Discussion: Sneakers?

You gotta get some spikes. What size are you, maybe we have some of Sam or Hill's around here you can use?
Keep it up, even if you can't keep up with the others, you are getting better and faster, that's what counts.

You are right, I really do need to get spikes. I've had two pairs of O-shoes with spikes so far, but both of those gave me blisters when I wore them, so I've been wearing sneakers for the past couple of weeks, even to O-meets. Although I've been slipping around a lot on the mud, at least my feet don't hurt. I am hoping to buy a pair of spikes (perhaps Icebugs?) sometime in the next few weeks. I never knew how much they help in the woods until I wasn't wearing them...

This particular workout that you commented on, however, took place on an outdoor track. So, for the most part, footing was fine, but in a few areas it did feel a bit wet and slippery. It's not a major problem for me since I only run on a track once a week, really, but I'm curious as to how serious track athletes deal with this. Do they just not run on the track when it's wet (perhaps go use an indoor track) or do they have some special track shoes for this type of weather?

Not O'Shoes with spikes, but track spikes. They're available with various amounts of heel padding, depending on whether you do sprints or distance.

For example:

Dick Pond Athletics

Blow Outs (limited sizes)

This is where we bought spikes when I was in high school, and that was a while ago, so others might know better places to buy. I notice they can't do online sales, but they do have a phone number... (I chose that link because it had a lot of pictures.)

At a practice, you should ask if there are rules for spikes. I've been to places where they don't want you using them except during competitions, or only in certain lanes (such as not the inner 2 lanes).

Thanks, Matthew! I didn't know track spikes existed. I always thought spikes were just meant for soccer, rugby, and other sports that involve a lot of muddy running. Can track spikes also be used for trail running or would that ruin them?

I know two people who wear them at OCIN events, but I prefer big cleats to the skinny spikes. On a track, I see people with short spikes, maybe 1/4 inch or so (?). For cinder tracks (or trail?), you can put in 1/2 inch (or so) spikes.

Whether it's a good idea to use track spikes on trails or in the woods is beyond my experience. I think of track spikes as extra-lightweight uppers that last one track season if you're lucky, but we always bought the cheap ones intended for team purchases.

Full-disclosure: I don't own a pair of O'Shoes right now. The last pair I had was in 1988 or so, and they were the Adidas Orienteering model. I wore them until the uppers fell apart. I've been putting off buying a pair of the metal-studded ones, but this summer I'm probably going to. Right now I go to the sporting goods stores and look for the cheaper cleats for soccer, football, and baseball. I pick something with heel padding (important!) and big cleats that look like they'd shed mud. Here in Cincinnati, my experience says: If it's dry, anything with tread works, even running shoes. But if it's wet and hilly, you want the biggest cleats you can find.

I hear people talk about the width of the heel area, and how they don't want a wedge at the heel, because it twists your ankles when you cross slopes.

I like a lot of grip in the heel for braking on downhills. Also, soccer cleats often don't have a hill-climbing cleat at the toe, because they don't want the toe to catch when kicking.

In the UK, I've noticed they call it "Fell Running", and they have a better selection of shoes than I've seen in the US. Example:

CompassPoint O'Shoes/Fell Shoes

I am not an expert in this area, so don't give a lot of weight to my contrarian opinions...

OH, Didn't follow up on this, but Matt has given some good advice. I guess if you only run once a week on the track then buying track spikes is a waste. But they will make a difference, probably good for 1-2 seconds per lap. The spikes are only about 4mm, just enough to sink into the soft rubber of the track. In the old days (when I ran track) tracks were cinders and the spikes were about 10mm. You could do serious damage to a competitor if you hit the back of their leg in close race.
Anyway, those fell running shoes look like something you might want to try. Oh and current O shoes (IMHO) don't have "spikes" but studs. Much safer for everyone.