what is the point of a blank spike?!!!

You are only allowed a certain number of spikes in each shoe. The blank lets you configure the spikes according to where you feel you need them.

It's to prevent grass, mud, and gravel from getting in there. But hey, you already knew that. Right?

This is a response that I beleive is urban legend. I have coached for 25 years, and I can't recall seeing that "rule" in any NHSF T&F rule book.

It may be possible that some state associations forbid a certain number of spikes (spikes for HS XC in CA is forbidden), but I know I remember hearing this "rule" when I was in HS 31 years ago.

aside from the other responses. if a spike(one spike) is giving you discomfort/blisters or what have you then you can put the blank in there.

aahhah its you again of dyestat troll legand status.

I seem to remember a high school rule from WAY BACK saying 6 was the limit (in each shoe). But, I don't hink it matters anymore.

Use blanks when you're on a track or course where spikes cannot be used.

I coached a girl a couple years ago who did not like spikes when she ran the 3000.

IAAF Rule #143 Section 4 : Any number of spikes up to 11 may be used but the number of spike positions shall not exceed 11.

I highly doubt that 430miler's spikes have more than 11 positions, but some sprint spikes might if not for this rule.

I, however, also think that the extra blank spike is there to be used as a replacement for a spike that hurts your foot. I put mine on the outside ball of my foot so that I don't get junk in the thread of the spike while I'm running minus the hurtful spike.

There was a limit to the number, at least in past years. In Coe's book Running Free he mentions officials checking the number and length of his spikes.

Up until 1983 or 84 the maximum number of spikes allowed in any shoe was 6. While competing in New Zealand and australia, officials would always check our spikes at the clerks table.

There was a 400m runner who lost his world record (Vince Matthews?) for too many spikes.

In 1968 there were some shoes being produced with rows of small spikes - and they were banned. If memory serves John Carlos and Tommie Smith wore them a few times prior to Olympic Games.

Anybody remember that?

in the great state of NY we were only allowed 6 spikes.

I used to blank each shoe under the ball of the foot. I'd get horrible bleeding wounds otherwise. Once when I forgot, the pain forced me to get absolute dead last in an XC race in high school. I had been our team's (ranked 10th that year in the west region) number three going into the race.

embarrassing.

Puma made them and they had rows of tiny "shark's teeth" I think one of those guys you mention broke an American or world record in them at altitude in Tahoe and the time was disallowed because of the spike configuration. I really can't understand the need for a spike-limit rule. Shoe mid-sole or out-sole thickness I understand. Some 40 years ago the Soviet high jumpers had platform shoes which elevated them a couple inches. Those were outlawed and now there is some rule that the total thickness of a shoe must be no more than about 2 cm (maybe even less). Most training shoes would be illegal if someone were to set a record in them

jtupper wrote:

Puma made them and they had rows of tiny "shark's teeth" I think one of those guys you mention broke an American or world record in them at altitude in Tahoe and the time was disallowed because of the spike configuration. I really can't understand the need for a spike-limit rule. Shoe mid-sole or out-sole thickness I understand. Some 40 years ago the Soviet high jumpers had platform shoes which elevated them a couple inches. Those were outlawed and now there is some rule that the total thickness of a shoe must be no more than about 2 cm (maybe even less). Most training shoes would be illegal if someone were to set a record in them

Now we know why Rexing's 5k isn't on the books.

A few years ago a clerk at a now defunct sporting goods store told me that XC spikes had spikes in the back of the shoe and that they didn't carry them.

He said when he ran, he wore them. I doubt he ever ran. But, I do think someone (maybe New Balance) made a pair once with spikes in the back, but we're talking very early 70's.

Blanks are a pressure point thing.

Nike developed the Ventulus with Komen (before he went to Puma).

He just wanted a spike under the first and fourth met head (weight thing) but Tony Bignell got the info back and found that this led to a major pressure point and the shoe was not that stable in the way it bit the track.

Go to two spikes in each place and move them forward and back away from the high pressure point. Hey presto. Enough downforce for major grip but no discomfort.

Hatfield (can't remember if Tobie or Tinker) did the same for Johnson's JSC spike - move the spikes slightly away from peak pressure points for good grip without discomfort.

perspective wrote:

In 1968 there were some shoes being produced with rows of small spikes - and they were banned. If memory serves John Carlos and Tommie Smith wore them a few times prior to Olympic Games.

Anybody remember that?

Yes, they were called "brush spikes"

the great Ugandan 400H John Aku Bua? used them illegally, and as I said earlier, a 400m WR by either Matthews or Collett was disallowed due to them.

Twas at Echo Summit that they got the "Brush Off".

The blank spikes keep dirt from clogging the threads when you wear your racers in venues where spikes are not allowed or impractical. Some low-key HS indoor meets don't allow spikes, and some XC courses have stretches of asphalt. If you wear your racers without the blanks and step in some mud, you might never get the spikes back in or if you do they might rust or otherwise get stuck in the threads so you cannot replace them when they are worn.

As other posters have explained, blanks are also useful for personalizing your spike configuration in situations where spikes are permitted and practical.

Ok, the dirt and grass thing ALMOST passes as a valid reason to use blanks but on the track the best course of action is to actually leave it blank. Nothing in the recepticle at all. I'm of the opinion that blank spikes should not even exist. You're just adding weight for no real purpose whatsoever. Not a lot of weight, but still there.