Are Super Shoes Unethical? Philosopher Sabrina Little on the Fairness of Super Shoes
Release Date: 10/17/2024
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info_outlineDo super shoes give runners who use them an unfair advantage? Do they make it impossible to compare modern finish times with earlier performances?
Sabrina Little is a trail and ultra runner, formerly a professional runner for HOKA. She has won 5 national titles and a World silver medal, she previously held American records in the 24-hour and 200K, and she was 2013 USATF Ultrarunner of the Year.
Sabrina earned her doctorate in Philosophy and teaches ethics at Christopher Newport University.
We talk about:
- The ethical concerns of super shoes
- Sabrina’s lack of satisfaction post-5k due to wearing super shoes
- The distortion between effort and outcome when wearing super shoes
- The nuance of fairness and privilege as they relate to super shoes
- The need for clear shoe technology definitions and regulations to maintain the “spirit of sport”
- Why runners and coaches need to advocate for the intrinsic value of running
Continue the super shoes conversation by sending this episode to a friend with your thoughts.
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Sabrina on X/Twitter
- Sabrina on Instagram
- Sabrina's book, The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners
- Find Sabrina Little on Strava
- Want to learn more about super shoes? Tune into episode 227 with biomechanics and sport science PhD Geoff Burns.
- Hear from top track, road, and ultra runners on how they stay healthy.
Thank you DrinkLMNT!
A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.
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Thank you to 2Before!
We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.
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Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!