I'm a 40 year old amateur runner who is planning a triumphant return to the track where I hope to break the elusive five minute mile barrier. Since even my super-model wife struggles to buy enough hand bags to spend all of my $500k salary, I have some money burning a hole in my pocket and would like to spend some of it on a pair of so-called "super spikes". The problem is, whereas I'm pretty familiar with all of the road racing "super shoes" I know relatively little about super spikes other than that they are the reason all the pros run faster these days.
So Letsrun, tell me what spikes should I buy? For background, the last time I wore a pair of spikes was circa 2008 where I ran a beer mile in I think Air Kennedys (is that a real thing?). I liked the way those felt, I remember they sort of forced me to run on my toes (but my calves were shredded the next day). In high school I ran cross country and track in something cheap I got from a local running store and they felt 'fine'.
Some followup questions, should I do some workouts before my race in the spikes? How many miles can I put on a pair before their I wear out their "superbness" (I feel like with Alpha/Vapor flies they lose some of their pop after a few marathons)?