I’ve been wearing the dragonfly xc all season, but the course we have this weekend is like 60% gravel (not just like the ground up stuff, it’s like actual rocks) should i wear my dragonfly’s normally? or put some blanks in them? or not wear them altogether? Mostly i don’t want to ruin them for the regional and state meets later on. Thanks.
Put blanks in.
highschoolxc wrote:
I’ve been wearing the dragonfly xc all season, but the course we have this weekend is like 60% gravel (not just like the ground up stuff, it’s like actual rocks) should i wear my dragonfly’s normally? or put some blanks in them? or not wear them altogether? Mostly i don’t want to ruin them for the regional and state meets later on. Thanks.
I would not. Whats the benefit of wearing them with blanks on that much rock? Why not just wear flats or regular running shoes? Where are you running? And is it going to rain?
It’s a really flat course, but it is supposed to rain. I don’t really own any flats or vaporflys, but i do have an older pair of spikes that i could use.
what course are you racing?
Wear 1/8 inch or blanks
Rocks? Can you let us know the course? Are we talking rocks like small pebbles or rocks like breaking an ankle?
it’s third battle invitational in VA. The whole first mile is through the woods on a gravel trail, nothing crazy just like small gravel pebbles. I think there’s another loop later on like a dirt material. I’m mostly worried about cracking the outer plate on the dragonfly’s because the bottom doesn’t seem super durable. I might play it safe and put blanks in my old saucony spikes
Are these Dragonflys or Dragonfly XC?
If you have the XC version it shouldn't crack. The regular track Dragonfly it is more of a concern, but in my experience they hold up pretty well.
I just looked at the park website and there are actually some decent-sized rocks on the path (at least the path on the virtual tour). I think your XC spikes with be fine, but it is a legitimate question. Good luck!
Gravel maybe. I tore my achillies back in my day because the course had too many paved areas. I was a moron.
I created Third Battle Invitational and was the meet director for the past 11 years (stepped away this year!). I also live a mile away and have run who knows how many thousands of miles there.
My opinion- Don’t wear a plastic plated spike if you have a rubber one available. The gravel isn’t bad right now (mostly mashed down into the dirt or worn away)and hasn’t been replaced in many years, but there are still occasional loose rocks that’s wouldn’t feel great in a shoe with a plastic plate.
A rubber-soled XC shoe is ideal there. The rubber plated Dragonfly XC would be fantastic.
About 1100m of the course is grass; the rest is crushed gravel or dirt, so aggressive spikes aren’t as critical as a full grass course. My teams and I have run fast workouts back there in just flats.
If you do go with the plastic plate, you’ll be fine. You’ll just have an uncomfortable step here and there. Luckily(or at least thinking optimistically) the rain will likely soften the trail a little, which would make them more comfortable.
Good luck this weekend!
thanks for the insight on the course and for hosting such a fantastic meet! My team has looked forward to this race every year. I’ll plan to run in my dragonfly xc’s unless something at the course tomorrow changes my mind.