Shoes and Spikes
Importance of Proper Foot Wear
To train properly, a proper running shoe is a must. Most people judge their shoes by how nice or clean they look checking for scuffs, holes, wear marks, etc. Runners judge their shoes by how many miles are on them and how long they have owned them. Most running shoes last between 300-500 miles which may sound like a lot but for your average varsity athlete, that means they are getting new shoes every 2.5 to 3 months. For an underclassmen, that usually means 3-4 months. It sounds a little crazy that a pair of shoes might look perfectly fine when comparing them to any other shoe but the damage is in the places we can't see. The support structure and sole of the shoe takes a tremendous beating every day those shoes are run in and they break down potentially leading to stress fractures, broken bones, and tendentious to name a few. Wearing a pair of old shoes to run in is like asking a football player not to wear pads or a helmet in a game. We wouldn't even consider that. Proper shoes lead to a successful, healthy training season.
Today there are so many shoes to choose from, where do start? Which brand, which style, which color do you choose? First bit of advice is to make the color of the shoe your last priority. Mainly concern yourself with proper fit for your body, which comes down to more than just feeling the big toe at the tip of the shoe. Proper fit means finding out what kind of runner you are and then choosing a style of shoe that best suits your body's running needs. Below are locations where running shoes are sold. Most of them employ specialists in fitting a runner to the proper shoe.
If it works for you, stick with it. Once you find a shoe that is working for you and you feel good wearing it, don't change the next time. Stay with what works. Your body is a creature of habit. That is what training for anything is all about. Getting your body used to the habit of doing that thing so if your body responds well to a pair of shoes, keep using them pair after pair.
What is the difference
Training shoes are for running, spikes are for racing. We will use our spikes in practice on occasion during workout days when on the grass or track, but those are reserved for those opportunities when light, aggressive, quickness is called for. They will offer less support than your training shoe but because they aren't being work as often and only on softer grass or track surfaces, it is okay. They are lighter and will have removable metal spikes in the front toe area of the shoe. This way, they can be swapped out when dull or sizes of the metal spikes can be changed depending on surface conditions.
We will be doing a team spike order in August in order for use to look more uniform as a team on race day. Anticipate that opportunity for a discounted price on team racing spikes.
Where to Go
Dick Pond Athletics
2775 Maple Avenue
Lisle, IL 60532
Road Runner Sports
2555 West 75th Street
Naperville, IL 60540
Naperville Running Company
North (downtown Naperville)34 West Jefferson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
South (closer to Oswego)3416 S Route 59, Suite 116
Naperville, IL 60564
DNA Athletics
16133 Weber Rd
Crest Hill, IL 60403
RunningWarehouse.com Great if you know what shoe you need and great for finding running gear.
To train properly, a proper running shoe is a must. Most people judge their shoes by how nice or clean they look checking for scuffs, holes, wear marks, etc. Runners judge their shoes by how many miles are on them and how long they have owned them. Most running shoes last between 300-500 miles which may sound like a lot but for your average varsity athlete, that means they are getting new shoes every 2.5 to 3 months. For an underclassmen, that usually means 3-4 months. It sounds a little crazy that a pair of shoes might look perfectly fine when comparing them to any other shoe but the damage is in the places we can't see. The support structure and sole of the shoe takes a tremendous beating every day those shoes are run in and they break down potentially leading to stress fractures, broken bones, and tendentious to name a few. Wearing a pair of old shoes to run in is like asking a football player not to wear pads or a helmet in a game. We wouldn't even consider that. Proper shoes lead to a successful, healthy training season.
Today there are so many shoes to choose from, where do start? Which brand, which style, which color do you choose? First bit of advice is to make the color of the shoe your last priority. Mainly concern yourself with proper fit for your body, which comes down to more than just feeling the big toe at the tip of the shoe. Proper fit means finding out what kind of runner you are and then choosing a style of shoe that best suits your body's running needs. Below are locations where running shoes are sold. Most of them employ specialists in fitting a runner to the proper shoe.
If it works for you, stick with it. Once you find a shoe that is working for you and you feel good wearing it, don't change the next time. Stay with what works. Your body is a creature of habit. That is what training for anything is all about. Getting your body used to the habit of doing that thing so if your body responds well to a pair of shoes, keep using them pair after pair.
What is the difference
Training shoes are for running, spikes are for racing. We will use our spikes in practice on occasion during workout days when on the grass or track, but those are reserved for those opportunities when light, aggressive, quickness is called for. They will offer less support than your training shoe but because they aren't being work as often and only on softer grass or track surfaces, it is okay. They are lighter and will have removable metal spikes in the front toe area of the shoe. This way, they can be swapped out when dull or sizes of the metal spikes can be changed depending on surface conditions.
We will be doing a team spike order in August in order for use to look more uniform as a team on race day. Anticipate that opportunity for a discounted price on team racing spikes.
Where to Go
Dick Pond Athletics
2775 Maple Avenue
Lisle, IL 60532
Road Runner Sports
2555 West 75th Street
Naperville, IL 60540
Naperville Running Company
North (downtown Naperville)34 West Jefferson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
South (closer to Oswego)3416 S Route 59, Suite 116
Naperville, IL 60564
DNA Athletics
16133 Weber Rd
Crest Hill, IL 60403
RunningWarehouse.com Great if you know what shoe you need and great for finding running gear.