At 5'9" I've also never had a problem with the "footroom" in row 1. However, I would argue that row 4 actually has BETTER recline because you can stay reclined the whole time, i.e. the flight attendants generally will not make you bring your seat forward for takeoff and landing. In addition if you stay reclined, they are unlikely to try to stuff so many coats behind you so as to impede your recline.