Hi everyone, looking for any other thoughts on the original question. With the change to stack height requirements for shoes I'm not sure my racing flats (Brooks Racer ST 5) are eligible for my 10,000km race tonight. Should I wear my spikes? I'm a masters runner who is comparatively slow (I'll be happy to break 40 in whatever shoe), who hasn't lately trained in my spikes. Further complicating things: rain in the forecast for my race. Any other thoughts?
For 9,600 meters, no. For the last lap kick, spikes are a huge advantage. That is why pros wear them, because their races are usually decided on the last lap.
Any other insights? The rain might make my racing shoes ineffective anyway, but I'm not sure about wearing the spikes, especially since I haven't been training in them.
Any other insights? The rain might make my racing shoes ineffective anyway, but I'm not sure about wearing the spikes, especially since I haven't been training in them.
Are there any spikes as light as the two flats I listed? Does anyone dispute that you can run faster in a lighter shoe than a heavier one? How will the design of the spike overcome the 1-3oz weight advantage for these flats?
Couple things
1. Lighter doesn't always mean better. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is 3.5 ounces, but such a bad spike that you can buy it on Amazon for 40 dollars. There are other important factors.
2. The difference is astronomically low. Recent science has proven, that for every 100 grams (3.5 ounces), performance times rise about 0.78%.
So for a 27 minute 10K, 0.6-0.7 of an ounce (the difference between the shoes you listed and popular spikes), makes a 2 second difference.
When you add in the fact that the last lap is most important, and spikes probably make more than two seconds of a difference over the last 800m, I would say that the spikes are pretty necessary.
Also, if they weren't necessary or smart, I'm sure we'd have seen some runners not wearing them by now. Nike/Adidas/ON probably employ 20-50 guys each just to do research on shoes. I'm gonna trust that they know what they're doing.
Any other insights? The rain might make my racing shoes ineffective anyway, but I'm not sure about wearing the spikes, especially since I haven't been training in them.
Help a brother decide! 😁
In your specific case, DON'T WEAR SPIKES!!
Spell it out for him:
~ You're a masters runner hoping to break 40minutes, not a top competitor. I'm assuming this isn't a high stakes race if you're running 40 minutes (maybe it means a lot to you...but in the grand scheme of things...)
~ there is an injury risk with spikes to your calves/achilles if you aren't used to training in them. If you had some experience training in them then this would be a different conversation.
~ Your advantage of the lightness of the shoes and traction are negligible given the risk.
You mentioned stack height: your racing flats should be fine to fit into the rules.
The only thing I can see is that with a lot of rain, the track might be a bit slippery. In a 10km you're not running fast enough that there will be a risk of falling, so I think you're okay in the flats.
As a masters runner, think long term and have fun. Race (and choose your gear) sensibly. Maybe next time try and do some training in the spikes, building carefully, and if they feel good, then maybe they will work.
~ You're a masters runner hoping to break 40minutes, not a top competitor. I'm assuming this isn't a high stakes race if you're running 40 minutes (maybe it means a lot to you...but in the grand scheme of things...)
~ there is an injury risk with spikes to your calves/achilles if you aren't used to training in them. If you had some experience training in them then this would be a different conversation.
~ Your advantage of the lightness of the shoes and traction are negligible given the risk.
You mentioned stack height: your racing flats should be fine to fit into the rules.
The only thing I can see is that with a lot of rain, the track might be a bit slippery. In a 10km you're not running fast enough that there will be a risk of falling, so I think you're okay in the flats.
As a masters runner, think long term and have fun. Race (and choose your gear) sensibly. Maybe next time try and do some training in the spikes, building carefully, and if they feel good, then maybe they will work.
Sounds good, thanks! I'll bring my spikes just in case the officials don't approve my racing shoes for some reason, or if the track is really slippery, but you make some good points here!
Are there any spikes as light as the two flats I listed? Does anyone dispute that you can run faster in a lighter shoe than a heavier one? How will the design of the spike overcome the 1-3oz weight advantage for these flats?
Couple things
1. Lighter doesn't always mean better. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is 3.5 ounces, but such a bad spike that you can buy it on Amazon for 40 dollars. There are other important factors.
2. The difference is astronomically low. Recent science has proven, that for every 100 grams (3.5 ounces), performance times rise about 0.78%.
So for a 27 minute 10K, 0.6-0.7 of an ounce (the difference between the shoes you listed and popular spikes), makes a 2 second difference.
When you add in the fact that the last lap is most important, and spikes probably make more than two seconds of a difference over the last 800m, I would say that the spikes are pretty necessary.
Also, if they weren't necessary or smart, I'm sure we'd have seen some runners not wearing them by now. Nike/Adidas/ON probably employ 20-50 guys each just to do research on shoes. I'm gonna trust that they know what they're doing.
2 seconds is a lot. Maybe 3-4 meters which could be the difference between 1through 3rd and waiting another 4 years?