Cross Country Race Shoes

Running Shoes/Running Gear Shoes

7 years ago 09/19/2016 1:48pm EDT

My high school daughter is in need of advice. She is a good runner and trains really hard in her Nike Zoom Pegasus shoes. On race day she had been switching into spikes. First she had a pair of Brooks spikes and developed blisters on her heal. We then bought a new pair of Nike Zoom Rival spikes and she got a huge blister on her heal again. She has tried everything: double layer socks, bandages, applying vaseline, etc. At this point we are trying to figure out a solution to get the traction benefits that spikes offer without the minimalist shoe. Any thoughts or suggestions?

7 years ago 09/19/2016 3:40pm EDT

re: Tracer

My daughter trains in pegasus.

She races xc in saucony carrera (flats or spikes, depending on conditions).

I am not saying that there is any connection between the pegasus and the carreras- I am just saying it works for her. The key was to start wearing the xc shoes 3 minutes at a time, for a few months before xc season, to get used to them. She gradually built up to 20 mins plus strides, then did a few workouts in them.

It takes time, not worth risking an injury.

7 years ago 09/19/2016 3:58pm EDT

re: Sample Of one

3 minutes at a time a few months ahead of time? The cushion in shoes today doesn't necessitate that sort of breaking in period to avoid blisters. If you're working about injury from a relatively minimalist shoe that still seems excessive, especially for a high schooler running XC.

7 years ago 09/19/2016 4:07pm EDT

re: Watcher of the skies

Not becuase of blisters. Becuase of a runner with injury history who had never run in spikes or flats before.

Now the season is started and I understand there is not time to do such a gradual buildup.

7 years ago 09/19/2016 4:09pm EDT

re: Sample Of one

And I should add- when you have been through injuries and you finally get healthy- it changes one's perspective and making only small gradual changes becomes a way of life. And it is working so far.

7 years ago 09/19/2016 4:14pm EDT

re: Tracer

It's likely because her calves aren't stretched enough to adjust to the lower profile of the spikes. I hate to tell you to buy another pair of shoes, but I think it would help if she had a pair of flats or just lighter trainers to do speedwork and tempo runs during the week. Other than that, lace locking, Body-Glide, blister pads, etc. You might even try a small heel insert. That will bring her foot up a bit higher so the shoe hits the spot in a different place (if that makes sense).

7 years ago 09/20/2016 1:04pm EDT

re: txRUNNERgirl

What are some options for flats? I just bought her a pair of Adidas Adizero Adios. They are expensive shoes and I asked her to only where them for meets as an alternative to spikes. If the problem is her calfs, maybe she should use these some to train in? What sort of heel insert are you talking about?

7 years ago 09/20/2016 1:19pm EDT

re: Tracer

Adios boosts are a most excellent racing shoe. Probably not perfect for most xc courses though.

7 years ago 09/20/2016 1:22pm EDT

re: Tracer

Cut a hole in the heel of the shoe where she's blistering.

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