i’m looking to buy spikes. are christmas tree style spikes suitable for track running? if so, are they useful in distance events such as mile and 2 mile? i would be using the spikes for track as well as cross country in the fall.
I haven’t heard of “christmas tree” spikes. For track, the 2 most common types are pins and pyramids. Which ones you use depends on the track owner. Some tracks allow pins, some pyramids, some both, some no spikes at all (you can just use them as flats then). Pins and pyramids are most often used on true track spikes (shoes with non-recessed holes). For track, you may also want to play with the configuration. Do you go with all 6, just 4 etc.
For cross country, most spikes are recessed and you’ll use anywhere from 1/4" up to 5/8" depending on the course and conditions. It is possible to use cross country spikes on the track with either pin or 1/4", but getting true track spikes makes a big difference. I still have a closet full…I just can’t get rid of them. I think I still have some Zoom countries from 1992…you can really tell by the colors…
Good luck!
-Pete
If your using the spikes for both, i’d go with the pyramid style spikes, since you’ll definitely want those for xc. Needle spikes are only useful for sprints and short distance racing on a track. Christms tree spikes are great for sprints and shorter distance races to. The downside to needle spikes are that they are difficult to remove since they have a very limited surface to grip on to. The pyramid style offers a much better surface for tightening and removal. Another factor which you’ll run into when you go to by spikes is ceramic or steel. It really depends on what your racing demands. If your going to be doing any walking with the shoes on b/w events, i’d go with steel. The ceramic spikes i had were toast within a few meets. but i still am using my original steel spikes that i got when i first bought my shoes. Of course they do weigh more than ceramic, so if weights an issue and that .1s is going to make the race for you and you don’t mind buying/changing spikes often, then go with ceramic. Oh, and be sure to know what size spikes the races you do will allow. Accordingly, havean adjustable vise-grip just in case you need to for some reason make a last minute adjustment of the spikes (ex, wrong size) since those wrenches that everyone gets with their shoes suck ad round out easily.
from your post i got the idea that ceramic spikes aren’t very durable. so, if i train in my spikes 2-3 times a week, and race in them once a week, i should go with steel?
from my n=1 experience, steel is much more durable, and would be best suited for what your doing
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Christmas tree spike are heavier, unless they are ceramic or aluminum, and usually won’t penetrate the track surface. This of course depends on your surface
Go with the needle for track and then remove them in the fall in favor of pyramid. Depending on the surface. Asphalt with rubber stay with 1/8 needle during the cold. Anything longer increase will not penetrate the colder surface.
If on a rubberized surface, such as Mondo or tartan 1/4 needle are best, if they are allowed.
In most cases longer is not better, it will increase the drag. sounds goofy but studies have been done by Runner’s World, several years ago regarding the topic of spike length.
In Cross Country, I have my athletes run in 3/8 for the early season and then 1/2 for the later season. This was the first year in many that we needed to move to 5/8.
The type of spike is purely personal, and in most cases a distance track spike will more than suit your XC neeeds
If you are running in spikes 4 days a week, I would get spikes made of Ace Bandage, b/c that is what you are going to need about two weeks into this program Seriously, be careful to ease in to using the spikes this much. If you are lucky, you’ll just be a bit sore for a while. Can I ask, though, why you need to wear spikes so much for the mile and 2 mile?
I agree with dalbright about the steel spikes though. Get a set of steel ones to last the whole season, and get a set of ceramic ones that you can use just for your most important race. You will save maybe an ounce by doing this, plus the psychological benefit is huge.
Good luck!
From 4 different coaches in HS, college, and an olympic developmen team, don’t train in spikes unless you’re doing a fitness check time trial or training for something under 800 m. You’re more likely to cause foot problems. You can always run in flats if you feel the urge, but your best bet is do in intervals in trainers. Also do yourself a favor and get both track spikes and cross spikes. Get last seasons model through Eastbay and you can get both for the price of just one. We had to laminate ours from drooling over steeple spikes. And yes, they’re totally worth it if you’re insance enough to focus on the steeple.
Also do yourself a favor and get both track spikes and cross spikes.
i got these for track, but in the little description it says: “walk up to the starting line, this cross-country race is yours.” this infers that these are cc spikes.
http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?type=brand&brandid=10&brandcatid=catall&gen=m&pcid=20462