You Don't Need Fancy Gear

[Kelly]

A theme common to boards like this is; what spikes should I get, or what type of some kind of gear should I get to enhance my performance? And yet it wasn't that long ago that people were breaking world records with nothing-barefoot 5000 meter running. Zola Bud was the woman, in 1984, and 1986.

There is a saying that a poor workman blames his tools-perhaps we as athletes should be focusing on our skills and not the gear that use. Yes, some is performance enhancing, but really I am considering the runners out there.

So that said-do you have certain 'must haves', and what are they? Why is it that you feel you can't do without them?

And have we become too dependant on certain things?

[Run4Fun]

I feel that like just about every other sport, appearances count in track and field, It's like seeing someone in the lane next to you with the newest nikes on. When someone has new things like that, it sends various messages across, like, "wow, that guy must be really good, he has those new adidas spikes that just came out last week," or it could have the negative affect, like, "wow, that guy sure is stupid, getting those new spikes, and he can't even break 53!" But more than anything, I feel that it is a mental thing, usually after I get a new pair of shoes/spikes, I feel like I'm going to go out and win my race, so to me, that's why I think everyone wants the newest products.



I feel like I didn't word that every well, thus not getting my point across, but hopefully you will understand what I was trying to say.

[Spikes]

I think you got the point across well and I agree with you. It's like a business man appearing successful to ensure his success, and conversely a mailman going around in a black and white suit, collar and tie-totally out of place.

And unfortunately only you can decide where you fall into the looks suiting catagory. However, I would say that if you have the talent it doesn't matter what spikes you are wearing, your talent will show above all.

[grasshopper]

I agree its not about the gear, but good gear can make an amazing athlete an even better one. I mean you could run in an old pair of shoes or a pair of spikes that fit properly. They don't have to be the best or newest but using the proper equipment can definitely help you perform without worrying about your shoe coming untied.

[wingedsandals]

New spikes do make you feel faster :) Although I do prefer new clothes to new spikes. I always seem to lose them somehow. Lots of people are under alot of pressure to do well, whether they are good or not and some parents think if you buy the right clothes and shoes you can't help but win. Sad but true.

[Kelly]

I agree its not about the gear, but good gear can make an amazing athlete an even better one. I mean you could run in an old pair of shoes or a pair of spikes that fit properly. They don't have to be the best or newest but using the proper equipment can definitely help you perform without worrying about your shoe coming untied.

I agree to a certain extent, in that if you already have the skills then the perfect gear for you can enhance your performance and give you that few seconds, or inches more. But ultimately the skill should be yours because without it you're not going to go very far-you can't blame an inability for T&F on not being able to afford the best spikes.

So what are your must haves?

[getsgoin]

I know that I had four pairs of shoes. One for throwing, One with longer spikes for javelin, one for pole vault and triple jump, and one for running. The only reason I had so many is because they gave different support depending on the event.

[sprint4U]

What ever the skill level, Fancy gear is not needed but nice gear makes me feel good. I realize it really has no affect on my time but the race starts in my head.

[Kelly]

I definitely can see the potential for the psychological boost that new gear would give you. But if you need that boost then you will be getting through a lot of new kit, very quickly. It seems wasteful I guess.

I just go through what I need, and don't replace it until it needs to be replaced.