shock-absorbing. The heel-to-toe drop is designed to be stable, suitable for heel and full-foot strikers. The slanted grooves on the side of the midsole are specially designed, inspired by tire treads, to mitigate impact upon landing.
The midsole is very soft.
The outsole features durable rubber (black) added to the shock-absorbing midsole, focusing on the wear-resistant forefoot and heel areas. The outsole is not flat but has various grooves, including transverse bends and straight guides, which help runners exert force and transmit energy. It also resembles a suction cup, enhancing grip.
Overall, the outsole's wear layer appears thin, but this is a visual illusion caused by the thick midsole. In reality, the anti-slip lugs are quite high, capable of handling various surfaces.
The insole is standard.
Running Shoes Field Test
Casual
The R2 Equator only comes in this red color, with no other color options.
The forefoot features a wide design, loose and shaped, specifically designed for Asian foot shapes (wide front, narrow back), freeing the toes and allowing natural force, reducing sports injuries.
The spacious forefoot area helps relax the toes during long runs, aligning with its positioning as a long-distance jogging shoe.
R2 also offers several other shoes with thick midsoles, including one labeled for 'height increase,' likely another selling point due to the thick midsole design. They are soft, bouncy, and comfortable, making them suitable for daily wear.
The soft, bouncy midsole provides a unique 'stepping on poop' sensation that you've never experienced before.
I weigh 150 pounds, and when stepping on ridged surfaces, you can clearly see how dramatically the midsole deforms, indicating its extreme softness.
The red color stands out and is harmonious for daily wear. Since the R2 Equator only comes in red, fans of red shoes can consider this option.
Sports
By now, you probably know that these shoes have a thick midsole and good shock absorption, but how do they perform during running?
First, the forefoot space is designed to be wide, so it doesn't squeeze your feet. Secondly, the upper material feels thin and smooth, making it breathable. Additionally, the collar and tongue are soft, providing comfort to the ankles. Wearing my usual size (43), the shoes feel a bit large, lacking a snug fit, especially around the arch and instep, possibly due to the wide design and woven material.
During a 10km test run, although the shoes felt 'big,' they weren't loose or wobbly, thanks to the thick midsole design. The landing feel while running was very comfortable.
During the marathon, my feet didn't become numb or stiff from 'excessive cushioning,' and the ground feedback was excellent. Additionally, there were no instances of blisters, making the running experience very good.
The outsole's durability exceeded my expectations. Initially, I was worried about its durability due to the minimal use of durable rubber. However, after about 100km of road running (including a full marathon), the outsole wear was not severe, so you can confidently use them for long-distance jogging.
Summary
The R2 Equator LSD has an excellent cushioning midsole and is quite substantial, making it suitable for heavy runners for daily training runs. The wide design and breathable upper make it a shoe you can start running in right away. The outsole's durability is much better than it appears, but its wrapping and stability are somewhat lacking. The thick sole reduces stability, making it unsuitable for speed training. However, as a jogging shoe, it's really a great pair of running shoes.
Start Your Marathon Training Journey
With RunBox app, you'll get:
- GPT-4o powered personalized training plans
- Daily training guidance and feedback
- Nutrition and recovery advice
- Real-time progress tracking
Download RunBox now and let our AI coach create your personalized marathon training plan!
