Does anyone have advice for the parent of a 9 year old who wants running spikes, I've just bought a pair of running shoes with rubber spikes, apparently in his size (size 3) they don't make metal spiked shoes. The idea is to give him a bit of time in these shoes and when he goes up a shoe size purchase the metal spikes. Or should I have shopped around a bit more ... do they make metal spikes in kids sizes ... size 3??? Hes a 100, 200m runner but also cross country.
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Any Advice Re Kids Running Shoes
Started by ClareE, Aug 13 2007 10:01 PM
5 replies to this topic
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#2
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 14 August 2007 - 07:05 PM
Hi ClareE, I would honestly doubt that a 9 year old would get any practical benefit from spikes at all anyway. Its probably more a fashion thing. I know in Victoria they cannot wear spikes in Little Aths until Under 12's and only then in jumps and laned track events ie not 800 etc, and definitely not in XC. Kids getting spikes early would not get much use from them. I also think they need some technique instruction before starting to run in spikes on the track.
The lightweight track shoes I think you have bought are OK for Little Aths and school track comps at this stage. They probably do not provide much support for XC or training (such that it is for a 9y.o) however, and I would just have him?? wear normal runners for training and any longer races. It would do more harm than good for a 9 y.o to run XC in spikes.
I would say resist buying spikes until the child is about 12 and has had some sprint coaching. The smallest I have ever seen spikes is about a size 5 or 6.
The lightweight track shoes I think you have bought are OK for Little Aths and school track comps at this stage. They probably do not provide much support for XC or training (such that it is for a 9y.o) however, and I would just have him?? wear normal runners for training and any longer races. It would do more harm than good for a 9 y.o to run XC in spikes.
I would say resist buying spikes until the child is about 12 and has had some sprint coaching. The smallest I have ever seen spikes is about a size 5 or 6.
#3
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Posted 14 August 2007 - 08:00 PM
Nine year old should not need spikes, and probably wouldn't benefit from them. However, I could imagine that the pressure, from nine year old, to get them would be enormous.
#4
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Posted 15 August 2007 - 07:00 PM
Thanks for your advice, Im sure you are right that it is pretty much a status thing, the top runners in the school wear spikes, but then they are 12 and he aspires to be like that!!! I'll definately wait until he is around that age ... I didn't realise that he shouldn't wear the running shoes for XC though, so will have to watch that, at the moment I can't get them off his feet!!! Thanks
#5
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 16 August 2007 - 01:55 PM
ClareE in relation to wearing the track shoes (if that's what they are) for XC, its just that they may not offer a lot of support for the foot like normal runners so may be a bit risky for injuries. Also if it might accellerate the wear and tear on the shoes as there is not much to them. I would imagine a lot of kids (mine included at the time) would like to wear the lightest shoes possible in XC so its not a total NO but a "be careful out there"! Good luck with the munchkin anyway, its nice to see kids enthusiastic and parents with a grip on reality. Keep it fun.
#6
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Posted 20 August 2007 - 10:13 AM
By rubber spikes , I take it you are speaking of waffles. Waffles are exactly what I would buy for a 9 yr old , he can wear them xc, sprints, jumps, training etc. They are perfect . A 9 yr old has no need for metal spikes, although yes they are available. And the pressure to get them can be enourmous. Kids often unfortunately think that in order to do well they have to have the latest & greatest gizmos, but do not fall into the trap of being manipulated into that, or you will be forever in debt.
I coach a lot of kids, and have been coaching for several years now. I do not recommend buying heavy supportive shoes for kids either. They wil never learn to run correctly if you do. I recommend buying light shoes for kids, like waffles or asics colts, something very light to train & race in (kids have no business training on hard surfaces). Keep then training on grass. If they have heavy supportive shoes the muscles in their feet get lazy. LIght shoes will encourage the develepment of the muscles in their feet. Kids need to feel the ground beneath their feet and learn to run light, develop a good strong push off.
I certainly do not believe in putting kids in sprint spikes until about 14 yrs old. As kids are growing they often have sore heels, tight calves and this can put a lot of pressure on their achilles. Sprint spikes have no heels whatsoever and put a lot of unnessassary stress on heels. When you do decide to purchase spikes for him (and I would recommend about 11 or 12 years old), I would buy middle distance spikes, they do at least have a bit of protection for the heels and achilles.
I coach a lot of kids, and have been coaching for several years now. I do not recommend buying heavy supportive shoes for kids either. They wil never learn to run correctly if you do. I recommend buying light shoes for kids, like waffles or asics colts, something very light to train & race in (kids have no business training on hard surfaces). Keep then training on grass. If they have heavy supportive shoes the muscles in their feet get lazy. LIght shoes will encourage the develepment of the muscles in their feet. Kids need to feel the ground beneath their feet and learn to run light, develop a good strong push off.
I certainly do not believe in putting kids in sprint spikes until about 14 yrs old. As kids are growing they often have sore heels, tight calves and this can put a lot of pressure on their achilles. Sprint spikes have no heels whatsoever and put a lot of unnessassary stress on heels. When you do decide to purchase spikes for him (and I would recommend about 11 or 12 years old), I would buy middle distance spikes, they do at least have a bit of protection for the heels and achilles.
