Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

As a DI collegiate track athlete, I’ve been exposed to all types of sprinters. As a 400/200 runner, the diversity seems endless. Recently, I’ve been looking for new spikes that accommodate my type of sprinter/individual style as I feel each spike works for each runner differently. I have been coming across the term “for the power sprinter” when looking at some spikes, what exactly does that mean and how does a spike accommodate that person? What types of spikes fit what types of styles? Thanks.

Hey.

Nike Power Cats are for the power sprinter.If you want a light powerful spike go with the Lite ning 2’s

Spikes for “type” of sprinter… so dumb.

not really.

do they have spikes for shitty sprinters?  could be a gold mine.  The new… fabulous… Nike Sub12!

Yeah dont give them hard bottoms. The shoes that you can bend suck. Example: Nike Rival SD

Winning22 - 19 October 2008 10:18 PM

Yeah dont give them hard bottoms. The shoes that you can bend suck. Example: Nike Rival SD

Marcus Brunson ran sub 6.50 in Nike Rival S (yes I’m serious).  Nike Rival SD is a shot put shoe…don’t know if he could pull that one off

Shoes that bend suck… interesting since some sprint coaches out there say that the most important consideration with a spike plate is one that is very flexible (and some say the exact opposite). People have run fast in numerous types of spikes—the old MJ JSC’s that were like a sock or the Adidas Demolishers.

Donald Thomas jumped 2.22m in Nike shox running shoes.  That is absolutely ridiculous.

mortac8 - 19 October 2008 09:52 PM

do they have spikes for shitty sprinters?  could be a gold mine.  The new… fabulous… Nike Sub12!

This definitely goes in to the ET hall of fame. When you add this one on the same day it’s a Usain 9.69/19.30-like performance.

RaiseTheBar - 19 October 2008 11:19 PM

Donald Thomas jumped 2.22m in Nike shox running shoes.  That is absolutely ridiculous.

I think he’s since moved on to pole vault shoes which just reinforces that talent can overcome all. I spoke with his coach about this and I think he said that Donald just liked the more flexible shoe.

Regarding the original post, there’s actually a few research studies that show that hard spike plates improve performance in sprinting. I’m not aware of any that says the same about flexible spike plates.

Do you think Usain Bolt would slower or faster in lets say a nike rival S

Mike Young - 20 October 2008 12:31 AM

Regarding the original post, there’s actually a few research studies that show that hard spike plates improve performance in sprinting. I’m not aware of any that says the same about flexible spike plates.

Do you happen to remember how significant the difference was?

Winning22 - 20 October 2008 10:02 AM

Do you think Usain Bolt would slower or faster in lets say a nike rival S

Let’s worry about him:

1. Running through the line
2. Running with a moderate tail wind
3. Wearing a speed suit or at least having his top tucked in and not flapping around
4. Having his shoes tied

Before we consider whether or not his Puma spikes, that are nothing special technologically, would have made any difference over the Nike Rival S spikes.