Everyone can agree that running is hard. Your legs hurt, you have a stomach cramp, and you’re parched. But the cross country team shows us that perfect weather, friends, and your favorite pair of running shoes trump all. Especially the shoes!
The “correct” pair of running shoes definitely does not exist, but Enloe’s cross country team knows what makes a shoe ideal.
Before thinking about footwear, you must know what you are getting yourself into. So what is cross country? According to Ryan Stocke, coach for cross country and varsity men’s lacrosse, cross country in its simplest form is running 5ks, about 3.1 miles, and it is mainly an endurance sport. Stocke believes cardiovascular fitness is extremely important and appreciates the great group of kids on the team. He emphasizes that the students “work together and push each other every single day, every single practice” and considers them to be a rewarding group. Stocke is a motivational coach and hopes to “help as much as [he] possibly can.”
Coach Stocke currently looks for shoes with large toe boxes at the front of the shoe for more comfort when he’s running, so he currently recommends Altra’s. For him personally, he prefers flat shoes saying, “long term–that’s what is good for your foot.” The weight is distributed evenly across the entire foot rather than being concentrated on a small high heel, resulting in enhanced stability and comfort. The fit of the shoes is the most important factor in picking the “right” shoe for you, so find something that is the right width and length for your foot.
If you are new to running, Stocke recommends seeing professionals to get fitted for a shoe that fits your specific needs. He advises people to ensure that they have shoes “that don’t have too many miles on them because they start to wear and then that can cause different issues” such as plantar fasciitis, or knee and lower back pain.
Coach Stocke does not want people to think all the team does is run. They do strength activities and a lot of stretching. “A lot of other pieces that go into it that make people successful runners”. Also, cross country is fun! There is a great community of kids that make it a fun atmosphere to be out there with. Stocke advises his students to be disciplined and consistent if they want to get good at running. Additionally, he wants them to listen to their bodies and if they are feeling any discomfort to “get [your body] looked at and taken care of.”
During their interviews, the runners would poke fun at each other about their favorite footwear. In reality, each pair of shoes is individual to its owner and their style, and the teammates will always hold respect for each other.
Sophomore Katherine Sieman’s favorite shoe is New Balance 880, saying they have the “perfect amount of cushion.” Katherine has been doing cross country for two years. She experimented with various shoes, trying out about seven different pairs, until she found the pair she likes most. She discovered that she likes shoes that have just enough cushion. Katherine likes to run in any fall weather and high 60s temperatures. She likes when it’s drizzling, but not “full-on pouring.” Katherine’s favorite thing about cross country is the team events and meeting up after a meet. She advises new cross country runners to “make friends on the team because it’s much more fun if you meet people.”
Junior Barrett Padnos’ favorite shoe is Saucony Tempus, claiming they are “not too aggressive… nice and light… not too much cushioning.” Barrett has been doing cross country for three years and believes that a good balance of stability and not too much cushioning makes a good running shoe. He added: “Too much cushioning… feels kind of heavy and I can’t feel the ground.” He likes to run in mid-60s temperatures with a nice breeze and a little bit of sun, “but not blistering, and no humidity.” Barrett’s favorite thing about cross country is being able to spend time with friends. He advises new runners to follow a schedule and a routine.
Senior Jacqueline Hung’s favorite shoe is Asics Novablast, stating that they are “lightweight”.
Jacqueline has been doing cross country for four years and believes that support makes a good running shoe. “Something that supports me—not too heavy—and I prefer ones that I can feel the ground in,” Jacqueline says. She likes to run in high 50s-low 60s temperatures, with cloudy weather, and where there is low humidity. Jacqueline’s favorite thing about cross country is the team and getting to meet people, saying she “love[s] when we just hang out and goof off.” She advises new runners to stay consistent and that if you keep running you will get better!
Note these are only three students from a huge team! Every member of Enloe’s cross country team believes that their shoe is superior. Other brands like Nike, Hoka, Brooks, On Cloud, and Adidas were mentioned, so it’s all about seeing which sneakers work best!
In cross country, many obstacles can make it tough to run like gravel, sand, and mud so it’s important to have shoes that protect your feet for these conditions. Personalized footwear can make you stand out, feel confident, and enhance your performance. Certain shoes like Asics and Brooks can even help prevent shin splints and calf cramps in addition to making any runner look stylish amid aches, pains, and tons of sweat.
Follow Enloe’s cross county team on Instagram @enloecrosscountry and debut your new and improved shoes at tryouts next season!
