CHOOSING CORRECT EQUIPMENT
Shoes are not just shoes?
You wouldn't go ice skating without skates nor swimming without a suit, would you? Then why would you run without the correct track and field equipment? Depending on the event and type of surface you may need several pair of shoes. Indoor vs. Outdoor… completely different shoes. Indoor hardwood surfaces vs. the new synthetic surfaces… completely different shoes.
Track spikes are made special for each individual event. They do not just help you run fast, they put your feet and therefore the rest of your body in the correct position to maximize your ability and not get injured. Buy track spikes. When in doubt – ask your coach in advance or prepare to bring a few pairs with you at all times!
Track shoes made for training have cushion that gets pounded down and loses it strength and stability. You need your training track shoes to hold their structure in order to support your feet and thus your legs and back because you spend all most all of your running time in these types of track shoes.
If you train on overused shoes, you are repeatedly hammering the sections of your feet, legs, and back that need the most support.
Get new track shoes every season or approximately three hundred miles (approximately three months) if you train or race a lot.
As your shoes breakdown structurally, look worn out, or start to rip or tear… replace them! Spikes that screw into the bottom of the spike plates on underside of the shoe can be changed every few weeks or competitions depending on the surface. And don’t let the spikes wear down to the point where you can’t remove them! After each race, inspect your spikes and take them out if they start to wear down.
Start your search by talking to your coach and other athletes. Then, head down to stores like Bandanna Running in Boise, Idaho and have them fit you!!
Stay comfortable; wear moisture-wicking clothes from head-to-toe!
Moisture-wicking fabrics are one of the most helpful innovations in sports equipment in recent decades. Cotton t-shirt is a thing of the past. No matter what your event, invest in a few moisture-wicking shirts, shorts, and pants. They are more expensive than a basic t-shirt, but wash these clothes in cold water with a mild detergent and they will last for years.
Coming tomorrow... Shot Put