As a beginner you cannot go wrong with this for training 100m - 400m plus jumps:
http://www.eastbay.com/product/model:252403/sku:06555100/nike-zoom-rival-md-8-mens/white/black/
nice thanks!! they even advertise them as '1500m shoes' which is a bonus.
going to check my options over the next few days .. adding these to the research list.
fwiw, I like the blue ones with the "neon pink/red" bottoms.. cost looks good too.
The nike Zoom waffle XC shoes I think you've owned in the past are great for everything else.
ya I can't find them anywhere though.. seems like they don't make them anymore? I've been using these saucony XC flats in place of them. Not sure how they compare tbh, i'd have to have a new pair of each.. but, the saucony's TREAD is ridiculous.. these things hold up under lots of intense work on concrete/pavement.
I'd say the Nike Zoom XC spikes would also be good. I'd be interested in trying some of UA's new T&F offerings though.