Should I go with a long-distance spike or a middle-distance one?

most don't wear socks

I'm not sure you really need spikes. If you're planning on racing on the track, then I could see you wanting to train in them, but unless you really get hauling (say, below 60-65 sec 400s) I don't think spikes would fare any better than flats.

However, if you think you would be better off having a pair of spikes, I would look for something more long distance oriented. Middle-distance spikes (I'm assuming you're talking about Milers and that sort of shoe)would probably be pretty uncomfortable to train in, and they're really not going to do you any favors compared to a more distance oriented spike.

I would lean towards something relatively inexpensive as well, because spikes don't generally last very long if you'll be running in them regularly. Maybe something like Nike Rivals, or any of the myriad of Rival knockoffs made by Puma (Tomline), Asics (Turbo Ghost), Brooks (Nerve LD), or Saucony (Velocity). These are all relatively inexpensive spikes, have some cushion to them so you won't be beating up on your legs, and are easy to find.

Also forgot New Balance LDS 605.

Yeah, like someone else said, you probably don't need spikes, especially if you're doing 800s and 1600s for track workouts. Spikes are okay for short reps, but you'd be a lot better off sticking with flats. The difference between flats and spikes is probably less than 0.5 seconds/400, probably closer to 0.2.

I guess it's up to you. If you want to pay $80 to take less than a 0.1 off your 100m reps, go for it, but otherwise just stick with the flats. If you race in flats it'll be more race specific anyway.

I agree with the other guys who recommend that you don't need to wear spikes on the track if you're a road racer.

spikes will only give you an greater chance for injury and the muscles you use when wearing spikes are a little different than your flats or trainers. i would imagine it makes more sense to log your miles in trainers and run your intervals in flats.

What is the purpose of the 10 x 100's and 6 x 200's?

I used to run long sprints in collage and now I'm trying to train for some 5 k's. I'd love to shop for some fancy distance spikes (because what runner doesn't love cool new spikes) but they will serve me no purpose as well.

Good luck with the training.

Thanks for the help.

sprinter turned distance wrote:

I agree with the other guys who recommend that you don't need to wear spikes on the track if you're a road racer.

spikes will only give you an greater chance for injury and the muscles you use when wearing spikes are a little different than your flats or trainers. i would imagine it makes more sense to log your miles in trainers and run your intervals in flats.

What is the purpose of the 10 x 100's and 6 x 200's?

I used to run long sprints in collage and now I'm trying to train for some 5 k's. I'd love to shop for some fancy distance spikes (because what runner doesn't love cool new spikes) but they will serve me no purpose as well.

Good luck with the training.

I run the short reps to avoid producing lactic acid while at the same time it really hones that basic speed, as well as improving running form. It allows me to keep running high-mileage.

Haile Gebrselassie wore the $50 Cosmos MD spikes for much of his track career (you can see him lacing them up before the Atlanta final in Endurance).

It really won't matter.

You probably don't need spikes for training, but if you do get some, the puma harambees are excellent spikes and are only $40 now: http://www.firsttothefinish.com/ItemMatrix.asp?Cc=fw_foot_middist&GroupCode=100171-06&eq=&MatrixType=1