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.