Shoes
Track, like all sports requires a certain uniform and equipment to
participate effectively. When running, the shoes worn are one of the
most important things a runner needs to worry about. From everyday
practice shoes to racing spikes it becomes an issue that needs to be
solved properly. Within the different field events other equpiment is
used as well.
Shoes In General
- Getting shoes slected for you at a store like Athlete's Foot or
Elite Runners and Walkers before you purchase a running shoe is highly
recommended.
- Roughly 90% of all foot, ankle, knee and even hip injuries are
due to the fact that improper shoes are being worn at practice. There
are suppinators and there are pronators, and everything inbetween.
Shoes are designed for all these variations of runners. If you just
select the correct shoe size off the shelf you are making a BIG
mistake. It may cost you $20 more to find the proper shoe but what it
saves in pain, injury, doctor bills, and lost competition time is well
worth the cost.
- Once a you have found the right shoe and it works right with
your feet, many runners will continue with the same shoe just a new
version. Each year there is likely to be a new version of your shoe and
usually it supports your feet the same way. If you did this and it
doesn't work or your shoe was disconted then we recommed you go back and
get fitted for a new pair.
- Once you know which shoe to get other athletic stores such as Dick's would be fine to find your shoes.
- NEVER let the shoes wear over 50% before you purchase a new
pair. In this way, if one pair gives you problems you can easily change
shoes for a few days. Sometimes shoes get wet, sometimes improper foot
plant wears the shoes in a certain way that may exacerbate injuries.
You should ALWAYS have two pairs of usable running shoes.
- We don't put all that time and energy into CC to get injured
and then wonder what the season might have been like if we had remained
healthy. Our goal is to achieve the full potential of each athlete.
Spikes
- Spikes are a special kind of running shoe used for races that offer
less padding but are equiped with 6-7 spikes to help a runner from
slipping as they run. These shoes are very useful becuase on slippery
surface such as mud or sand, they keep your foot from loosing ground.
The end result is a more efficent stride and better balance.
- If you have spikes or are getting a pair here are some things to remember:
- Make sure you keep the wrench that comes with your shoes. It is
hard to get the spikes out of the bottem of your shoe without it.
- Keep your spikes relatively clean. If there is too much mud caked on the bottem the spikes are no longer effective.
- Pay attention to the course your going to run. If you are on a
track, your spikes can not be longer than 1/4 inch. Anything less if
fine too. Also if the course goes over assfault or pavement, you want
short spikes as well. If the course is grass, dirt, or muddly, longer
spikes may be more effective. You should not need to have ones longer
than 1/2 inch.
- And lastly, watch were you walk. While wearing spikes you can
do damage to the floor or surface your walking on as well as wear down
the spikes in your shoes.
Throwing Equpiment
Discus
Shot
Javalin
Pole Vaulting
Uniforms
- At the begining of every season, the atletes will recieve a running
singlet and shorts with the school name on it. This is theirs for the
season, and they are required to wear it to all the meets. The items
are numbered on the tags so be sure to remember your number in case they
get misplaced, etc. Uniforms will be collected at the end of the
season and you must turn in the numbered uniform you were issued.