Today is National Running Day (woohoo!) and to help you get in the mood to go outside and rock it, I thought I’d share this AMAZING video. Get ready to be inspired!
Sorry for such a short episode guys! The new (for the next few weeks) live streaming time will be at 8 PM EST on THURSDAYS!! To join in go to: ironbrandon.com/live
Happy Monday and happy Valentine’s day! Today is the beginning of a very interesting period in my life and I thought I’d take a minute to share some thoughts on where it began this morning and where it may be headed. It does have something to do with running, triathlon and the like so, read on!
Achilles
A few weeks back I mentioned that while out on a run on a day with a lot of ice on the ground I over-extended my trailing leg and “tweaked” my achilles. Since then I’ve had to kind of knock back the intensity of some of my runs and, to be completely honest, I’ve not run 100% pain free since. I’m not sure that I’d call this a true injury per se, but rather a small stumbling block.
I had a run last Friday where I was feeling my oats a little bit and so I took it out quicker than I have been. I wasn’t in pain while running, but I was aware of the tweak. After my run (about 8.5 miles at about 7:00/mile), as soon as I stopped at the front door of my building and began walking in the hallway, my achilles lit up. P-A-I-N. It seemed that the pain came not really when I put pressure on it but rather when I took it off.
I stretched immediately but couldn’t take too much time since I still had to get to work (yes, I managed to make it out for a pre-dawn run). Throughout the day I forced myself to alter my walking gait so as to avoid any pain. I guess I looked like I was limping a bit but it was a self imposed limp rather than my body NEEDING to limp, so that has to be something.
On Saturday morning I headed out the door for a 2.5 hour brick workout. I had spoken to Coach Jeff the night before and he told me to just do the ride and to forget about the run. So my ride, which was scheduled to be 1.5 hours got upped to 2.5 hours. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to ride outside so this was a welcome change from the monotony of the indoor trainer. Upon getting on the bike my achilles, which had been largely immobilized and set in ice for most of the previous day, was feeling quite tight and sore. I made and effort to gently stretch it out when I could and after about 30 minutes of riding it loosened up and even let me ride some large-ish hills harder than I thought I’d be able to.
When not chasing my daughter and packing/cleaning, the rest of the day was spent, leg elevated and on ice. Sunday’s run was also canceled and we’re now in some odd stasis waiting to see how I feel this week. I don’t have a run scheduled until Wednesday and then I hope my patience and wisdom don’t lose out to ego and pigheadedness. There’s no point in sacrificing an entire season for a few missed runs.
As an aside, and not to go down the technical road; when I was home and able to, I spent the ENTIRE weekend in just socks. I even walked my dogs in just socks on Saturday night. When I was barefoot, I hardly felt anything at all. Today I decided to wear a pair of Newton Gravitas‘ to work since they’re effectively flat and thus far, I’m doing well.
The Subway
I got on the subway this morning (the ever so pleasant downtown 1 train) at my usual stop. The train was not very crowded and I easily got a seat at the end of a row. I tend to go for those seats since that means that I’ll only have one person squeezing in beside me rather than two. The train went from my stop (215th St.) to about 110th St. without incident, or even that much of a crowd. At 110th St. a bunch of people got on the train including one of those people who like to stand IN the doorway and block the door for those trying to get on and off the train even though there is plenty of room to stand elsewhere.
It was this door-standing, super classy individual that started my day off on the wrong foot. This guys elbow was just about level with my ear. Since he was holding onto the rail attached to the seat I was sitting in, this is not out of the ordinary and no big deal. However, as the doors would open, he would lean basically into my seat (yes, I’m aware of the sometimes overstated “American bubble” that we prefer and are spoiled with. That said, I’ve been on a subway in Japan at rush hour and I know what “close” really is). Each time he did this he was coming about 9 inches across where he needed to be and he would push, not very hard but just inconsiderately so, his arm into my head. He did not say, “I’m sorry” or even acknowledge this annoying and obvious invasion of my space.
Now, had this been simply an invasion of my “space” and not an actual instance of me being touched repeatedly in the head by some stranger, I would not really have a problem with it. At about 72nd St. there was a rather aggressive push of my head with this guy’s elbow. So, I put my hand on my head, in between my head and his arm and gently moved his arm away and said, “Excuse me, your arm keeps hitting my head.” I didn’t say this loudly of in any kind of a rude tone. The rest of the conversation went like this:
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: I’m sorry?
Douchey McA-hole: I said, don’t touch me again.
Me: I’m sorry but you’ve been hitting me in the head with your arm for the last forty blocks.
Douchey McA-hole: I’m just trying to let people on and off the train.
Me: Well, you could go stand somewhere where you won’t have to do that and hit me in the head.
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: If you don’t touch me again then we won’t have a problem.
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: Or what?
Douchey McA-hole: *silence*
He got off the train at 59th St. (Columbus Circle) without further incident. I don’t like confrontation, but when I’m put in that situation, with someone literally standing over me (since he was standing and I was sitting) my hackles rise very quickly. However, I did maintain a calm demeanor which was bolstered by the very nice woman next to me who was encouraging me to ignore him since he was clearly “that kind of person”. I just don’t get it. Why do people have to be like that? I was tempted to stand up and just stare at the guy since I had about 20 pounds and 3 inches on him, but I figured that would only serve to exacerbate an already tense situation.
So, Douchey McA-hole, have a happy Monday and I’m not hoping at all that you get dropped like a sack of potatoes by someone with less patience than I have.
Looking forward
Danielle and I are going to Milwaukee this week to sing Mozart’s Così fan tutte with Skylight Opera. Being there will be a nice break from living in New York for a while, though I must admit that I doubt it will instill in me the affection that some feel for this town.
While there I hope to take Gearist TV on tours of SRAM, Saris and Trek Bikes. Gearist is doing well and is further expanding passions of mine that have been emerging for a while. Upon returning from Milwaukee, we will be looking to the future. Our lease is up in October and we are moving. We don’t know where just yet but to us, anywhere is better than here.
The spring and summer will be spent training hard and racing. The biggest race of the season of course, is Ironman Canada. I’m still toying with the idea of doing a 24 hour live podcast to help raise money for Athletes for a Cure (PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE!!). If I do do a live 24 hours show I am certainly going to need people to call in and stop by to keep me awake!
I’ll be touching more on the reasons and desires of our move in the coming months as well as the direction we’re moving in. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Last week, the folks at Competitor posted the below video from The Running Event in Austin this past December. In it, Newton Running’s co-founder Danny Abshire shows off the much anticipated zero-drop racing flat from Newton, the MV2.
After seeing the video and having a bit of inside info of my own I contacted some spies who told me the following:
…please note that the MV2 as it appears in the video is no longer accurate. The actual MV2 will look quite different from the one presented at the Austin Running Event last December.
That said, the MV2 in it’s earlier iteration is in house at Newton’s “Running Lab” in Boulder, Colorado. Another reader/spy sent me some pictures of the shoes that will be going out to wear testers as early as this week.
For now, the details that I know are that the shoe is in fact a zero-drop shoe (no height difference form heel to forefoot) and comes in at 5.5 ounces. Also, contrary to the video and to what Competitor first reported, the MV2 will not be out until sometime in Fall 2011. I will be certain to keep everyone up on new developments on what is sure to be a great shoe and one that already has die hard Newton fans drooling.
The natural running revolution has been gaining a huge head of steam over the past couple of years. The funny thing is, people are treating this way of running as though it’s something new. It’s not. In fact, as long as feet have been around, so has natural running. Over the past 13 years or so, Danny Abshire, Newton’s co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, has used his passion for running smart and healthy to be at the forefront of the move back to the way things should be. Along with co-founder Jerry Lee, Danny has taken the logical principles of Sir Isaac Newton and applied them to the way we run.
The Terra Momentus marks Newtons first foray into the world of trail shoes. The Terra is built on the same basic chassis as the Sir Isaac model. Thus, it is a transitional shoe that can be run in by those well versed in natural (also known as forefoot/midfoot) running as well as those who are in the process of transitioning to the technique. As is dictated by the definition of natural running the Terra Momentus has a minimal heel-toe drop of around 3%, making it effectively flat. To give a little more insight into why that is important, think about the heel-toe drop of your bare foot on a flat surface. The drop in that case is zero. Since the Terra (which actually has the most drop among the Newton models which range go as low as 1.3% and an upcoming MV2 model with zero drop) is effectively flat, it is closer to running in bare feet, i.e. natural.
Having run in every other model of Newtons available, including the Sir Isaac, I feel that I had a great barometer for running in the Terra Momentus. This
Newton Terra Momentus (Women's)
shoe comes in as the heavyweight in the Newton lineup at 11.2 ounces (per pair, men’s size 9). That fact did not go entirely unnoticed, but I don’t feel that it affected their performance, or mine, in any way. Perhaps the biggest difference for me between this and the performance trainer series is the beveled leading edge of the actuator lugs under the forefoot.
Before I go any further I’ll take a very brief second to explain the lugs. These raised rubber ridges act just as the metatarsal heads in your foot do. They operate independent from one another, compressing a rubber membrane that reduces impact shock by some 44%. The then return that stored energy like a loaded spring reducing fatigue, allowing for greater mobility and less injury.
Back to the beveled lugs; on the performance series, both trainers and racers, the lugs are very square. Ideally, this is because the performance series are set up to be run in with a very natural, “land-lever-lift” technique whereupon the foot lands on the ground squarely atop the lugs, the body and leg lever forward over the lugs and then the foot lifts cleanly away from the ground. In the Guidance trainers, Terra Momentus and Sir Isaac, the beveled lugs gently suggest normal roll forward of the foot to enhance the “lever” action. Even though I primarily run in the performance series I haven’t had a single problem with the Terra Momentus. In fact, the beveled lugs are a welcome departure sometimes that reinforces good natural technique.
Newton Gravitas Lugs
Newton Terra Momentus Lugs
The body of the shoe itself allows for plenty of room throughout the upper. This allows for freedom of movement on trails without being overly constricting. While there is ample room inside the shoe, that isn’t to say that the fit is loose or out of control. The banding (the dark green stripes on the outside of the shoe) gave me a ton of support exactly where I wanted it. Each of the bands tops coincides with a contact point for a shoelace. This allows for clear customization of the laces if you’re like me and like to lace your shoes tighter in one spot and more loosely in another.
The sole of the shoe is a bit harder than that on any of Newtons other models offering it a bit more in the way of durability and traction on rough terrain. True to the Newton theory, you definitely feel the ground under your feet but not in a remotely damaging way. Landing on your forefoot/midfoot gives a ton of stability already and the balanced base of the Terra Momentus compliments the balance wonderfully.
The Terra Momentus is billed as a trail shoe, but I think that is misleading. This shoe handles just as well on roads as it does on dirt, rocks and gravel. In fact, using it on a road surface isn’t calling upon all of it’s offerings so why would it be anything but great there? The upper of the the shoe is a very breathable yet closed fabric which is a departure from the majority of Newtons other shoes which are largely a very open mesh. This also makes for an excellent cold weather running shoe though, keep in mind that with the exception of spiked shoes, no shoe is slip-proof on ice.
The Terra Momentus is certainly an awesome next step in the evolution of natural running. Newton has taken a lot of time and research to develop this shoe with a very close eye to its natural running ideals. If you’re looking to transition to a more natural technique, this is a wonderful shoe to start with. On top of that the price tag of $139, which is a current low for Newton, is a small price to pay for faster, more efficient and healthier running.
One more thing; mileage. While I haven’t worn through these shoes yet, I can tell you that with solid, natural technique the amount of mileage out of a pair of Newtons can be massive. Currently, I have two pairs of Newton Gravitas that have 700+ and 550+ miles each and both have plenty more miles left on them. So, before balking at the price tag, keep in mind that if you’re getting twice the mileage of a “normal” shoe all of a sudden, $139 isn’t so much to pay for a premium technology.
11.16.2010– Danny Abshire, the co-founder and chief technical officer of Newton Running, has authored a new book titled Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running. It is now available for online order just in time for the holiday gift-giving season.
“This is the single most important resource for people who want to enjoy running as nature intended while protecting themselves from unnatural surfaces,” says Abshire. “The book will teach you to run the barefoot way—with shoes—and become a more efficient, stronger and healthier runner.”
Danny Abshire is a passionate, lifelong runner who has spent 10 years designing and refining Newton Running shoes. As a longtime running form coach and injury expert, he has worked closely with thousands of athletes, from beginners to Olympic elites, helping them improve their running form and technique.
“Danny has worked with some of the best runners and triathletes in the history of endurance sports,” says Craig Alexander, two-time Ironman World Champion. “Just speaking to him will make you a better runner.”
In Natural Running, Abshire explains the posture, arm carriage, cadence, and land-lever-lift foot positioning that mimic the barefoot running style. Runners transition from heel striking to a midfoot or forefoot strike, which studies show is how the body evolved to run. So that runners can relearn this more natural running gait, Abshire offers an 8-week transition plan, complete with a tool kit of strength and form drills that build and maintain the musculature required for natural running.
This isn’t going to be some long, drawn-out diatribe about what kind of “strike” is best. I just wanted to take a quick second to make an observation.
The buzzword when debating this topic is “footstrike” (see also: foot strike, foot-strike, Fuß strike and mul strejk). At the same time, those doing the debating, or rather stating (of which I too am guilty) speak mainly of the way our feet land on the ground while wearing shoes. That being the case (most of the time) I think that the term “footstrike” is a misnomer.
You see, when wearing just about any shoe (before anyone goes commenting on this, please not that I said JUST ABOUT ANY, which means, not all), the heel is higher that the metatarsal area (of the shoe not the foot). So, essentially, we are running on a wedge. Now, there are varying degrees of “drop” in shoes and there are racing flats which are not flat at all. In all of these shoes, when we try to take pictures and videos and such and analyze the footstrike of the runner, we are limited by several things. One, they are wearing shoes and we cannot see the bottom of their actual foot. Two, the amount of movement that takes place in someone’s footfall in the last couple of millimeters is huge and it is all but impossible to tell how someone’s SHOE will actually land when it is still an inch or so off of the ground. Three, even in high speed video, which Pete from Runblogger.com has done a great job of compiling, you’re largely still looking at feet IN SHOES, and thus we cannot see what the FOOT is doing (though Pete does have some fantastic barefoot videos in slow-mo).
So I propose this, in this eternal debate, full of hard-headed type-A’s (sometimes including yours truly), we try to agree upon something. When the “strike” you happen to be debating is in shoes, call it “shoestrike” (see also: shoe strike, shoe-strike, Schuh-Streik and sko strejk). When speaking of something where you can actually see the FOOT, NOT THE SHOE (yes, this likely means barefoot, which is an entirely different topic), then and only then, should we call it “footstrike”.
Barefoot running was clearly one of the most talked about trends in the running industry last year. From the bestselling book Born To Run, to the explosive growth of the Vibram Five Fingers, runners everywhere seem to be talking about barefoot running.
Well, the buzz about barefoot running is about to hit a fever pitch. As we’ve talked about in previous posts, Harvard anthropologist Dan Lieberman has been studying the evolution of human running for several years. Dr. Lieberman has just published the results of his study in the journal Nature and the mainstream media is running (cough) with the story. For those of you who listen to NPR on the drive home, you might have heard this story on “All Things Considered” today. The story is also available on NPR.org and features a pretty interesting video:
Not surprisingly, Vibram Five Fingers are also getting a lot of attention from the media (Vibram sponsored Lieberman’s study). The Five Fingers clearly help people to try barefoot running, while providing some protection from rocks, glass, etc. As we talked about in the previous post, Newton’s are built for Natural Running but some of you may be wondering how Newtons compare to Vibrams. Amanda Brooks asked just that on her blog, Run to the Finish, and Newton Running’s Director of Education and Research, Ian Adamson, had this response:
Running Newton Shoes and Vibram Five Fingers have many similarities, at least from a form perspective. The primary difference is the cushioning and energy return provided by Newtons, which is largely absent in Vibrams.
Both Newton Performance Racers and Vibrams have a 2 mm heel lift, or toe drop depending on how you look at it. This translates into a 1.3% down grade in the shoe, also referred to as ramp angle or drop. Newton Performance Trainers have a 2% gradient, which although very small, can be felt by aware runners. Regular running shoes have a much steeper angle, up to 15% depending on the shoe.
Barefoot running forces you to run efficiently and preventatively with respect to injury. Vibram’s allow people to experience barefoot running with an added layer of protection from harsh surfaces, while Newton’s go one step further, adding forefoot cushioning and a significant energy return component.
Newton shoes are much kinder to the body’s structure and musculature when transitioning from a traditional running shoe to barefoot, and allow you to perfect a natural (barefoot) form while providing protection and cushioning. Newton’s active membrane technology has been carefully designed to facilitate afferent feedback, which means the nerves in your forefoot feel the ground very quickly through the shoe. This is achieved through the outer lugs and internal semi-rigid chamber that is connected to the bio-mechanical top plate adjacent to your foot inside the shoe.
Traditional shoe cushioning mechanisms dampens afferent feedback, hampering proprioception and thus hindering your ability to self-regulate the impact of your foot strike. Studies show that runners strike much harder in shoes that dampen afferent feedback, one of the causes of injury. Barefoot runners and runners in shoes that allow you to sense the ground encourage you to run protectively, as if barefoot.
Bottom line is that both Vibrams and Newtons encourage a barefoot or natural running style, but Newtons make it much easier for runners to transition from typical running shoes.
Big shout and many thanks to Mark for cluing me into the fact that Christopher McDougall, the author of Born to Run, will be here in NYC for the NYC Marathon expo this week!! I know the notice is a bit short, but if you’re here as a runner or just as a spectator like myself, here is his schedule!
Thursday October 29th: New York City Marathon Expo, 12-5, in the Moeben
Sleeves booth
Friday October 30th: New York City Marathon Expo, 12-5, in the Moeben
Sleeves booth
also, City Sports again from 5-7
Saturday October 31th: New York City Marathon Expo, 12-5, in the Moeben
Sleeves booth
also, City Sports again from 5-7
If you have not heard it yet, do check out my interview with Chris HERE!
I am SOOOO excited! Once again, the Newton Running team will be heading to the Big Apple! They’re going to be here for the New York City Marathon which is being run next Sunday, November 1, 2009.
While they’re here, they wanted to spread the love to all of those who are die hard members of the Newton tribe and to all those who are curious to see what the Newton running philosophy and shoes are all about! If you wear other brands of shoes (or none at all!) come! For that matter, even if you’ve never heard of Newton, come on by!
Danny Abshire, co-founder of Newton, will be heading up a clinic in Central Park on Friday and Saturday morning, October 30 & 31. Danny will go over the Newton philosophy and technique and then we will all go on a group run in Central Park, where he and other members of the Newton team will give pointers and tips for improving your technique and form.
As an added bonus, they’re going to come bearing gifts! Each participant in the free clinic will be given a Newton Running hat!
If you have any questions regarding the event, please feel free to contact me by leaving a comment or click the CONTACT ME link above! If you’d like more information on Newton Running, check out these links:
After much waiting and procrastinating, I finally went today and purchased my frst pair of Vibram FiveFingers. I went with the KSO model and I cannot wait to get home to give them a shot on the second part of my run this evening! Here are the unboxing pics!
This month, Newton Running released their latest trainer, the much anticipated, Sir Isaac and Lady Isaac Guidance Trainers. I have gotten lots of questions myself about this new shoe, but being that I have only ever seen them in person once and have only read about them, I thought it would be great to let the folks at Newton answer the questions about the details of the shoes themselves. I believe that this shoe, in particular, is a special one to highlight because it is a shoe aimed at individuals who would like to transition to forefoot running.
We’ve had some recent requests to post more information on the new Sir and Lady Isaac shoes that are now available on our website or from a specialty retailer near you. We’ll also be at the Virginia Beach Rock ‘n Roll marathon this weekend, Ironman Wisconsin Sept. 10-12 in Madison, and at the ING Distance Run in Philly Sept. 19-21. Come see us and try on a pair!
The newest addition to the Newton family offers intelligent control for all foot types. The Isaac is a neutral guidance trainer designed for runners committed to improving their running form to the more efficient midfoot/forefoot running style.
UPPER
Highly breathable, fast-drying, closed mesh
Slip-proof laces with heel-securing double eyelets
Lightweight ergonomic support strapping
Metatarsal stretch panels
Reflective logo and heel tab
MIDSOLE
Single-density, high rebound EVA that stabilizes all foot types
Second generation Action/Reaction Technology™ forefoot and heel
Midfoot/rearfoot support chassis for added stability
Beveled heel and toe
Met-flex enhanced forefoot flexibility
Enhanced sock-liner that increases energy return and protection
Accommodates orthotics
OUTERSOLE
Second generation durable, high traction actuator lugs
The debate rages on and on. Yet still, medical “experts” and shoe companies cannot produce anything that shows that over-stuffed running shoes do anything for you. And now the New York Times takes another look at the issue. One person quoted in the article, one Simon Bartold, an international research consultant for Asics, is quoted in the article as saying the barefooters, “are propagating a campaign of misinformation.” Really, Mr. Bartold? There is 2.5 millions years of research on the minimalist side, where’s yours? Click the link below to read:
Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, appeared on Comedy Central in a great interview with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. While it is a great interview (for being so brief), I am more than a little biased and much prefer my interview with Chris HERE.
Check out the video of Chris’ Daily Show appearance below!
Forgot to put this on the show, but a HUGE shout out to Kate and all the luck and ass kicking in the world this weekend in the America’s Finest City Half-Marathon this weekend in San Diego!!
I’m not sure of the exact date when I discovered Newtons, but thanks to this site, I can tell you the first time I spoke about them on my show. It is BMP #16 at about 29 minutes in. From that point, much of the research I did on the shoes themselves was done away from Brandon’s Marathon. I did however, talk some about the technology of the shoe and how it works. I also encouraged people to go to their website rather than hear the information secondhand from me. I STILL encourage everyone to do this.
The first time I tried Newtons was in October in Richmond, Virginia when I was picking up my race packet for a sprint triathlon I was doing. The store where the pickup was located was also a Newton dealer. I asked and they happily allowed me to take a pair of trainers for a spin around the block. They were exactly what I was looking for and felt amazing. Before anyone suggests that they felt “amazing” because I wanted them to feel “amazing”, I made a promise to myself when I began this website that I would be as transparent with my audience as possible, sharing every feeling that I had (though not necessarily every event). I have kept that promise, and not in the way our government is “transparent”, rather, for real.
Due to the fact that Newtons do cost a bit more than many running, a fact which does not escape me or my wallet, I could not immediately get my hands on a pair. Also, I wanted to wait because at the time, Newton had announced a new, all-weather shoe, that would be more appropriate for running in New York City in the winter, which would not be shipped until the end of the year or early the following year. For my birthday (December 2) my father and stepmother gave me my first pair of Newtons (which wouldn’t be in my hands for a couple of weeks, but what can you do?)!
My Newtons arrived on December 15, 2008. I know it seems excessive that I know when they arrived, but again, thanks to this site I have a record. Before then, I had been slowly transitioning to forefoot for a while and my legs were more than ready. As luck would have it, I had a race about five days after getting my Newtons, however, Mother Nature intervened and dumped a ton of snow on the city and Central Park was a cold, slushy, snowy, icy mess, so I opted for my Vomero’s. With the exception of some extremely snowy or disgusting weather runs, that was the last time I would go Newton-less.
But, WHY did I switch? The answer to that question has a few layers. First, as I said earlier, I was blissfully unaware of what running actually was. For me it was something where I just went out and did it to lose weight or to look better, but now I was doing it because it was fun! Yes some of the long, boring mile remained long and boring, but they were not so laborious as before. Keep in mind that I did not all of a sudden get my Newtons and begin forefoot/midfoot striking, I had been doing it for a while in my existing shoes. Newtons, due to their minimal heel-toe drop (about 1/6 of an inch), allowed me to use a much more “piston-like” (up and down) action with my legs rather than having to force my toes down to overcome the giant wedge of my Nike’s.
Second; I wanted to go farther and longer. This part is less about Newtons, “the shoe” and more about the technique which they use and promote. Over time, I had come to discover, through trial, that forefoot running, with a shorter, more efficient stride, allowed me to go longer with minimal fatigue. It also allowed me to get up hills, where before I had to walk, I could now run up no problem. I know that this, again, may sound like a bit of, “hey mom! look how I can run faster and jump higher in my new shoes!!” syndrome, but again, this is NOT about the shoe, but about the technique that they promote. As I said before, I am not a small, lanky runner type of guy. I am tall and big and can bench-press about 275 lbs. (or could before I began trying to lean out for my Ironman). I have not had a single injury, save for ITBS which was existing, since running in Newtons. Not shinsplints, not plantar fasciitis, not knee pain, nothing.
Third; when you go to Newton’s website, you will notice that, while they are a shoe company, they are less about the shoes themselves and more about running healthy. On their YouTube channel, there are seven videos talking about the shoes themselves but EIGHTEEN videos that are about running technique and testimonials. In my experience this embodies what Newton is all about. They are taking a stake in the general health of the world around them and promoting running healthy, shoes or no shoes. When the guys from Newton came to New York this past June and did a running clinic, about half the people there were wearing Newtons and the other half not. While they definitely told us about their shoes a bit and why they were different, not ONCE did they say, “Now go buy our shoes!”.
I wear Newtons because they work for me. I wear Newtons because they promote a technique that I believe in. I wear Newtons because when I wear them, I’m not “getting through” a run, I’m just running! If you have never tried a pair, try them! What do you have to lose? If your shoes work for you and you have zero problems, don’t try them. But don’t knock it until you try it.
I don’t work for Newton, and everything I’ve said in the parts of this article are how I feel. When I run in my Newtons, or barefoot with the same technique, I feel alive. I feel like I want to run, not like I have to.
Whether you think you’re a “heel-striker” or forefoot striker, this little video from the folks at Newton Running shows perfect technique. I posted it a while ago, but I think it is well worth revisiting!
Yesterday evening, at 5:30 on a particularly beautiful day here in New York City, a group of runners met at The Bosthouse in Central Park. We were meeting with the common interest, not only of running, but of running smart and running healthy. The vehicle through which this took place was Newton Running.
We were met by Danny, Ian and Ian. Danny, being one of the founders of Newton was not only INCREDIBLY in touch with his product (obviously), but is one of the foremost experts on running in the world today. With the help of the Ian’s, Danny explained in very clear terms the theory and technique behind using the Newtons to further proper running technique. What was of great advantage was the fact that what Danny was explaining is not some revolutionary concept that ad piles upon piles of numbers to digest, but rather, was simply common sense and utilizes our true “natural” running technique.
After we met, we went up to a part of the park where there was a traffice turn around (fortunately with no traffic) so that we could run around the circle to nail down the technique. One of the FIRST things we did was TAKE OFF OUR SHOES! I think it is important to note, to the Newton skeptics out there, that 1. Not everyone was wearing Newtons. and 2. They explained the technique WAY before the technology.
We then went on a short group run on the bridle path (not too sure how far) and during the run, the Newton crew was taking the time to look at our strides one at a time and gives us tips and encouragement. They also were more than happy to answer any questions that we had.
I will go more into detail about some of the things we discussed on next week’s show, but for now, suffice it to say that if Newton is EVER in your area you should go talk to them. In the meantime, I will be putting up videos every day (if I can remember) that come from Newton themselves. If you would like to explore more about Newton, please visit their site, or feel free to ask me any questions if that is easier for you and I can pass them along. However, they are extremely accessible and I’m sure would be hapy to help out with anything you may want to know!!
For my part, I would like to say thank you so very, very much to everyone from Newton!! If you guys EVER want to do another thing in NYC, you can count on me to drum up as many people as I can get my hands on!!
Check out this amazing article that I found on the Newton Running Blog, The Running Front which is part of a repost from an article in Popular Mechanics.
Give these articles a read, and if you want to give barefoot running a shot, but need something to protect your soft, tender footsies, you can give Vibram FiveFingers. Or, my personal favorite, Newtons!!
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About Me
Thanks so much for visiting my site! My name is Brandon Wood and I am the social media manager and a customer service rep for Newton Running. This site and podcast follow my adventures on the way to competing in and training for all kinds of endurance events, especially triathlon and running. Click the "About Me" tab for more info!
When: Starting NOW! This is an ongoing contest that will be every month, or until every person on the planet has nice, fresh smelling shoes!
Why: Because Stuffitts are awesome! The folks at Stuffitts are being SUPER generous and I also want to give you guys something that I think is a great addition to any athletes arsenal!
How: On the last podcast episode post of each month (example: Episode 99 on June 28 HERE) entrants should leave a comment (however long you'd like). On the following week's show (the first show of each month) I will draw, by random number generator, one winner! That's it!
The debate rages on and on. Yet still, medical “experts” and shoe companies cannot produce anything that shows that over-stuffed running shoes do anything for you. And now the New York Times takes another look at the issue. One person quoted in the article, one Simon Bartold, an international research consultant for Asics, is quoted in the article as saying the barefooters, “are propagating a campaign of misinformation.” Really, Mr. Bartold? There is 2.5 millions years of research on the minimalist side, where’s yours? Click the link below to read:
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