Run Run Away

Question:

I have begun to do a lot more training on grass, and have started doing high mileage in cross-country spikes. This is simply because trainers absorb too much water and get heavy, and also don’t offer much grip in the mud. However people have warned me not to do to much mileage in spikes as they don’t offer enough protection. I would have thought that running on a soft surface like grass would compensate for this. After all, trainers may have a lot of cushioning, but when they are worn on concrete they must generate comparable impact forces. Also, wearing spikes offers a more natural feel. After all, humans were designed to run barefooted. NB, the grass I run on is fairly soft, and I can get 7 minute loops out of my local recreation ground so there is no running over trails and paths etc. Any Ideas? Andrew Grenfell.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have begun to do a lot more training on grass, and have started doing high mileage in cross-country spikes. This is simply because trainers absorb too much water and get heavy, and also don’t offer much grip in the mud. However people have warned me not to do to much mileage in spikes as they don’t offer enough protection. I would have thought that running on a soft surface like grass would compensate for this. After all, trainers may have a lot of cushioning, but when they are worn on concrete they must generate comparable impact forces. Also, wearing spikes offers a more natural feel. After all, humans were designed to run barefooted. NB, the grass I run on is fairly soft, and I can get 7 minute loops out of my local recreation ground so there is no running over trails and paths etc. Any Ideas?

My feeling is that this is what trail running shoes are for.  The key words are "high mileage."  Now, I run in spikes on the track every week–but not high mileage.  I think if you run high mileage in any kind of spikes, on any kind of surface, you will pay for it with high injuries. Lyndon "Speed Kills…It kills those that don’t have it!"  –US Olympic Track Coach Brooks Johnson

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I have begun to do a lot more training on grass

I’m an expert on training on grass. I normally smoke a joint as I drive to my run, and half of one as I walk to warmup, the last half on the ride home. and have started doing high mileage in cross-country spikes.

Huh? You must be english, eh? This is simply because trainers absorb too much water and get heavy, and also don’t offer much grip in the mud. However people have warned me not to do to much mileage in spikes as they don’t offer enough protection.

I guess if your running in muck like that, and stay off of hard surfaces you maybe ok then. Chiros rock man! Bill R.

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and have started doing high mileage in cross-country spikes. Huh? You must be english, eh?

How did you work that out. I thought you use miles on your side of the pond too.

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How did you work that out.

Usually when someone does something strange, I first suspect they are polish, but you didn’t spell your name backwards so I ruled that out, second-weirdest to the polish comes englishman. Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

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How did you work that out. Usually when someone does something strange, I first suspect they are polish, but you didn’t spell your name backwards so I ruled that out, second-weirdest to the polish comes englishman. Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

Nah, it’s not strange its just hardcore. Maybe if Americans had the same training mentality, they would have had the abundance of distance talent that we have. Its no coincidence that we have half the population of the USA yet we have had Coe, Cram, Ovett, Elliot, Foster, Moorcroft, Bedford… to name but a few, and you only have ‘pre’ the so-called champion to keep blathering on about. However I must admit, he does make good movies. AG.

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had the abundance of distance talent that we have.

Inbreeding has it’s advantages. Its no coincidence that we have half the population of the USA yet we have had Coe, Cram, Ovett, Elliot, Foster, Moorcroft, Bedford… to name but a few,

Only because you have scotland next to you, otherwise you’d suck completely. Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

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had the abundance of distance talent that we have. Inbreeding has it’s advantages. Its no coincidence that we have half the population of the USA yet we have had Coe, Cram, Ovett, Elliot, Foster, Moorcroft, Bedford… to name but a few, Only because you have scotland next to you, otherwise you’d suck completely. Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

But these are all English runners.

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But these are all English runners.

Their REAL fathers were scots. Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

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But these are all English runners.

S’cuse me? 5 of those 7 are scots. Cram, Elliot, Foster, Moorcroft, Bedford..

Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

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But these are all English runners. S’cuse me? 5 of those 7 are scots. Cram, Elliot, Foster, Moorcroft, Bedford.. Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

Just to set the record straight: Morecroft – Coventry Coe – London/Sheffield Cram – Gateshead Elliot – Rotheram Foster – Hebburn Ovett – Brighton Bedford – London I.e. ALL English. Besides, its just like saying the USA haven’t got any good sprinters, because they all belong to different individual states.

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Morecroft – Coventry Coe – London/Sheffield Cram – Gateshead Elliot – Rotheram Foster – Hebburn Ovett – Brighton Bedford – London

Where they live is irrelevant, it’s whats in their blood that makes ‘em what they are. Besides, its just like saying the USA haven’t got any good sprinters, because they all belong to different individual states.

Scotland is no more a part of your england than afghanistan is our 51st state. Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

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Also, wearing spikes offers a more natural feel. After all, humans were designed to run barefooted.

This is a little backward. Humans started running before shoes and after the leg was "designed". NB, the grass I run on is fairly soft, and I can get 7 minute loops out of my local recreation ground so there is no running over trails and paths etc.

If XC spikes feel good on the trail you run then keep using them. Yes you’ll experience lots of trouble if you wear them on concrete. I’d suggest getting a pair of trail shoes for an occasional change of pace. But you’ll find that they will get waterlogged as well. Keep an eye out for injury. I’m guessing you’re young (college age?). If so your body is pretty resiliant. As you get older you’ll find that cushier shoes will be a saner choice. my $0.02 Andy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any Ideas? Andrew Grenfell.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Morecroft – Coventry Coe – London/Sheffield Cram – Gateshead Elliot – Rotheram Foster – Hebburn Ovett – Brighton Bedford – London Where they live is irrelevant, it’s whats in their blood that makes ‘em what they are. Besides, its just like saying the USA haven’t got any good sprinters, because they all belong to different individual states. Scotland is no more a part of your england than afghanistan is our 51st state. Chiropractors rock man!

No there definately all English. I bet Prefontaine had more English blood in him than they’ve got scottish blood in them. Besides, Britain is pretty much united. I only get reminded that I’m English when I watch the Football. Other than that I’m British through and through. I think people in the states get the impression there is more of a divide because of the separate tourists boards. Were obviously going to sell ourselves as separate countries, that way we can scrounge more money out of gullible yanks. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bill R.

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No there definately all English.

Dream on faerie boy. I bet Prefontaine had more English He was a fag. Besides, Britain is pretty much united

So, whens the last time you drove through there? Seems like a 10 to 1 ratio of Scots flags to one english. Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

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of the separate tourists boards. Were obviously going to sell ourselves as separate countries, that way we can scrounge more money out of gullible yanks.

No we really do believe in Nessie, really we do… Chiropractors rock man! Bill R.

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Nah, it’s not strange its just hardcore. Maybe if Americans had the same training mentality, they would have had the abundance of distance talent that we have. Its no coincidence that we have half the population of the USA yet we have had Coe, Cram, Ovett, Elliot, Foster, Moorcroft, Bedford… to name but a few, and you only have ‘pre’ the so-called champion to keep blathering on about.

As Frank Horwill has pointed out, your list is past tense.  Now, if I mention Krummenacker, you have…….videos of Coe and Ovett.   THIS YEAR, Krum beat Wilson Kipketer (by 5 meters) to win the Indoor Worlds 800, was ranked #3 in the world at 800 last year by IAAF and ran the 5th fastest American 1500 of all time, and the country that produced Coe, Cram, and Ovett doesn’t have anybody who can compete with him. Sad, but true. Lyndon "Speed Kills…It kills those that don’t have it!"  –US Olympic Track Coach Brooks Johnson

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Keep an eye out for injury. I’m guessing you’re young (college age?). If so your body is pretty resiliant. As you get older you’ll find that cushier shoes will be a saner choice.

Correct my $0.02

Thanks.

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Keep an eye out for injury. I’m guessing you’re young (college age?). If so your body is pretty resiliant. As you get older you’ll find that cushier shoes will be a saner choice. Correct my $0.02 Thanks.

If you can wear them, why not?  I never did get used to them.  My calves hurt so much after every single x-c race I could hardly walk. That was probably due to the long spikes, and perhaps the lack of heal lift. I’ve run (soft) trails in road racing flats and like them much better than trainers or my 805s. The problem for me is getting TO the soft trails … Scott

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nah, it’s not strange its just hardcore. Maybe if Americans had the same training mentality, they would have had the abundance of distance talent that we have. Its no coincidence that we have half the population of the USA yet we have had Coe, Cram, Ovett, Elliot, Foster, Moorcroft, Bedford… to name but a few, and you only have ‘pre’ the so-called champion to keep blathering on about. As Frank Horwill has pointed out, your list is past tense.  Now, if I mention Krummenacker, you have…….videos of Coe and Ovett.   THIS YEAR, Krum beat Wilson Kipketer (by 5 meters) to win the Indoor Worlds 800, was ranked #3 in the world at 800 last year by IAAF and ran the 5th fastest American 1500 of all time, and the country that produced Coe, Cram, and Ovett doesn’t have anybody who can compete with him. Sad, but true. Lyndon "Speed Kills…It kills those that don’t have it!"  –US Olympic Track Coach Brooks Johnson

Well let’s wait and see the results of GB versus Russia and the USA shall we (in Glasgow). As for ‘Krum,’ he only just broke 1.44 for the 800m and the world indoors is a bit of a soft competition to win. But be sure, there is young talent waiting in the wings, that is just waiting to ripen.

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Keep an eye out for injury. I’m guessing you’re young (college age?). If so your body is pretty resiliant. As you get older you’ll find that cushier shoes will be a saner choice. Correct my $0.02 Thanks.

Just another caution, they are trip hazards. I guess you’ll be lifting your knees well, should do wonders for your form. Or you’ll spend lots of time picking yourself up off the trail. Andy

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