I'm thinking about getting back into track racing with some time trials and open meets this spring. Currently, the only spikes I have are an old pair of Nike Matumbos that I used to love but I'm not sure if they'd be as good to race in as my Vaporflys. Anyone know which is better?
What event/s? What surface and length is the track you're racing on?
For up to the 1600 it still would be worth it to wear the spikes I believe, depending on the speed you are traveling (sub 5 pace = spikes are nicer on curves, at least for me, everyone has different pace thresholds where spikes start being faster).
Vaporflys for all other paces, so for a long 5k race which you won't be running at sub 5 or something, I would take the vaporflys and save my legs.
more info needed wrote:
What event/s? What surface and length is the track you're racing on?
Plan to run mile time trials and then 800 or 1500 races at open meets. I've worn my Vaporflys for all road races recently and some track workouts, definitely notice the high stack on the curves. Still I wasn't sure if it would be worth it for the bounce and cushion, because I remember the Matumbos feeling pretty thin, even back in the day.
Check out the YouTube video of the kid that took the spike plate off his old spikes and attached it to the bottom of his vaporflies. neat little hack, favorable results.
ningkaiyang wrote:
For up to the 1600 it still would be worth it to wear the spikes I believe, depending on the speed you are traveling (sub 5 pace = spikes are nicer on curves, at least for me, everyone has different pace thresholds where spikes start being faster).
Vaporflys for all other paces, so for a long 5k race which you won't be running at sub 5 or something, I would take the vaporflys and save my legs.
I appreciate you using sub 5 pace as a marker because honestly that's the goal I'm trying to get back to (for 1 mile, that is, not holding that pace for 5k!) as I start returning to track. Probably will start with the Vaporflys and see if they feel too cumbersome or if I just feel nostalgic to take the OG Matumbos out in that sweet USA color!
I didn’t think you were allowed to take Vaporflys onto the track?
Winthorpe53 wrote:
I didn’t think you were allowed to take Vaporflys onto the track?
Open meets that aren't like World Sanctioned or whatever, don't care. They follow same rules as high school level, where kids wear vaporflys for 3200m all the time.