Last week I stopped by my local Dick’s Sporting Goods store one evening to pick up a pair of shoes that had just been released (yes, I know, that was my first mistake). It seemed that there was only one person working the shoe department, so I was sitting on a bench waiting for her […]
Archives for April 2014
Blowing the Dust Off the Brooks Vantage
April 8, 2014 By 5 Comments
by Jon Gugala (Disclaimer: Brooks sent me these shoes for free. But I probably would have bought them on my own anyway.) Every young runner falls in love with Steve Prefontaine. Dat Mustache. The way he ran like a hellion bent on drawing blood from his opponents. And the fact that he had opponents. Pre […]
Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 Racing Flat Review
April 7, 2014 By 46 Comments
I love the Pearl Izumi EM Road N0. Let me say that again. I love the Pearl Izumi EM Road N0. Not since the Saucony Grid Type A5 have I had such a positive experience with a running shoe. The reason? Because this shoe replicates the fit and ride of the A5 better than any […]
Wear the Brooks Vanguard and Stop Looking Like a Run Nerd
April 7, 2014 By 9 Comments
Intro from Pete: Jon Gugala contacted me a few weeks ago asking if I had any interest publishing a few posts on vintage running shoes. Jon is a freelance journalist, a collector of old/vintage running shoes, and clearly a much more fashion-conscious guy than I am. After first reading the article below, I realized that […]
This Week in Runblogging: 3/31 to 4/6 2014
April 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Had a great week last week! I got lots of writing done, met the beginner 5K group I’m co-coaching this Spring, and ran my first road 5K in over a year yesterday. I’d forgotten how good a hard-effort 5K race can make you feel! I finished second in my age group in the 5K and […]
Nike Free 5.0 2014: A No-Go For Me
April 4, 2014 By 33 Comments
Update 5/18/2015: Nike has fixed the issue I had with this shoe in the newest version – view my review of the 2015 Nike Free 5.0 here. When you’re in the business of writing about running shoes, it pays to be quick about sharing thoughts on new shoe releases, particularly when the release involves one […]
Beginning Runner Tips: Choosing A Running Shoe
April 3, 2014 By 15 Comments
Tonight I’ll be meeting for the first time with my Spring 2014 5K Yes I Can! running group. This will be the second Spring that I’ve co-coached a beginner running group, and last year I had an absolute blast doing it. There’s nothing quite as rewarding as helping people develop a running routine, and I […]
Saucony Grid Type A6 Sizing Update
April 2, 2014 By 31 Comments
Several weeks ago I posted a first impression post on the Saucony Grid Type A6. In that post I mentioned that the shoe seemed to fit longer and narrower than the A5 (I had both in size 10.5), and I indicated I was hoping to get ahold of a pair in size 10 for comparison. […]
Slomo: Do What You Want To
April 2, 2014 By 13 Comments
My wife found the video below on the NY Times website this morning and shared it with me. Almost one year out from quitting my 10-year career as an academic to build a new career around my passion for running, this speaks to me on so many levels. Do want you want to. Don’t be […]
Chaco Barefoot Z Preview
April 1, 2014 By 7 Comments
In a move that will surely elicit derision from those claiming that the minimalist footwear movement is dead, Chaco is releasing a new sandal that bucks the recent trend toward more maximal footwear: Chaco claims that the Barefoot Z sandal is the lightest, most minimal sport sandal ever created. Here’s what the brand has to […]
Running Socks Review: Injinji and DeFeet
April 1, 2014 By 8 Comments
I’m going to start this review by stating that if weather and shoe comfort permit, I prefer to go without socks when I run. When socks are warranted (e.g., in winter, in a shoe with an abrasive interior), I prefer socks that are cheap and minimal. Just enough to create a friction barrier between my […]
This Week in Runblogging: 4/7 to 4/13 2014
Last week seemed to herald the official arrival of Spring here in New Hampshire. Almost all of the snow has finally melted, the sun has been shining, and the trails have been muddy and wet rather than snowy and icy (great test for the Salomon Sense Pro’s that have been on my feet a lot […]