I got to take home a pair of the new New Balance 101 Minimalist Trail Running Shoes from Outdoor Retailer a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been taking them for test spins on my trail runs ever since.  I’m not new to New Balance minimalist trail running shoes, I checked out the 101’s father, the New Balance MT100 minimalist trail running shoes a while back and really liked them.  The 101s have the same genes as their father, but they have a personality all of their own.  Acting like your father isn’t cool; unless your dad is Willis Haviland Carrier or something….

The New Balance 101 minimalist trail running shoes have the same exact sole as their father.  Just like the 100s, “The heel of the shoe is made up of cut outs for rear traction.  This really helped when I was running over some sandy and rocky terrain as I was able to push off better.  The midsole tread looks like someone took an ice cream scooper and scooped out pieces of the sole.  My guess is that this is to reduce the weight of the shoe, as well as increase flexibility and breathability.  You won’t be getting any dirt, mud, or rocks caught in these cylinder shaped holes.  The front tread is made up of some smaller ice cream scoops but mostly squares around triangles which lend for good traction while still giving you ample feeling of the trail.”  Honestly, who quotes thyself?  I do I guess.  The midsole is very flexible which allows the shoe to bend like your foot does, giving you the minimalist feel.  However, the soles are tough enough (are you tough enough NKOTB?) that I’ve run on all types of gnarly terrain in these babies and the bottom of my feet haven’t hurt yet.  This son understood what his father meant when he said to make sure to always have protection.

The biggest difference in the New Balance 101 is the shape of the front of the shoe.  The protection strip in the front is made of a sturdier plastic and covers more area than the MT100s did.  An upgrade for sure.  The toe area also seems to be wider than than the New Balance Trail 100s too.  I really like this difference because it gives my toes more freedom to move around while I run, allowing the shoe to harness the benefits of minimalist running.

There is less cushioning in the New Balance 101s than the 100s, but you won’t notice it when you run.  They’re minimalist trail running shoes, so if you looking for cushioning then you should check out a pair of cushioned trail running shoes, not these running shoes.  There is an area for your foot to rest if you have high arches, but the NB 101 minimalists don’t have any arch support.  It’s about time you stopped supporting your arches, they’re well over 18 now.

The upper is a synthetic mesh which keeps the New Balance 101 Minimalist Trail Running shoes dry and breathable.  I ran these straight through a couple of creeks and they were dry in a matter of steps; as you can see from my picture to the right!  They also have New Balance’s Sure Lace technology but let’s get serious, did shoe laces really need new technology to keep them from becoming untied?  I have my own Sure Lace technology, it’s called double knotting.  There is more fabric on the lip of the tongue (make sense?) than the New Balance MT 100s which is nice because it keeps the ultra-lightweight tongue from getting stuck down in your shoe.

Overall, these are very legit minimalist trail running shoes.  Not many changes from the New Balance 100s, but if it aint broke, don’t fix it.  New Balance did come out with the new fly green color.  Check out the other colors when New Balance releases the 101 Minimalist Trail Running Shoes to the public!  Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek!

Galahand Clarck, a 6th generation shoemaker, took over eco-friendly shoe company Terra Plana.  At the time he noticed an old university friend of his who introduced him to the benefits of natural movement.  Clark, who previously lived in China already understood the importance of foot health through his exposure to Eastern medicine, began talking to experts, coaches, and biomechanic experts.  In 2004, with the help of podiatrists and movement specialists, Terra Plana developed Vivobarefoot with a mission to improve posture, sensory perception, and general well-being.  Weird, I thought Chris McDougall was the first person to realize the benefits of barefoot running.

The Vivobarefoot Evo has a patented ultra-thin puncture resistant rubber sole which allows Vivobarefoot to offer all the health benefits of being barefoot with the protection of normal running shoes.  I started running in these on the roads, but quickly moved to the trails and they held up just as well on the tough terrain of trail running.

The bottom of Vivobarefoot Evo is made of an ultra thin rubber that is very bendable.  You can fold these shoes in half and stick them in a backpack if you decide it’s time to run naked; barefoot I mean.  Although the bottom is thin, it is still made of very tough rubber.  You barely feel the ground in these shoes when running on any type of surface.  The soles have small hexagons evenly across the entire bottom except for where the arch is.  I hypothesize that this is to save some of the weight from the shoe, why put traction on a portion of the shoe that doesn’t touch the ground?  These lightweight minimalist running shoe soles protect your feet and have something that your feet don’t, traction.

The upper is made of a very thin fabric with a plastic honeycomb on it.  Apparently it’s a TPU cage with lightweight mesh and microfiber reinforcements to provide maximum breathability.  Well I can attest that they breath really well, and you don’t even feel the sides of the shoes when running which gives even more of a barefoot feel.

There is a thin insert in the bottom of the shoe that gives you a little cushioning.  Although there is cushioning, it’s done the right way for a minimalist running shoe, it’s distributed evenly across the foot so your running style doesn’t favor landing on your heel like in traditional running shoes.  The shoes are made to fit loose so your foot can move naturally like when barefoot running.  The front of the shoe is wider than the back to allow your toes to move around while running.  However, this makes for a loose fit with a tighter fit in the heel so your foot doesn’t come out of the shoe.  I got blisters from the heal the first time I ran in the Vivobarefoot Evos but I blister easily, just make sure you wear socks with these shoes the first couple of times you run in them.

I also really like the look of them.  They look a bit like a 80s European style, which of course is awesome.  I plan to wear these out around town so I’ll always feel like I’m barefoot!  These shoes are perfect for anyone who wants to make the transition to minimalist running shoes, just remember to also change your running style when making the minimalist transition and get on the trails!

I went to the Outdoor Retailer conference last week and had a blast checking out all the new trail running  gear and shoes companies were boasting for their Spring 2011 product lines.  I’ll be sharing the cool new products I checked out with you during the next couple of weeks so stay tuned if you’re into that sort of thing.  The bounce back in business from 2009 could be felt across the show with huge displays and excited retailers.  There were a lot of great new innovations.  I was amazed to see how much outdoor retailers are constantly changing their product lines to fit consumers needs.   I also didn’t know companies started selling  and promoting their new products so soon will many set to be released in the Spring of 2011.  I guess that’s why the big trail running news from the conference is the minimalist movement.  A bit late to the party I would say, but every company from New Balance to Terra Plana were presenting their new minimalist trail running shoes.  And so the movement moves on.

I learned a lot about minimalist running while I was there.  A quick recap of what the minimalist running movement is all about.  It really took off after Christopher McDougall’s book Born to Run where he followed the Tarahumara Indians to learn how they are able to run for such long distances without injury.  The theory is that human beings are made to run long distances in order to outlast the prey they hunt.  Now we just drive to the store.  Humans are made to run landing on their toes first and absorbing their weight in the ankles and foot.  Overtime running shoes have been developed with extra cushioning in the heel which has lead runners to begin running by striking our heels first.  This heel strike leads to a longer stride which results in more lateral movement of the legs throughout the stride, much of which is absorbed by the knees.  Running shoe companies have been taking notice and are now releasing more minimalist trail running shoes to keep up with the demand for minimalist trail running shoes.

However, no one really knows what the long-term effects of this young movement will be.  Are we just trading absorbing impact from one area of the body to another?  When running in minimalist shoes runners must shorten their stride which could be the reason for the decrease in injuries and not necessarily the shoes.  The shorter stride also may decrease your speed.  As one prominent ultra runner told me at the conference, “I’ve never seen anyone win an ultra wearing minimalist shoes.  I don’t buy it.”  Yeah, because you don’t buy any of your trail running shoes, you have a sponsor.

I have had a severe knee injury for the past year and have held off of surgery in hopes of a less intrusive cure.  So I’m going to put minimalist running to the test.  I am going to train for a half marathon, because it incorporates both speed and distance running, to see if I can run the same time as my last half marathon, 1:24, but in minimalist shoes.

Next I’ll share what I learned from Lee Saxby of Terra Plana vivobarefoot who also helped Chris McDougall run injury free.

Let’s face it, sometimes running the same old routes day after day can be pretty boring. Or if you’re like me, many days it’s hard to get motivated to run unless you’re training for a big race.  It’s days like these that I put on a running skirt and everything changes.

I love running in a skirt, especially my Gym Girl Ultra skirt by Skirt Sports, mostly because it’s so comfortable! Form-fitting shorts, or “shorties,” made of semi-compression mesh fabric, are attached beneath the lightweight jersey skirt. The mesh shorties help you stay cool and dry on long or short runs.  And unlike some running shorts that can creep up, the shorties in the Gym Girl Ultra stay put while the skirt is free flowing with side slits to allow a full range of movement. Plus, the shorties have small pockets on both legs that are perfect for carrying your ipod shuffle, keys, cash, or energy gel.

Not only is the Gym Girl Ultra comfortable and functional, its seriously stylish. The Endless Summer pattern has pink, teal, and white swirls and tendrils which are a perfect representation of the free flowing spirit I feel when wearing it. The skirt covers about 3-4″ of the top of my thighs and completely covers my backside so I can still look great while grabbing a bite or knocking out a few errands after a workout. Why hide under baggy sweats or skimpy track shorts when I can wear running clothes that not only flatter my legs and butt, but also show a hint of my real personality.  To be honest, I’ve been tempted to just put this skirt on a Saturday morning to wear around town.  The Gym Girl Ultra is a multi-tasker and low maintenance, too.  I wear the skirt at least once a week and toss it in the laundry on normal wash cycle and it stays bright and colorful.

The Gym Girl Ultra is definitely my favorite piece of running attire for its high performance design and super stylish fit. I know I can count on this running skirt to make me look and feel good. Whether running a 5k or marathon, having a positive mental attitude is just as important as being physically prepared. I’ve found it’s easy to get that extra boost of confidence to go just a little farther or push just a little harder by simply wearing a skirt!

Thanks a bunch to the folks at Skirt Sports for sending this fantastic skirt and a special thanks for inventing the running skirt!

GTX Corporation has recently been awarded a broad US patent for innovative GPS shoe technology covering 105 claims, including 21 independent claims.  Until now we thought it was only possible to use GPS technology in cars, watches, or pet collars.  GPS in shoes?!  Genius!  About as genius as putting wheels on suitcases, which was patented in 1972, and still continues to reap millions of dollars in licensing fees.  We hope this new patent won’t result in higher priced GPS embedded trail running shoes!

GTX originally developed their product, “Ambulator,” to assist healthcare professionals in keeping track of Alzheimer’s patients who often wander away from caregivers; however, GTX’s patent will pose a significant challenge for any competitors to operate anywhere in the GPS enabled footwear space.  Chris Walsh, COO of GTX, and ex VP at Nike and Reebok said, “…broad patents effectively creates more barriers to entry and blocks competition.”  But since GTX uses the technology primarily for Alzheimer’s patients, how long will it be before trail running shoe companies license this technology and put it in our trail running shoes?

Hopefully soon.  The possibilities are endless for uses of GPS in trail running shoes.  A GPS in trail running shoes could be used for safety measures against trail runners becoming lost, dehydrated, or worse during remote trail runs.  With the GPS device authorities would be able to find trail runners in danger quicker.  In addition, GPS devices in trail running shoes could be used to determine distance, map trails, and set paces.  Just be sure to knock the trail dirt off before plugging your shoe into your laptop computer.  A GPS device in a trail running shoe could be used for all of the current trail running uses, but in the runners’ shoes, allowing them to wear less cumbersome gear.

GPS technology in trail running shoes is not far away, we just hope it won’t cost an arm and leg.  Legs are important for trail running.

I’ve been jogging with the B.O.B. Revolution stroller over the past several months and it’s high time I shared my review. B.O.B. says the Revolution is for “Running errands. Walking in the park. The perfect BOB stroller for family life in the ‘burbs.” but I’ve been doing much more than that – and in the city no less!

Although B.O.B. offers other strollers made specifically for running, our urban family doesn’t really have the coin (or the space) for a single purpose baby vehicle. The great thing about the Revolution stroller is it features a swiveling front wheel that can be locked in place for jogging. In swivel mode the stroller is perfect for walking on cracked, narrow sidewalks and is highly maneuverable at tricky intersections. But this review isn’t about walking – let’s talk baby jogging.

Product features

Running with a baby jogger isn’t as easy as it looks but the folks at B.O.B. have put a lot of thought into making the experience as enjoyable as possible (both for the runner and the baby-on-board). The Revolution features 16″ rear wheels that can roll over just about anything without complaining and 3-inches of plush suspension travel that rivals high-end cross-country mountain bikes. Speaking of bikes, the Revolution is built using many standard bike parts like a quick-release axle up front and schraeder tire valves which makes it easy to find repair parts and accessories.

The Revolution frame is constructed from lightweight aluminum and comes with a 5-year warranty (at which point your child should be running on his own 🙂 ). The frame folds down easily for transport or storage while the canvas seat and canopy can be removed for periodic cleaning. I’ve found the storage capacity more than adequate for everything from doggie poop bags to baby toys to groceries. The Revolution comes mostly assembled and after following the included instructions we had our stroller up and running in no time.

Safety features are important – we are, after all, transporting children – and the Revolution is chock full. The stroller features a foot-actuated parking brake, a wrist safety strap, and even a 5-point safety harness any NASCAR driver would feel safe wearing. There’s also a sun canopy to keep UV rays at bay with a clear window to let you see what your child is up to during the run.

Performance on the run

Admittedly running with the Revolution was a little awkward at first, especially for this first-time dad. It’s important to lock the front wheel in place to avoid tipping the stroller at high speed but the tradeoff is decreased maneuverability when turning. I’ve gotten pretty good at anticipating bumps and turns so I can “pop a wheelie” when necessary and the upside is the great arm workout I get along with my run.

With the front wheel locked, the Revolution features a mechanism for improving the stroller’s alignment (B.O.B. calls this “tracking adjustment”). On my first few runs I noticed the stroller pulled to the right pretty hard and had to adjust the tracking to get things straightened out. Ultimately I found that wide neighborhood streets are the best places to jog since keeping a narrow line can sometimes be difficult.

The padded handlebar does a great jog soaking up sweat and feels comfortable even after miles of holding on tight. The lightweight stroller is quite manageable going down hills and isn’t too much of a burden going up.

Now if you’re assuming running with a baby jogger (any model or brand) is just like running solo, you’re in for a bit of a surprise. Here are several things you’ll need to adjust when running with a stroller: arm motion (huge impact), downhill leg braking, uphill posture, turning speed, and line selection (to name just a few). I’ve also decided that trail running isn’t an option with the stroller and I doubt there are many who would try it.

Revolution + Infant Car Seat (seat & adapter sold separately)

Accessories

There are several accessories you can get for your Revolution and I had the chance to try out the infant car seat adapter. As you might expect, this system allows you to attach your infant car seat to the stroller which is great for hauling babies who can’t sit up on their own yet. B.O.B. recommends waiting until your child is 8 weeks before walking and 8 months (!) until jogging or going off-road but I jumped the gun a bit on that one (does that make me a bad parent?).

The adapter is solidly constructed and was very easy to install. I have no complaints so far and my daughter, Kendall, seems to love it! In fact, she almost always falls asleep during any run that lasts more than 20 minutes which seems to be a pretty solid endorsement.

The verdict

The B.O.B. Revolution is a very capable jogging stroller and is a great choice for active parents looking for a multi-purpose system. With solid construction, smart safety features, and a focus on comfort, the Revolution is my go-to stroller whenever I leave the house. Parents, you just ran out of excuses for not running more!

For many running related injuries, a good regiment of RICE techniques (rest, ice, compression, elevation) can cure the aches and pains without having to see a doctor.  The only problem is finding the time to go through the entire RICE routine after every run.  The answer is to multi-task with Moji compression and ice products!

The use of ice, or cryotherapy, for musculoskeletal injuries has been a primary treatment approach by health care providers and runners for many years.   Today, cryotherapy use continues to be a proven and beneficial adjunct to manage soft tissue injury.  When used in the proper clinical situation, cryotherapy can diminish pain, metabolism, and muscle spasm, thus minimizing the inflammatory response and improving recovery after soft tissue trauma from running.  Research has shown that icing is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective recovery techniques for muscles, helping runners recover faster from training and injuries.

In conjunction with cryotherapy, effective compression lowers the temperature of local tissues, resulting in reduced local blood flow, inflammatory markers, cellular metabolism, and nerve transmission.  Moji uses a body-part-specific cold compression product that allows you to have both ice, and compression on your ailing joints, giving you the maximum effectiveness for your recovery time.

Moji products are able to make icing and compression more effective, easy to use, and comfortable through their patent-pending two-peice construction, which incorporates the Moji Cold Cell and the Moji Compression Wrap.  The Moji composite of individual cold cells that conform to the body provide maximum flexibility and comfort allowing freedom of movement.  The Moji Cold cell is a soft, pliable ice pack that attaches to the Moji compression products with Velcro.  The Compression wrap is made of stretch fabric which is adjustable so you can control your compression and freedom of movement.

Moji products include both a knee and back wrap to cover all of your recovery needs.  The wraps are very comfortable and easy to use when doing any normal activities around the house.  The cold cell is easy to use too.  It only takes throwing it in the freezer in order for the cold cell to be ready for use.  The individual cells work well to cool the areas that need cooling without freezing your entire body.  If you are looking for a easy, convenient way to practice RICE techniques then give the Moji products a try!

There has been a lot of conversations in the running community about the merits of barefoot running for avoiding running related injuries.  It began with the release of Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run.  In it he describes the Tarahumara Indians who have been running barefoot for centuries without injury, over rugged mountainous regions, running at least 50Ks (32 miles) a day!  The only thing on their feet is a simple piece of cardboard with a string attached to it.  This book sparked the discussion, “Is barefoot running better for us than running shoes?”

Also at this time the introduction of the vibram five fingers began to gain popularity.   Vibram Five Fingers are a type of shoe that is shaped like your foot.  The bottom is made of hard plastic to protect your feet from surfaces and the rest of the shoe is made of a mesh type material.  Vibram Five Fingers were the first to introduce this type of athletic shoe which was perfectly in between a regular running shoe and being barefoot.  This allowed many running shoe runners to ditch their running shoes and make the transition to wearing a minimalist running shoe or running barefoot all together.

Why have running shoe runners ditched their running shoes for minimalist and barefoot running? It is because barefoot running has been found to reduce injuries.  Scientific studies are currently being conducted about this claim; however, a recently released Harvard study said, “…runners who eschew shoes may be less likely to serious injury because they hold their feet differently.”

Why does it decrease serious injury from running? Since the 1970s, when Nike and other shoe makers began designing running shoes, running shoes have been designed with the most cushioning in the heel of the shoe.  As runners ran in these shoes, over time, they began to favor the extra cushioning in the heel and began striking the ground with their heels, as oppose to striking the ground on the balls of their feet.  The theory is that landing on the balls of your feet when running is the way humans were engineered to run; therefore, it is the best way to avoid injury.  Heel striking places more pressure on the knees, instead of other areas that were made to absorb the pressure like the calves.

Should you try it? You will find many runners who say this method of running has solved all of their injury problems, but the verdict is still out about long-term effects.  There are those that have been running barefoot for years who swear by it.  Check out Barefoot Ken Bob’s website for more great information about barefoot running.  Just like everything else in running, if you want to try it, start off slow and listen to your body.  You are the only one that knows how you feel.  Personally I’m going to try it.  I’ll let you know what I experience.

It is 10:00 PM on a Sunday night, do you know where your running goals for 2010 are?  Have you been able to keep up with your New Years Resolutions to run more or lose more weight?  Do you need a little extra motivation to keep up the good habits you have been developing this year?  Well, Amazon.com is here to help you with their New Year, New You in 2010 sale on all types of exercise equipment!  Hurry though, sale ends at the end of January!

For instance, running shoes are 20% off!  Buying running shoes on Amazon.com is a good way to get your favorite pair of running shoes that your local running shoe store may no longer carry.  Many runners find a type of running shoe that they feel comfortable with and do not vary from them.  Amazon.com is a great way to get that pair of running shoes you know fit you perfectly, but are not manufactured anymore.  Some runners buy multiple pairs at a time to keep a stockpile of their favorite running shoes.  In order to avoid injuries from running, runners should get a new pair of running shoes every 300-500 miles.  Let the pile begin to be stocked.

It’s still cold outside and it may also be time to buy the treadmill or elliptical you’ve been thinking about buying to keep you motivated to exercise when it is cold.  Right now on Amazon.com you can save up to $300 on exercise equipment!  Treadmill running can be very beneficial to all types of runners.  Here are some tips for making running on a treadmill similar to running on outdoor surfaces.  We are still looking for a treadmill with a ‘trail run‘ setting…

Some of the other great exercise gear Amazon.com has on sale are work-out videos, healthy foods, and books.  Not to mention office supplies, tools, beauty products, and kitchen products.  Get anything you need for the year to come now before the sale is over at the end of the month!  It will make for a healthier, and cheaper, 2010!

Now is the perfect time to get the outdoor gear you didn’t receive for Christmas at REI.  REI is offering all types of items 30-40% off! Get your warm running gear for the rest of the month or stock up on your spring and summer running gear now while prices are low!  Trust us, last summer’s water waist pack will still be in style this summer, so take advantage of the low prices now.  Get ready to hibernate this winter by stocking up on cheap Clif bars, wool socks, and warm running jackets.  Happy post-Holiday training and Merry New Year’s Running Resolution from SeriousRunning.com!