Discussion: Shoes for McMaster Sprint

I am wondering what people's opinions are on shoes for the sprint at the NAOC's. It seems that spikes of any kind are not allowed.
So what does that leave us with:
- normal runners
- trail runners
- racing flats
- trail racing shoes of some sort
Some of these choices may depend on weather... as wet grass and racing flats may not mix well.
What type of surface will we mostly be running on? cement? grass?

Louise i've test run the course for Mike and i would say normal runners or racing flats are suitable. I ran in road shoes and was fine. Terrain will be like any campus map (i.e. UBC) so don't expect any technical woods running, it will be fast and furious. Your final choice will come down to weather but there isn't much climb in course.

No spikes or metal studs are permitted.

Yes, racing flats or running shoes depending on if it rains or not. Likely 50% asphalt, 50% grass. Absolutely no ugly PJs. OK Barbie.

The course will be flatter that the published climb as the courses have been modified due to construction on campus.

All this info will be in the race notes that will be online on October 1st.

But but but... I was gonna wear my shiny red pants.

Did the construction involve filling in the dips and smoothing over the hills? You guys are good!

J-man, Yup, we figured that the tough 1.3-1.5% climb in the middle and long that people would find it tough to cover 12-15m of climb in a sprint race. The climb is now 10m (down from the original 15) for the men's course. A flat weekend of racing.

I plan on racing in O shoes without metal studs, though I doubt if there'll be much performance difference compared to racing flats unless the grass is wet. Before anyone says anything, fear not, I'll save the gaiters and O pants for the weekend and I suppose I can wear a top that isn't O specific as well.

Good on ya, Jon.

I like your black top.

What about the purple shorts and red T-shirt, last year's first fashion police ticket?

Was that Jon? Maybe he'd better send a photo of his planned attire to you, Barbie - just to make sure it's going to be OK.

I'll probably wear sandals, and the rest of my attire will depend on the temperature: if it's warm enough, I'll go for my Laramie Special running shorts and nothing else. If it's cold, I'll wear my ugliest pajamas.

pajamas create too much drag. the course is flat - you'll be moving fast. best to go with as little clothing as possible.

Bash you guessed right! That was the attire Jon showed up in Japan - he blamed it on being jet-lagged I believe. I hadn't realised that jet-lag made you color-blind. Watch me on Friday evening ;-)

That sounds like a challenge, Barbie.

Barbie...she's so hot right now.

Oh, you've just introduced a grand new fashion inspiration. You know, like these guys.

Running around with "as little clothing as possible" on a college campus with lots of media interest...sounds so sixties.

What can I say? I missed the sixties. I think my parents played hookie for them. One of us has to enjoy it, somehow.

Yeah, we're gonna have a dance-off on the runway. Hey did you guys know that JeffW has a killer BlueSteel look? I have a picture to prove it, but if I posted it I probably wouldn't even be alive long enough to run on the sprint on Friday. Offer me immunity and I will post it ;-)

Streaking was in the 70s.

Whatever. Basically missed that decade, too.

Well, if people are running in just purple shorts and red shoes then maybe we're mixing the two decades. 'cept we should tie-die them.