BAREFOOT RUNNING, SPIKES, AND 100 SPEED Ask Coach Ed Dear Coach Ed, My 10 year old runs the 100m in 14.8. He runs barefoot as he feels this makes him faster. Any risks to barefoot running? He wears a size four shoe and I don't know if there are track spikes available in his size. Would spikes or starting blocks improve his times? How about coaching? I've always assumed that sprinting speed can't be improved much, unlike distance running. Thanks, Phil Dear Phil, I don't know if are any long term effects from running barefoot but for sprinters barefoot running is not efficient. Spikes and starting blocks could improve his time if used correctly. If your son is serious about sprinting I would go for the spikes. Yes, they do make spikes in size 4. Starting blocks require advanced sprinting technique usually supervised by an experienced coach. In New England many youth track meets do not allow starting blocks. About coaching: I believe there is more technique and form training needed in sprinting than in distance running. Every 100th of a second counts. A sprinter needs to work on having an explosive start. They have to run the middle part of the race with their body relaxed and flowing. Nearing the end of the race, timing the lean across the finish line can decide if an athlete finishes first or third. There is so much that can be improved with proper coaching. The good sprinters on my youth team spend the same amount of time training as the good distance runners. It would be difficult for recommend training techniques for your son without actually being there but here is a good recourse for you. M-F Athletic Company, find them at www.mfathletic.com and request a catalog. They have a great assortment of size 4 spikes. If you want to try some technique training with your son, buy the video "Come to 100m Dash Practice" also at M-F. This video is for college age but the drills and finishing techniques are extremely useful for young athletes. I hope I answered all your questions. Good luck to your son with track, Coach Ed Ed Poirier, "Coach Ed", recently was invited by the United States Olympic committee to attend a workshop and training seminar at the Olympic training center in California. Feel free to email the kid's editor at rwedit@rodale.com with comments on this column.