For whatever reason, that doesn’t work as well with the way they make athletic shoes these days. The fabric and mesh of your running shoes gets stiff and seems to wear out even faster.

We went whole-hog and got a handful of Nikwax products to clean and condition shoes. The Footwear Cleaning Gel worked well cleaning running shoes that had been through a trail half (I rinsed them pretty thoroughly first). The mesh, in particular, stayed soft and breathable.

The leather cleaner did well on my leather work boots (this is Texas — everybody with a garden learns the importance of wearing work boots), which I confess to having neglected. After applying the waterproofing wax, I think I will get another year or two out of them.

The sandal wash also did a good job cleaning a pair of men’s leather sandals, which I also waterproofed.

Hey, I think I just one-upped my Dad. I don’t think he ever saw him cleaning his sandals.

Lululemon's TaTa Tamer II

This bra is the one. I tried the BounceBreaker X years ago, and while it was comfortable, it didn’t break my bounce. The designers at Lululemon kept after it, though. No more bras that just smash and call it support (which doesn’t work for us big-chested girls anyways).

I can’t decide whether I like best the flat seams, the cool, stretchy fabric that never overheats, or the removable cups best (another way to stay cool on those long runs.) The magic really comes from the wide padded straps, which are adjustable and crossable. They provide the support that lets me run for miles and not come home with welts or chafe marks either.

The price is a little high for what I might normally want to pay for a sports bra, but they are a socially conscious company and the TaTa Tamer earns its keep. I’ll be buying more.

Lululemon TaTa Tamer II

• Reviews of Moeben sleeves and skirts (two reviews in one post)
• A review of the Energizer Trailfinder Headlamp
• and a review of the book Born to Run – by Christopher McDougall

Those reviews were all written in just the past couple of weeks, so it stands to reason that Jessica’s got lots more to offer. But, don’t take my word for it – go visit her blog and find out for yourself.

In case you are not familiar with the “brain training” concept, the very well known South African sports scientist Tom Noakes has developed a theory that it is mostly our brain that determines our level of running performance, not the muscles in our legs. Matt Fitzgerald claims that his training approach takes those insights into account.

The book is split into two parts. The first half gives the theories behind the concept and a lot of practical ideas on how to train. There is nothing really radical in this – I have come across all the basic ideas before, but some of the chapters I found outstanding. My favourite one is about core strengthening. Not only does the author explain very well why core training is important for runners, but he also describes four sets of exercises, and the accompanying photos make them perfectly clear. Other good chapters deal with recovery and injuries.

The second part of the book consists of a set of training plans for the distances of 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon, with three levels for each. Each plan is split into four phases, namely base, build 1, build 2 and peak (plus taper), and each phase has its own sets of workouts. Those training plans are solid. If you mange to follow them, you will definitely end up in good shape. Originally, my main gripe with them was a distinctive lack of distance variation. On most weeks there were 4 runs of the same length, and 3 of them consecutive, which I found less than ideal.

I did find some weakness as well. Many of the training ideas are similar to already well known plans, even if he comes at them from a different angle. For example, tempo runs are there to get the brain used to that exertion rather than pushing the lactate threshold, but in reality you are doing the exact same workout. I also never managed to get to grips with some of his ideas, for example the use of proprioceptive cues (falling forward, pulling the road, navel to spine, and so on).

The main problem I ran into was the amount of speedwork in the training plans. Even though I never managed to quite hit the prescribed training paces, my PRs in all the shorter distances dropped, some by spectacular amounts (over 1 minute in the 5k!), but halfway through the training I started to feel really tired and increasingly stale. I persevered for a while, but eventually felt I had no choice but to cut back a little bit.

In my goal marathon, I ended up with a new PR but missed the 3 hours mark after running into difficulties in the later miles. Will I use that training plan again? The answer is no. I ended up dreading the speed workouts and eventually decided that this was not the right way for me to train. However, others have reacted more positively, and the book is definitely worth checking out—the chapter about core training is worth the price of the book alone, and with that in mind, I’ll give it 4 stars out of 5.

This shoe boasts lighter weight without compromising cushioning or durability.

Shoe Specifics:

The Adrenaline GTS 6 is a stability shoe for mild to moderate overpronators of a medium build. It has the usual proprietary technologies for stability and support and sports a compression molded EVA called Substance -257 for a mid sole.

Evaluation:

Training in these shoes consisted of speedwork on trails, road running, stair running and elliptical trainer workouts. The reviewer is 5’ 10” and 190 pounds, and a moderate to severe overpronator; training pace for average runs is from 7:30 to 8:20 per mile, interval pace average is approximately 71- 75 seconds for 400 meter repeats.

The first impression of these shoes is how comfortable, light and responsive feeling they are. You don’t think of a “break in” period with these shoes. These shoes have a smooth transition from heel to toe.

I did notice that as time went on, the forefoot cushioning seemed to be missing something. I did experience some metatarsal discomfort after longer runs in these shoes. So although rear foot cushioning seems fine and stability is decent enough, these shoes felt somewhat lacking in the forefoot.

Durability seems to be quite good, which may be the big upside to this lighter weight shoe.

Pros:

Good stability, comfortable feel, orthotic friendly

Cons:

Feels a bit skimpy on the forefoot cushioning

Summary:

This is probably a great stability shoe for lighter runners. Runners who are heavier may feel the forefoot cushioning is not up to the task.

Of note, the Adrenaline GTS 8, the updated version of this shoe sports a new material called MoGo for the midsole which is lighter, provides more cushioning and reduces fatigue versus Substance-257. It also has the rear and forefoot Hydro Flow shock absorption pads as does the GTS 5.

If the MoGo does what Brooks says it can do, the GTS 8 may be one of the best stability shoes out there (it did garner a “best buy” award for a stability shoe from Runner’s World). I for one can’t wait to give them a go!

Bill Bowerman coached the University of Oregon track team (“the Ducks”) for 25 years, but is most famous for co-founding Nike and coaching Steve Prefontaine.

Those interested in these two stories won’t be disappointed with Bowerman and the Men of Oregon. The Nike story is explored in a depth that will likely surprise even the most avid Bowerman/Nike fan. And, of course, the Pre story is here too. Everything from his still-impressive domination of U.S. running to the heart-wrenching tale of his early passing – and its effect on Bowerman.

But the Nike and Pre stories are only small fragments of this epic biography. Epic because Bowerman was a legend long before Pre laced up his shoes, and because his influence continued to be felt long after Pre’s passing. It’s lucky for us that author Kenny Moore – a former Bowerman “Duck” and Sports Illustrated writer – took his time telling the Bowerman story:

• It all starts with Moore delving into Bowerman’s love of Oregon. A sentiment founded upon tales of his ancestors – a hardy group of settlers who opened up the west and settled Oregon.
• You’ll learn how Bowerman was raised in a one-parent home, and how his high school councilor changed his life by challenging him to never disgrace his mother.
• You’ll follow him to war and discover the unlikely way he became decorated with the Silver Star for Gallantry.
• You’ll get a glimpse into Bowerman’s incredible seven decade relationship with his wife, Barbara.
• You’ll trace the path that led to the popularization of jogging in North America – how the running boom of the 70’s was a phenomenon that started with Bowerman making a trip to New Zealand, and receiving a rather painful, humbling lesson at the hands of coaching legend Arthur Lydiard.
• You’ll get on board with Bowerman’s fondness for Canadian athletes (yeah!) and why he enlisted them to help build his house.
• You’ll take a seat for the first 4-minute mile on U.S. soil – a milestone set by an athlete Bowerman coached in a race that saw John Landy beaten in the process.
• You’ll get Bowerman’s reaction to Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ black-gloved fist in the air demonstration at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
• You’ll gain insight into Bowerman’s prophetic but unheeded concerns prior to the hostage tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
• You’ll witness Bowerman’s bizarre method of hazing new recruits with urine, car keys and saunas.
• And you’ll get an in-depth appreciation for the decades-long battle Bowerman and Pre waged against a corrupt national athletics organization.

All this, and much more, are part of Bowerman’s biography, but perhaps most important is that the “Men of Oregon” are featured throughout the entire book right alongside Bowerman (I suspect the way he would have wanted it). The pages are absolutely packed with stories of athletes and teams that made Oregon a dominant force in the US track scene. The reader is treated with insights into how those great teams trained and won. Races are dissected in a way that puts you right in the action. I was thoroughly envious of the passion not just Bowerman and his athletes had, but that their fans had. In the era of Bowerman, runners (not just Pre) were the rock stars of American athletics.

The love of competition – of races and race tactics – is joyfully embedded throughout this book. It’s a marvelous adventure.

If Kenny Moore’s intent in writing this book was to pay tribute to Bowerman and get you excited about the sport of running, I suspect he will succeed.
——–

Related Links

• Another review at Eliterunning.com
• An article I wrote a while ago about Pre and Bowerman
• Bowerman and the Men of Oregon on Amazon.com

26.2 Marathon Stories is a lovingly crafted tribute from two authors who obviously have a deep, personal connection with marathoning. Kathrine Switzer (the first woman to race in the Boston Marathon) and Roger Robinson (who has set age group marathon records around the globe) have assembled a beautiful book. I suspect “beautiful” and “marathon” don’t often appear on your screen together, but I assure you that there is beauty aplenty in 26.2 Marathon Stories.

From history to heroes, from agony to ecstasy, from weekend road warriors to elite gods of running, much of what you’ll find in 26.2 Marathon Stories can be found by spending time (a lot of time!) scouring the web, but this book has it all packaged up in one beautiful place.

Of course, every good book has to have good writing and, rest assured, you won’t be disappointed here. The words in 26.2 Marathon Stories jump off the page to evoke a wide range of emotions. Some of the writing is simply … magical.

The magic doesn’t end with the writing. From the moment you glance at the cover, till the second you turn that last page, you’ll be captivated by tons and tons of beautiful illustrations and photographs – each one woven expertly into the fabric of the book’s message.

The message underpinning all this marathon beauty is a sense of awe, inspiration and wonder. The ink on these pages practically begs you to experience (or re-experience!) the marathon.

It’s a book that belongs on your coffee table. It’s a book even non-runners will enjoy. It’s a book that can inspire an out of shape couch potato to train for his first marathon. It’s a book that can re-ignite the fire in a seasoned athlete.

But don’t take my word for it – check out some other reviews at Coolrunning and Amazon.
—
26.2 Marathon Stories is available on Amazon.com

Not only did it deal with the very subject that occupied my mind at the time, it was just full of gripping stories. Reading the blurb alone will leave you in no doubt what the book is all about (“I’m 95 miles into a 100-miler…”); my wife took one look at it and could only mutter “and I thought you were bad.”

Neal Jamison may be listed as the author of the book, however virtually all of the content was provided by members of the ultra running community. It contains about 40 essays, all of them telling about personal experiences while running an ultra marathon. The mixture is intriguing, top stars like Tim Twietmeyer are listed right beside some less talented runners, but all of the stories are equally worth reading. You get a glimpse of the same event from more than one angle; e.g. the race director of one race describes his event, and a few pages later you come across a runner that partook in the same race. You can read two stories from a father/daughter combination, and there is a husband/wife angle as well.

I found it almost impossible to put this book down. The elite racer’s account of a famous win at Western States is just as fascinating as the failed attempt at the same distance by a different runner, who later questioned his decision to quit (and probably still does). This should be required reading for anyone who thinks about running more than 26.2 miles, but even runners who feel at home at much shorter distances should find this a very pleasurable read.

Spirit of the Marathon had a nationwide, one-night showing in some 460 theaters. It was an event and film worthy of its subject matter.

Many of us have been waiting a long time to see this film—long enough to remember when it was called Land of the Gods: The Legend of the Marathon and the producers were looking for marathoners Kim Alexis or Anthony Edwards to narrate—not to mention marathon-hubby Tom Cruise.

There’s no sign of Tom, but you won’t miss him because the stories of six marathoners are compelling enough on their own.

Director/cinematographer Jon Dunham headed a team of experienced, award-winning documentary film-makers who created a work of both intimacy and grandeur. Dunham is a marathoner himself, and assembled all the veterans of marathon achievement, lore and training. You’ll find such luminaries as Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, Grete Waitz, Dick Beardsley, Kathrine Switzer, Amby Burfoot, Hal Higdon and on and on and on…

You get history, you get philosophy, but most of all you get the personal stories of six runners: two elites (Deena Kastor and Daniel Njenga), two experienced amateurs (Ryan Bradley and Jerry Meyers) and two first-timers (Leah Caille and Lori O’Connor). Cameras followed them throughout their training for the 2005 Chicago Marathon.

It can’t be easy to make a visually unique film about running, but Dunham’s camera work carries a lot of the story-telling, particularly the early morning long runs. During the shots of the starting line in Chicago I could actually feel my heart rate increase. But the scenes that got the biggest reactions from the audience were the ones that captured the small moments:

* Lori’s husband saying that any distance over five miles “is why we have public transportation.”

* Each of the runners carbo-loading and laying out their gear the night before the race.

* Daniel Njenga grinding out the last half-mile.

* Someone in the crowd with a sign that reads, “You’re all crazy.”

* Leah struggling as she crosses the finish line, then pausing to hit her stopwatch before bursting into tears.

* The final credits that include a list of the cast and crew’s marathon PRs.

The film’s flaws don’t detract from the overall experience. It could have been edited a little tighter—with the “bonus footage” it comes in at about two hours, which might be a bit much even for running enthusiasts. And while all the runners are interesting characters, you’ll leave the theater wishing you had learned more about Daniel Njenga, his village in Kenya, his working life in Japan, and his ongoing quest to win the Chicago Marathon.

Make sure you stick around for the “DVD extras,” mainly for the weirdness factor. Watch Njenga antagonize hippos! See Kastor spill too much balsamic vinegar in her avocado enchiladas! And does that tiny woman really eat 5,000 calories a day?

The one-night event was popular enough to prompt a second, encore showing on Thursday, February 21. If you don’t get to see it in a theater, not to worry. There is no question that it will eventually be available on DVD.

“Spirit of the Marathon” is a movie for runners, their families and for anyone who has ever thought about lacing them up and laying it all on the line for 26.2 miles. Highly recommended.
—–
Click here to read what others in the blogosphere are saying about Spirit of the Marathon.

Then, several months ago, I stumbled upon a very similar product, this time called Hornet Juice. It works on exactly the same premises, a protein mix that helps your body to metabolize fat for energy from the start of exercise. If this worked, you would be able to avoid the famous Wall in marathons altogether, because your glycogen supplies are spared and you should never run out of them. The product was sold via the web from New Zealand for an affordable price, shipping was free and I decided to give it a go.

I have been using it all through my training cycle this summer. For each run of 18 miles or more I dissolved one sachet in a glass of water. The taste is very light but pleasant enough. It always left a residue at the bottom of the glass, but I don’t think that matters. The instructions are to take one packet anywhere between 0 and 45 minutes before start of exercise. Since I always run early in the morning, I would take it immediately after getting out of bed, which usually meant 15 minutes before I left the house.

How did it go? I can honestly say that of all the long runs I did during this training cycle (about 15) I cannot remember a single bad one. I generally ended my runs, even the 22 milers, with the feeling that I could have run further and/or faster. While I cannot say for sure that it was the Hornet Juice that was responsible for that, I am prepared to give it at least some of the credit. I generally felt pretty good after the workouts, even though I declined to follow the recommendations on their website to take a second packet after the workout for recovery (I used slim fast or chocolate milk instead). According to the advice given, you can even mix Hornet Juice with a carbohydrate sports drink, thus getting the benefits of both, though you should avoid mixing it with a protein drink, as that would reduce its effectiveness.

I’m not in any way affiliated with the product, apart from being a satisfied customer. I can recommend Hornet Juice to anyone wishing to run a marathon or further. If you want to try it out, you can order a test sample of 4 servings for 9 dollars (remember: free shipping). Just don’t humiliate me in my own race!