Among the shoes Thomas photographed are a very un-Hoka-like Hoka:

and the Saucony Kinvara 6 (which I think is just an upper update):

Lots more over on Thomas’ website, check it out here!

In a related article, Let’s Run discusses the top shoes at NYC, as well as some customizations made for elites. Interesting stuff for shoe geeks!

Image via Calvy Click of Sneaker Report

Runblogger Posts From Last Week

Garmin Forerunner 620 – Some Fun With Running Dynamics Data
October 2, 2014 – Looking for interesting patterns in running dynamics data recorded by my Garmin 620.

NH Reach the Beach Relay Race Report by My Wife Erin
September 30, 2014 – My wife shares her experience at the 2014 Reach the Beach Relay

Hoka Huaka Running Shoe Review with Comparisons to the Hoka Clifton
September 29, 2014 – A firmer, more responsive Hoka!

Recommended Posts From Around the Web

1. Just when you thought articles debating barefoot vs. shod running had run their course, along comes another from The Body Sphere on ABC.net.au. “Just like in art, there are movements, or ‘-isms’, in running. There’s minimalism and there’s maximalism, and these terms refer to what you do, or don’t, put on your feet. Working out how to find your way through the ‘-isms’ and the claims and counter-claims that have been made for various types of running shoes, or running with no shoes at all, is confusing to say the least. So how much of a difference do shoes or the lack thereof make to your running?” I’m not sure the article answers the question, but it’s worth a read.

2. DC Rainmaker takes a first look at the Garmin 920XT. Huge battery life in low-profile, power-packed watch! Let’s hope it provides more consistent GPS track accuracy and better real time pace stability than my 620 does…

3. Dennis Kimetto just set a new marathon world record in Berlin. Here’s a great story from Runner’s World describing his transformation from farmer to elite runner.

4. Couple of shoe reviews: Running Shoes Guru provides an alternative take on the Hoka Huaka, and Runer4Lyfe takes a look at the Altra The One2.

5. A post on resisting the urge to run while recovering from an injury on Ann’s Running Commentary

Runblogger Posts From Last Week

Treating Plantar Fasciitis With Foot Strengthening vs. Stretching: Different Takes on the Same Study
September 25, 2014 – Commentary on a study comparing stretching vs. strengthening protocols for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

The Rise and Fall of Minimalist Running: Recommended Article in Lower Extremity Review
September 23, 2014 – Lots of reader comments on the article discussed in the intro to this post.

Mizuno Wave Hayate Review: A Decent, But Mis-matched Trail Shoe
September 22, 2014 – David Henry takes a look at the Mizuno Hayate.

Recommended Posts From Around the Web

1. Interesting article from the Wall Street Journal on using gait analysis to help in the treatment of running injuries. Though at times a bit simplistic and speculative (e.g., the infographic describing causes of various injuries), it provides a decent overview of the potential value of gait analysis. As someone who has done this in a clinical setting, I would also agree with this comment from Stanford physician James Fries: “…it’s too early for gait analysis to be deemed a panacea. The practice has been going on for more than a decade but has only become popular in recent years. “They don’t have the 30-year studies of outcomes,” he says.” I view gait analysis as a tool to be used in combination with other treatment approaches, not necessarily a guaranteed way to determine the root cause of an injury. There is value in taking look at how a runner runs, and sometimes it reveals something important.

2. A post on “Will Run For Ice Cream” on feeling guilty about missed runs. She writes “Enough is enough is enough is enough – what am I ranting about? Guilt over ‘failed’ runs, missed runs, or just running in general. No one is holding a gun to my head and saying – run or else?!? My life, my career, nothing in my life depends or hinges upon my running. For pete’s sake, it used to be for FUN!”

3. DC Rainmaker reviews the Polar M400 combined GPS and activity tracker. He concludes: “Overall I’m really impressed with the M400.  Polar seems to have finally found an appropriate price for its products (some might even say they priced it a bit low actually).  The unit is a near perfect blend of activity tracker with GPS running watch, as well as daily wrist watch.”

Craig Payne, DipPod, MPH, a retired lecturer in podiatry at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, and occasional online provocateur on the “Running Research Junkie” blog, agreed.

“It comes down to this: Different running techniques load different tissues differently,” he said. “It’s not a matter of one being better than another; individuals need to work out which suits them best. I suspect that those with a history of knee injury may do better in minimalist shoes than those with a history of ankle or Achilles injuries.”

Joseph Hamill, of the University of Massachusetts, shares this view, with a further caveat.

“Changing to a different type of shoe may ease patellofemoral pain, but it may cause a different injury,” he said. “Nothing in life is free; when you change your footfall pattern, you’re just changing one type of injury for another.”

I pretty much share this exact same viewpoint with regard to shoes and form – different solutions will work for difference people depending on their individual differences in anatomy, strength, mobility, etc.

Read the full article by Cary Groner here.

I’m a fan of the Boost midsole material as if provides a soft, yet springy feel under the heel, but remains firm and responsive where it is thinner under the forefoot. The adios Boost 2 provides the same great ride, but the upper and fit have changed a bit so sizing is a bit different. Check out the review for more!

Runblogger Posts from Last Week

Spaulding Rehab in Boston is Looking for Barefoot/Minimalist Runners for a Research Study
September 18, 2014 – If you live in the Boston area, run barefoot/minimal, and want to participate in a research study, check this out!

Salomon 2015 Shoe Previews: S-Lab Sense Ultra 4 and S-Lab X-Series
September 16, 2014 – The X-Series looks like my kind of shoe.

adidas Adios Boost 2 Review: Same Great Ride, Different Fit
September 15, 2014 – One of my favorite shoes this year once I got the sizing sorted out.

Recommended Posts From Around the Web

1. Now that it’s getting darker earlier, I did one of my first night runs in a long time last week. There’s something special about running at night, and I’d forgotten how much I enjoy it. Andy Jones-Wilkins expands on the topic of night running on iRunFar. He writes: “One thing I have realized on my night runs is that the world around me seems to shrink. I am alone with my thoughts and the beam of my headlamp on these night runs. There are no external distractions to get in the way and therefore I can get into a steady zone of just running that can be at once cathartic and meditative. It may sound odd to some but running in the dark just seems a bit more clear than running during the day.”

2. Two good posts on Runners Connect on the topic of foam rolling. First, a post titled “4 Mistakes You’re Making When Foam Rolling (and How to Fix Them).” Second, a post assessing the science supporting the potentially beneficial effects of foam rolling.

3. DC Rainmaker has a cool post about the BSX Insight, a device that slides into a calf-compression sleeve that can estimate your lactate threshold without the need for drawing blood.

4. Interesting post on Running Physio describing a study that compared a strengthening protocol to a stretching protocol for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. I’ll have a post with some comments on the study later this week.

5. Nice post by John Sheppard of Take It On The Run on what he learned from volunteering at an ultra.

There’s also been a lot of commentary on my post about the just-announced Apple Sport Watch – the lack of integrated GPS makes the watch less desirable for me as a fitness device, but as a devoted iPhone user I must admit to still being a bit intrigued by it.

Runblogger Posts From the Last Week

Tips on Running Safety For Women
September 11 – Guest post by Austin Bonds from Big Peach Running Company. Some thoughtful discussion/debate in the comments of this post.

Biggest Drawback of the Apple Sport Watch For Runners: No On-Board GPS
September 10 – No on-board GPS, big deal or not?

Saucony Shoe Previews: Breakthru, Zealot, Mirage 5, and Peregrine 5
September 9 – Really curious to hear more about the Saucony Breakthru!

Hoka Clifton Running Shoe Review
September 8 – Really interesting shoe, fun review to put together.

Recommended Posts From Around the Web

1. Nice post from Runner’s Connect on the purpose of various workouts and the importance of making sure your easy days are easy.

2. Review of the Inov-8 Race Ultra 290 from iRunFar. Kristin Zosel writes: “Despite my frustration with the inability for the shoe to truly become one with my foot, I still really like the shoe. It feels light and fast. The rock protection is excellent without sacrificing flexibility. It drains well yet has ample protection around the shoe for run-ins with pointy rocks, long grass seeds, and scrubby brush.”

3. Believe in the Run reviews the Newton BOCO Sol. Says Thomas: “This is a good pick for those that are not swept up in the max shoe trend. My feet had no blisters and felt great after 120 miles in 6 days, that is success in any shoe. I was relieved by day three that these trail shoes don’t suck. In fact, I loved them. These will work for you you from day hikers to ultra marathons.”

4. Jen over at Running Tangents gives the Mio Link optical heart rate monitor a big thumbs up. I had similar feelings in my own review of the Mio, and have been having a positive experience with the Scosche Rhythm+ lately as well. Expect a review of the latter in a few weeks.

5. From knee surgery to loose rocks in the head. Quite a story from Der Scott!

Runblogger Posts From the Past Two Weeks

Ultra Race Report: Gratitude and Distillation at the Bighorn 100 Trail Run
September 4, 2014- Guest post by David Henry recounting his experience running the Bighorn 100 Trail Run

5 Observations On Running in Hokas From a More Minimal-Leaning Runner
September 2, 2014 – Some thoughts on my first experience running in Hoka shoes. Lots of comments and discussion on this one!

What Moves You?: A Film For Runners by Runners
August 28, 2014 – Kickstarter film project, looks like a good one.

Salomon S-Lab Sense 3 Ultra Trail Shoe Review
August 26, 2014- One of my favorite shoes of the year so far!

Asics 2015 Shoe Previews: 33-M, 33-FA, 33-DFA, Fujirunnagade, DS Racer 10
August 25, 2014 – Preview of some new shoes on the way from Asics.

Recommended Posts from Around the Web

1. A nice post on running and renewal on iRunFar.

2. Coverage of the International Calgary Running Symposium from Blaise Dubois and Craig Payne.

3. Assorted shoe reviews: Sam Winebaum on the Altra Paradigm, a not so positive review of the New Balance MT110v2 on iRunFar, Jason Fitzgerald takes on the New Balance 980 Trail, and the always entertaining Nick Jenkins reviews the Salomon Sense 3 Soft Ground.

4. Interesting post by Craig Payne addressing “How many runners who think they don’t heel strike actually do?” Answer? Most tend to get it wrong. Craig also has an interesting post examining research on the practice of prescribing running shoes based on arch height.

5. Couple of posts on new gadgets. First, Brian Metzler writes about the Gazelle, which is a device that can track gait data in real time. Second, DC Rainmaker covers the soon to arrive Garmin Vivosmart activity tracker. The Vivosmart is an evolution of the Vivofit which I reviewed a few months ago. The Vivosmart adds in a touch display, smartphone notifications, music control, and several other functions.

Runblogger Posts From Last Week

Hoka Clifton Giveaway Contest

August 21, 2014 – Enter to win a pair of Cliftons!

runScribe Launches Wearable Running Biomechanics Data Collection Device on Kickstarter

August 20, 2014 – Very cool little device, more in the recommended posts below.

Merrell AllOut Rush Trail Shoe Review

August 19, 2014 – A bit too much outsole for my taste, but a super comfortable shoe for light hiking.

Finding a Runner’s High in Maine

August 18, 2014 – Sometimes everything just clicks on a run.

Recommended Posts From Around the Web

1. I posted last week on the Kickstarter campaign for the runScribe device (which looks very cool!), Steve Magness has had the opportunity to play with one for a bit. Check out Steve’s runScribe post to get an idea of what the device can do for workout analysis or comparing biomechanics between footwear.

2. Another thoughtful post by Steve Magness titled “What’s Your Bias?”

3. Doug Hay writes a guest post on “How to Become an Ultramarathoner” on StrengthRunning.com.

4. Not a lot of shoe post recs this week, but Running Warehouse covers the New Balance Fresh Foam 980 Trail on their blog.

5. Cool article on the New York Times Well Blog on how dogs fuel for endurance running (skip the Gu!). Unfortunately my canine running partner has been out for most of the summer with a knee injury. He’s doing fine now and wants to run, but the prospect of an expensive knee surgery has me taking a very cautious approach!

6. Gear Junkie posted on Rob Krar’s GPS data from the Leadville 100.  Very interesting insight into the pacing approach of an elite ultramarathoner. Hat tip to Gordon Harvey for the article find.