I’ll go ahead and not wear spikes at all for like 5 months in a row and then when I finally do it feels terrible. Should distance runners be throwing the spikes on even just once per week in base phase so that we don’t lose all familiarity with the motion?
I don't know about once a week during base phase, but pretty close to that if you're a young mid distance runner. Distance runners could probably just do they're strides in anything, but I'd put on the spikes every few weeks for some 200s or flats for 150s on the grass weekly.
To me doesn't make sense to wear spikes during a season where you're not going to be racing in them. This might apply more to marathoners who might dabble in track or post-collegians who don't run XC.
As an alternative to actually using spikes, you can run diagonals on the infield barefoot, or in a lightweight shoe. On the track, you can instead consider using a very minimal 'flat' instead of a spike.
Training a little at every pace all year round is a sensible plan. If that means putting spikes on once a week to keep your feet and calves used to it, no problem. Just keep this kind of speed work short, controlled, (never 100% effort) and "fun". It's merely practice for the real training later on. I'd do a little dynamic stretching beforehand to make sure your muscles are loose enough, because even an hour of jogging might not be enough depending on the temperature.
RIP: D3 All-American Frank Csorba - who ran 13:56 in March - dead
RENATO can you talk about the preparation of Emile Cairess 2:06
Running for Bowerman Track Club used to be cool now its embarrassing
Great interview with Steve Cram - says Jakob has no chance of WRs this year
Hats off to my dad. He just ran a 1:42 Half Marathon and turns 75 in 2 months!