High school Track and Field costs?

[SEA333]

Hi There,

My football-playing son will be going out for track for the first time as a HS Freshman. He is 5'10, about 160 lbs. He has always been a defensive/offensive lineman, so he is not going to be setting any school records for track LOL He will be giving track 100% dedication and attention during the track season, but it will not be his passion - just a tool, more or less, to keep him conditioned for the football season and give him something to do for the spring. The chances of him running year-round or committing to it off-season are pretty much non-existent.

What kind of shoes will he need?!! is there just a basic "track" shoe that we can get him that costs between $50-$100, or am I dreaming? I looked on the website the school forwarded us, and frankly was a little shocked to see that there are actually different shoes for different track events/styles/etc. I honestly had no idea. And prices ranged from clearance $29.99 Nikes to over $200.

Also, anything else I need to know about track? It seems pretty basic to me, but then again, so did the shoes until I looked closer!

Thanks!

Thanks!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

It really depends on what events he will participate in.

My daughter throws discus/shot and has "throwing" shoes. However, that is not to say that the majority of the girls she throws against aren't wearing regular athletic shoes. My DD does "spin" so she finds the throwing shoes to be vital.

Runners have special "cleats" (for lack of a better word) for traction on the tracks.

I am not sure what high jump/long jump/pole vaulters use.

If he isn't serious about this, and won't be on varsity, you can see if he can just use his regular athletic shoes. Special shoes aren't required in our district.

 

[maleficent32]

Our track and field team is a walk on, and the kids pretty much try everything unless they are phenomenal at one thing right away. After the coaches get a feel for the what the kids are good at, they will have them focus on that event. When my dd started, we just got her good comfortable running shoes because we didn't know what she would be doing. She never did any field events and since she wasn't continuing the next year, we never got her anything else.
My ds is joining the team this year as a Freshmen so we'll just get him some good running shoes and go from there.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I ran 800M & 1,600M in HS. New set of basic running shoes every year for practice. Wore the same pair of spikes for 4 years. We'd just change the spikes out when the running surface changed.

 

[lurkernj]

My son is also a football player. He's a junior now, but is 6'1" and 200lbs. There's something for everyone in track. He throws shotput and discus. He just wears regular running sneakers, nothing fancy. Other DS was a skinny jumper and needed special shoes for that.

On occasion the coach has what the kids call "the fatboy run" and puts the much larger throwing team on the track to race the opposing teams throwing team. but yeah, he's not going to break any records running.

 

[Ranger111]

I ran track, my daughter ran track.

I am assuming son will be doing distance running, which would be the best for conditioning, especially since you said he is "slow."

If he is going to do pole vault, shot, long jump, sorry, can't help...

Anyway, things vary, depending on distance and type of track, BUT, assuming the normal dirt/cinder type of track, he will need a distance running track shoe with small spikes (short).

A spike wrench and a few extra spikes (you can probably get by with borrowing a spike wrench or the shoe shop will often let you use theirs -- but the wrench is pretty cheap.

That is for the actual meets. You also need some good training shoes. Distance runners do train on tracks, but also, usually take long runs off track.

So, two GOOD pairs of shoes, a few spikes (cheap) and a wrench.

Do not skimp on shoes. You can do serious damage to feet.

Best advice is to find a local running shop or two and seek their advice -- Not one of the chain sporting goods stores. Often, they will give discounts to the high school kids who are on teams....never hurts to inquire.

https://www.vsathletics.com/store/Shoe-Buying-Guide.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_spikes

 

[mjkacmom]

My son is also a football player. He's a junior now, but is 6'1" and 200lbs. There's something for everyone in track. He throws shotput and discus. He just wears regular running sneakers, nothing fancy. Other DS was a skinny jumper and needed special shoes for that.

On occasion the coach has what the kids call "the fatboy run" and puts the much larger throwing team on the track to race the opposing teams throwing team. but yeah, he's not going to break any records running.

Ds16 is the same height, about 180, and plays varsity soccer (goalie - he was always the tall chubby slow kid, so he started playing goal when he was 8 - his dad was the coach, and no one else would play that position). He usually does winter and spring track just to keep in shape, throws shot put and discus, and wears sneakers (decent ones from a running store).

 

[WVMomof3]

I would just get him a good pair of trainers for now and wait to see what events he might be doing. Running is a fairly inexpensive sport. My daughter runs year round and buys new trainers 2-3 times a year, dkepending on her mileage. At around $100 a pair, it does add up, but Spikes are usually less and last several seasons. The spikes (shoes with spikes) will usually come with the wrench and of course the spikes. It will depend on what events he does as to what type and they are not mandatory. My daughter opted to run in trainers her first year of track. I second the local running store if that is an option.

 

[kymom99]

Yes, get him a good pair of trainers. Around here, those go for about $120. Buying shoes that do not fit well can cause injuries that may follow him into football season.

Regarding the distance running. If your son is slow, I doubt he will want to run distance. My son is a slender cross country runner. He runs distance events in track. Around here the football players hate the distance events because they are grueling if you are not conditioned for that type of running. Just like my son would never be prepared to walk onto a football field and take the hits those guys take. He will likely be a thrower.

 

[SEA333]

Yes, get him a good pair of trainers. Around here, those go for about $120. Buying shoes that do not fit well can cause injuries that may follow him into football season.

Regarding the distance running. If your son is slow, I doubt he will want to run distance. My son is a slender cross country runner. He runs distance events in track. Around here the football players hate the distance events because they are grueling if you are not conditioned for that type of running. Just like my son would never be prepared to walk onto a football field and take the hits those guys take. He will likely be a thrower.

Thanks,

Isn't cross-country different than track and field?

Not sure where the "slow" is coming from - I never said my son was slow. I think a PP assumed it and said it.

My son is a lineman (defensive end), yes, and surely will not be breaking any time records for the pure fact that I am sure there will be kids running track as a passion who will want to worry about their times, but I never said he was slow. He has long legs - he is 14 and already 5'10" (and still growing) and between 150-160 lbs, beats the other linemen on his FB team, and competes in the lead of the pack in laps and sprints with the receivers and running backs.

Not sure my son will be a thrower either. There are many football players bigger than him. He was one of the "big guys" growing up (5'7" and 180lbs at the beginning of 8th grade), but stretched out and got thinner. he is still a lineman because 1. that is what he has always played, and 2. even though he got 'skinny" lol, he still earns his two on-the-field-personas: "SamtheBull" and "Most Feared on the Field" because of his power and technique. So who knows where his strengths will translate to in track. We shall see!

Thanks for the advice!!

 

[SEA333]

My son is also a football player. He's a junior now, but is 6'1" and 200lbs. There's something for everyone in track. He throws shotput and discus. He just wears regular running sneakers, nothing fancy. Other DS was a skinny jumper and needed special shoes for that.

On occasion the coach has what the kids call "the fatboy run" and puts the much larger throwing team on the track to race the opposing teams throwing team. but yeah, he's not going to break any records running.

Haha - the fatboy run. I'll have to tell DS14 that. We were just teasing him the other day because he used to run like a "fatboy" when he was little - he has always been over the 100th %-ile in height and weight (biggest was 8th grade at 5'7" and 180lbs), until this past year when he sprouted up and dropped some weight - now he is a skinny (for him) 5'10" and 150-160 lbs. He was 145 during the football season, but now they work out in the weight room every day and he is gaining some serious muscle. And we are hounding him every day to EAT!!! Never in my life thought that day would come.

Funny story since you are a football parent, too - my DS played on the sophomore team as a freshman, and there were two kids with his name - one pretty big offensive lineman, and my DS, who started at defensive end, and only played Soph offense sparingly (he started on both sides on the Fresh team, too, so they had to be careful of his playtime on the Soph's). The coach called their name in a game and the other one said "yes coach!". The coach, and we all heard him from the bleachers, yells out "Not you....I need "little" S!"

Never in my lifetime did I ever think that my DS's name and the word "little" would be in the same sentence.

 

[Dawnlight]

Two of my boys run HS cross-country and both winter and spring track/field. (one is a sophomore, the other a junior)

While shoes for each event are nice, they are not needed.

I do invest in good running shoes for x-country and for track training, but nothing special for the track events (one of my boys is a high jumper, the other in long distance). My distance runner does not run in spikes, nor does my jumper have high jump spikes.

I would recommend getting fitted at a running store, then looking online for the recommended shoe at a better price. One of my boys runs in Mizunos and they were very pricey at the store, but we found them at Amazon for much less.

Kohl's also has running shoes and you can usually find a code for 30% off.

 

[kymom99]

Thanks,

Isn't cross-country different than track and field?

Not sure where the "slow" is coming from - I never said my son was slow. I think a PP assumed it and said it.

My son is a lineman (defensive end), yes, and surely will not be breaking any time records for the pure fact that I am sure there will be kids running track as a passion who will want to worry about their times, but I never said he was slow. He has long legs - he is 14 and already 5'10" (and still growing) and between 150-160 lbs, beats the other linemen on his FB team, and competes in the lead of the pack in laps and sprints with the receivers and running backs.

Not sure my son will be a thrower either. There are many football players bigger than him. He was one of the "big guys" growing up (5'7" and 180lbs at the beginning of 8th grade), but stretched out and got thinner. he is still a lineman because 1. that is what he has always played, and 2. even though he got 'skinny" lol, he still earns his two on-the-field-personas: "SamtheBull" and "Most Feared on the Field" because of his power and technique. So who knows where his strengths will translate to in track. We shall see!

Thanks for the advice!!

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply he is slow. I thought you had said that, but it must have been another poster.

Yes XC and track are 2 different things. XC is purely distance and is a fall sport. They run 5k at the high school level. Those kids often are the distance runners when track rolls around. There is a 1600 m and 3200 m event in high school track. On my son's team, not many people want to do the longer races. That seems to be common among all the schools because those races usually only have 1 heat each where the sprints have several heats.

The thing about football players that makes them good throwers is that they weight train all year long usually. My son, on the other hand, works out with 5 lb. weights! Many throwers are lean, but just have more upper body strength. Long jump would be another possible event.

I hope your son enjoys track. Prepare yourself for some long days! Meets can last forever!

 

[HopperFan]

LONG term HS & College Track and Cross Country Parent, Booster Officer and DS has been a high school coach for 6 years. Both kids ran Varsity all four years of HS, one ran DII and one ran DI. Currently work with a TFXC website.

Cross Country is the long distance sport in the fall but those kids turn around and run the 800, 1600, 3200 in track (even more if indoor season) and in some parts of country other things. It is possible that your son could be running a 400 or 800 or in relays - it really depends on the makeup of the team and how good they are. I would not rush out and buy anything special until he's got a couple weeks or so under his belt and talks to the coach. A good coach will give him an idea of what events he thinks he will be putting him in and what kind of shoe he will need ... after he's had time to evaluate the team, especially the new kids.

For practice he honestly does not need trainers. Most high school kids do not really need them. Shoes stores will try to tell you they do. Have him fitted for good running shoes, these will be usable after the season. Trainers are to be used only for training, not everyday, simply not enough support. Spikes are great for running, but again, find out where he stands on the team. Most track meets there are limited slots for each event, often only 2 kids. Teams will split to JV and Varsity and many times JV don't have anywhere near the same number of meets. Spikes are not too expensive (never pay over $75), they will be fitted tight and if his feet don't grow he can use for years. They are only worn at track meets (you don't walk around in them so only for the race time) and with 8-10 times a season - they will last.

You say he's in the weight room and adding muscle. This will slow him down from any distance event. It makes is more likely they would use him in relays or shorter events - particularly if his team is missing the numbers. Teams hate to not compete in relays just because they are short that particular natural runner. Our high school teams have always had some football guys that were successful in the 400 and relays.

Of course he may shock you and become and jumper or thrower - again depends on makeup of team. If coaches have a hole they are sometimes testing kids in different spots. Best part he'll be in shape and have some fun.