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 […]
Altra The One2 (Squared) Review: A Complete Redesign
March 31, 2014 By 55 Comments
It’s been quite a while since I’ve run in an Altra shoe. I like the brand, I’ve been in touch with the founders since before they made their first shoe, and I love the fact that they produce shoes that are shaped like a human foot. However, I’ve never really connected with an Altra shoe […]
This Week in Runblogging: 3/24 to 3/30 2014
March 30, 2014 By 6 Comments
It’s been a bit of a crazy week off the blog for me (taxes and Taekwondo!), so less time to write than I had hoped. I should be getting a few shoe reviews out next week (Skechers GoBionic 2, maybe a first impression post on the Altra The One2) if all goes well. Below are […]
The Origin of the Nike Free: Two Videos for Running Shoe Geeks
March 28, 2014 By 5 Comments
Being both a scientist and a shoe geek, I love learning about the process that goes into the design of running shoes. I’ve been a fan of the Nike Free line since the original Free 3.0, and have run in many models since. With the exception of a few lemons (e.g., Free 3.0 v4), I’ve […]
You Have To Watch This Running Video from 1982
March 26, 2014 By 8 Comments
I just got an email from a reader (thanks Kevin!) alerting me to a YouTube video that features a caveman being chased across a desert: A old-fashioned looking, forefoot striking runner on a treadmill: And a vertical ground reaction force plot on a computer screen: Is this a preview for the Born to Run movie? […]
Kid’s Sneaker Recommendations: Altra Instinct Jr. and Merrell Mix Master Jam
March 24, 2014 By 27 Comments
I’ve been asked a number of times recently for recommendations for kids shoes. When it comes to kids, I advocate for as minimal a shoe as necessary for the intended use of that shoe. I don’t believe kids shoe be wearing stiff, constricting, shoes with highly elevated heels, and I try to put this belief […]
This Week In Runblogging: 3/17-3/23 2014
March 23, 2014 By 11 Comments
As I hinted at last week, I think I’m going to make an effort to do a weekly roundup-style post. I may not get one done every week, but my goal going forward is to try to get something up every Sunday/Monday recapping things that I have read and/or written in the previous week. I’m […]
How Building a Blog is a Lot Like Running Your First Marathon
March 19, 2014 By 2 Comments
I got an email from a reader a couple of days ago who is in the process of starting a running blog. He was asking about how to build a blog audience and how to grow traffic (among other things). The email reminded me that I started another site several months ago to answer questions […]
Mizuno Hitogami Review: Solid Choice Among Distance Racing Shoes
March 18, 2014 By 17 Comments
A few months ago I wrote a post in which I described why the Mizuno Sayonara did not work for me. I found that shoe to be overly stiff and firm in the heel, and it just did not work well with my stride. It was shame since the shoe otherwise felt great – roomy […]
This Week in Runblogging 3/10-3/16: 5 Recommended Posts
March 17, 2014 By 10 Comments
I spend a lot of time each week sifting through RSS feeds on Feedly, and I typically share a lot of posts on Twitter and Facebook. However, with Facebook seeming to be shaving away even more at the number of people who actually see fan/brand page updates, and Twitter kind of being hit or miss […]
Nike Unveils the Free 5.0 v2, 4.0 v4, and 3.0 v6 for 2014
March 14, 2014 By 27 Comments
UPDATE 4/3/2014 – The 2014 Nike Free shoes are now available at Zappos and Nike.com. Outside of the US they can be purchased at Wiggle.co.uk. I have also posted a full review of the Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit. Nike has officially released the new 2014 Nike Free models: Free 5.0 v2, Free 4.0 v4, and Free 3.0 v6. In […]
Saucony Mirage 4 Running Shoe Review: Good Choice if You Like a Firm Shoe
March 13, 2014 By 26 Comments
I’ve been struggling a bit with how to approach this review of the Saucony Mirage 4. On the one hand, there is a lot that I love about this shoe. On the other hand, it’s simply not been a good match for me. As such, this is going to be a review in which I’ll […]
More Support for Rotating Shoes to Reduce Running Injury Risk
March 12, 2014 By 22 Comments
A few months back I wrote a post on a study that found that rotating running shoes can reduce injury risk for runners. The logic is that shoes of different construction alter how forces are applied to the body, and that by rotating among a few different types of shoe we mix up the way […]
