One foot in front of the other.
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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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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]
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!
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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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
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!
Happy Monday and happy Valentine’s day! Today is the beginning of a very interesting period in my life and I thought I’d take a minute to share some thoughts on where it began this morning and where it may be headed. It does have something to do with running, triathlon and the like so, read on!
Achilles
A few weeks back I mentioned that while out on a run on a day with a lot of ice on the ground I
over-extended my trailing leg and “tweaked” my achilles. Since then I’ve had to kind of knock back the intensity of some of my runs and, to be completely honest, I’ve not run 100% pain free since. I’m not sure that I’d call this a true injury per se, but rather a small stumbling block.
I had a run last Friday where I was feeling my oats a little bit and so I took it out quicker than I have been. I wasn’t in pain while running, but I was aware of the tweak. After my run (about 8.5 miles at about 7:00/mile), as soon as I stopped at the front door of my building and began walking in the hallway, my achilles lit up. P-A-I-N. It seemed that the pain came not really when I put pressure on it but rather when I took it off.
I stretched immediately but couldn’t take too much time since I still had to get to work (yes, I managed to make it out for a pre-dawn run). Throughout the day I forced myself to alter my walking gait so as to avoid any pain. I guess I looked like I was limping a bit but it was a self imposed limp rather than my body NEEDING to limp, so that has to be something.
On Saturday morning I headed out the door for a 2.5 hour brick workout. I had spoken to Coach Jeff the night before and he told me to just do the ride and to forget about the run. So my ride, which was scheduled to be 1.5 hours got upped to 2.5 hours. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to ride outside so this was a welcome change from the monotony of the indoor trainer. Upon getting on the bike my achilles, which had been largely immobilized and set in ice for most of the previous day, was feeling quite tight and sore. I made and effort to gently stretch it out when I could and after about 30 minutes of riding it loosened up and even let me ride some large-ish hills harder than I thought I’d be able to.
When not chasing my daughter and packing/cleaning, the rest of the day was spent, leg elevated and on ice. Sunday’s run was also canceled and we’re now in some odd stasis waiting to see how I feel this week. I don’t have a run scheduled until Wednesday and then I hope my patience and wisdom don’t lose out to ego and pigheadedness. There’s no point in sacrificing an entire season for a few missed runs.
As an aside, and not to go down the technical road; when I was home and able to, I spent the ENTIRE weekend in just socks. I even walked my dogs in just socks on Saturday night. When I was barefoot, I hardly felt anything at all. Today I decided to wear a pair of Newton Gravitas‘ to work since they’re effectively flat and thus far, I’m doing well.
The Subway
I got on the subway this morning (the ever so pleasant downtown 1 train) at my usual stop. The train was not very crowded and I easily got a seat at the end of a row. I tend to go for those seats since that means that I’ll only have one person squeezing in beside me rather than two. The train went from my stop (215th St.) to about 110th St. without incident, or even that much of a crowd. At 110th St. a bunch of people got on the train including one of those people who like to stand IN the doorway and block the door for those trying to get on and off the train even though there is plenty of room to stand elsewhere.
It was this door-standing, super classy individual that started my day off on the wrong foot. This guys elbow was just about level with my ear. Since he was holding onto the rail attached to the seat I was sitting in, this is not out of the ordinary and no big deal. However, as the doors would open, he would lean basically into my seat (yes, I’m aware of the sometimes overstated “American bubble” that we prefer and are spoiled with. That said, I’ve been on a subway in Japan at rush hour and I know what “close” really is). Each time he did this he was coming about 9 inches across where he needed to be and he would push, not very hard but just inconsiderately so, his arm into my head. He did not say, “I’m sorry” or even acknowledge this annoying and obvious invasion of my space.
Now, had this been simply an invasion of my “space” and not an actual instance of me being touched repeatedly in the head by some stranger, I would not really have a problem with it. At about 72nd St. there was a rather aggressive push of my head with this guy’s elbow. So, I put my hand on my head, in between my head and his arm and gently moved his arm away and said, “Excuse me, your arm keeps hitting my head.” I didn’t say this loudly of in any kind of a rude tone. The rest of the conversation went like this:
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: I’m sorry?
Douchey McA-hole: I said, don’t touch me again.
Me: I’m sorry but you’ve been hitting me in the head with your arm for the last forty blocks.
Douchey McA-hole: I’m just trying to let people on and off the train.
Me: Well, you could go stand somewhere where you won’t have to do that and hit me in the head.
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: If you don’t touch me again then we won’t have a problem.
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: Or what?
Douchey McA-hole: *silence*
He got off the train at 59th St. (Columbus Circle) without further incident. I don’t like confrontation, but when I’m put in that situation, with someone literally standing over me (since he was standing and I was sitting) my hackles rise very quickly. However, I did maintain a calm demeanor which was bolstered by the very nice woman next to me who was encouraging me to ignore him since he was clearly “that kind of person”. I just don’t get it. Why do people have to be like that? I was tempted to stand up and just stare at the guy since I had about 20 pounds and 3 inches on him, but I figured that would only serve to exacerbate an already tense situation.
So, Douchey McA-hole, have a happy Monday and I’m not hoping at all that you get dropped like a sack of potatoes by someone with less patience than I have.
Looking forward
Danielle and I are going to Milwaukee this week to sing Mozart’s Così fan tutte with Skylight Opera. Being there will be a nice break from living in New York for a while, though I must admit that I doubt it will instill in me the affection that some feel for this town.
While there I hope to take Gearist TV on tours of SRAM, Saris and Trek Bikes. Gearist is doing well and is further expanding passions of mine that have been emerging for a while. Upon returning from Milwaukee, we will be looking to the future. Our lease is up in October and we are moving. We don’t know where just yet but to us, anywhere is better than here.
The spring and summer will be spent training hard and racing. The biggest race of the season of course, is Ironman Canada. I’m still toying with the idea of doing a 24 hour live podcast to help raise money for Athletes for a Cure (PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE!!). If I do do a live 24 hours show I am certainly going to need people to call in and stop by to keep me awake!
I’ll be touching more on the reasons and desires of our move in the coming months as well as the direction we’re moving in. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Last week, the folks at Competitor posted the below video from The Running Event in Austin this past December. In it, Newton Running’s co-founder Danny Abshire shows off the much anticipated zero-drop racing flat from Newton, the MV2.
After seeing the video and having a bit of inside info of my own I contacted some spies who told me the following:
…please note that the MV2 as it appears in the video is no longer accurate. The actual MV2 will look quite different from the one presented at the Austin Running Event last December.
That said, the MV2 in it’s earlier iteration is in house at Newton’s “Running Lab” in Boulder, Colorado. Another reader/spy sent me some pictures of the shoes that will be going out to wear testers as early as this week.
For now, the details that I know are that the shoe is in fact a zero-drop shoe (no height difference form heel to forefoot) and comes in at 5.5 ounces. Also, contrary to the video and to what Competitor first reported, the MV2 will not be out until sometime in Fall 2011. I will be certain to keep everyone up on new developments on what is sure to be a great shoe and one that already has die hard Newton fans drooling.
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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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.
I consider myself a “natural runner”. For me, this means that I run with a more natural gait with my feet landing directly under my center of gravity at the peak load point of my stride. This also means that I land on my midfoot, the way all of us run when we’re barefoot. To facilitate this technique I seek out running shoes that have as little “drop” as possible. “Drop” is the term used to describe the difference in height between the heel and the metatarsals. When we’re barefoot, the drop is zero but since the modern running shoe era began, running shoes have become increasingly overbuilt with massive drops that throw our bodies completely out of balance.
The current move toward natural running has found many shoe companies catering to the ever increasing demands for less shoe from their customers. With the Kinvara, Saucony has stepped up to the plate in a big way.
To start, and I am well aware that this is not exactly what hardcore runners care about necessarily, let’s talk about looks. This shoe looks fast. Admittedly, I have been swayed to put on a shoe or two in my time because of the way it looks and the Kinvara is right up there. The sleek lines combined with intelligently minimal fabrics and mesh (more on this later) come together in a shoe that has taken away a lot of the unnecessary garbage found on a many running shoes and replaced it with very minimal design elements which hold close to the hallmarks of the Kinvara as a whole.
Most probably the first thing that one notices after its rockstar looks (it’s certainly what I noticed) is the extreme light weight of the Kinvara, which tips the scales at 7.7 ounces. The upper is made of a mesh that is quite open in a sort of rounded honeycomb look. The first layer of mesh is covered by a more tightly woven, yet still über-breathable fabric that keeps out any grit and grime from the road. The stabilizing banding for this shoe is one that I find quite appealing and complimentary to the overall comfort of the upper. The bands are in between the layers of mesh which allows the inner, softer mesh the ability to cradle the foot while the outer mesh braces the banding against the inner thus preventing any loss in stability.
The midsole of the Kinvara is made from a combination of their EVA+ which is a balance of EVA foams. This is a big part of the shoe’s light weight. The heel of the midsole is made from Saucony’s ProGrid LITE which is the lightest version of their ProGrid material meant to cushion any heel strike and make for an easy transition. That transition comes with an rather small drop of 4 mm (18 mm rise in the heel, 14 mm rise in the forefoot).
The outsole is made up of a grouping of carbon rubber triangles that provide the durable element of the shoe. These triangles are found from the midfoot
forward on the middle three-fifths of the shoe. What I (and others) find puzzling about the choice of placement of these triangles is that it doesn’t coincide with the move toward natural running that the Kinvara caters to. The reason that I find this puzzling is that many, if not most natural runners land on the lateral (outside) side of the foot and roll medially (toward the big toe). For hard-core, dedicated gluttons for punishment aka heel-strikers, the lateral heel has plenty of the high carbon rubber, but for a shoe that has a 4 mm drop (18 mm heel, 14 mm forefoot), the tendency of most runners will be to move to a more natural gait without thinking. The late stage pronation that I mentioned many natural runners having above will see them landing on the unprotected portion of the shoe, and landing on the not so durable midsole EVA.
My first impression upon putting on the Kinvara was that it truly does have a very comfortable, minimal, almost slipper-like feel. The EVA+ midsole is soft and offers a lot of cushioning which I can understand many people looking for in a shoe, but personally I find it slightly antithetical to the precepts of natural running. True natural running seeks to get as close to barefoot technique as possible (*purists will say that nothing but barefoot gets close enough, so look for a review of my feet coming soon). When barefoot, we’re not running on super soft surfaces. Even on a soft grass field the ground under the grass is still firm and doesn’t move away from you as you run. So, for my taste, the midsole is a bit too soft. I didn’t have too much of a problem with this up to about 10 miles, but beyond that, I felt that I was having to work a bit to overcome the cushion.
When my foot lands it does so on the lateral side, but there is little, if any rubbing on the ground. This has allowed for not too much wear of the perimeter of unprotected midsole EVA that surrounds the carbon-rubber outsole. I can see where runners who are perhaps, less efficient, or have more late stage motion in their stride winding up with a durability issue. That said, I think someone who is working to make their stride more “natural” could use the opportunity of being able to see their wear pattern distinctly as a wonderful learning tool.
The Saucony Kinvara is a great shoe in the movement of more and more brands aiming for a “less is more” approach to running shoes. This shoe is one of many that Saucony has on the table that are all moving toward letting feet act as feet rather than trying to have an overbuilt shoe with a ton of “stability” trying to force the action of our strides.
Check out more of Baker’s writings at Beyond Defeat
This summer I agreed to go attend a “Natural Running” Clinic with one of the founder’s of Newton Running, Danny Abshire. We met in Central Park after work and after a brief introduction by Danny, twenty runners were lead up to a remote part of the park to conduct the clinic.
We went over form, concepts and ran drills, while Danny and his associates critiqued us. I learned a lot that day and had a blast. Was it a sales pitch for his running shoes? Not really, but he had piqued my interest.
I had been running all season in racing flats, even marathons, and they were toast! With 3 weeks to go before the NYC Marathon I broke all rules and bought my first pair of Newtons, planning on wearing them for the race. I choose to get the Distancia racers.
My first run in them was 5 miles, followed by a 12 miler. Newtons don’t really force, but rather, strongly encourage you to run on your midsole and front part of the foot they way they are constructed (Natural Running…) so some people have issues adapting to them. I had no problems and it’s as if they instantly became one with my foot. I’m also kind of an attention hound, so the fact that they were bright neon green excited me as well.
With maybe 20 miles in the shoes I ran the New York City Marathon (November) and PR’d by 13 minutes since the NJ Marathon (May).
During the race I had no foot pain at all! Of course, towards miles 18-26 pain in some form is inevitable, but it wasn’t due to poor shoes. They were also preventing me from heel striking.
Since then, my mom who is new to running purchased them and cant stop talking about how fluid they are. Together we ran the Disney Half Marathon in our
2011 Newton Running Distance Racer (Distancia)
matching Newtons. She finished strong and her form was amazing!
The following day I ran Disney’s full Marathon and broke 3 hours, another PR by 3 minutes! No foot pain what so ever! In fact, I think they help your form especially when you get weak and tired.
*A note about getting started with Newtons; take your time! Every runner is different and starting to run with natural form may be calling on muscles that aren’t used to working very much, so take it easy and listen to your body! (Adapting to Newtons and Natural Running)
In conclusion, I would recommend these shoes to anyone interested in improving their form. It’s such an important part of running that many overlook. Please remember that it may take a week or two of adjusting, but after that it’s smooth sailing!
I’m not saying that these shoes helped me improve my times, but I do think they were a factor.
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Great review of the Saucony Peregrine from Till. Check out more of the scoop from Europe at tridudes.com
Some good gear for cold weather running on the Today Show this morning. Take a look at what shows up at about the 2 minute mark!
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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Newton Terra Momentus (Men's)
The natural running revolution has been gaining a huge head of steam over the past couple of years. The funny thing is, people are treating this way of running as though it’s something new. It’s not. In fact, as long as feet have been around, so has natural running. Over the past 13 years or so, Danny Abshire, Newton’s co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, has used his passion for running smart and healthy to be at the forefront of the move back to the way things should be. Along with co-founder Jerry Lee, Danny has taken the logical principles of Sir Isaac Newton and applied them to the way we run.
The Terra Momentus marks Newtons first foray into the world of trail shoes. The Terra is built on the same basic chassis as the Sir Isaac model. Thus, it is a transitional shoe that can be run in by those well versed in natural (also known as forefoot/midfoot) running as well as those who are in the process of transitioning to the technique. As is dictated by the definition of natural running the Terra Momentus has a minimal heel-toe drop of around 3%, making it effectively flat. To give a little more insight into why that is important, think about the heel-toe drop of your bare foot on a flat surface. The drop in that case is zero. Since the Terra (which actually has the most drop among the Newton models which range go as low as 1.3% and an upcoming MV2 model with zero drop) is effectively flat, it is closer to running in bare feet, i.e. natural.
Having run in every other model of Newtons available, including the Sir Isaac, I feel that I had a great barometer for running in the Terra Momentus. This
Newton Terra Momentus (Women's)
shoe comes in as the heavyweight in the Newton lineup at 11.2 ounces (per pair, men’s size 9). That fact did not go entirely unnoticed, but I don’t feel that it affected their performance, or mine, in any way. Perhaps the biggest difference for me between this and the performance trainer series is the beveled leading edge of the actuator lugs under the forefoot.
Before I go any further I’ll take a very brief second to explain the lugs. These raised rubber ridges act just as the metatarsal heads in your foot do. They operate independent from one another, compressing a rubber membrane that reduces impact shock by some 44%. The then return that stored energy like a loaded spring reducing fatigue, allowing for greater mobility and less injury.
Back to the beveled lugs; on the performance series, both trainers and racers, the lugs are very square. Ideally, this is because the performance series are set up to be run in with a very natural, “land-lever-lift” technique whereupon the foot lands on the ground squarely atop the lugs, the body and leg lever forward over the lugs and then the foot lifts cleanly away from the ground. In the Guidance trainers, Terra Momentus and Sir Isaac, the beveled lugs gently suggest normal roll forward of the foot to enhance the “lever” action. Even though I primarily run in the performance series I haven’t had a single problem with the Terra Momentus. In fact, the beveled lugs are a welcome departure sometimes that reinforces good natural technique.
Newton Gravitas Lugs
Newton Terra Momentus Lugs
The body of the shoe itself allows for plenty of room throughout the upper. This allows for freedom of movement on trails without being overly constricting. While there is ample room inside the shoe, that isn’t to say that the fit is loose or out of control. The banding (the dark green stripes on the outside of the shoe) gave me a ton of support exactly where I wanted it. Each of the bands tops coincides with a contact point for a shoelace. This allows for clear customization of the laces if you’re like me and like to lace your shoes tighter in one spot and more loosely in another.
The sole of the shoe is a bit harder than that on any of Newtons other models offering it a bit more in the way of durability and traction on rough terrain. True to the Newton theory, you definitely feel the ground under your feet but not in a remotely damaging way. Landing on your forefoot/midfoot gives a ton of stability already and the balanced base of the Terra Momentus compliments the balance wonderfully.
The Terra Momentus is billed as a trail shoe, but I think that is misleading. This shoe handles just as well on roads as it does on dirt, rocks and gravel. In fact, using it on a road surface isn’t calling upon all of it’s offerings so why would it be anything but great there? The upper of the the shoe is a very breathable yet closed fabric which is a departure from the majority of Newtons other shoes which are largely a very open mesh. This also makes for an excellent cold weather running shoe though, keep in mind that with the exception of spiked shoes, no shoe is slip-proof on ice.
The Terra Momentus is certainly an awesome next step in the evolution of natural running. Newton has taken a lot of time and research to develop this shoe with a very close eye to its natural running ideals. If you’re looking to transition to a more natural technique, this is a wonderful shoe to start with. On top of that the price tag of $139, which is a current low for Newton, is a small price to pay for faster, more efficient and healthier running.
One more thing; mileage. While I haven’t worn through these shoes yet, I can tell you that with solid, natural technique the amount of mileage out of a pair of Newtons can be massive. Currently, I have two pairs of Newton Gravitas that have 700+ and 550+ miles each and both have plenty more miles left on them. So, before balking at the price tag, keep in mind that if you’re getting twice the mileage of a “normal” shoe all of a sudden, $139 isn’t so much to pay for a premium technology.
Click here to visit the Newton Running website | Click here to learn more about natural running
I was asked to post pictures of the wear pattern on the sole of my shoes. The shoes I chose are my daily trainers, Newton Gravitas. This pair has about 550 miles on them and are still in great shape with plenty of miles left. So, as requested, here are the pics!
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Wicked. As far as I know, zero drop. Details to come…
Upon opening the box of the Louis Garneau Carbon Tri Hrs shoes for the first time, I am not embarrassed to say that the first thing that came out of my mouth was, “Ooooo, gorgeous!”. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, on with the real review.
One of the first things I noticed on the Tri HRS was the Exo-Jet carbon outsole. Looking at it I was reminded of the massive air intake on the underside of an F 16 fighter jet. the purpose of the sole shape, aside from stiffness, is to maximize air flow not only on the front of the shoe but throughout the entire length. On top of the sole being shaped to maximize air flow, it also goes another step further by putting a durable mesh vent just under the arch of the shoe. All this happens while still keeping the bottom of the Tri HRS über aerodynamic and lightweight.
Being that the bottom of the shoe is SO vented, I was a bit concerned about actually getting too
Click the image to see the venting up close
cold when the temperature begins to take a dive. LG addresses this by including two different footbeds, one for hot weather and one for cold weather that blocks the cold air from wreaking havoc on feet. The upper is made of a micro-fiber leather which is also well vented and breathable.
The fit of the Tri HRS is something that LG has taken very seriously. The leather upper is 100% “thermo moldable”. Basically this means that you get the rare opportunity to toss your shoes in the oven! After the requisite amount of time, the shoes are them put on (with socks if you generally wear them) and after about twenty minutes, you’ve got shoes that are fit to YOUR feet (side note, you can even further customize the fit by using a heat moldable footbed like Sole’s custom footbeds)
The HRS in the Tri HRS stands for “heel retention system”. This system is made up of a 0.6 mm membrane that is designed to hold your heel in place during the power stroke. Also on the shoe are two, Kevlar reinforced straps. The lower of theses two can be adjusted and left alone, while the upper and larger of the straps gives plenty of room and ease of use for a quick transition. All these features come in at a measly 310 grams (11 ounces)!
When riding, the first thing that stood out to be with these shoes was their stiffness. Now, I’m sure that at least some people are wondering why stiffness is so important. Well, it’s like this; your leg is exerting all the pressure it can muster onto that one little point where your body meets the drive train, the pedal. If you’re exerting all this power and you have a sole that flexes and gives you’ll be losing that power you’ve built because the sole of the shoe you’re wearing is absorbing it. A stiff sole, means more power and in turn a more efficient and less fatiguing pedal stroke. These shoes are super, and I do mean super, stiff .
The overall fit, since it was largely determined by the exact shape of MY foot thanks to the heat molding, was fantastic. In fact, I am quite confident that even if I left the shoe completely un-strapped my foot would still be held comfortably in place.
The venting is truly epic. That being said, I can possibly foresee a problem riding in cold weather with these shoes. I do plan on wearing booties over them to keep my feet warm once is it necessary.
Though I do plan on updating this review once I’ve worn these shoes in a race setting, I already consider myself a big fan. Check them out at the links below!
[box type="info"]Click here to visit the Louis Garneau 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]
Hey Texas! Sir Isaac is coming to town! The folks from Newton running are going to be doing a series of clinics in the Lone Star State beginning this weekend. If you are anywhere near one, try to make it! Here are the details:
| Saturday, October 23, 2010 | ||
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Natural Running Reception and Presentation
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| What: | Natural Running Reception and Presentation | |
| Where: | Fit to Run, 528 23rd St., Galveston, TX | |
| Date: | Saturday, October 23, 2010 | |
| Time: | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | |
| Contact: | 409.539.5150 | Fit 2 Run | |
| Sunday, October 24, 2010 | ||
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Natural Running FORM CLINIC
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| What: | Natural Running Form Clinic | |
| Where: | Fit to Run, 528 23rd St., Galveston, TX | |
| Date: | Sunday, October 24, 2010 | |
| Time: | 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM | |
| Contact: | 409.539.5150 | Fit 2 Run | |
| Monday, October 25, 2010 | ||
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Natural Running Reception and Presentation
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| What: | Natural Running Reception and Presentation | |
| Where: | Run Wild Sports, 300 E. Grayson Suite 101, San Antonio, TX | |
| Date: | Monday, October 25, 2010 | |
| Time: | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | |
| Contact: | 210.223.9453 | Run Wild Sports | |
| Tuesday, October 26, 2010 | ||
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Natural Running Form Clinic
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| What: | Natural Running Form Clinic | |
| Where: | Run Wild Sports, 300 E. Grayson Suite 101, San Antonio, TX | |
| Date: | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 | |
| Time: | 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM | |
| Contact: | 210.223.9453 | Run Wild Sports | |
| Tuesday, October 26, 2010 | ||
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Natural Running Reception and Presentation
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| What: | Natural Running Reception and Presentation | |
| Where: | Luke’s Locker, 115 Sandra Muraida Way, Austin TX | |
| Date: | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 | |
| Time: | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | |
| Contact: | 512.482.8676 | Luke’s Locker | |
| Wednesday, October 27, 2010 | ||
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Natural Running Form Clinic
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| What: | Natural Running Form Clinic | |
| Where: | Luke’s Locker, 115 Sandra Muraida Way, Austin TX | |
| Date: | Wednesday, October 27, 2010 | |
| Time: | 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM | |
| Contact: | 512.482.8676 | Luke’s Locker | |
10.04.2010– Newton Running is pleased to announce that professional triathlete Craig Alexander has agreed to represent the leader in natural running footwear for the remainder of his pro career. Alexander will be competing for his third straight World Championship Ironman title next week in Kona, Hawaii.
“Craig has been an amazing ambassador for our brand and he’s an important part of our product development team,” says Danny Abshire, Newton Running co-founder and chief technical officer. “He has near-perfect running form and he provides us with terrific feedback to help us continually refine our designs and develop new technologies.”
Alexander, who spends half the year in his native Australia and the other half in Boulder, has been a professional triathlete for more than ten years. He has compiled a remarkable list of wins around the world in a variety of distances. So far in 2010, he has placed first in seven races and is busy preparing to defend his title in Kona on October 9th.
“Newton Running shoes have been a major part of my success for the past several years and at this point I can’t imagine running in anything else,” says Alexander. “I’m also proud to be part of an independent company that demonstrates a genuine commitment to giving back to the community through their work with organizations such as Athletes for a Cure, Trickle Up and One World Running.”
09.14.2010 – (Boulder, Colo.)
One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Far fewer men have finished an Ironman triathlon. Newton Running co-founder and CEO Jerry Lee can now claim both. Lee, a prostate cancer survivor, completed the Ironman Canada triathlon on August 29, along with the 30 other Team Newton members who together raised over $70,000 towards their goal of $100,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF).
“Prostate cancer is a frightening disease that is much more common than many people realize,” states Lee. “We had an amazing group of our staff members and athletes who raced in Canada and worked incredibly hard to raise money for an important cause along the way.”
Lee’s inspiration to race Ironman Canada came from Winter Vinecki, a Newton-sponsored, 11-year old triathlete who lost her father to prostate cancer. Vinecki has raised over $150,000 for prostate cancer in honor of her father and last year she challenged Lee to race an Ironman-distance event and raise money for the cause. Two weeks ago, Vinecki was at the Ironman Canada event with Lee and finished the race alongside him.
Newton raised the money through sales of a limited edition PCF shoe, sales of Team Newton VIP entries to the sold-out race, and sponsorship pledges from family and friends of racers.
The remaining stock of limited edition Newton Running PCF racers are now available online here. $25 from the sale of each shoe goes to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
This year at the 2010 Ironman Canada, Newton Running fielded a team in conjunction with Athletes for a Cure that raised money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. At that race, Newton rolled out a limited edition racing flat that they’ve released for sale to everyone else! when you purchase a pair of these shoes, $25 of the price goes directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer survivor and Newton Running CEO Jerry Lee teamed up with Winter Vinecki at the 2010 Ironman Canada to tackle this statistic. Jerry and 30 people on Team Newton Running completed Ironman Canada, raising money for Athletes for a Cure and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Through these efforts we are 70% toward our goal of raising $100,000 by the end of 2010.
Click on the shoe to order!
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Sole Dual Layer Performance Socks
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After what has seemed like an eternity for many of us die-hard Newton Running fans, the much heralded trail shoe has finally landed in the Newton store for pre-order! I spoke with Sir Isaac a tiny bit today and got some of the skinny on the shoes:
“Closed mesh, PU frame above the EVA for additional support and
protection, gusseted tongue, more supportive strapping, reinforced toe
cap.”
I can’t WAIT to try out these new shoes and get them nice and dirty on any trail I can find! When I do get some on my feet, you can be certain that I will give those of you on the fence about buying some for yourself a detailed rundown. For those of you that can’t wait, click the picture below!
To all those who have made each and every one of my first one hundred episodes possible, thank you.
Newton Running Events Calendar
Norawas de Rarámuri (Friends of the Running People)
Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon on Facebook
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Continued from: 2010 Ironman Mooseman 70.3: Race Report Part 2 – Race Morning…
Beach starts in triathlon tend to be a full contact affair. This is especially true just behind the front of the pack. If you’ve placed yourself in that spot, there’s a decent chance that you’ll get kicked in the face by the guy in front of you and/or punched in various parts of your body by the guys on either side of you and/or dunked and swum over by the guy behind you who may be faster than you. All accidents, of course.
Since I expect to be one of the faster swimmer in any race I enter, I always place myself at the front of the pack in both water and beach starts. In triathlons I’ve done that have pool swims it is incredibly frustrating to be relegated to swimming behind people who’ve WAY overestimated their speed, and having to pass them. So, for this race I was at the front of the pack when the horn sounded.
The run into the water was fairly smooth with the bottom dropping off to swimming depth in probably about ten feet. The pack broke up quickly and myself and a few others pulled away off the front. The swim course itself was a rectangle (see picture) and was protected from and waves kicked up by wind by the shoreline to the East. As we reached the first turn, quite a few waves appeared, I have to assume because we had come around from the lee side of a point of land, and the wind was now kicking up a bit.
At about the halfway point, I noticed that another swimmer from my wave (I could tell from his powder blue cap like mine) and I seemed to be staying right with each other. Shortly after I noticed this, my opponent disappeared and I assumed that I had dropped him. By this time, I had been swimming through swimmers from waves that had gone off ahead of me from about the 1/4 mark on. Every now and then, either I would accidentally run into one of these swimmers or they would run into me. This is when I noticed that someone kept hitting my heels. I snuck a peek back and saw that the swimmer with whom I had been dueling had taken a comfortable spot in my wake and was now drafting along and taking it easy. While drafting is illegal in the bike leg of a triathlon, there is nothing wrong with drafting in the swim. I guess I didn’t mind so much and I wouldn’t have even known the difference if it weren’t for the fact that my heels were getting tapped every thirty seconds or so. Annoying.
The concern I had coming into this race with regards to my neck never really came to fruition. To be honest, I was being a bit conservative (which is evident by my less than stellar time) and definitely felt fatigued in my shoulders more than I usually would, but true pain never affected me.
Swim time: 27:17
Swim pace: 1:25 per 100 meters (boo)
Age Group Place: 5th
Overall Place: 28th
Most of us are aware of the potential dizziness that comes with standing up too fast. I have even fallen over several times because of this. In a triathlon, the same thing takes place. You’ve been swimming for however long, thus you’ve been essentially laying down. All of a sudden, you ask your body to stand up! This problem can be compounded by the fact that your upper body is doing most of the work on the swim and so most of your blood is hanging out there to supply your muscles. Further, if you’re wearing a wetsuit, there is a bit of compression being applied to your lower extremities which keeps your blood even more focused in your upper body. So, when you then stand up to run out of the water, all that blood suddenly drops, and sometimes you do along with it!
As I stood, I was ready for the dizziness and I was not disappointed. Upon exiting the water, there was about a 20 yard (if I remember correctly) run to the wetsuit strippers. This is not some weird, wetsuit fetish exotic dancing area but rather, a group of race volunteers whose job it is to get you out of your wetsuit as fast as possible. All you have to do as a racer is flop on your back on the ground and they will grab your wetsuit and peel it off of you in a flash. The problem with this is the dizziness thing. You’ve just come out of the water, gotten dizzy and then after a few seconds, you throw your body back to being flat again for a few seconds (legs in the air, mind you) and then pop up AGAIN. This makes for a rather world-spinning few minutes.
I made my way into the transition area and found my belongings in fairly short order. By this time, it had been raining for about thirty minutes and everything was wet. I removed my socks from their dry sanctuary inside my cycling shoe, inside that grocery bag I spoke about. Now let me paint you a picture of what I was doing. I was trying not balance on one foot at a time, while my head was spinning, putting dry socks onto wet feet (try putting on sock directly out of the shower some time), while desperately trying not to step into the mud and puddles that now surrounded me. All this time, my head refused to stop spinning. Good times. I eventually got my crap together, even having to literally DUMP water out of my helmet, and was on my way out of transition. Slow.
Transition 1 time: 4:14 (Dear LORD, that’s awful)
To be completely honest, a lot of the bike portion of the race is a blur. It rained the entire time, often very hard. For the beginning six or so miles on the bike, I let my legs warm up well, pushing, but not pushing to the point of exhaustion. At about mile seven or so, the climbing began.
Leading up to this race, I had checked elevation charts and was not prepared for what I encountered. The first, largest and longest of the hills that we encountered was awful. First, we were climbing this hill in the rain, which gave you the appearance in spots of riding upstream in a river with an asphalt bottom. Second, this hill went to gradients of 16% for large sections at a time. To give you an idea of what a 16% grade is, the famous Mont Ventoux in the Tour de France has an average gradient of “only” 8.9%. Many people were forced to walk this hill and I must admit that I glanced at them with envy, but I stayed on my steed.
Several of the descents on the course were long and sweeping and gave you time to rest your legs. Other descents were so dangerous even without the rain that the officials had told us the day before that they would be strictly enforcing a 35 mph speed limit.
Apart from the 16% S.O.B. hill, there were a couple other climbs in excess of 10% as well as some deceptively “flat” sections that seemed to sap energy from the legs. The road conditions were only OK. You were forced to stay constantly aware of the pavement in front of you due to the fact that for 99% of the course there was a large crack (hastily patched but still pitted) meandering across both sides of the road.
Somewhere around halfway through the bike, my Garmin 305 went haywire. I went to take a peek at my heart rate and the screen was flashing from display to display, and not making any sense. I tried to turn it off and couldn’t. So I took it off and put it in my jersey. Now, for the rest of the race, I would have no idea where my pace of my heart rate were. I would be running purely on feel and perceived effort.
The toughest part of this bike course was grinding through it the first time and knowing you had to come back and hit it again. 16%’er and all. My nutrition, which if you know me, you know I have struggled in the past with this, was perfect. I had three hours worth of my “blend” from Infinit Nutrition in my Speedfil and rotated water bottles from aid stations in my one bottle cage. I finished my Infinit blend with about six miles to go on the bike, so, just to be safe, I grabbed a bottle of Gatorade Endurance Formula and dropped a bottle of water into my Speedfil. I also grabbed a banana at some point during the bike (can’t remember when) just because I knew it wouldn’t affect me adversely and it just looked good.
I didn’t do exactly what I wanted to do on the bike, in terms of speed, but I was consistent and I think that is just as important. I also learned a lot of what I need to do moving forward.
Bike time: 2:57:16
Bike pace: 19 mph
Age Group Place: 44th
Overall Place: 217th
By the time I hit T2, my feet had been soaked for over three and a half hours, but were holding up fine (I actually have a lot to say about my Sole insoles on the bike that I’ll write about later). However, I though it would behoove me to put on dry socks. This was frickin’ stupid. It was still raining and I was still surrounded by mud and puddles. I have no idea why I thought that changing my socks would make a single bit of difference, bu I did anyway, and again, I had a terribly slow transition.
I grabbed all my gear, which wasn’t that much after I got my shoes and dry (dumb, dumb, dumb) socks on. This included my new Fuel Belt H2O, which was holding two bottles of my Infinit blend, each with an hours worth of nutrition. As I ran out of transition, my shoes were wet and muddy within thirty seconds.
Transition 2 time: 3:26 (Oy to the vey)
I was really looking forward to this run. I have been running really well off the bike and I planned to make no exceptions on this run. The course itself was quite beautiful, albeit seen under cloudy skies that were still ridding themselves of any moisture they held, much to our detriment. It was fairly flat to rolling. The biggest obstacle(s) came in the form of a nasty little hill that was about 1/3 of a mile long at about mile 2 or so and again at about mile 8.5.
Because my nutrition and hydration had been so good on the bike, I had to pee almost as soon as I began to run. I waited until the first aid station at mile one and stopped to answer nature’s call. I actually ended up having to pee twice, and it bears mentioning that it went well (it bears mentioning due to my previous experiences during races when I’ve stopped to pee).
The course was two loops of an out and back that had as it’s outside turn around point, about a half mile of dirt (read: mud) road that ended in a cul-de-sac. On this stretch of “road” there were some incredibly nice and supportive volunteers and even a barbershop quartet in one of the driveways serenading the runners as we went by.
I felt great on this run. I did struggle a bit with not being able to tell my pace of heart rate. Because of this, I laid off a little on the third quarter of the run, before picking it back up a bit on the home stretch. I didn’t want to wind up completely gassed for the run in. I passed a lot of people wh had passed me on the bike and that was quite good for my morale. The rain never really let up, but I felt solid nonetheless. I truly think I would have been able to do more on the run had I known where I was in terms of pace.
Run time: 1:35:08 (1/2 marathon PR by 12 seconds)
Run pace: 7:15 per mile
Age Group Place: 22nd
Overall Place: 104th
(more detailed splits to come once they are available)
Overall Time: 5:07:21
Age Group Place: 34th
Overall Place: 132nd
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For a second year in a row, Newton Running shoes were rewarded for their outstanding products in the prestigious 220 Triathlon awards held on 13th February at Sandown Park.
Following their 2009 win for ‘Innovative Product of the Year’ the popular ‘Newton Gravity’ training shoe was awarded the 2010 ‘Run Shoe of the Year’ award, beating Asics Noosa and Saucony Fastwitch 3 to the title.
Mike Trees, managing director of Triathlon Consultants (Newton Running’s UK distributor) accepted the award and said “It is a great honour to receive this award on behalf of Newton Running, who have put so much research and development into producing what is now recognised at possibly the greatest running shoe in the world for forefoot and mid foot runners. We at TCL have the relatively easy job of selling the Newton Running shoes the eagerly awaiting public.”
The attached image shows Mike Trees standing with his long time hero in sport Dave Scott, 6 times winner of the Hawaii Ironman and arguably the greatest triathlete to date presenting Newton’s award for Run Shoe of the Year.
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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