Cross Training Questions

Training shoes vs Cross country flats in a Cross Country race?

Running Junior High Level, 2.5 mile xcountry races. How much of a difference will wearing xcountry flats make over wearing my training sneaks? *I'm a beginner, but I am in the top 8 in my division & have a very real potential to qualify for the JOs in December.

Public Comments

1. not much difference , just start fast , then go mid pace till the last 600 metres then gun it , good luck
2. cross country flats. i have both, but i think that the shoes designed for xc work better...just from personal experience
3. Racing flats will take 2 to 4 seconds off per mile. For a 2.5 mile xcountry race, you may get up to a 10 second improvement in your time. For some runners, 10 seconds is important because it may be the difference between first and second. However, racing flats are an extra expense and you won't really benefit from them until you have some experience running and racing. If you are just starting out they are not necessary. [Update] - It sounds like you are concerned about doing the best possible in your race and you are trying to qualify for the next level. As I wrote before, the flats will take up to10 seconds off your time. While 10 seconds isn't a lot, if you are close it may be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying. You should probably buy some racing flats..
4. at your lvl I wouldnt bother. But as you get to say your sophmore and junior year in high school i would start purchasing them.
5. flats, because they make your feet feel lighter and training shoes make your feet feel much heavier and it seems like they make you feel so tight...