One foot in front of the other.
Jabra Sport Bluetooth Headphones
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Las Vegas, NV – January 9, 2012– Jabra, a world leader in creating hands-free communications solutions, announced today a partnership with five-time Ironman World Champion, Craig “Crowie” Alexander, the biggest name in the multi-sport competition world. Jabra has teamed up with the world champion triathlete for a two-year agreement to support and serve as spokesperson for the Company’s recently launched sports product line. Under the new partnership, Alexander will also serve as a consultant for future product development. Alexander will be on-hand at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with Jabra this week to discuss the new partnership and will be showcasing the new sports category in action at the Pepcom Digital Experience media event at the MGM Grand today, January 9th, from 7-11:00 PM PT.
“I am so happy to be teaming up with a company like Jabra that just gets it and creates awesome, durable products for athletes like myself,” says Alexander, reigning Ironman World Champion. “Between the countless hours of intense training getting ready for my next competition and the crazy travel schedule, Jabra’s products have really helped me stay connected with my friends and family and helped keep me motivated and entertained.”
Through the years, studies* have shown that training while simultaneously listening to music is highly motivating and can increase the degree of effort an individual puts forth. Although listening to music while exercising may not be a revolutionary concept, the Jabra sports category offers a unique set of products that combines durability with fantastic sound to ensure an easy and fun fitness session for athletes across varying levels.
Jabra’s sports category is led by the recently-launched Jabra SPORT, a tough wireless Bluetooth stereo headset that streams music and phone calls. The perfect device for delivering great music for training sessions, workouts, or any other recreation and outdoor activity, the Jabra SPORT features a category-first built-in FM radio, A2DP technology, and powerful bass to help energize workout performance. And with a wind-shielded microphone and US Military Standard Rain, Dust and Shock Resistant certification, exercisers don’t need to hold back during their workouts on account of their headphones. For exercisers who have become accustomed to working out with traditional corded headphones, the Jabra SPORT-Corded offers the same features as the Bluetooth version.
In addition to the new Jabra SPORT products, the Jabra portfolio includes the Jabra CLIPPER stereo headset which provides users with wireless stereo music and calls all with one cool little Bluetooth clip for simple wearing during workouts, and the Jabra ACTIVE which allows exercisers to listen to music and train hard without ever having to adjust their ear buds.
Whether running or biking, Alexander is a fierce competitor who faces varying degrees of athletic challenges that test his strength and stamina. Tough, strong and durable – like the Ironman – Jabra products are light, comfortable and have a secure fit to get you through any challenge, hassle-free. Crisp and clear sound will further ensure you stay focused and motivated until you cross the finish line.
The Jabra SPORT is currently available at Amazon.com, Sprint and T-Mobile. Other products included in Jabra’s sports category are all currently available at BuyJabra.com, Amazon.com and other leading retail outlets. For information on Jabra’s line of Bluetooth headsets and other hands-free devices, visit Jabra.com, like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Jabra.US or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jabra_us.
About Craig Alexander
Hot off his recent victory at the hardest one day endurance event in the world, the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Alexander has an impressive athletic resume that earns him consideration by many of being one of the greatest male triathletes of all time. Among his many accomplishments, he is the first triathlete to ever win the Ironman 70.3 and Ironman World Championship in the same year, and he is also the oldest male to ever win The Ironman Hawaii. Ironman legend and six-time World Champion Dave Scott proclaims him “the first true men’s champion the sport has seen in years.”
Research Study
British researchers asked survey participants to ride stationary bicycles while listening to music, when the music tempo was slowed, participants pedaling slowed as did their heart rate and distance pedaled. On the other hand, when the tempo increased ten percent, the participants covered more miles in the same period of time, their heart rates rose and they reported enjoying the same music 36 percent more. Researchers concluded that when listening to music, participants received a greater degree of effort and overall affect. Study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, August 2010.
About Jabra
Jabra is the brand of GN Netcom, a subsidiary of GN Store Nord A/S (GN) – listed on NASDAQ OMX. Jabra employs approximately 850 people worldwide and in 2010 produced an annual revenue which amounted to DKK 1,973 million. Jabra is a world leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of a broad range of hands-free communications solutions. With a reputation for innovation, reliability, and ease of use that goes back more than two decades, Jabra’s consumer and business divisions produce corded and wireless headsets, plus mobile and in-office speakerphones that empower individuals and businesses through increased freedom of movement, comfort, and functionality.
For further information on the company, please visit www.jabra.com.
Picture Courtesy DC Rainmaker
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On my workout/ride home this evening I could see off in the distance a wicked storm brewing to the South of Boulder and heading North which just happened to be right in my line of travel. About 20 minutes into this ride, the wind started and it was swiftly followed by driving rain which brought along thunder and lightening. Good times.
The wind was coming in from my right at about 25 miles per hour and gusting well above that. the biggest problem with this is that my bike has an “aero” frame and as such has a fairly flat profile from the sides. This is great for going straight and fast, but not so great for cross winds that use it as a sail. Again, good times. Now, on top of that, the wind was pushing me on my right side and into the lane of traffic I was trying so desperately to avoid. This made for incredibly hard shifting and some very white-knuckled steering.
With the rain beating down, fighting the whipping wind and doing my best to avoid the cars that outweigh me by a couple thousand pounds, I was reminded of one of my favorite sayings that I seem to forget all too often. Pain is temporary. Even on our darkest days or hardest workouts; even when nothing is going right and the challenges of what we’re involved in at that moment seem to be literally kicking us in the gut, pain IS temporary. Sometimes it may seem interminable and we really can’t see the end of the storm, but it is there, lurking somewhere off in the distance.
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Step 1: Click one of the buttons below to donate the amount for the raffle entry you want. It will take you to the donation site. You can enter more then once, just donate the base amount multiplied by the number of entries you want.
Step 2: Click one of the buttons below to send out the tweet for the item you want to be entered to win. It is VERY important that you tweet the proper item so I can see that you are entered in the right contest.
Step 3: I will close the raffles at the following times:
Polar RS300X #1 – 6/10/11 – 8 PM EST
Newton Running package, women’s – 6/10/11 – 11 PM EST
Polar RS300X #2 – 6/11/11 – 9 AM – EST
Brunton Restore – 6/11/11 – Noon EST
Newton Running package, men’s – 6/11/11 – 3 PM EST
Winners will be announced about 30 minutes after each raffle closes. You do not have to be online at the time to win. I will contact each winner on Twitter to let you know that you’ve won. Unfortunately, raffles are only open to those in the US and Canada.
THIS GUY!
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As many of you know, this coming Friday (June 10) at 5 PM EST my marathon live show to raise money for Athletes for a Cure will start! I’ve worked with several brands to arrange for giveaways and raffle items for the show and without any further delay…here they are! (Rules and such to be posted tomorrow, June 7, so check back!)
SwimSpray – I’ll be giving away a boat load of this amazing new product! Invented by a swimmer who was tired of smelling like a pool, SwimSpray eliminates chlorine odor and irritation from hair and skin. Use with your own favorite shampoo, soap, or body wash. Simple. Effective. Natural.
Hydrapak Gelbot – The Gel-Bot delivers two performance essentials, fuel and hydration, in one easy to use sport bottle. This patent-pending design lets you fuel or hydrate with just one hand. Perfect for racing or total gel addicts. All the Gel-Bot components can be taken apart and easily cleaned.
SOLE Signature DK Response footbeds – The Sole Signature Series Dk Response is world-famous ultra runner Dean Karnazes’ signature edition footbed, with added features. Every SOLE Custom Footbed features their orthopedic base layer that molds to your unique foot without losing its supportive shape. SOLE Custom Footbeds are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Sole donates a portioon of every sale to Karno Kids whose mission is to support, encourage, and motivate youth to get outside and become physically active, and to restore and preserve the environment.
Ryders Eyewear Seeker Sunglasses – All Essential styles within the Adrenaline collection feature Duraflex frames with low-profile, high-strength pinned hinges and polycarbonate lenses. These lenses are shatterproof, optically-correct, scratch-resistant and provide 100% UV protection. All styles have high-performance features such as anti-slip, hydrophilic nose pads and/or temple tips that get more tacky as you sweat so your eyewear always stays in place.
Road ID eCard – It’s a gift card for whatever Road Id strikes your fancy! Need I say more?
Kate’s Real Food Bars – (2, 6-packs!) Kate’s Bars are real food snack bars, hand made in the shadow of the Tetons. Kate’s Bars are created for people who live, play or just want to be outdoors. The flavors and textures of Kate’s Bars are designed to reflect the natural surroundings they were inspired by.
Brunton Restore power storage and solar panel – The most efficient, integrated compact power pack available. Internal battery keeps extra energy at hand, and twin solar panels keep the battery at peak capacity in less time. Ideal for charging personal devices like iPods® and smart phones. Advanced polycrystaline solar technology gathers maximum energy per inch for maximum efficiency. Power storage capacity: 2,200 mAh Output: mini-USB
Primus EtaSolo Stove – Compact, lightweight and low fuel consumption. Eta Solo is based on the award winning Eta technology of our Primus burner and heat exchanger. Its high efficiency rate assures fast boiling times and lower fuel consumption. The Eta Solo is stable in windy conditions, lightweight, and extremely compact. Quick and easy to set up thanks to its robust quick-click locking mechanism.
Polar RS300X – (Raffling off TWO of these!) A smart, intuitive training computer for runners and cross-training athletes, the Polar RS300X wrist heart rate monitor helps you to train at the right intensity with personal training zones. It’s compatible with Polar’s S1 foot pod and G1 GPS sensor (both separately available), enabling you to combine heart rate with speed and distance and truly make sense of your training.
Newton Running Shoes and Gear – We’ll be raffling off TWO gift packages from the one and only Newton Running(one for the ladies, one for the men)! This will include one pair of Newton Running shoes of your choice, a copy of Newton co-founder Danny Abshire’s book (Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running) and some other schwag!
Lake Success, N.Y. (June 1, 2011) – Polar (www.polarusa.com), the leader in heart rate monitoring and fitness assessment technologies, today introduced the RCX5. Building on decades of experience, and a heritage of precision excellence in product design and functionality, the RCX5 combines Polar heart rate tracking accuracy with a slew of new features. Ideal for multisport endurance athletes, the RCX5 can accommodate the needs of today’s triathletes who want the best in training intelligence and tracking capabilities. It will be immediately available in “smart black” and will also be sold in “striking red” later this year.
New accessories for the RCX5 include the G5 GPS sensor – an incredibly lightweight and compact sensor which measures speed/pace and distance and provides an online map view of training – as well as the new WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter, which provides heart rate data even when underwater. Additionally, an enhanced s3+ stride sensor is compatible with the RCX5.
“Triathlons are one of the fastest-growing sport segments in the United States, and we understand better than anyone in the market that multisport athletes demand data, whether they are training for their first regional event or chasing a lifelong professional pursuit,” said Jeff Padovan, President, Polar USA. “The Polar brand has been an established name among elite athletes for more than 30 years, and we are proud of the loyalty and knowledge we’ve built within the ‘tri’ market specifically. The RCX5 is the realization of everything we’ve been hearing that ‘tri’ users require to get to that next level, packaged in a new, sleek design.”
Sport Profiles: Essential for multisport and triathletes, this feature enables users to quickly switch between sports during training. With just a few button presses, this feature quickly adjusts settings to the current sport. It automatically detects any sensors needed, so that no time or training data is lost between swims, rides or runs. Four sport profiles come pre-loaded into the RCX5, and more can be added based on the user’s preferences.
ZoneOptimizer: Knowing how hard to train can be a challenge and it depends on many factors, including physical and mental state, stress, sleep, and previous training. The brand new ZoneOptimizer feature eliminates guesswork by adjusting personal heart rate zones based on a user’s current physiological condition. It guides training at the right intensity, making every session more effective.
Race Pace: The perfect feature for regulating speed and race strategy, Race Pace allows users to
set a target time for a certain distance, and then displays the current pace/speed, as well as how far ahead or behind the user is from the target.
Training Load: This feature within polarpersonaltrainer.com displays a color-coded graph of a user’s cumulative training load, notifying a person when he or she has recovered enough for the next session, and accurately predicting training developments to prevent overtraining. This data also provides intelligence to modify training sessions as necessary.
polarpersonaltrainer.com: Several upgrades have been incorporated into the free online training journal to support the RCX5 users. Users can now create complete endurance training programs for running and cycling, including warm-up, work and cool-down sessions. The training programs can be easily synched to the RCX5 via the DataLink data transfer unit. After each session, it is easy to track progress online over time.
New RCX5 Compatible Accessories:
G5 GPS sensor: The extremely small G5 GPS sensor measures speed/pace and distance and allows users to see their route on the new map view at polarpersonaltrainer.com after a session. Incredibly light (34g) and worn with a soft, flexible armband, the G5 has an 18-hour battery life and can be recharged via micro USB.
s3+ stride sensor: The s3+ comes with a new, firm shoe attachment which guarantees more accurate speed/pace and distance measurement. This small and lightweight (23g) sensor is shock and water resistant, handling even the most demanding runs. By monitoring running cadence and average stride length, s3+ can help improve running technique. The RCX5 can also calculate your Running Index, which scores a run, based on speed and distance data from the GPS or stride sensor. While cycling, users can get speed, distance and cadence measured by adding Polar cycling sensors using W.I.N.D. technology.
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter: The RCX5 provides heart rate data even in water with a comfortable, fabric chest transmitter. It transfers data both in 5 kHz and 2.4 GHz.
Product Sets Available:
RCX5 Bike (MSRP $389.95):
RCX5 training computer
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter
CS speed sensor W.I.N.D.
DataLink data transfer unit
Getting Started Guide
RCX5 Run (MSRP $419.95):
RCX5 training computer
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter
s3+ stride sensor
DataLink data transfer unit
Getting Started Guide
RCX5 Multi (MSRP $469.95)
RCX5 training computer
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter
G5 GPS sensor
DataLink data transfer unit
Getting Started Guide
RCX5 Basic Set (MSRP $349.95) (Available July 2011):
RCX5 training computer
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter
DataLink data transfer unit
Getting Started Guide
The RCX5 is also compatible with the existing G3 GPS sensor W.I.N.D. and the s3 stride sensor W.I.N.D. All sensors will be available for purchase as separate accessories.
Back in the day (“the day” being the late 80′s to about 1995) I swam a lot. I was in the water about probably eight or nine workouts a week. With that much pool time, my teammates and I went through practice suits like crazy. Once a suit would tear or become see through, did we throw it away? Of course not! We just got another suit and put the old one over top of it for drag. Often, this resulted in a strange tapestry of four or five different suits, each managing to cover a very important bit of flesh. The unfortunate byproduct of this was that, in any particular workout one would take a look at the people in the pool and think we were a bunch of swimmers who had just been through some sort of odd battle with a swimsuit hungry enemy.
Fortunately, fabrics have been developed today that result in
much higher wear times for swimsuits. My suit of choice for the last year has been the Sonic Spliced square leg from Speedo. This suit is made of Speedo’s Endurance+ fabric and I wanted to see just how much endurance it had.
Endurance+ is a chlorine resistant fabric that is made to dry quickly while retaining its shape and elasticity. The fabric feels much more dense than the traditional swimsuit material. It’s weigh does not, however, contribute to any loss in freedom of movement. I have been swimming in the same suit for a year now and it doesn’t really show any signs of wear at all.
The suit itself is the first of the square leg variety that I’ve worn. In the past I have always been someone who wears either jammers (just above the knee length) of the stereotypical “speedo”. It does take a bit of getting used to but once you’re over the normal on the crotch, low on the leg feel it’s really very comfortable.
I’m not sure when I’ll need a new suit for everyday pool workouts but when I do this one will certainly be at the top of my list.
Click here to visit the Speedo USA website | Click here to buy on Amazon
Alberto Contador gets one step closer to racing the Tour de France
Heat training by Torbjørn Sindballe
American Trail Running Association
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Disposable timing chips are becoming more and more prevalent in races these days. They’re cheap and it doesn’t matter if you walk off with one. We’ve all seen people walking around with their disposable timing tags attached to their laces WELL after race day. So, how long is too long? How long does it take you to remove your timing tag?
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Staying on top of nutrition during an endurance event is a pretty tricky thing to do. Much of the time we’re called upon to figure out clever ways to carry any number of powders and other odd substances to refill our water bottles. GU Brew is one of those powders and the people at GU Energy Labs decided to do something about it.
Earlier this year I gave you a first glimpse at the new GU Brew electrolyte tablets. These small discs are the latest in GU’s effort to make energy easier for athletes to get to. Each tablet is meant to replenish the electrolytes flushed out of the body thus making it able to actually retain the water we keep throwing down our throats.
The GU Brew tablets are so convenient, period. Having them in the back of my cycling jersey or in a pack on a long ride or hike makes it so easy to drop one in a bottle and not worry about messing with baggies of powder and such.
I am a big fan of a tiny (seriously, very tiny) bit of fizz in drinks during activity. For me it helps to wake up my taste buds and makes a drink that much more refreshing. The lemon-lime flavor that I’ve been using is gentle enough to not run my stomach when I’ve been out for a long time. On top of that, the slight amount of sweetening which comes from stevia, is very gentle and didn’t give me any syrupy aftertaste.
Basically, having these tablets on me means I have about 8 hours of nutrition in something smaller than my cell phone. GU recognizes the fact that water alone can’t get the job of hydration done and in many cases, water can be the energy. These tablets really do a great job of giving you a balanced source of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) to allow your muscles to absorb the water you need.
I highly recommend checking the GU Brew tablets out in any of their flavors; orange, lemon lime and peach tea.
Click here to visit the GU Energy Labs website | Click here to buy on Amazon
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(Scotts Valley, CA) Giro, the cycling world’s design leader since 1985, has announced the launch of the all-new Selector helmet. Combining a built-in eye shield with a self-adjusting fit system and an adjustable lower tail section that optimizes the helmet to match the rider’s back, the Selector is a revolution in the aero helmet category. It’s also the most aerodynamically efficient helmet available based on Giro’s extensive test data, one that gives measurable real-world performance gains.
“The Selector is the only aero helmet available to consumers that benefits from more than 25 years of experience in designing aerodynamic helmets,” said Giro Senior Brand Manager Eric Richter. “It represents hundreds of hours in the wind tunnel, countless hours spent creating and evaluating models and prototypes, and real-world feedback from top professionals including…TBD. That all comes together to create the ultimate weapon when every split-second counts.”
With the challenge of optimizing helmets to match the body shapes and positions of so many elite
riders, including Lance Armstrong who requires a very specific helmet design to minimize drag, Giro engineers sought to create a helmet that could be customized to fit a wide range of riders and course conditions, without compromising performance. This line of thinking led to the Selector, a helmet that addresses the market with a customizable approach to performance, rather than the traditional “one solution for all” approach.
Giro engineers utilized their unparalleled testing resources to create the sleekest front profile possible. The built-in eye shield’s vents allow cool air into deep channels inside the helmet’s liner to help disperse heat, before sending it out exhaust vents to the rear. And it is at the rear of the helmet where the revolution truly begins. An uninterrupted transition from helmet crown to the rider’s back is one of the biggest factors in aerodynamic efficiency and the Selector is the first helmet to allow tuning of that transition. For the first time, riders can choose between a shorter, 10mm tail section for those with a relatively flat –backed position, or a 45mm tall section for those with a more compact or hunched position. Further optimizing aerodynamics, the Selector utilizes Giro’s new Roc Loc® TT system that self-adjusts, which eliminates the need for access to the system and allows the helmet to be closed at the rear.
The Selector was developed with the same core team of designers and engineers that have collectively helped Giro-sponsored riders to win countless major titles in the last decade, plus 9 of the last 11 Tours de France (confirm). This year, it will be the helmet of choice for riders from Radio Shack, Garmin-Cervelo, Rabobank and Trek-Livestrong U-23.
FACTS ABOUT GIRO’S NEW SELECTOR HELMET
When Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run, was released in May of 2009, many would say that it was one of the biggest catalysts in getting an increasing amount of runners back to the basics of running. Along the way the shoe industry at large has taken notice of the minimalist running movement and has really stepped up to the plate (for better or for worse) in offering runners who want “less is more” to be the predominant impetuous for their running.
Probably the most important character in McDougall’s book is the reclusive Tarahumara tribe in Mexico’s Copper Canyon’s. This tribe of indigenous people just happen to be quite a group of ultrarunners and while going on their long runs their shoe of choice is what amounts to a huarache sandal made from a bit of leather and the tread of an old tire. This sandal is very minimalist and includes the most important feature of being a “zero drop” shoe which means there is no difference in height from the heel to the metatarsals. Embracing the spirit of the Tarahumara, GoLite has gone a step further and has built an entire shoe based around their chosen footwear and built the Tara Lite.
Part of GoLite’s BareTech series, the Tara Lite is (perhaps ironically) full of features that aim to make it a front runner in the hybrid world of a shoe with minimal features that provides the protection of a tradition trail running shoe. From the ground up, the rubber on the sole of the Tara Lite is made from their Grip Stick Rubber (GSR) and is formed with their Sticky Gecko sole which puts more than 300 small lugs of different sizes. These lugs are meant to add maximum surface area to the sole for added traction on any surface. The next layer up is a thin layer of soft EVA foam (I’m not entirely sure of the exact durometer of the differing EVA’s on this shoe, but I will update if I manage to find out) which is to add further adaptability and cushioning. Moving up to the third layer from the ground there is a thin layer of harder EVA foam put in place to add further stability and protection to the foot of the runner.
The upper of the Tara Lite is made of a fabric of stretchy-ish “second skin” with the rubber sole of the shoe coming about a third of the way up the back side of
the heel of the shoe as well as over the majority of the toe cap for added protection. The retention system is made up of two hook-and-loop straps, one around the ankle of the shoe and one across the top. The top retention strap is part of a switchback that attaches to an internal thong that mimics the thong on a Tarahumara huarache. The toe box of the Tara Lite is ample and allows the toes to splay naturally as though barefoot.
To be clear, GoLite does not consider the Tara Lite to be a minimalist shoe by traditional minimal standards. First, the weight, which comes in at 11 ounces does fall well outside the lines of “light”. Also, with a midfoot height of 24mm, the Tara Lite does not seek to be a “barefoot shoe” in the vein of Vibram FiveFingers and the like, but rather to offer the wearer a “natural ride with full protection”.
Since I had been eyeing pictures of the Tara Lite for a while before I got my hands on a pair I was not shocked by what I saw when they arrived. However, this is not your traditional shoe in look or feel. Since I’ve never been one to shy away from less than subtly designed shoes, the burnt orange color was quite appealing.
The first thing I noticed upon putting on the Tara Lite was the very secure feeling fit that the thong post offered. To be honest, I was intrigued as to what the thong post would feel like at all and it turns out that it’s not a whole lot different than wearing my favorite pair of flip flops. The upper of the shoe is very roomy almost to the point of feeling big. Fortunately the retention system offers plenty of adjustability that should leave more than enough room for almost any foot. The thong post, which runs through a smal hole in the upper, sits comfortably between your toes and can be moved as close to the wedding of the toes as needed by adjusting the ankle retention strap.
The footbed of the Tara Lite itself offers a bit of customization in that it has a removable portion that runs from just behind the metatarsals forward. For me, the best option was not to change to configuration of the footbed but rather, to remove it altogether. You see, without the footbed in there is already a bit of arch contour to the insole of the shoe. With the footbed in place, no matter the configuration, the arch is far too much for me and adds unwanted and unneeded pressure to the underside of my arch. This seems ironic since the barefoot, and even the huaraches of the Tarahumara lack any arch support at all instead allowing the foot to use its own musculature and connective tissues. Once removed, my foot was much more comfortable and I felt right at home.
The Tara Lite does require socks with, at the very least, an articulated big toe. Fortunately, GoLite included a pair of Tabi socks that offered just that. I also happen to be the proud owner of some Injinji socks which meant that I could wear the shoes for more than one day without having to wash my socks each night.
As a trail running shoe the Tara Lite performed very well and felt very secure on my foot on most terrains. As a road running shoe, while it does work, it’s not
Tara Lite's thong tha thong thong thong
something that I would opt for something else. The reason behind this is because the midfoot flexibility of the shoe is pretty much nil. I would love to see this changed to allow for a more versatile shoe that could be worn on and off road easily.
The stability and traction of this shoe are pretty phenomenal. The Sticky Gecko sole really lives up to its billing and went above and beyond on rocky and uneven surfaces. These were especially fun on some extended rock hopping adventures I threw at them. In terms of being able to really “feel” the ground though, they were a bit lacking. yes, feeling the general contours of the running surface was completely fine, but the finer things tended to go a bit unnoticed. This is thanks largely to the layers of EVA in the sole and the cushioning they provide. This is likely not a deal breaker for most people and it isn’t for me either, I just refer a little bit more ground feedback.
The Tara Lite is a great shoe in GoLite’s move toward offering more options to “natural” runners. The women’s version of the Tara Lite will be out this July and is sure to have some advancements over this first draft. That said, I will certainly be wearing these on some of my favorite trails now that more friendly running weather is here. If you’re looking to get into more natural running and into a shoe that lets your foot act as it should, this is a great way to get out and running.
[box type="info"]Click here to visit the GoLite Footwear website | Click here to buy on Amazon[/box]
[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://gearist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ibmonogram.png[/author_image] [author_info]Review by IronBrandon[/author_info] [/author]
Now that most of us have left the super cold winter in the dust, we have all this wonderful daylight to work with! However, along with all this sun will eventually come the scorching summer heat and humidity. To avoid this, if you’re like me, many workouts are shifted to predawn hours to avoid the heat of the day. As always, with any activity when it’s dark outside comes an added necessity of caution.
At its core, the Vis 360 from the folks at Light & Motion is a commuter light, and it has all the accouterments to prove it, but it also functions wonderfully for training rides when the sun sits below the horizon. Coming in at a very light 130 grams, the Vis 360 packs a big light punch in a small package. The front light boasts a 110 lumen white light with powerful amber side lights (hence the 360 part of the name!). The rear light carries four flashing, red taillights. Battery life on the light is dependent upon the setting; high – 2.5 hours, low – 5 hours, flashing 20+ hours. Charging the light is as simple as plugging in your cell phone since the Vis 360 uses a micro-usb plug and can be charged from many cell phone chargers or from any usb device (computer) using the included cable.
Mounting the Vis 360 takes all of 5 minutes, if that. On the front, wearers use the rubber/plastic mounting plat that can be swapped out for a wider disc for split venting on the front of some helmets. On the rear, a velcro mounting plate can be attached either horizontally or vertically depending on the helmet setup. Once the mounting brackets are in place, attaching the lights is as simple as snapping them into place.
I was truly surprised at the weight of the Vis 360. At 130 grams, Light & Motion claims that, “it is
32% lighter than the best selling bar lights on the market”. I haven’t tried every bar light on the market, but this claim sure seems as though it is dead on. However, even with that small amount of weight on your head, you can usually tell that something is up there and it may feel off. I found this not to be the case at all with this lamp. The balance between the front light and the rear light is so well designed that there is effectively no noticeable difference in the balance of the helmet.
Visibility with the light is excellent, though it does take a few times of reaching up to adjust the direction to get it dialed in for your specific preferences. I wore this on both a road bike and a triathlon bike and when in aero position on the tri bike it took a bit of moving of the front mounting plate to get the light right, but that is thanks to the much lower body position while riding. Charging is a breeze and was, for me, as simple as using my phone charger. Big kudos to L&M for really thinking outside the box and going for super easy convenience on that one.
This light is awesome, plain and simple. The visibility it gives you and the visibility it gives you to others is invaluable, especially in more heavily trafficked areas. This is a well thought out light, with excellent run time relative to it’s battery weight. Were it up to me, every athlete whose butt ever hops on a bike saddle should have one.
Click to visit the Light & Motion website | Click to buy on Amazon
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When I first began running in earnest I wore what I had to wear. This included cotton t-shirts (shudder) and shorts made from that basketball short material. Almost always the shorts came to at least the top of my knee and weighed a ton. It took me a while, but I finally came around to actually wanting to show off my über-pale thighs in some shorter running shorts and realizing the freedom of movement that they allow.
The Infinity running short from Pearl Izumi gives it’s wearer the minimal design and light weight but is well thought out and chock full of goodies for runners. The 4 inch inseam, ELITE Transfer Fabric is super light and flows easily with the runner. Underneath lies one of the more important features, the liner. Made from PI’s Minerale fabric, this liner dries 50% faster than other performance polyester liners. This is thanks to the larger surface area of the fabric (on the microscopic level) being able to spread moisture out more and thus, allow it to evaporate more quickly.
The Infinity short also features a zippered back pocket with plenty of room for a phone or mp3 player. The backside of the short features plenty of reflective elements for safety. Rounding out the short is a smooth front waistband for added comfort as well as a stretch drawstring.
For me, it tends to be the small things that stand out. Yes, the Infinity short is a really great run
short. It offers ample movement with the side cutaways and its roomy pocket holds things still instead of bouncing off my butt for an entire run. the thing that most stood out to me in the inside of the waistband. That’s right. Generally, the waistbands of running shorts have that “crinkled” thing going on. This often becomes uncomfortable and can feel insecure after a while. The waistband in the Infinity is smooth. It’s a soft fabric with a completely smooth front side and is incredibly comfortable. I also noticed that the fabric of the waistband picked up the sweat that was pouring down my stomach and back and, rather than transferring it to the body of the short, it moved it to the outside of the waistband where it evaporated.
These are a great offering from a brand that has a reputation for thinking ahead of the game and trying to address the needs of athletes before the athletes even know it.
Click here to visit the Pearl Izumi website | Click here to buy on Amazon
Wouter Weylandt dies in the Giro d’Italia
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I haven’t tried these shoes from Puma but I’m a sucker for a funny commercial!
I wear Swedish goggles when I swim and I have been for the past twenty years (kind of partial to Malmsten). They’re light, cheap and have a great field of vision. Unfortunately they almost always come with a cheap, rubber strap that breaks after about 3 months of use. My solution? The Speedo Universal Oggle replacement strap.
The Oggle is a silicone tube strap that fits my particular brand of goggles perfectly. There is an adjustable spring barrel that makes adjusting them a very quick and easy process. Having taken a look around the interwebs I’ve seen several people saying that the tube shape of the strap doesn’t fit their particular goggle retention setup. To address this, Speedo also makes the Universal Oggle 2.0, but we have yet to try it out.
There’s really not much one can say for a goggle strap review except that it works. I have just managed to snap my first Oggle and that was at the end of 3+ years of faithful service. The silicone is soft enough to be easily worn, yet offers plenty of strength. I have since bought another and I’m looking forward to buying yet another in 3 or so years.
Click here to visit the Speedo website | Click here to buy on Amazon
There is a time when we find ourselves outdoors and in need of something a bit cooler or a bit warmer or maybe something that can keep our skin protected long after sunscreen has abandoned our pasty hides. Pearl Izumi has come at all of those scenarios head on with this very versatile top.
The Infinity In-R-Cool long sleeve top brings comfort and fit right to the forefront when it’s put on. ELITE transfer fabric combined with In-R-Cool allows the top to act as a second skin. As we know, our body cools itself by evaporating sweat from our skin thus cooling us down. Likewise, the fabric technology in this top allows for the sweat generated to evaporate keeping the body cool, even in a long sleeve top.
For additional cooling the top also includes a Direct-Vent mesh panels running from the base of the neck, down the back and to the bottom of the shirt. An eight inch zipper with an ergonomic pull allows for further, adjustable venting on the chest. The semi form fit makes for a top that moves with the athlete and become hardly noticeable.
Pear Izumi cycling has a series of ads comparing wearing their gear to being naked (see picture at
right). Putting on this top is kind of like that. The fabric is extremely light weight and supple and it really did disappear to my touch shortly after putting it on.
What interested me the most about this top was seeing how it would hold up in warmer weather. One of its biggest selling points is that it offers full UV protection, but along with that comes a price in many tops. The warmest day I’ve been able to run in with the Infinity top was about 73 degrees. Normally in that temperature I am in shorts and a sleeveless top but I wanted to see what the In-R-Cool fabric could do.
The cooling effects of the fabric and design did their jobs very well, keeping me sweaty but comfortable (which I would have been anyway). After opening the zipper to further cool myself, there was a bit of flopping of the collar. I tried to remedy this by tucking the collar under but since the fabric is so supple and silky it wouldn’t stay.
The cooling effects on my arms, which were the most obvious place to pay attention, was significant. The wicking action of the fabric did a great job dissipating heat. The thing I missed most was the air on my skin. I know this sounds like it may be turning into some weir prosaic novel but it’s true. While I fully admit that it is a point of preference, I am one who prefers to be free of sleeves of any kind in warmer weather (PI does make an Infinity In-R-Cool singlet that looks flippin’ awesome).
This top delivers and would be amazing for those with super sensitive skin that needs constant and consistent sun protection. This is a versatile piece that is perfect for transitional seasons and is a welcome addition to my running wardrobe.
Click here to visit the Pearl Izum website | Click here to buy on Amazon
New York Times recap of the 2011 Boston Marathon
Natural running form clinic and symposia
Natural running form clinic in Hampton, Virginia
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Come see me sing with Christopher McDougall and Co. at the Naked Tour!
I am now coaching! If you’re interested, email me at info@ironbrandon.com
Get up to THREE entries to win a Sony NWZ-W252 (pictured) by doing the following:
Entry one: Comment on Episode 140 of the IronBrandon Show [LINK]
Entry two: Have someone else leave a comment and refer your name (that way you BOTH get an entry!)
Entry three: Tweet the following: Listen to the IronBrandon Show 140 and be entered to win a Sony MP3 player! http://goo.gl/p9PCV #IB140
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Leave a comment HERE to be enterer to win a free pair of Stuffitts!
Natural running clinic in Milwaukee THIS WEEKEND!
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So the wait is over! Here are some details on the new RCX5 training computer. This is a cutting-edge product ideal for endurance sports, with some exciting new features to coach you in planning, training and analyzing your performance in detail.
Some new features:
ZoneOptimizer: Knowing how hard to train can be a challenge as your condition changes every day depending on a number of factors, including your physical and mental state, stress, sleep, and previous training. The brand new ZoneOptimizer feature in the RCX5 takes out the guesswork by adjusting your personal heart rate zones for every training session based on your current physiological condition. It will guide you to train at the right intensity to get the training effect you want, making your every session more effective.
Sport Specific Training: The RCX5 gives you sport-specific training data based on your personal settings. So the display views, training zones and more can be customized based on your sport. When you are doing brick workouts or racing, you can switch these sport profiles within seconds. Button pressing should be the least of your worries during transition, so we designed the feature along with the wrist unit design/button location to make this as easy as possible.
Swimming & Indoor Workouts: The RCX5 comes with the new WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter, making it ideal for triathlon and off season training. The transmitter has a dual signal, so it will transmit, display and record heart rate in the water. Also, the WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter can be used to transmit heart rate to treadmills and other exercise equipment that is Polar ready.
New Sensors: New sensors will also be part of the RCX5 launch!
G5 GPS Sensor: The small G5 GPS sensor is rechargeable via mini USB. We will post a few pictures of this soon, but let us tell you, THIS THING IS SMALL.
s3+ stride sensor: The new s3+ comes with a new, firm shoe attachment which guarantees more accurate running pace and distance measurement.
And of course in the saddle you can get your speed, distance and cadence measured by adding compatible Polar W.I.N.D. cycling sensors.
With the sensor accessories, RCX5 keeps up with you in the water, on the saddle, during your run, and online.
There will also be big upgrades at polarpersonaltrainer.com to support multisport athletes in their training. Here are just a few:
The RCX5 will be available in two colors, the smart black and the striking red, and in four different product sets with different sensors. All black RCX5 sets will be available between May and July. The striking red color design will be available in all four set combinations in late September 2011. All sensors will be available for purchase as separate accessories.
How can you stay updated on RCX5 and other Polar news?
Stay tuned on Facebook
Sign up for the Polar Newsletter http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/newsletter
And if you are on Twitter – Follow Chris @ twitter.com/chrispolarusa where he’ll be posting snapshots, video and more of the RCX5 in action.
Leave a comment HERE to win a FREE bottle of Vidazorb!
If you’re in the Milwaukee/Madison/Chicago area come meet us for a run this Saturday, March 26 at 10 AM at:
Alterra Coffee
1701 N Lincoln Memorial Dr [Click the address for a map]
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414.223.4551
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For many cyclists, bib shorts (or tights) are one of those things that once you try them, going back to just shorts is just not in the cards. The most obvious of these advantages is that the interminable pulling up of your waistband is eliminated. Alos, your chamois doesn’t shift and the lack of a constricting waistband allows for more airflow.
Sugoi has a line up of four levels of bib shorts. Right at the top of the heap is their RSE bib short. Launched in Spring 2010, the RSE line is a step up on Sugoi’s award winning RS line. These shorts use the top end FXE chamois which is a big statement maker in the chamois wars of the past couple years. Made with Meryl Skinlife antimicrobial knit synthetic, the FXE has a welded center channel to aid in ventilation as well as pressure relief because, let’s face it, the last thing you want on a six hour ride is moisture and numbness in your crotch!
On top of the fabric and channels in the chamois, the FXE has two 3D mesh exhaust panels, one af the rear and one at the front. These vents run straight into the welded channels and funnel air in several different directions to maximize air flow. These things combined with four-way stretch side panels and intelligent deign features like the v-notch on the back side to add flexibility and still more air flow.
These RSE bib shorts marked my first ever endeavor into the world of shoulder supported cycling bottoms. The first thing that
caught my eye and more than that, caught the attention of touch was the chamois. This thing is lightweight but wonderfully firm and cushioned. In my experience some chamois’s (is that the proper plural?) aim to be comfortable by being super soft and cushy. The problem with that theory is that often the lack of firmness results in the collapse of any channels and contours. The firmness of the FXE keeps everything pleasantly padded and allows the contours to work as they were intended. My first impression of the mesh exhaust panels was that they were probably a gimmick that wouldn’t be able to work as advertised. I was wrong. The front mesh in particular allows for a good amount of air to get where you need air the most.
The front of the RSE has quite a high amount of rise that at first appears to be a bit much. I tend to be a massive fan of high-ish fronts on bibs. It really gives a nicely secure and well fitting feeling that makes for an even more worry free and comfortable ride. The flat-seamed, ten panel outer body of the RSE gives a wonderful amount of temperature regulation combined with the advantages of compression technology; all this combine into a wonderfully sleek looking and feeling bib tight.
Sugoi’s RSE bib shorts are perfect for lots of miles any time at all but truly excel in the heat. If you haven’t tried bibs of any kind yet, this is a great place to start. Yeah, they make bathroom breaks a bit tricky sometimes but they’re more than worth the trouble.
Leave a comment HERE to win a FREE bottle of Vidazorb!
Sally Meyerhoff killed in cycling accident
Black Diamond Sprinter headlamp
Kara Goucher declares, “I’m back”
2011 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon Women’s Odds
2011 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon Men’s Odds
2011 Boston Marathon adds a third wave to the start
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LEAVE A COMMENT HERE TO BE ENTERED TO WIN A FREE PAIR OF STUFFITTS!
Racers Against Childhood Cancer (RACC)
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Most of us know that a fulcrum is the pivot point of a lever. The point at which the fulcrum falls along the span of the lever changes the amount of effort needed to produce optimal power and transition to the opposite side of the span. Karhu, “Finland’s legendary” brand of running shoes uses the principle of a fulcrum to bring to market a lightweight and forward inclined running shoe in the Fast 2 Fulcrum Ride.
The Fast sits at the top end of Karhu’s neutral line and is built for runners who shun a bunch of stability and are just looking for a light, responsive shoe that reacts to the runner’s demands. With the Fast, Karhu has moved forward their usual Fulcrum point to a place just behind the metatarsal heads. This move aims to create a very rapid transfer from heel to toe for those runners who are either dyed in the wool heel strikers or proprioceptive heel strikers. It also removes posting that would otherwise be a hinderance to most forefoot or midfoot runners.
The body of the Fast is built with efficiency in mind and coming in a 10 ounces (283 grams), it does a reasonably good job of keeping down the weight. The upper of the shoe is built of a very open and flexible mesh. This mesh, aside from being almost completely seamless, comes in startlingly bright green or orange that will certainly keep you visible when out running on the road. The sole of the Fast is made from 53 durometer EVA which gives the shoe a reasonably firm feel. The fulcrum technology is made from a more rigid 77 durometer EVA which helps to give the Fast the quick forward propulsion that it aims for. A compression molded rubber outsole with blown rubber forefoot perimeter round out the Fast.
Ok, this shoe is BRIGHT! However, I have never been one to shy away from unabashedly out there shoe colors and I quite enjoy the look of the Fast. Almost immediately I was struck by the lack of seams on the upper. I am someone who likes my foot to feel free and un-messed-with in a shoe and the upper of the Fast is right up my alley. Regardless of the lack of seams and traditional support mechanisms in the upper it feels very well built and sturdy, and while running held up accordingly.
After stepping into the Fast for my initial “walk around” I immediately noticed the inclination to move forward very quickly, even when walking. I also immediately noticed the substantial “drop” on the shoe. For those who may be unfamiliar with the term “drop” as it relates to shoes, that is the term that defines the difference in height from the heel to the forefoot (metatarsals). For me, the less drop, the better – more on this later. The drop on the Fast is 14 mm (24.5 mm heel, 10.5 mm forefoot).
Running in the Fast with fulcrum technology in full effect is quite an interesting experience if you’re not ready for it. Now, I’m generally a forefoot/midfoot runner and as such I don’t spend much time if any on my heel. However, in the Fast I found myself landing very flatfooted due to the drop. Often a flatfooted landing would find a runner languishing in a doldrum of soft foam with little or no movement. In this shoe however, the fulcrum technology was right there encouraging my center of gravity to continue its move forward.
The firmness of the shoe was also quite good. I will say that it might have been the way that the softer EVA worked in conjunction with the more firm EVA in the fulcrum, but whatever the case, my use of natural running and preference of a firmer sole was met quite well. I seek a firmer sole in shoes because it allows my feet to be feet and to work with the ground rather than having something do it for me leaving my feet weak and useless.
My experience with the Fast has left me a bit conflicted. I think the fulcrum technology is a great feature in helping people who are stopping their motion in a heel strike by propelling them forward and off the heel as quickly as possible. My issue comes with the drop. I would love to see this shoe shave 10 mm or more off its drop and bring it closer to the way we are naturally (barefoot, we’re all at ZERO drop). I think in that instance the fulcrum would be allowed to rise to a new level and would cater even more to the neutral, need-for-speed crowd.
Overall I’ve enjoyed running in the Fast. Admittedly it did take me a bit to get over the drop but I am still intrigued my the fulcrum technology. If you’re in the market for a shoe that will move you forward and break some bad heel striking habits, this might just be the right shoe for you.
Click here to visit the Karhu website
Black RED – SRAM’s new color option for its top groupset
After the success of the Limited Tour Edition (LTE), SRAM RED will be available in a new color option: Black. With market trends focused on product customization, SRAM offers another choice to consumers and customers.
The Black RED groupset adds an elegant black finish (rear derailleur, front derailleur, and brakes), while the modern silver graphics are maintained. This new color option matches perfectly with all the framesets on the market.
The groupset includes shifters, rear and front derailleurs, brakes, cassette (same as LTE, w/11-28 option), crankset with black anodized rings, ceramic bottom bracket and chain.Features and benefits stay the same as the original SRAM RED, as it remains the world’s lightest gruppo, approaching 1800 grams in the BB30 version.
Look for several of SRAM’s top road and triathletes to be racing on Black RED…
Commercial availability March 2011.
Pricing – TBD
Probably one of the biggest complaints of people doing long training swims is good, old-fashioned boredom. I’ve heard more people than I can count wishing for music of some sort, be it from underwater speakers or from some sort of personal player. Some devices out there are essentially waterproof cases for your existing device (Ipod, etc.) but many of use are a bit hesitant to put our expensive, digital companions into water, no matter how impregnable the case claims to be. Other, stand-alone devices are built exclusively to go in the water and use a semi traditional ear bud that is meant to keep water out of your ear. However, often these can lead to water that sneaks by being held in the ear.
The SwiMP3 from FINIS is a personal, water-proof MP3 player that has gone to the next level in with its method of sound delivery. The SwiMP3 uses bone conduction technology rather than more traditional headphones or earbuds. This particular model, the 1G, holds 1 GB of music which equates to about 15 hours (or about 250 songs) worth, so for most of us this will be more than enough. It is compatible with MP3 as well as WMA music files and has an easy drag-n-drop operation and can also be used with Itunes. The SwiMP3 is mounted to your goggle straps with hydrodynamic clips that keep the business end of the SwiMP3 resting firmly against your cheekbones.
I readily admit that I am one of those people who cannot wait to get a new toy out of the box and working. That said, my patience for complicated things is sometimes more short-lived than I’d like. The first thing I wanted to do with the SwiMP3 is get some music on it and see in action what I’d heard about for a while. In all honesty, I expected the music transferring procedure to be complex and annoying, boy was I wrong. Anyone can download and view the instructions [LINK], or you can just follow mine:
That’s it. Really. I was amazed. I digress.
There are no extra parts, except the USB plug cap to the SwiMP3, just the unit itself so there are no more wires to add to your ever growing collection of clutter
(or maybe that’s just me). The USB plug, which takes care of the charging and data transferring is part of the SwiMP3 itself and stays out of the way when in use.
Once I had music on the SwiMP3 and I got a good charge on it (charging happens via USB) I fired it up. Now, I was out of the water at the time, but again, I lack patience when it comes to new toys. With the unit in place and the “speakers” in the right place on my cheekbones I hit play. Right away I was kind of taken aback at the odd feeling that I wasn’t so much hearing the music with my ears as I was hearing it from some oddly and pleasantly ethereal place. The controls on the SwiMP3 are minimalist and consist of a total of four buttons, so operation was simple and straight forward.
My first swim with the SwiMP3 was interesting. In all my years as a swimmer and out of all the miles I’ve logged, none have been with music pumping in my ear, much less my bones. It was a very cool feeling though I do admit that I found myself being lulled into an almost trance like state. While this may be a welcome change for some it was a bit distracting when it came to counting laps and paying attention to sets. With that being said, if I was doing laps with no specific count in mind, this would be perfect, but I was swimming with specific sets and intervals.
Now for the sound quality. I expected to just get the idea of a song as opposed to being able to actually hear everything. I was pleasantly surprised when every word, and phrase and even spoken word on some podcasts that I uploaded were clear and present the whole time. The one exception was only on some particularly aggressive push-off’s that managed to push the “speaker” unit away from my head for a split second.
The SwiMP3 is easy to use, light weight and allows swimmers that have a generally hard time with the boredom of long distance training, going back and forth in a pool an easy and pleasantly audible companion. Should you need it FINIS has a ton of support and how-to’s on their website though the SwiMP3 is so easy to use, if you ever visit the support page I’d be surprised. If you’re in the market for a reliable, in the pool method of entertainment, this is the way to go.
Click here to visit the FINIS website | Click here to buy on Amazon
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
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I got beat to this by a tiny bit by someone else, but I thought I’d share anyway! Here is the former Mrs. James, Sandra Bullock on a visit to the gym accompanied by her Newton Performance Racers (Distancia)!
The headline pretty much says it all! The Sir Isaac Guidance Trainer from the awesome folks at Newton Running has been named the Run Shoe of the Year by the UK’s Triathlon 220 Magazine!
The Sir Isaac Guidance Trainer is part of the transitional line up of shoes from Newton. For those looking to become more efficient runners and to move their stride to a more natural, midfoot/forefoot gait, this shoe will certainly get you there. Now, got get some!
Leave a comment HERE to be entered to win a FREE bottle of Vidazorb!
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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.
On a bike, I feel like we often neglect our hands until it’s too late. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself shaking my hands out to get some feeling back after having had it vibrated away by the roughness of the road, or just because my gloves were falling apart prematurely.
The Sugoi RS glove sits at the top of the heap in their fingerless cycling glove lineup. Encased in its synthetic leather palm is Sugoi’s V-Control foam, which spans across the entire area of pressure points. The palm contains vent holes that allow air to circulate to help keep sweat under control. The bonded terrycloth thumb gives the rider a quick and easy way to wipe away sweat and also allows for quick evaporation and drying. The RS Glove is also available in a full finger model
In my experience, all the gels and foams and anti-matter that is put in gloves doesn’t mean a thing if it’s placed wrong for the rider. The V-Control foam that Sugoi uses does a great job of vibration dampening, but that’s not what makes the biggest difference for me. What matters is where the padding is. Sugoi has put big, honking patches of V-Control on a large majority of the palm. All hands are different and one glove, even if sized exactly may or may not work for a particular athlete. With this design, I’ve found that my hands are always in ample contact with the padding that I need.
You might be wondering why there are picture in this review of a pair of beat-to-hell gloves; well, those are my own Sugoi RS gloves. The reason I wanted to show them is because they have been sweated on, slipped on, rained on, crashed in, tire changed in, indoor rode with and I’m pretty sure puked on for about a year now. I have never owned a pair of cycling gloves for that long. I could speculate as to the mileage on them, but I can’t begin to think about that, but at peak Ironman training time last summer, they were getting 300-400 miles a week on them. At this point they have tears and holes appearing in various places, but even as I write this, they’re hanging up to dry after last night’s trainer ride and waiting for more.
I know that I’ll have to part ways with my RS gloves pretty soon, but I’m very impressed with their construction and feel. They’ve taken me a very long way and I think they’d be a great choice for someone who likes to wear a glove that has the tools to be worn into the ground.
Gear news and reviews at GEARIST.COM!
Draft Legal age group racing in Florida
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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.
TriSports.com Phoenix Triathlon
Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island
Leave and episode HERE to win a FREE pair of Stuffitts!
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Bulk is rarely good. Sure, you have your insulated, puffy coats that are amazing at keeping you warm, but during many activities you don’t want something getting in your way and hindering your performance. People looking to keep their warmer weather workouts and activities going through the winter need friends in this department and Sugoi has aimed the Firewall 220 Zip squarely at this target.
Sugoi’s Firewall fabric is made from a three layer laminate with the outer surface being made of a high-gauge knit as opposed to being woven which tends to be what we find most often. This allows for a very supple and very quiet fabric that moves well with the wearer. Firewall 220 is also quite stretchy which further allows for a fitted feel, but allows for freedom of movement. The outer shell is also coated with a long wearing water repellent that beads and sheds water.
The middle layer of the 220 fabric is a monolithic film that is waterproof but breathable. The top two layers provide the warmth while the innermost layer provides a moisture dispersing, wicking layer that pulls moisture from the body and spreads it out through the fabric allowing for quicker evaporation.
The body of the Firewall 220 Zip features ergonomically shaped sleeves with 3M Scotchlite reflective bands. The sleeves do extend longer than one would expect to accommodate a cyclists extended arm position. The torso is athletically fit and has two outer zippered pockets. The zippers have a weather seal on them to keep out moisture from what would have otherwise been a chink in the armor. The full front zipper extends to a high, two inch neck.
When you go to Sugoi’s website, the Firewall 220 Zip is found under both the run and bike categories. When I tested this jacket, I did so on both the bike and while running to make sure that it belonged.
On the run, the 220 Zip came through with flying colors. There was enough room and give in the fabric to allow for plenty of layers when heading out into more extreme temperatures. Even with those layers (which, for the record, were also close fitting and flexible) the 220 Zip remained soft and didn’t hinder any movement. The wind-breaking prowess of this jacket came in to play on several cold runs, but none more so than one particular night when the outside temperature was 15° F with a windchill around -5° F (that’s about a 30 mph wind).
Heading directly into this wind and cold, my face, which was startlingly unprotected, protested but my body remained in a well balanced temperature stasis. The high, snug neck sealed out and air leaks from above and the zippers all held out the cold air from other openings. The sleeves which are longer than some might be used to stayed well out of the way with their snug fit as well. In fact, the sleeves extra fabric on the bottom served to cover the cuffs of my gloves and help to seal that hole as well.
On the bike, the slightly elongated tail of the Firwewall 220 Zip provided ample coverage. The sleeves extended a good amount and didn’t leave any errant wrist skin exposed to the wind and chill. Due to the windy nature of being on a bike, layers is the name of the game, but as I mentioned before, there was ample room and give to allow for plenty of layers.
The Firewall 220 Zip is a bit on the high end of the price range, but we have to look beyond that. The versatility, conscientious construction and well thought out features make this jacket a great, long-term value. This will last far more than one season and will hold up to just about any weather you can throw at it.
Click here to visit the Sugoi website | Click here to buy on Amazon
Getting in a run off road in the winter can be challenging at best. Not only is there the often frustration inducing cold, but that is quite often followed closely by the ever present specter of snow. In my past winter run that were forced to snow covered paths and trails, I had to face the fact that if I insisted on being a “road less traveled” type of guy, I would be dealing with debris in my shoes as well as damp (sometimes even wet) socks at the end of my run.
La Sportiva, a long time leader and pioneer in mountain running, has addressed the threat of cold and moisture with the Crossover GTX. Sporting a built in gaiter that is completely integrated into the bod of the shoe, the Crossover is built for running not only in snow, but also in sand and pebble strewn trails. The gaiter which, along with the entirety of the upper is made of the waterproof standard bearer, Gore-Tex, is built with an asymmetrical zipper that runs diagonally from the medial side of the shoe to the top of the gaiter on the lateral side. The cap at the top of the gaiter is capped by a velcro flap to keep the zipper tamed and an elastic cinch that is easily tightened or loosened according to your needs or preference.
The Crossover is in actuality, La Sportiva’s Crosslite, which is a past winner of Outside Magazine’s Gear of the Year. Of course, when you go adding things to shoes you inevitably add weight. The Crosslite comes in at 10.97 ounces (311 g), while the Crossover GTX, with it’s Gore-Tex upper and gaiter and zipper and cinch, comes in at 12.73 ounces (361 g), which is saying something. The sole of the shoe is made from La Sportiva’s sticky, FriXion AT rubber which is combined with its Impact Brake System to give a ton of traction in all sorts of ground surfaces. The heel rise of the Crossover is 26 mm with a toe rise of 16 mm, which is a bit much but is honestly not very noticeable upon putting on the shoe. The laces of are covered by the gaiter which serves to not only keep them from getting snagged on anything but also keeps them held firmly in place which keeps them from untying.
I got the Crossover at an ideal time of year to put them through some pretty hardcore paces, just before winter really set in in the Northeast. While I had worn
them on a couple of other runs, their first true test came on the day after the now infamous day-after-Christmas blizzard (2010). Here in NYC we got a pretty substantial 24 inches of snow, which was accompanied by a nice breeze in the neighborhood of 60 miles an hour. All this made for a baseline snow of 24 inches with drifts in upward of 5 feet in some parts of Inwood Hill Park, which was where I’d be taking the Crossover on and of the beaten path (not that there were any paths visible).
For this particular run I tucked the cuff of my tights under the top of the gaiter and tightened the cinch down pretty snugly so as to make sure no snow would be getting through the top. The shoe itself fits comfortably and feels quite light contrary to it’s semi-hulkish look. What’s surprising about the gaiter and the upper is just how soft and flexible it is; it’s not at all stiff, nor does it hinder you in any way that I could tell when running. So, strapped in and bundled up I headed out the door and into the drifting snow to see how the Crossover would hold up to a challenge.
From the beginning I never once felt and inkling of cold getting through the body of the shoe. My feet stayed completely comfortable, even when taking a break to sneak some pictures of while standing in knee-deep snow. I’m not talking about super icy and dense East coast snow either, I’m talking about very fine powder that was capable of getting into the smallest crevice while just dense enough packing up the treads of your shoes. Not one time during or after my run, which lasted for a total of about an hour and a half did I feel any snow or moisture breaking through the barrier that the Crossover was putting up. Traction held firm on both inclines and declines, on and off trail. The sole of the shoe is also very flexible and moves well with the foot. There’s no fighting the shoe for solid purchase since it just does what you want it to do rather than the other way around.
As opposed to water resistant shoes, the Gore-Tex upper on the Crossover GTX is waterPROOF, thus keeping out all comers. However, if there are any deep puddles, streams or basically higher than the gaiter water hazards, the gaiter cuff itself will let in water. Of course, if you want something to run through creeks and the like, I suggest looking for a pair of running waders. While there is no option to remove the gaiter, keep in mind that the fact that the gaiter is completely integrated into the shoe makes for a more secure barrier to intrusion. And, if you want the same feel without a gaiter, you can always grab the Crosslite.
While these are an awesome winter, snow running shoe, I must admit that I’m kind of eager to try them in some sandy running (a la Marathon des Sables) to see how the do with keeping up with the onslaught of super fine particulate. The Gore-Tex upper, which excels at keeping out moisture, makes me wonder how breathable they are in a warmer, more humid environment, but we’ll have to wait for Summer for that.
The Crossover GTX should be a given with anyone who likes to get down and dirty (or down and snowy as the case may be). Snowshoeing, snow running, mud running and the like, this shoe can keep up.
Click here to visit the La Sportiva website | Click here to buy on Amazon
Floyd Landis wants to legalize doping(?)
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Minimalist running is steadily becoming one of the most popular trends among runners. Many runners praise the strengthening and toning benefits associated with minimalist running, but caution that this approach should be accompanied by proper conditioning to prevent unnecessary injuries. For this, we introduce Nada.
Made by Somnio, Nada is an ultra-lightweight, 3.5 ounce shoe packaged in a minimalist running starter kit designed to increase foot strength, improve posture an alignment, increase running efficiency and reduce injury.
Phil Wharton, world-renowned musculoskeletal therapist and stretching guru, developed a training DVD to help runners transition safely and pain-free into minimalist running. Each 3.5 ounce pair of Nadas comes packaged with Wharton’s training DVD and a backpack in a minimalist running starter kit.
The Nada shoe retails for $80 and is ideal for runners, yoga practitioners, walkers and anyone wanting a casual shoe that feels like they are wearing “nothing”. Nada shoes feature an ultra-thin six millimeter midsole to protect the foot, breathable stretch mesh to move with the foot and to accommodate a wide variety of foot shapes, zero heel to midsole drop for a natural foot position and heel and forefoot roadblock rubber.
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!
Who: This contest is open to anyone and everyone in the U.S. and Canada (also APO)! Tell your friends!
What: Stuffitts! I have spoken about these simple yet awesome shoe savers in the past. Click here to read more about them. I cannot say enough how great they are!
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!
Good luck!
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