Hi, So I have just gotten over a stress fracture and am running pretty good 5ks and 10ks. I am racing in either the collegiate 5k or 10k at the Penn Relays and wanted to see what alternative I have to wearing spikes? I have been wearing spikes the last few weeks but my legs need a break. Any suggestions for a pair of lightweight flats I should try out? I have a pair of Adidas Adizero, shoudl that do? Thanks...
Flats are good, as long as you've done a few workouts in them previously. You don't want to go up to the line wearing a shoe you haven't even trained in yet. Spikes are no better in the 10k than flats as long as the traction on the bottom is good.
Oh yeah, and I like the Brooks T5 and Adizero PR.
Asics makes some good racers
I've never seen the advantage or wearing spikes in a 10k if you're not at least national-class. I've done it both ways, and I'm always happier in flats.
For perspective, I train in the Adizero RC so I'm used to a light shoe.
I was in a track 10k last weekend, and a guy was wearing Milers. He died hard.
I've heard it said that wearing flats may be the best decision you've ever made in your life.
Nike Zoom Streak XC- awesome shoe, light, cushioned, durable. Your feet will thank you.
I had the same question, but for the 5k? flats ok esp. if getting over an injury but wanting to run fast (fitness is there)
if you run a few seconds faster and get injured is it really worth it?
agreed, there are 3 or 4 pairs of flats out there that are as light or lighter than the lightest spikes on the market, so for a 10k they are definitely the better choice for someone coming off an injury
I wear the Mizuno patent leather pumps.
I wore the Oregon waffle racer for a 10k on the track back in '77 and ran 29:45. It was built on a spike last, had a small heel and the rubber nub bottoms. It was fine. There must be a 5th or 6th generation of that racing flat out there these days? Regular spikes would probably give you sore achilles tendons and sore feet as well, unless you are used to them and have been wearing them regularly.
streak xc or nike waffle racers .... the spikeless kind.
both are great. really there is no need to wear spikes for the 10k or even the 5.
I second the Adizero PR
New Balance 152's are the way to go, 5.5oz. Very light and responsive
I third the Adizero PR
rankler wrote:
I've never seen the advantage or wearing spikes in a 10k if you're not at least national-class. I've done it both ways, and I'm always happier in flats.
For perspective, I train in the Adizero RC so I'm used to a light shoe.
I was in a track 10k last weekend, and a guy was wearing Milers. He died hard.
I'm sure the reason he died hard had everything to do with his footwear choice, and nothing to do with his fitness level.
If you ever want to improve in this sport, learn to race in spikes for every event on the track. Learn to train all the time in flats and this question will become an afterthought. . .