One foot in front of the other.
In the spirit of the Olympics, and to make up for the fact that the United States laid the smack down on our good friends to the North AND because they have some simply amazing gear, I think you guys should check out this Canadian themed gear from Sugoi!
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Date: 2/12/09
Consecutive Days Run: 43
Runner: Brandon Wood
Shoes: Newton AW Trainers
Location: New York, NY
Type of Run: Quickie
Time of Day: 6:28 PM EST
Distance Run: 2.01 miles
Time Run: 00:16:39
Average Pace: 8:17 per mile
Weather Conditions: Cold (34 degrees Fahrenheit), Windy, Sunny
Disposition: Good
Link to Run Detail: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/24538745
About the Run: If you are reading this thinking I have some super secret coverage of the Vancouver Olympics, I am sorry to disappoint. Rather, this is my own tail of clumsiness and the generous outpouring of not-giving-a-crap by the wonderful people from the New York City Sanitation Department.
I headed out this evening, planning on getting in a nice easy run and then coming in to settle down and watch the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I expected to see plenty of snow and ice on sidewalks as we live in a neighborhood that is not quite as busy as Times Square and thus, probably falls a bit lower on the list of priorities.
I didn’t run into anything significant until about the .5 mile mark. As luck would have it, this is also the point in my usual route where I hit the first of a few hills. I shortened my stride and made sure to stay safely on my forefoot, as always, and ran across everything from loose snow to snow that had become compact and turned to sheets of ice…without a problem.
As I came down the hill on Staff St. (see details link above) and went to turn right on Dyckman St. my right foot went out from under me. I fell hard on my right knee and onto my shoulder, rolling into the street. As I pulled myself together and began to stand, I noticed an SUV from the Department of Sanitation parked about thirty yards away from me, with two men inside. I cannot say whether or not they saw me fall or if they even saw me picking myself up, regardless, nothing was said. I then turned to see, only about fifteen yards away from me, a large bulldozer that was being used to move snow, lights on and pointed directly at me, idling, with someone at the wheel. Again, not one word of, “Are you ok?”.
I looked down at my leg to see that the right knee of some of my favorite tights, my Sugoi Firewall 220’s, had been torn wide open. My knee underneath didn’t look much better. I could already see it becoming slick with blood. I stood for a couple of minutes, realizing that I was FAR more upset about my tights than about my knee, and then I headed home with my tights torn, my ego bruised and a confirmed sense of loathing toward any and all New York City agencies, especially those with powerful and abusive unions.
La Sportiva N.A., makers of technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking footwear, announces its Mountain Running® team roster and associate sponsors for 2010.
“Supporting the La Sportiva Mountain Running® team is one of many ways in which we aim to improve the vitality of the sport,” says Laura Fryer, La Sportiva’s Marketing Manager. “Ever since our Mountain Running® team’s inception in 2003, our goal has been to provide a network of support to regional race directors, volunteers, talented athletes and quality races throughout North America. We are very grateful for the assistance that our associate sponsors will be providing in 2010, as this mission would be impossible without their help.” La Sportiva’s running team roster includes over 25 athletes from around North America and includes such ultrarunning notables as Karl Meltzer, Luke Nelson, Leor Pantilat as well as the 2009 La Sportiva Mountain Cup Champions Matthew Byrne and Megan Kimmel. New additions to the La Sportiva team for 2010 include Andy Jones-Wilkins of Ketchum, Idaho, Nathan Yanko of San Francisco, CA, Ellen Parker of Seattle, WA, and Natalie Simms of Chattanooga, TN.
Associate sponsors for the 2010 La Sportiva Mountain Running® team are Greenlayer Sports and First Endurance with support from Ultimate Direction and Petzl. Additional sponsors include Julbo, Headsweats and DeFeet.
Melissa O’Kelley, Greenlayer Sports Marketing Director, states “Sponsoring the La Sportiva Mountain Running® team is a perfect fit for us, not only because of the high caliber of athletes on their team, but also because of pro-environmental philosophies that exist between our brands and the loyal following of active enthusiasts we both share. We hope that our inaugural partnership with La Sportiva will raise awareness about the environment and help shape a better world where we all live and run, locally and globally.” Greenlayer will serve as the official apparel sponsor of the La Sportiva team.
“At Ultimate Direction, we sponsor only the most passionate running teams and dedicated athletes. La Sportiva’s team roster for 2010 includes some of the best endurance athletes in the world,” states Sue Edmiston, Ultimate Direction’s Marketing Manager. “Water is an essential element for peak training, racing and performance. With our innovative array of hydration products we plan to keep Team Sportiva running fast in 2010.”
Go to http://mountainrunning.com for a complete list of the 2010 La Sportiva Mountain Running® team roster, associate sponsors and calendar of racing events.
Huntington Beach, Calif. – January 29, 2010 – TYR continues to expand its elite roster of world-class athletes with the signing of triathlon “King of Swim” John Flanagan. The Hawaii native competed in the company’s Sayonara swimskin when leading out of the water at the 2009 Ironman World Championships. He will continue to race in TYR’s line of swimskins, apparel, and accessories, as well as the newest addition to the Triathlon line, the Hurricane wetsuit.
“All of us at TYR are thrilled to have John Flanagan as one of our flagship athletes,” said TYR Triathlon Sales and Promotions Director Ryan Dolan. “John has been a long time member of the TYR family. He coaches TYR teams and has represented the company in national and international open water swimming events. We look forward to him racing in our new premier wetsuit, the Hurricane.”
Flanagan proved his swimming strength at many national and international triathlon races in the past year. In addition to his 47:42 split at the world championships during the 2.4-mile swim leg, he set the swim course record at the 2009 Ironman Louisville race, averaging roughly 1:10 per 100 meters to clock in at 44:45. His success is rooted in over a decade of competitive swimming including a 2001 national title, an NCAA team title for Auburn University’s Men’s Swimming and Diving team, and four years as a Team USA swim member.
“I use TYR products everyday for either training or racing,” said Flanagan. “The Sayonara swimskin is the fastest suit I have ever swam in and helps me get out to a good start in my races. I also look forward to competing in cold water races this year so I can use the new Hurricane wetsuit!”
Flanagan joins the world’s greatest triathletes on Team TYR including Chrissie Wellington, Andy Potts, Sarah Haskins, and Julie Dibens.
“TYR is committed to the success of it’s athletes, and I want to continue to be a part of it,” Flanagan concluded.
Date: 1/29/09
Consecutive Days Run: 29
Runner: Brandon Wood
Shoes: Newton AW Trainers
Location: New York, NY
Type of Run: Quick, short
Time of Day: 7:19 PM EST
Distance Run: 2.18 miles
Time Run: 00:15:52
Average Pace: 7:17 per mile
Weather Conditions: Cold (24 degrees Fahrenheit), Windy
Disposition: Good
Link to Run Detail: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/23497693
About the Run: Today, I ended up leaving work early due to the fact that I was simply exhausted. I’m not sure why, but I think it has something to do with the cumulative busy-ness of the week. So, I came home, had some lunch and proceeded to take a two hour nap. It was awesome! I usually try to avoid naps due to the fact that they often prevent me from sleeping later that night, but this one was SO needed!
My run tonight was a good one, save for one little issue. As I was on my way back home, I was running up what is a nice little hill that I hit almost every day. Ahead of me on the hill was a couple walking their dog and as I approached (I’d like to add that I was wearing my Black Diamond Sprinter headlamp which is VERY bright, so I was quite visible) the dog got a bit tangled around them and they were laughing and stumbling a bit and almost right into me. So, as I came upon them, and was almost run into, I said, in a completely friendly tone, “heads up!”.
After passing them the guy in the couple said something along the lines of, “Sorry, $#@, I don’t want to slow you down.” purposefully loud enough for my to hear him. So, I stopped and said to him, “No, you don’t” and I turned and began to run again. As I did, this guy AGAIN, made some unnecessary remark to which said, “look, we could sit here and trade smart remarks all night, but I’m just trying to run, you don’t have to be rude”. As I turned around and headed off this person once again decided to open his mouth and say, “You have to have the last word, don’t you?!”. I said nothing and kept going.
So, dear sir, should you see me again running along, please say something again so I know who you are and I will take the time to spend the rest of my run following you running in place behind you not saying a word.
Other than that, my run felt great! It is really cold outside and even the inside of my nose hurt from breathing in the super cold air. I must say, in an absolutely shameless plug, that my Sugoi Firewall 220 tights were so fantastic on this run! This weekend is going to be pretty cold in general, so I’m sure this won’t be the last time I mention it! I am very excited though, to be doing some trail running in the Bronx in Van Cortland Park on Sunday, so if you want to come along, let me know!
Date: 1/28/09
Consecutive Days Run: 28
Runner: Brandon Wood
Shoes: Newton AW Trainers
Location: New York, NY
Type of Run: Recovery run
Time of Day: 6:10 PM EST
Distance Run: 2.04 miles
Time Run: 00:15:40
Average Pace: 7:41 per mile
Weather Conditions: Cold (28 degrees Fahrenheit)
Disposition: Good, Tired
Link to Run Detail: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/23438720
About the Run: After a big race, I find that my legs go through stages of recovery. I also find that these stages come with varying degrees of speed and discomfort. I know that many reading this are probably going, “Duh.” and that’s to be expected. Doing this streak, however, give me a unique perspective on how my legs progress through the many different stages of repair.
Tonight’s run was apparently the part of my personal recovery process whereupon I begin to get speed back into my legs. Usually, immediately following a race, I can go out and run a what seems like an inordinately fast pace. For instance, the day right after the Manhattan Half-Marathon, while my run was short, it was done at a relatively blazing fast 7:39 per mile. The next two days, my pace fell to 7:51 and 8:41 respectively. Today, however, I went out feeling lighter and faster than I have since the race! I can’t wait to begin to tack some distance onto my speed!
As I headed out this evening, an Arctic cold front had already begun to make its way into the NYC area. This morning we had quite a bit of snow and I was honestly looking forward to getting out and running in some of the falling white stuff this evening. Unfortunately, the snow stopped and all we were left with was cold and an accompanying wind. The wind was such that coming up to my one mile point, I was blown back a bit and at the same time, chilled to the bone. It really didn’t help that the tights I was wearing were NOT thermal as my CW-X Insulators as well as my amazing Sugoi Firewall 220’s were in the laundry!
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to get a close up look at this stuff and it is simply amazing. So versatile and flexible and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!
The “Run Don’t Walk” line of gear from Cloudveil is not only for the athlete who is based in the high reaches of the company’s home base of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Nor is it some utilitarian line of unattractive gear that works well, but looks awful.
When I got my hands on the Run Don’t Walk vest, I had never run in a vest before and didn’t quite know what to make of it. As it happens though, it really fits my M.O. very well because my arms and hand tend to get extremely warm when I’m running, even when it’s very cold out.
The first time I went to run in this vest, I think it was about 25 degrees outside, if I recall correctly. the first thing that struck me was the weight of the vest, which is to say the LACK of weight. Coming in at a ridiculously minuscule 7 ounces, I honestly couldn’t believe how light it was in my hands! This lightness carried over to 
the feel once I put it on also.The odd thing is, the thickness of the fabric by Polartec belies the weight but gives a comforting prelude to the protection that the garment provides.
Being that I am a singer and am somewhat obsessive about my throat/neck being covered, the high neck on this vest was really perfect in height. It cam right up to my chin, keeping my entire neck warm but never falling onto my skin enough to offer any kind of chaffing or annoyance.
I can honestly say that I was and remain taken completely aback at the performance and warmth of this vest! While it is still cold outside here in the Northeast, and with an arctic front bearing down on us for this coming weekend, I am looking forward to revisiting this review when things begin to turn toward the spring to see just how versatile this thing is!
Beast of Burden Winter 100 Miler
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Racers Against Childhood Cancer
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Racers Against Childhood Cancer
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For the past week or so, much of the United States has been in a deep freeze. Even places that are not accustomed to cold temperatures are feeling the bite. Here in New York, it’s been pretty bad, and it has been especially cold by the time I do my daily run. This requires a good bit of gearing up to keep from freezing to death. So, partly inspired by Ari’s post on his winter gear, and partly inspired by the fact that it takes me about ten minutes to get dressed, I thought I’d list my favorite winter running gear.
Under Armour HeatGear Sleeveless T (compression layer to prevent chaffing)
Zensah Seamless Long Sleeve Compression Shirt
Lower Body Layers:
CW-X Insulator Stabilyx Tights
Nike Lightweight Running Gloves
SmartWool PhD Running Ultra Light Mini with WOW
Head:
I also wear a hat which is an off brand
(Pictures to follow)
So, what do you wear when it’s SUPER cold out?
Thanks so much for visiting my site! My name is Brandon Wood and I am an opera singer living and trying to make it in New York City. 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!
