5 replies to this topic

[runjanerun]

Hi
Have run fun runs and longer distances for ages. Also ran the summer AV season(after like a 20 year absence..havent done track since I was a kid!!) anyway was not EVEN contemplating spikes but did a PB(including junior years) in the 400m... 4 seconds faster than I have done since I went back to running and just faster than 20 years ago...and that was in just normal shoes. ..and 38 degrees so may be just getting a bit carried away!!!) anyway it has got me a bit excited and Im thinking maybe I should get some spikes.
mainly run the 400, 800, 1500 sometimes 3000m in summer. any advice on how much difference spikes could make and also a suggestion on type of shoes would be GREATLY appreciate
ps time in itself is not that good. It is my 800m time that I REALLY want to beat
miss j

ps dont even know where I would go in melbourne to buy spikes

[hasbeen]

Spikes do make a big difference Jane. A lot of it is psychological though as you feel a lot faster in spikes which are light and and you can really feel yourself gripping the track and pushing off. I would be careful about running in spikes if you haven't run in them for a long time as your calves and achilles may get pretty stiff until you get used to them. There's also the option of getting a pair of racing flats.

Try Runners World in Kew for spikes, though I am sure there are a fair few other places.
www.runnersworld.com.au

[Stu Mac]

Hey miss J

Great run at Newport I see!!! Well done!

Spikes or flats will make a difference IMHO, you will feel faster as they have a tighter feel on your feet and they are way lighter, but the disadvantage of when you are tired you will start to feel the impact heaps more.

Runner's World in Kew or if you are an Asics fan and you must be close to Gilbert Rd try Leo Russell's. Personally I would probably just recommend the flats first, get the feel for them and then if you are still keen next season try the spikes. The flats will always be handy for the 3 & 5k races.

Have a chat with your Club V.Captain, I'm sure the jegster will be able to point you in the right direction, esp as he would know your running style better thanmost of us on CR.


See ya Coburg in a few weeks.


Stu

[runjanerun]

Hey! thanks for the advice. thats why I LOVE this forum! Stu, when you are saying get used to the flats, do you just mean my bodgy shoes that I already use????
took your advice ; jeg did seem to think spikes would take a few secs off the times. all food for thought. kew is like 5 minutes away from me so I think I will wander down and take a peek-a-boo
ps and I think my running style is just called.....SLOW but tries hard!!!haha

[southy]

Make sure you buy middle distance spikes , and not sprint spikes. That little bit of heel makes a lot of difference.
Spikes make a lot of difference (IMHO). They put me up on the balls of my feet more, are more flexible so I can get a better drive off the ground, and are lighter in weight. I can generate a lot more power and speed in spikes than in flats.
Do make sure you get accustomed to them gradually though. Start by finishing off a training session with a few 100m run thrus in them, then finish off a session next week with a couple of 200s in them, and so on. As to racing, I would start out by racing a 4oom in them (after a few training sessions where I finished up in them), then an 800m, then a 1500m.
Welcome back to world of MD racing - fast & furious & fun.
And yes, the day after you first race in them on a synthetic track your calves will probably feel sore. Have a rest day.

[runjanerun]

ummmmm.. is it christmas? I sure just went and bought myself some presents
I think I ended up taking everyones advice ..haha. cos I bought some spikes(yes definitely bought the distance spikes) and also bought some racing shoes(they really are unbelievably light compared to the big clod hoppers I have been running in)
runners world in kew were great!

only problem... the only shoes that fitted(cos I have difficult feet!!!) and were comfortable were UGLY...(doesnt make a lass that happy) ....yes I bought the ugly shoes that were comfortable rather than the really atttractive ones that were not. sigh. so now I will be running in absolutely bright fluoro green racers in the winter season. maybe they will grow on me.. you wont be able to miss me
thanks heaps for all the info
j