This week, we talk about Mo Farah setting a new record. Changes to the runDisney Avengers Half Marathon weekend. A great new addition to the Embrace Running store. Interesting observations from the National Runner Survey. Bia Sport is no more. And our week in training.
bia Shuts Down
National Runner Survey
Mo Farah Wins Lisbon
Cookie Cutter Races
Schools Try Standing Desks
Official Embrace Running Shirt now available
This week, we talk about warm temps at the LA Marathon. Jared Ward and Blake Russell win the USA Marathon Championships. Our race recap of the Badger Cove Half Marathon. Running nude, in the snow. A mayor creating his own race. An exciting day at the New York City Half Marathon with Molly Huddle becoming the first American woman to win and a mens photo finish. And our week in training.
Molly Huddle Wins NYC Half
How Blake Russell Crushed It
Mayor’s Marathon
New Jogging Stroller
This week, we talk about must do 5k’s in the U.S. Michael Wardian sets an interesting new record. Way Too Cool 50k was this weekend and new course records were set. LA Marathon makes some changes for their upcoming race due to a heat advisory. Charles Eugster sets a new 200 meter indoor age group record. Chicago Marathon lottery is open. Don’t forget to enter our race giveway for a See Jane Run race of your choice. And our week in training.
50K Treadmill Record
95 Year Old Man Sets Record
Must Do 5K’s
If you’re like me you probably have some type of running bag. Using it to carry your running gear to races, the gym, trail runs or wherever you are going to run. I for the longest time used an old Adidas duffel bag. It worked fine I suppose. My issues with it were that it wasn’t really large enough, no dedicated place for shoes and no organization. So my search for a new bag led me to purchasing the Ogio 8.0 Athletic Bag. Now this bag is actually intended for triathletes, which I am not. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great bag for runners.
The Ogio 8.0 has a capacity of 3000 Cubic inches and dimension of 12 H x 26 W x 11.5 D. The first feature that attracted me to the bag is that it has adjustable backpack style shoulder straps that when held together make a nice carry handle. It works great wearing it as a backpack especially when you need to be carrying other items in your hands. Although on your back it definitely feels like a very large backpack. The next feature is the crush resistant lockable armored pocket that sits on one side of the bag. Ogio cites it as a great place for your sunglasses. For me it’s where my car keys, wallet, headphones and sunglasses go. No more digging around the bottom of a bag to find my keys. One end of the bag has a dedicated shoe compartment, it keeps your dirty shoes separate from everything else. The opposite end has a small storage section and an external retractable bungee cord section great for a bike helmet. For me it’s usually a sweatshirt that goes under the bungees. On one of the long sides of the bag there is the nutrition storage. It zippers open and flops down providing an organized area for me to keep my gels, bars, pretzels or whatever snacks I want with me. The opposite side has a pocket for a water bottle. This pocket admittedly is kind of awkward. Only works well if you are carrying the bag on your back. The bottom of the bag if you flip it around has a wet/dry storage compartment with ventilation. Intended for a wetsuit, works great for any smelly post run clothing. Then of course you still have the large main compartment where you will throw the bulk of your items such as clothing.
I have used the bag for relays like Ragnar and overnights to out of town races and it has worked out great. Anything beyond 1 or 2 nights and you’ll need a bigger bag though. I have thrown it in overhead compartments on a plane without issue. The bag is a bit large for that but since it’s a soft duffel you can easily shove it in there. It the size of this bag isn’t quite right but you like the features Ogio does make a larger 9.0 and a smaller 4.0 version.
Now the one and only downside to the bag is its price. It usually retails for about $100. Now you get what you pay for in that the bag materials and zippers are all top quality. For some that is going to be too high a price when you can buy a cheap duffel for around $20-35. For me it works in keeping my stuff organized in a bag that can take a beating. So if you can accept the price then I recommend it as a great bag.
Ogio 8.0 on Amazon
Ogio Website
This week, we talk about the relationship between getting adequate sleep, and running. You can get an awesome “mega medal” if you run the Phoenix marathon or half marathon five years in a row, starting in 2016. More trails might be closed to runners. Several events were cancelled at the Cowtown Marathon weekend. An awesome race giveaway to a See Jane Run race in 2015. And our week in training.
Cowtown Marathon Cancellations
Phoenix Marathon Copper Star
Trail Closed to Runners
Sleep Better
Sleep and Performance
See Jane Run Race Entry Giveaway
Save 25% off a See Jane Run race entry with code SJRAMB246. Use the same code to save 10% at their stores, including online.
See Jane Run is a running store and race organization that really embraces women (and men) of all ages, sizes, fitness levels. They truly celebrate us all getting out there and being active. Although focused on womens’ fitness, men are welcomed into all of their events and no one is made to feel out of place. They have three race locations this year: SF Bay Area in Alameda, CA on June 21; Seattle, WA on July 12; and Pleasanton, CA on September 27. Their events in Alameda and Seattle include a half marathon, 5k and kids race. Their event in Pleasanton includes a Triathlon and Duathlon. I have run their SF Bay Area half marathon twice and had a great time on a flat fast course. The start near Washington Park in Alameda provides a great venue for pre-race activities such as a warm up and dancing-yes dancing. Running close to the water for the majority of the race for both the 5k and half marathon gives runners views of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge. It’s a great course for a PR. With the finish line just a few steps from the shore it’s a perfect place to celebrate and provides a beautiful backdrop for post race pictures. Of course, there is chocolate and champagne at the finish, as there is with all See Jane Run races. This race is in June so there is still plenty of time to train. Next on their calendar is there race in Seattle in July. With the start and finish at Gas Works Park, runners get to run along Lake Union. The last event of their 2015 race season is the See Jane Run Duathlon and Triathlon in September. I’m very familiar with the location of this race-Shadow Cliffs Regional Park in Pleasanton, CA and I will be at this race! The triathlon consists of a 400yd swim, 11.1mile bike, 3mile run. Since my swimming is subpar I figured it was better for all involved if I stayed out of the water so I will be doing the Duathlon- 1mile run, 11.1mile bike, 3mile run. Come join me! They will be expanding their races to several new cities in 2016 so stay tuned for that. I’m fortunate to have been selected to be a See Jane Run Ambassador for its 2015 races. Great news for all of you is that I have a discount code to share for 25% off registration to any of their 2015 races! Race entry includes a race shirt, finishers medal, post race champagne (for those 21+) and of course, chocolate. That’s a pretty good deal. The discount code is SJRAMB246. This code can also be used for 10% off purchases in any of their stores and their online store. I also have a race entry to giveway to one lucky person. See below for giveaway details.
We are giving away 1 free entry to the race of your choice. Just tell us which race you would run if you won (SF Bay Area, Seattle or Pleasanton). Enter the giveaway by doing one of the following (or do all three for a maximum of three entries):
1. Leave a comment below with which race you would do if you won.
2. Leave a comment on facebook with which race you would do if you won.
3. Follow us on twitter and tweet @embracerunning which race you would do if you won and include the hashtag #seejanerun
Rules: One winner will be chosen at random. Contest ends Sunday, March 15th at 1 p.m PST, and winner will be announced soon after.
See Jane Run Races
See Jane Run Store
Disclosure: As a See Jane Run Race Ambassador, I was provided a free entry. See Jane Run is sponsoring this race entry giveaway by providing a unique, single use coupon code for the winner. Winner must register themselves for the race . No travel or accommodations will be provided. Winner will receive registration code at end of contest.
This week, we talk about registration for several marathons including Chicago Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon opening soon for their 2015 events. Big Sur Marathon registration goes to a lottery process for 2016. Changes to the World Marathon Majors Championship scoring started with the recent Tokyo Marathon. Runners go off course at the Birmingham Mercedes-Benz half marathon. Little Rock Marathon and Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon come up with creative solutions for their race merchandise being caught up in shipping delays. We saw McFarland, USA and it was a great movie, you need to see it. Mark trains for the Eugene Marathon and Elena is halfway through her training for the Boston Marathon.
Runners Taken off Course
RnR Philly Date Change
Marathon Majors make changes
Big Sur Marathon Goes Lottery
It’s no secret that I am a fan of Hoka’s. So it’s not surprise I picked up a pair of the Hoka Challenger ATR trail shoes when they first came out. Some describe the shoe as the trail version of the Hoka Clifton, which is a fair comparison. The shoe features the usual Hoka rocker geometry and a no sew upper. It has a 5mm drop, 29mm heel and 24mm forefoot. Weighs in at 8.6 oz and has 4mm lugs on the bottom. It has the same EVA midsole as the Clifton however this shoe is stiffer. The shoe is true to size for me and feels slightly more comfortable in the heel then the Clifton. This is a shoe that is light and responsive for the amount of cushioning that you get. They feel agile enough for me and still feel connected to the trail. They are a smooth fun ride. Traction has been surprisingly good even on some especially muddy days. But probably not the best option on very technical terrain. So far I have had no issues with the durability although some other wearers have had some concerns. I even really like the look of these, and there are more colors coming next month. These have actually been my favorite trail shoes ever, so much better then the last trail shoes from Hoka that I had – the Rapa Nui. The Challenger began as an exclusive for REI stores, but come March you should begin to see them everywhere including Hoka’s own website. The shoe retails for $130.
This week, we talk about a dramatic finish at the Austin Marathon. Some races with great swag, including one with an apple pie. McFarland, USA comes out this weekend so go see it at a theater near you. RaceReady is back. And our week in training.
Runners Crawls Across Finish Line
Best Race Swag
RaceReady
McFarland USA
Trails in Motion Film Festival is a compilation of short films related to trail running. The film tour started off in South Africa and is now in its third edition. We were fortunate to be there for its first US showing of 2015. There are nine films that range from three minutes to 56 minutes in duration. With the featured film “Finding Traction” being the longest. This particular film features the great ultrarunner Nikki Kimball as she goes for an FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the 273 mile Long Trail in Vermont. Nikki Kimball is a long time endurance athlete and very successful ultrarunner, having won Western States Endurance Run three times and most recently winning the 150 mile Marathon de Sables in 2014. The film follows Nikki as she prepares for this endeavor and through her ups and downs while out on the trail. Aside from going for an FKT on American’s oldest trail, she also had the goal of raising awareness of trail running and other outdoor activities with this venture. With this goal in mind she partnered with Girls on the Run in Vermont and She Can! in Montana to raise money for the work these groups do with children and young adults in exploring nature and participating in endurance sports. The film captured our attention right from the beginning and kept us enthralled the entire time.
The films are international, coming from countries such as Japan, Mexico and New Zealand. They take viewers to places we may have heard of but have not been able to experience in person such as southern Patagonia in the film “Around Patagonia” featuring Jason Schlarb and Jeremy Wolfe. One of the goals of the film festival is to bring people together from around the globe to enjoy the sport of trail running and I think they are doing a good job at accomplishing that goal. “Triple Corona” gives us a peek into the toughest mountain trail running circuit in Mexico that is ‘only for savages’. It’s a challenging trilogy of races over difficult terrain and accompanied by some amazing views.
One of the films “Why We Run” really makes you think. It makes you think about running, about trail running, about life. It features biologist and ultrarunner Bernd Heinrich who has written a book by the same title, although originally it was titled “Racing the Antelope”. The book deals with our primal drive to win and how that relates to humans being a running species. The 15 minute film includes insights from Bernd about what running has meant to him and the role it continues to play in his life.
After watching the first couple of films I was ready to go out on the trails and run and I’m sure others felt the same. However I don’t recommend leaving early as you will miss out on some great films. With the film tour being international there are opportunites for many people to catch a viewing. I recommend checking their website for a showing near you.
