We're pleased to serve all our school and extra curricular youth cross country teams! We hope that our expert service and excellent selection will make your season a winning one, both for you and your team!
First, remember that Phidippides Encino is the place to find the best selection of training shoes to do the bulk of your running in. The training shoes offer better fit options and considerably more support and cushioning than the racing shoes. Racers should really be used primarily for occasional time trials and, of course, on race day, as the extra stress the lighter weight and less supportive racers place on your legs and feet can be detrimental to your performance if used in place of trainers. Be aware that the racing shoes have no support for overpronators, and quite frankly, some runners are better off doing all their training and racing in a more supportive training shoe and eschewing (hate to say it, but no pun intended) the racing category all together. The pressure is always there to use XC racers, but sometimes it is just not the right way to go. The Nike Air Zoom Elite, Nike Air Pegasus Racer, Brooks Axiom, Avia Avi-Lite and Adidas Rotterdam II are very light weight trainer/racers that offer more support and cushioning than the cross country racers, but don't carry the weight penalty of a true trainer. All three offer reasonable support and decent traction for off road running. If you are a bad over pronator, these shoes are a good choice in between racing and training to help avoid injury.
Also, be aware that often the "trail" shoe category does not offer the kinds of fit and support options that "road" shoes do, although there are finally several GREAT trail trainers. You still won't get the width offerings that road shoes offer, however. So, you may discover that your particular biomechanics won't work in the "trail" or "off-road" shoes, but don't worry, the "road" shoes will work just fine. It is far more important to pay attention to the correct level of support and the correct fit than it is to worry about the tread pattern of the shoe. Getting injured doesn't just slow you down, it can side line you!
This year's line up of racing shoes is really great. Brooks and Asics have new shoes with great fits as does Saucony, and there are more ladies' specific models than ever! Nike and Adidas are continuing their successful shoes from last year. Since there is really not much support difference between the racing shoes, fit should be your primary concern. Most racers fit themselves slightly tighter and shorter than they would in a training shoe. However, this can be a bit tricky in younger runners whose feet are still growing rapidly.
We have pictured some of the cross country racers below. So come one in and let us help you gear up for a winning season.
We know running... get to know us.
16545 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
818-986-8686
NB 230: Great fit, comfortable upper.
Saucony Men's Kilkeny - Nice snug fit with a great spike like forefoot feel.
Saucony Ladies' Kilkenny - New this year and one of the best women's fits we have ever seen.
The Dirt Dog and women's Dirt Diva offer a new concept - screw in cleats that allow you to swap the CIF legal rubber cleats for steel when you go back East!
Asics Hyper XCS for men is new this year, offering a better fit and the same great Asics ride.
Asics Hyper Rocketgirl XCS for women. A great new entry from Asics for women only!
Adidas Neptune - a long standing favorite with a great new look and the famous Neptune fit.
Nike Zoom Waffle continues the tradition with a great value shoe.
Nike Zoom Waffle Jana is the women's version of the classic Waffle Racer.
Cross Country Racers
Trail Training Shoes
The new Brooks Adrenaline Trail is the trail version of the venerable Adrenaline road shoe.
The Asics Gel Trabuco is supportive and has served many trail runners well. New version is water resistant.
The Nike Air Trail Pegasus offers a lightweight posted trail shoe with the cushion of the Pegasus road shoe.
The Adidas Supernova Riot is light, fits very narrow and has great traction. Not the most stable shoe of the lot, but very comfortable.
If your training runs take you off road a lot, consider using one of these great trail trainers for your daily running. Come in and let us help you pick the right one to help you maximize your training.
And don't forget to get one of our Asics really cool shoe bags or mesh shoe bag "backpacks" to store your dirty shoes in. The bags bags are just $8.00.
The Men's Mach 10 is an update of the successful Mach series. Very padded forefoot with great traction.
The new Brooks Adrenaline Trail is the trail version of the venerable Adrenaline road shoe.
The Women's Saucony Omni Guide Trail has the same support and feel, but a much improved fit compared to the Omni 5 Trail.
The Men's Saucony Omni Guide Trail has the same support and feel, but a much improved fit compared to the Omni 5 Trail.
The new Brooks Cascadia Trail (men's and ladies in grey) offers a lower profile neutral trail runner with a faster more nimble feel. NOT for the over pronator!
The Cascadia comes in a more staid grey (left) and a more shocking yellow/green!
TheWomen's Trabuco is a comfortable shoe much like the 2110 but in a rugged trail shoe format.
The Mach 10 is the new upper on the successful Mach 8 midsole. Fantastic fit for women.
The Dirt Dog and women's Dirt Diva offer a new concept - screw in cleats that allow you to swap the CIF legal rubber cleats for steel when you go back East!
Saucony Ladies' Shay - New this year with a great fit and a flex plate that helps get you on to your toes - FAST! Named ater Brian Shay
Saucony Men's Shay- New this year with a great fit and a flex plate that helps get you on to your toes - FAST! Named in honor of Brian Shay.
