First, Alex Hutchinson discusses the benefits of training in heat to aerobic performance. As someone who tends to suffer when it gets hot out, it’s nice to know that slogging through hot miles can pay off come the cooler temps of Fall. And you have to love an article that starts out with the following in the opening paragraph:

“Did you know that, if you urgently need to rehydrate someone and they can’t take in fluids orally, you can shove the tube of your hydration pack up their rectum and create an improvised Murphy drip to get the fluids in through the back door? (I don’t recommend trying this without appropriate training, and — thanks to this new knowledge — I also don’t recommend buying hydration packs second-hand!)”

Next, Meaghen Brown of Ouside Online wrote a fantastic article on overtraining syndrome in ultrarunners. She discusses the dramatic rise and subsequent health issues of several prominent ultrarunners in a cautionary tale that warns that sometimes pushing ourselves to the limit can have dire consequences. This article struck a chord with me as I think I was dealing with the effects of overtraining (and overwork) toward the end of last summer and wound up paying the consequences, both mental and physical, for several months in the Fall. I think it’s important to consider that you may not need to be an ultrarunner to suffer the effects of overtraining, and I’ve been trying to approach running (and life) in a much smarter way so far this year.

Next, a great article from Running Times that challenges the idea that there is one ideal way to run, emphasizes variation in our training and movement, and explores the importance of neuroplasticity. I love this passage:

“We all conform to a common blueprint. We have the same components arranged in the same order. But, as nature has no means of precisely manufacturing body parts, how our individual anatomy is fitted together varies extensively. Multiple dimensions of running architecture — snugness of bones within sockets, springiness of tendons, rigidity of feet, geometry of muscles — differ between individuals, sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically.

We learn to run in ways that accommodate these mismatched parts thanks to a pervasive aspect of human biology: plasticity, our capacity to reshape neural and biological structures in response to repeated practice.”

Finally, an interesting read titled “This is why you shouldn’t believe that exciting new medical study.”

Enjoy!

Hixson’s opening paragraph references my 2014 reader survey, emphasizing the point that four “maximally” cushioned shoes appear among the top 20 models. He then asks the following question “What happened with runners that made “fat and flat” shoes so popular, and in the process, push aside minimalism like some beefy schoolyard bully?”

Hixson makes some good points. For example, I agree that a lot of people who tried minimal went into it too fast and got injured in the process. Making a radical change in form or footwear requires a slow transition, and failure to do this is partly what led a lot of people to abandon minimal shoes. However, my major problem with the article is that it pits minimal against maximal and traditional shoes in a sort of us vs. them battle. I personally don’t see the need to polarize this debate any more. There is no convincing evidence that one type of shoe is better than any other, and in the absence of such evidence the best approach is to simply find what works best for you. Minimal, maximal, traditional, who cares? It’s just shoes, and being able to enjoy running is what it’s all about.

My personal feeling is that minimal went flat simply because people stopped buying minimal shoes. The reasons for this are probably many – people got hurt, minimal shoes last longer so you don’t need to buy them as often, Vibram Fivefingers were a funny-looking fad, running in minimal shoes really wasn’t the same as running barefoot. The fact is that if a product doesn’t sell, stores won’t carry it. If stores won’t carry it, companies will stop producing it. Simple as that. If everyone who went minimal had an incredibly positive experience, the trend would not have gone flat. Is there still a market for minimal shoes? Sure, and I hope they always remain an option since many people do genuinely run best in minimal footwear.

My own experience might be instructive here, and highlights why I still think the minimal movement was so important. I started running in 2007 and was told at a shoe store that I overpronate and thus needed stability shoes. I wore stability shoes for two years without issue, and in 2009 I started experimenting with minimal footwear after reading Born to Run. I ran quite a lot of miles in Vibram Fivefingers and minimal shoes like the Merrell Trail Glove. I had a very positive experience – I didn’t get hurt, I enjoyed running with less cushion, and I had fun experimenting with my form. But, perhaps most importantly, going minimal let me know that I wasn’t trapped in a life of stability shoes by my “diagnosis” as an overpronator. I was free to experiment, and I did. And in the process I was able to find what worked best for me.

Going minimal made me realize that I liked a wide toebox. I liked a flexible sole. I liked a lower drop. But I also realized that I liked a bit of cushion, and that I liked that cushion to be on the softer side. Not too much cushion, but just enough to provide comfort for long miles on the road. I found myself gravitating toward shoes like the Saucony Kinvara and New Balance 1400. Not minimal shoes, but not traditional or maximal either. I found a formula that worked best for me, and going minimal helped me to hone in on my sweet spot.

Minimal also led to experimentation by shoe companies and designers, and the outcome is that we now have an incredible diversity of shoes to choose from. Shoes like Hokas that combine aspects of minimalism with max cushion are part of that diversity. Just as I no longer feel pigeonholed into stability shoes, shoe walls no longer need to be organized into three narrowly-defined categories. There are tons of options available now, and this is a good thing. Minimalism was and is a good thing, it gave us the variety we have today.

In the past year I have run in Hokas, and I have run in a few traditional models. I liked the Hoka Huaka, but none are as good a fit for me as some of more trimmed-down models I have grown to prefer. That being said, I know lots of people who swear by maximal shoes like Hokas or the Altra Paradigm/Olympus. My wife went minimal and it didn’t work out well. She now runs in Hokas and cushioned Altras and is doing great. I know others who still swear by minimal shoes or barefoot. Different strokes for different folks – find what lets you enjoy running most and go with it.

Though I still appreciate a good footwear debate, and I enjoy following emerging science on the effects of footwear on things like form and running injuries, I honestly don’t think we will ever see any evidence supporting a single best shoe for all. It’s time to drop the us vs. them mentality when it comes to footwear and get back to just enjoying running.

I hope to get ahold of the text of this study, and had planned on writing about it myself as there are some clear issues with the interpretation of the results. However, Alex Hutchinson has already done the job and I thought I’d refer you to his take-down for an interesting and thoughtful read.

I particularly like this passage:

“Yes, the conclusion of the study (that “strenuous” jogging is as bad as being sedentary) is based on two deaths over more than a decade of follow-up. (Thank goodness a third person didn’t die, or public health authorities would be banning jogging.)”

Yes, their conclusion that strenuous jogging is as risky as being sedentary is based on two deaths. Alex expands on this, and addresses other issues as well. Head over to Runner’s World to read his full analysis.

Update: For another insightful look at this study, read this article by Larry Husten at Forbes.com. Love the final paragraph:

“Journalists and scientists have an obligation to fairly and accurately report the results of individual studies, and they have the further obligation to place those results in the context of what is already known in the field. By reporting the results of this one quite limited study with little or no critical perspective of its details or the larger context of the research, they have once again helped perpetuate the scientific illiteracy and innumeracy that is fast becoming one of the hallmarks of our time.”

Apparently the article has been spread around quite widely (sadly, the headline accomplished its goal), and this prompted the CBC to contact the lead author of the research study, Jason Dyck. I thought I’d share a link to the interview they conducted with him as it provides some interesting perspective, particularly about how a scientist feels about media misinterpretation/mangling of his hard work. On this topic he says:

“A lot of times when you work away in your lab you hope that people read your studies and that it makes an impact,” said Dyck.

“When you see all your hard work distilled down to one phrase that isn’t correct it’s a little disheartening.”

You can listen to the 8 minute interview here.

Finally, Trivillage has offered up a Garmin Forerunner 10 for a Runblogger giveaway – entries are being accepted until Thursday, July 3rd if you’re interested in participating (go here to submit an entry)!

Shoes I Ran in This Week

Nike Pegasus 31 (25 miles), Newton Kismet (10 miles), Nike Lunaracer 3 (6 miles), Skechers GoRun 4 Prototype (5 miles)

Runblogger Posts From The Last Week

Giveaway Contest: Win A Garmin FR10 GPS Watch from Trivillage
June 27, 2014 – One of my favorite GPS devices, mainly because it’s simple and gives me what I need for 90% of my runs.

Observations on Cadence Change With Running Speed on the Track
June 26, 2014 – Showing again that my cadence changes with pace, but that I tend to have a higher cadence than elites even when running at a much slower pace.

The Hardest 400m Race in Europe?
June 25, 2014 – Up a ski jump!

Try This Killer 4x400m Workout
June 24, 2014 – Hard.

Asics Gel Lyte33 v3 Running Shoe Review
June 23, 2014 – Lumpy but good.

Running Posts From Around The Web

1. Nice article from The Atlantic titled “Why Aren’t Running Shoes Preventing Running Injuries?” I like this quote from Brian Metzler:  So do runners need align themselves as fervent believers of minimalism or maximalism? “No,” Metzler says, “I believe that a runner can have several different shoe types, each with a specific use.”

2. Though evidence to date suggests injury rates are similar between traditional and minimalist shoes, it seems likely that types of injuries in the shoes may differ based on differences in force application/distribution. Metatarsal stress fractures are one injury that seems to be common in those transitioning to minimal footwear, and Craig Payne writes about a study that shows that running in a minimal shoe increases plantar pressure under the forefoot. This could explain the increased stress to the metatarsal bones. My take is that stress is bad if taken too the point where the bones are unable to adapt quick enough and they break, but could alternatively lead to strengthening if a gradual and progressive approach is taken. It would be interesting to see an MRI study of metatarsal bone structure over a long-term adaptation to minimal footwear.

3. DC Rainmaker put together a guide to the best fitness gadgets of the year so far. Very much agree with him about the Garmin 620 and the new Garmin FR15. I need to get my reviews of both up!

4. Great post by Heather Gannoe titled “You Don’t Have To Race.” She writes: “Unless you are an elite or aspiring elite who makes your living off of racing, training for and running a race should be something YOU really want to do. Not for anyone else, not for bragging rights, but for YOU.” Couldn’t agree more.

5. The first reviews of the new lower profile Hoka shoes are starting to roll out. Sam Winebaum and Ben Luedke both take a peek at the Hoka Huaka.

6. Miss Zippy writes about her journey from heel to midfoot/forefoot and back again: “Like many runners, I jumped on the natural running bandwagon a few years back. And I am still a believer in less shoe, aiming to land under your center of gravity, and landing quietly with a high cadence. But I think when I changed my form I put the focus on changing from heel striking to mid foot striking, and then got lazy and didn’t do much else. Which wasn’t the right way to go about it.”

7. Jason Fitzgerald writes about the 5 Traits of a Good Running Coach. I agree with pretty much everything he writes. Having done some coaching myself the past few years, I think it’s important to work with someone who is experienced enough to help you achieve your goals. It’s for that reason that I’ve only chosen to work with beginning runners, those coming back from injury, and those looking to run a first race at a longer distance. I’m confident that I can help people in those groups. But, I also know my limitations as someone relatively new to coaching, and for someone more performance oriented I’m happy to suggest they work with someone like Jason, Caleb Masland, or Jeff Gaudette instead.

8. Another good post on summer running, this one via HillRunner.

Shoes I Ran In This Week

Nike Pegasus 31 (19 miles), New Balance Fresh Foam (8 miles), Puma Faas 300 v3 (8 miles)

Runblogger Posts From Last Week

Ask Coach Caleb: How Should I Structure My Training Weeks to Maximize Running Fitness Gains?
June 19, 2014 – Lots of great info on the various ways you can approach the structure of your training week, including whether or not your “week” should be 10 days instead of 7.

The Oatmeal on the DOs and DO NOTs of Running Your First Marathon
June 18, 2014  – Good stuff from Matthew Inman.

Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 Racing Shoe Review: Lightweight, Flexible, Roomy, and Low Priced!
June 17, 2014 – Great, affordable racing flat. Right up there with the New Balance 1400v2 and adidas Adios Boost.

Summer 2014 Running Shoe Previews Part 1: Altra Lone Peak 2.0, Altra 3-Sum 2.0
June 16, 2014 – Liking the look of the Lone Peak 2.0!

Summer 2014 Running Shoe Previews Part 2: Newton Fate, Newton Kismet, Newton Aha, Newton BoCo Sol
June 16, 2014 – Newton introduces some new POP2 shoes, which feature slightly more subdued lugs than on most other current models.

Summer 2014 Running Shoe Previews Part 3: New Balance Fresh Foam 980 Trail, New Balance MT110v2
June 16, 2014 – Worried about the fit.

Summer 2014 Running Shoe Previews Part 4: Hoka Huaka, Hoka Clifton, Hoka Stinson ATR and Lite
June 16, 2014 – Clifton and Huaka may be might first forays into Hoka shoes…

Running Posts From Around the Web

1. Nick Jenkins reviews the Nike Terra Wildhorse: “The Wildhorses are the king of dry rock, dry grass, dry mud, dry forest trail, dry hard park and dry road.  But just like a Gremlin – don’t get ‘em wet… Or…err… feed them after midnight.”

2. DC Rainmaker reviews the Garmin FR15, which combines an activity monitor with a GPS watch. Just got one of these myself and looking forward to playing with it over the next few weeks.

3. DerScott describes an interesting strategy for running while injured. And he knows a thing or two about being injured.

4. Two posts on running in the heat. First, Jason Fitzgerald tells you “Everything You Need to Know About Running in the Heat This Summer.” Second, Runner’s Connect tells us why we’re more likely to suffer heat stroke in a shorter race.

5. Sole Review takes a look a very detailed look at the Nike Pegasus 31. I just ran 15 miles in this shoe on Friday and was quite impressed. Needed an insole swap to create a bit of room, but the sole feels really nice over long miles, and the upper is quite impressive.

The response was overwhelming both in terms of the heartfelt comments left on the post, and the number of times the post was shared on Facebook, Twitter, etc. It means a lot to me (and Emma) that you care, and and for that we both thank you!

Shoes I Ran In Last Week

Asics Hyperspeed 6 (28 miles), Nike Pegasus 31 (6.5 miles), Asics Gel Lyte33 v3 (5 miles)

Runblogger Posts From Last Week

Nike Zoom Terra Kiger Trail Shoe Review
June 12, 2014 – Guest review from David Henry. He’s not afraid to perform surgery on a shoe to make it work the way he wants!

Nike Pegasus 31 Video Features Slow-Mo Gait Footage of Mo Farah and Melissa Bishop
June 11, 2014 – Just bought the Peg 31 at my LRS this week, one run so far and it felt good. The video in this post has saw awesome slow motion footage of Mo Farah and Melissa Bishop – check it out!

Kid Cross Country: What My 8 Year Old Daughter Taught Me About Running and Competing
June 10, 2014 – This is the post I mentioned in the intro, and it’s about the little girl in the photo above. Emma showed incredible heart this week.

Coaching Beginning Runners is One of the Most Rewarding Jobs I Have Ever Had
June 9, 2014 – Some reflections on my second year of coaching a beginner 5K group.

Running Posts From Around the Web

1. Angela at SF Road Runner has a really nice comparison review of the Saucony Kinvara 4 vs. Kinvara 5. She finds the ride to be very similar, with the main differences being the plush ankle collar and a slightly wider forefoot. She also has some interesting observations on fit variation in the Kinvara 4.

2. Nice post on Runner’s Connect about VO2max. They cover what VO2max is, and what it means to you as a runner. As an aside, I have had mine tested in a lab, and the number reported by my Garmin 620 is spot on the results from that test. Curious if anyone else has been able to compare?

3. Interesting post from DC Rainmaker on how Garmin is restricting access to Garmin Connect data by 3rd party apps: “So instead of having an open access policy, they would be charging the apps $5,000 to ‘play’, along with signing of a legal agreement.  For most smaller apps, this would basically amount to killing the app.” Unfortunate.

4. From my friends in the Running Shoe Geeks group on Facebook, a video showing that Mo Farah can be beaten by a guy running in one shoe.

5. Great post by Heather Gannoe titled “The Reality of the Back of the Pack.“

On Thursday I had 8 miles on my schedule, but wound up running three separate times in three different pairs of shoes for a total of almost 16 miles. It resulted from seizing unexpected running opportunities when they presented themselves – I did my planned five progressive miles in the morning, and my wife wanted to go for an easy four after lunch (kid free!). I figured that would cover the day’s miles. However, later in the day I wound up having an hour to kill between dropping my son off at Taekwondo and arriving at the track to coach my beginner 5K group. The sun had come out, and a new prototype of Meb’s marathon shoe had just arrived before I left the house. The decision was not hard – I put another 6.5 at about marathon pace in the books, a bit faster than planned since I misjudged the distance.

It may not have been the wisest thing to do, but it sure was fun!

Runblogger Posts from the Past Week

Why I’m No Longer on Anxiety Meds
May 1, 2014 – A very short post on my mental health.

Video: David Epstein TED Talk on Whether Athletes Have Gotten Faster, Better, and Stronger
April 30, 2014 – Interesting presentation on the factors that have contributed to increased athletic performance over the years.

Skechers GoBionic 2 Review and A Run Through the Development Process
April 29, 2014 – Nice update to the Skechers GoBionic. A bit more cush while retaining the zero drop option and a super roomy fit.

5 Things I Learned From Running A Trail Race Last Weekend
April 29, 2014 – A bit of a race report, and a bit of gushing on how much fun I had running a long trail race. A few lessons learned mixed in.

The Return of the New Balance MT101 Trail Shoe
April 28, 2014 – One of my favorite trail shoes is making a comeback next year!

Recommended Running Articles from Around the Web

1. Ross Tucker at The Science of Sport posted a thought provoking article on the topic of when intervention is warranted in the case of an athlete struggling to finish a race (prompted by the case of Eliud Magut at the recent Padova Marathon). Lots of good science mixed in with a discussion on whether we should relax rules about intervention/assistance leading to disqualification in races. Says Tucker: “What should be allowed is for the athlete to receive some support very early on – the collapse you saw in the clip comes at the end, and can be predicted many minutes in advance.  When that happens, the athlete should be able to speak to a medical official, possibly receive some assistance that does not actively move them to the finish line…”

2. My good friends Nate Sanel and Ron Abramson ran the Lake Waramaraug 50K (Nate) and 50 mile (Ron) races last weekend. Nate ran a huge 50K PR in the race – read his race report here. Ron recaps his experience guiding a blind runner in Boston and then running the 50 miler the following weekend here. I particularly like the following line from Ron’s post: “That’s when I said, to no one in particular, ‘Oh shit, my balls!’, as I saw that delicious pair roll downhill towards the lake.” You’ll have to read his recap to learn what happened.

3. Todd Kenyon at ttbikefit.com posted some nice slow motion footage of the top women at the 2014 Boston Marathon and discusses variation in their form. Interesting stuff!

4. The 2014 Boston Marathon was an amazing event with an amazing finish. I wasn’t there myself, but could feel the energy from afar. However, I feel like more energy was spent attacking those people who faked their bibs to run the race than celebrating all the good that happened that day. A lot of people have asked me how I felt about that. I absolutely think that it’s a crappy thing to do. I’ve never bandited a race and I don’t approve of what they did given that Boston had made it clear that bandits were not welcome this year (banditing Boston is commonplace and tolerated most years, particularly among local college students, but not this year due to expected large crowds and security concerns). But, I was also a bit shocked by the amount of indignation, contempt, and public shaming that resulted. Report them to the BAA and be done with it. In the end, Miss Zippy said it better than I could have: “We all live in glass houses. We’ve all made errors in our lives. Maybe we shouldn’t be spouting righteous indignation all over the Interwebs. At the end of the day, is it our role to serve as judge and jury of these folks? They have to live with their actions and I’m betting right about now, not a one of them is feeling too good about themselves. Can’t we leave it at that?”

In the article, Williams discusses footwear design in general, pointing out that “the demand for thick-soled boots by occasional pedestrians is due to a tenderness or weakness of the foot induced by habitual sedentary life and swaddling of the foot.”

He discusses running shoe design in particular, pointing out that contrary to pedestrian shoes, running shoes of the time have “no raised heels, are as light, soft, and thin as possible in affording the requires protection and grip. The foot is nearly free as if bared.”

He discusses running for general health, pointing out that “I profoundly regret that I did not make this discovery thirty years earlier. Had I done so my present girth would be very different.” He feels that “all civilised European nations are going wrong in their habits of locomotion. We walk too much and run too little.” He advocates covering long distances via a mix of trotting and walking.

He even discusses his “small invention” of elasticized laces for shoes, and rants on the “ridiculous high heels” worn by fashionable women of his time (to no great benefit as evidenced by their popularity to this day nearly 130 years later).

You can read the full article below – I enjoy finding stuff like this that reminds me that many of the discussions and debates we have today are far from new.

There’s nothing quite like warming weather, sunshine, and improving fitness to make a runner content!

Below are the posts that were published on Runblogger from 4/7-4/13:

Do You Pronate?: A Shoe Fitting Tale
April 10, 2014 – A post about my experience listening to a woman get fitted for shoes at a local sporting goods store, with some thoughts on the pronation control model of fitting shoes

Blowing the Dust Off the Brooks Vantage
April 8, 2014 – Jon Gugala’s second guest post on the new Brooks Heritage line of vintage running shoes.

Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 Racing Flat Review
April 7, 2014 – Review of one of my current favorite running shoes. The PI N0 is a fast racing flat that reminds me of the Saucony Grid Type A5. And that’s a very good thing!

Wear the Brooks Vanguard and Stop Looking Like a Run Nerd
April 7, 2014 – Jon Gugala’s first guest post on the new Brooks Heritage line of vintage running shoes.

Recommended Articles From Around the Web

Lots of reviews to share this week:

1. My review of the Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 wasn’t the only one that came out last week – Steve Speirs over at Run Bulldog Run also reviewed the N0, and he had similarly positive thoughts: “The Road N0 is a great example of less is more. My size 9.5 weighed in at just 6.5oz, making it one one of the lightest shoes in my current rotation. However, just because it’s light, doesn’t mean that it’s a harsh ride – the Road N0 delivers a smooth, responsive ride with a perfect balance of cushioning and comfort.”

2. Sam Winebaum reviews the New Balance Fresh Foam 980 Trail. He concludes: “The 980 Fresh Foam Trail is a low drop (4mm), very solid, supportive mid weight trainer suitable for both smooth and rough trails. It is on the heavier side (10.25 oz)  of modern trail runners which often come in under 10 oz, but given the cushion, deep and effective lugs, and rugged upper I think worth the weight for old legs, longer runs and tougher terrain.” Interestingly, he also reports that early versions of the road 980 had a manufacturing error and the midsole was firmer than spec.

3. Detroit Runner reviews the Garmin Vivofit fitness tracker. I’ve had a Vivofit for several weeks now and am really liking it (though I’m not loving the new Garmin Connect website). Jeff has had a similar experience, so I thought I’d share it here in advance of my own review (coming soon!).

4. Thomas Neuberger reviews the Altra Superior 1.5. Like the original superior, traction is not great, but they offer a roomy toebox and a flexible sole for light, non-technical trail duty.

5. Minimallyshoddy reviews the Skora Fit. The Fit is a more cushioned shoe than most others offered by Skora, and more affordably priced. For minimallyshoddy it ticks all the right boxes: “My perfect shoe is a shoe I’m not thinking about while I’m running in it. It should disappear. Even when I’m on pavement I want to be able to close my eyes and feel like I’m running barefoot. No shoe is that good, but the FIT is just a great combination of all of the qualities I look for in a shoe.”

I finished second in my age group in the 5K and managed to meet my pre-race goal of going sub-20. Happy with the result considering I’ve only been back to serious training (i.e., working with Coach Caleb) for a few weeks, and I’m aiming for a new 5K PR before the year is done. I wore the Pearl Izumi EM Road N0’s for the race, great shoe! They remind me a lot of the Saucony Grid Type A5. Hope to have a review of them posted this coming week.

Below are the posts that were published on Runblogger from 3/31-4/6:

Nike Free 5.0 2014: A No-Go For Me
April 4, 2014

Beginning Runner Tips: Choosing A Running Shoe
April 3, 2014

Saucony Grid Type A6 Sizing Update
April 2, 2014

Slomo: Do What You Want To
April 2, 2014

Chaco Barefoot Z Preview
April 1, 2014

Running Socks Review: Injinji and DeFeet
April 1, 2014

Altra The One2 (Squared) Review: A Complete Redesign
March 31, 2014

Recommended Articles From Around the Web

1. Last week I had at least a half-dozen people send me a link to the American College of Sports Medicine’s new recommendations on selecting running shoes. I have a lot of thoughts about the document, some positive, some negative, but it’s an interesting read for sure (I may try to tackle it in more detail in the coming weeks). It was entirely coincidental that I posted my own article on choosing a running shoe last week. My article was aimed at beginning runners and was a summary of what I told my 5K Yes I Can! group at our first meeting last Thursday.

2. I first met Larisa Dannis at the 2012 Vermont 100. I was there to crew for my buddy Nate Sanel, and we chatted for a bit with her the night before the race. I saw her again last year at VT100, and she was the female winner. I was impressed on both occasions by her incredibly positive attitude and her approach to racing. Last week my friend Maddy Hribar posted some images of Larisa running in the Eastern States 20 miler (including the image to the left) – she was the top female and ran the 20 miles at a 6:14 pace (read her race report here). Amazing!

What’s even more amazing, and what hits home so strongly for me, is that we were both spurred to start exercising in 2007 as a result of having become overly sedentary office-workers. Larisa’s path to fitness started with hiking in the White Mountains, progressed to running ultras, and now she has a goal of qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the marathon. As a coach for a beginner 5K group I see a lot of people who are exactly where Larisa and I were back in 2007. Whether it’s simply completing a 5K, running a marathon, or aiming for the Olympic Trials, you never know what kind of ability you have in you unless you try. You can read more about Larisa in this interview on Far North or this interview on Level Renner.

3. Last week Steve Speirs reviewed the new 5-lug Newton Distance III. This week he shares his thoughts on the 5-lug Newton Gravity III. Here’s a quick summary: “So far I’ve logged roughly 50 miles in the Gravity III, and I must say I’m very impressed. Naturally, being built on the same platform, the ride is very similar to the Distance III, although, with the extra weight, I don’t quite feel as fluid in my stride. Therefore, in my opinion, the Gravity III is much better suited for slower recovery runs or longer training runs where speed isn’t quite as important.”

4. Confused by the difference between all of the Skechers Performance shoe models? The Running Swede has posted a series of videos that explain the key features of each shoe. The videos feature Skechers Performance VP of technical development Kurt Stockbridge. I’ve worked with Kurt directly on design of several Skechers shoes, great guy and I love his approach to building footwear!

5. Caleb Masland has a good post on not sweating missed workouts and being patient in your training. He recounts his experience of missing almost a full week of training in the lead-up to Boston due to illness. I’m in a similar boat today – sore from the race yesterday, and my back is feeling a bit tweaky (pushed a bit too hard in TKD last week). Might be a case where a rest day is warranted rather than trying to push through another 6-7 miles.

6. Finally, Nate Sanel reviews the Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 2.0. I have a bad habit of collecting running packs, though mine tend to be more minimalist since I don’t run ultras (in fact, I just ordered a Nathan Minimist 1.5 this morning with Clymb credits). Nate is prepping to run the Tahoe 200, and a good pack is going to be critical. Looks like the SJ Ultra will be among the finalists for race day if it performs well in warmer weather (we haven’t had much of that up here until very recently!)

If you have posts you’d like to share with me, tag them with #runradar on Twitter, or Tweet me at @runblogger. I find most of these posts via following blogs in Feedly – if you have a blog and write about running frequently, feel free to leave your RSS feed link in the comments!