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Track racing: Are spikes worth it?

davemunger
davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
in Social Groups
I am signed up for a track meet this summer and I'm doing the 4 * 400 relay. I don't plan on doing much track racing but I expect I will probably participate in a few meets a year. So I'm wondering if it would be worth it to get some spikes.

I have racing flats and they seem to perform well on the track. if I was only doing longer events I wouldn't even think of it, but for a shorter race, a relay, where I don't want to let my teammates down, I'm wondering if maybe I should pick up a pair of track shoes. What do you all think? How much of an advantage do spikes give you over racing flats on a rubberized track?

Replies

  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Absolutely! I use mine for the mile and shorter. Get a pair.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    Absolutely! I use mine for the mile and shorter. Get a pair.

    Any suggestions on a particular model? I have fairly wide feet so I like a big toebox.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Absolutely! I use mine for the mile and shorter. Get a pair.

    Any suggestions on a particular model? I have fairly wide feet so I like a big toebox.

    Not really. My only experience is the the Nike Zooms that I have.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    Absolutely! I use mine for the mile and shorter. Get a pair.

    Any suggestions on a particular model? I have fairly wide feet so I like a big toebox.

    Not really. My only experience is the the Nike Zooms that I have.

    Thanks I ordered a pair of Saucony Endorphin MD4s -- they were on sale at RunningWarehouse. Ordered a full size smaller than my training shoes. I'm planning on wearing them with very thin socks and, obviously, only for short distances, so I think this should work out fine.
  • Carlton_Banks
    Carlton_Banks Posts: 756 Member
    I would wear spikes for track races shorter than a mile too. I'm pretty sure I could not have run as fast in flats back in my high school races without spikes. Let us know what your split times are for the 400m. That was my favorite event. My high school time was 49 seconds and my best half mile time was a 1:58 in a relay and 2:00 in the open. I had an opportunity to go to State as a Junior in the 2 mile relay. Unfortunately, I got kicked off the team as a Senior because I had to work a part-time job.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Absolutely! I use mine for the mile and shorter. Get a pair.

    Any suggestions on a particular model? I have fairly wide feet so I like a big toebox.

    Not really. My only experience is the the Nike Zooms that I have.

    Thanks I ordered a pair of Saucony Endorphin MD4s -- they were on sale at RunningWarehouse. Ordered a full size smaller than my training shoes. I'm planning on wearing them with very thin socks and, obviously, only for short distances, so I think this should work out fine.

    I go sockless in mine.
  • vmclach
    vmclach Posts: 670 Member
    Personally, I don't like wearing mine very much /-:
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    I would wear spikes for track races shorter than a mile too. I'm pretty sure I could not have run as fast in flats back in my high school races without spikes. Let us know what your split times are for the 400m. That was my favorite event. My high school time was 49 seconds and my best half mile time was a 1:58 in a relay and 2:00 in the open. I had an opportunity to go to State as a Junior in the 2 mile relay. Unfortunately, I got kicked off the team as a Senior because I had to work a part-time job.

    Wow, that is smoking! I would be very happy to run the 400 in under 65. I think the best I have ever done (in college) was 60.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Wow, that is smoking! I would be very happy to run the 400 in under 65. I think the best I have ever done (in college) was 60.

    Dave, I ran 64 two years ago. Weird, huh? I can't even come close to your 5K PR, you chase me in the marathon and my 400 is faster. Go figure!!! :D
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    Wow, that is smoking! I would be very happy to run the 400 in under 65. I think the best I have ever done (in college) was 60.

    Dave, I ran 64 two years ago. Weird, huh? I can't even come close to your 5K PR, you chase me in the marathon and my 400 is faster. Go figure!!! :D

    I plugged my 5k PR into McMillan and it pegs me at 63 seconds for the 400. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

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