“Kenyan runners race in low-support shoes, but they mostly train in big, chunky, cushioned sneakers, just like your average, plodding Western jogger. Oddly, though, and contrary to Lee’s (Saxby) theories, these big shoes don’t force the Kenyans to run heel first. They virtually all run in a lovely, smooth forefoot-first style – what Lee would […]
Archives for April 2012
Nike Free 3.0 v4: Initial Thoughts
April 28, 2012 By 18 Comments
I have a long history with the Nike Free 3.0 line. Back in early 2009, the original Free 3.0 was my first foray away from stability shoes, and it was the shoe that convinced me that I did not need a lot of support and structure in a running shoe. I fell in love with […]
Effect of Step Rate on Lower Limb Loading in Runners
April 25, 2012 By 23 Comments
Just over a week ago Amby Burfoot wrote a post about a new study from Japan that provides additional evidence supporting the benefits of a shorter stride for reducing loading of the lower limbs. The study by Hobara et al. is titled Step Frequency and Lower Extremity Loading During Running and was published in Orthopedics […]
Introducing My Book: Tread Lightly: Form, Footwear and the Quest for Injury-Free Running
April 22, 2012 By 52 Comments
About 16 months ago I received an email from a guy named Bill Katovsky asking me if I had any interest in writing a book. I didn’t know him at the time, but I had at least given thought to the idea of writing something more than another blog post. We spoke on the phone […]
Casual Minimalist Work Shoe Reviews: Merrell Tough Glove, Merrell Edge Glove, Vivobarefoot Aqua, Vivobarefoot Neo
April 21, 2012 By 44 Comments
I’ve spent a lot of time on this blog writing about minimalist running footwear. Much of this stems from my own personal journey from more traditional running shoes to more stripped down models. However, one of the things I have begun to notice over the past year or so is that I have a much […]
Town of Runners: Documentary About Becoming a Professional Runner in Ethiopia
April 18, 2012 By 10 Comments
A friend on Twitter just sent me a link to a trailer for a new documentary called Town of Runners. As described on the film’s website: “The film tells the story of two young girls, living in a rural town as they try to run their way to a different life. Narrated by their friend […]
New Balance Minimus Road Zero (MR00) Review
April 16, 2012 By 73 Comments
As I’ve slowly been building my mileage back up after a long period of low volume running, I’ve found myself way behind in writing up shoe reviews. One of the shoes that I’ve had for quite some time now is the New Balance Minimus Road Zero (MROO). I’m not sure exactly how many miles I’ve […]
Motorola MOTOACTV GPS Workout Recorder Review: Close, But Not Quite There
April 9, 2012 By 24 Comments
For the past three months or so I’ve been using the Motorola MOTOACTV GPS on almost every single one of my runs (disclosure: this product was a media sample provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer for review purposes). About a month into using the MOTOACTV I was prepared to write a review […]
Nike SMS Roadrunner: A Toddler Shoe with a Flat, Flexible Sole
April 2, 2012 By 25 Comments
Today is my son Benjamin’s second birthday. As a full-blown toddler, he’s going through a period of remarkable transition – he’s learning to run, talk, joke, express displeasure, and to use the word “mine” about 100 times per day. As a parent who has a fascination with footwear, this is a particularly difficult time as […]
Women’s Running Shoe Reviews: Merrell Barefoot Pace and Dash Gloves
April 1, 2012 By 3 Comments
Merrell has been putting a lot of effort lately into producing and marketing minimalist shoes for women, with multiple offerings in the running, training and casual categories. Most recently, they initiated a campaign called “Pretty Strong” with an associated website geared toward encouraging women to experience minimalist footwear. Below is a video that they produced […]
