I've been training and racing in MD spikes but wondering if this has been a bad idea.
I race 400m. My training consists mainly of track work, 50 to 400m reps. However, I use trainers and not spikes for reps over 300m in length. Seeing as I run on my toes, would it be more likely to prevent injury using a proper sprint spike? Do sprint spikes have more forefoot cushioning in them?
My main aim is to avoid injury/sore shins.
Thanks
400 meters is a sprint, not a MD race. If you are having problems with your shins, try to stay in trainers as much as possible expect for speed and speed endurance days.
The 400m has a serious aerobic side to it. If you also run the 800m or 1600m, then I would keep your MD spikes. If you occassionally run the 200m or 100m, I would buy sprint ones.
Neither should help your shins. Using trainers is a good idea. Running on your toes is an awful idea for your shins, especially if you do this for longer than around 400m. I knew a guy that ran 800-3200 and always ran on his toes, and trained on his toes too. He always had shin/calf issues.
The 400m has a serious aerobic side to it. If you also run the 800m or 1600m, then I would keep your MD spikes. If you occassionally run the 200m or 100m, I would buy sprint ones.
Neither should help your shins. Using trainers is a good idea. Running on your toes is an awful idea for your shins, especially if you do this for longer than around 400m. I knew a guy that ran 800-3200 and always ran on his toes, and trained on his toes too. He always had shin/calf issues.
V6 wrote:
The 400m has a serious aerobic side to it. If you also run the 800m or 1600m, then I would keep your MD spikes. If you occassionally run the 200m or 100m, I would buy sprint ones.
Neither should help your shins. Using trainers is a good idea. Running on your toes is an awful idea for your shins, especially if you do this for longer than around 400m. I knew a guy that ran 800-3200 and always ran on his toes, and trained on his toes too. He always had shin/calf issues.
the 400 DOES NOT have a serious aerobic side.
it takes NO aerobic ability whatsoever.
It's NOT a bad idea.
My shins just get sore, the track is hard.
I don't run the 800 or above.
I do run the 200 but only as a secondary thing and I'm not massively fussed about it.
Running on my toes seems better than heel striking for a sprint!
track chick wrote:
I've been training and racing in MD spikes but wondering if this has been a bad idea.
I race 400m. My training consists mainly of track work, 50 to 400m reps. However, I use trainers and not spikes for reps over 300m in length. Seeing as I run on my toes, would it be more likely to prevent injury using a proper sprint spike? Do sprint spikes have more forefoot cushioning in them?
My main aim is to avoid injury/sore shins.
Thanks
For short reps I wear sprint spikes, for the longer workouts e.g. 500/600 I wear MD spikes. Sprint spikes have no cushioning, racing I always wear sprint spikes. I never wear trainers for sprint workouts, it's just asking for trouble in my opinion, particularly indoors.
The number #1 rule in collegiate sprinting is "don't get hurt". Why? because sprint training is a gradual building process, unlike distance running that is sometimes added by downtime.
Also, the track is hard and sprinting is the act of applying great force to that surface. Thus, coaches that don't take great care to protect sprinters shins, likely have alot of injured athletes every year.
So, do what you can with shoes, but also do as much non-track work (plyos, drills, etc.) off the track.