They say to save the best for last, right? Before this year, I’d never run in a carbon-plated shoe—partly because of the price tag, partly because, again, I’m a creature of habit. But after racing in the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5, I can’t picture running in anything else for race day. I first tested the SuperCop Elites during a tempo run and immediately felt faster. Seriously, I even asked myself, is this cheating?
Unlike some carbon models that have been described as stiff or overly firm, the SC Elite manages to be both springy and soft, which makes it surprisingly comfortable over long distances. I wore them once a week leading up to the New York City Marathon and then (of course) on race day. The verdict? No blisters, no pain, no second guessing. If I’m being honest, my feet felt shockingly OK after 26.2 miles (even if the rest of me did not).
It was my first marathon, and I’m convinced these shoes played a part in my performance and comfort. Oh, and they helped me secure a Boston Qualifying time.