While we hope the worst of winter is behind us, we know there are still two full months to go, and if you’re tired of hitting the treadmill and want to get out for a run you’ll likely end up face down or worse on an icy road. However, Hillsound’s Trails Campron Ultra could just provide the grip runners might need this winter. This is like putting snow chains on tires but for the feet. It features 18 spikes under each foot, providing serious grip on ice and snow.
Tag: Running
Razor Blade
This month Adidas launched its Springblade Razor, the next generation of “explosive energy under your feet.” These new running shoes, which are now available for pre-order, are the the first shoes to feature blade technology to help propel you forward.
The Springblade Razors feature a unique web design over sock-like Techfit technology that helps lock your feet in place and enhances breathability. The shoe’s 16 individually tuned blades instantaneously react to any environment, compressing and releasing energy. The shoes are also available in four colorways for men, including Solar Blue/Tech Grey Metallic/Black, Black/Tech Grey Metallic/ Light Scarlet, Metallic Silver/Black/Light Scarlet and Light Scarlett/Black/Metallic Silver, and three colorways for women including Solar Blue/Tech Grey Metallic/Black, Black/Black/Vivid Berry and Bahia Pink/Metallic Silver/Black.
Weekend Reading List (01.19.2014): Grab On, Hub Bub, Mill Run
Grab On
From GearJunkie:’Slob’ To Chicken Salad… Snowboarding Grab Terms (on one handy chart)
Oh the colorful dialect of the park and pipe world! Thankfully, we have diagrams to help. I suppose some of these are dated as the language evolves as fast as the sport of snowboarding itself, but this gem of a diagram from Wikipedia might help those watching the Olympic pipe competition understand the terminology…a bit. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (01.19.2014): Grab On, Hub Bub, Mill Run
Weekend Reading List (01.04.2014): Trek Makes the Cross, Runner Resolutions, 2014 Apps
Trek Makes the Cross
From Bicycle Retailer: Trek unveils IsoSpeed ‘cross bike
Trek unveiled a new line of cyclocross bikes that feature the company’s IsoSpeed decoupler, previously used on its Domane endurance road bikes. The decoupler isolates the seattube from the toptube to increase comfort. The unveiling was done with Trek-sponsored athletes including Katie Compton, and world champion Sven Nys in Baal, Belgium. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (01.04.2014): Trek Makes the Cross, Runner Resolutions, 2014 Apps
Weekend Reading List (12.14.2013): Back to Boston, Future Sports, Banned Foods
Back to Boston
From Runner’s World: Defending Champs Will Run 2014 Boston Marathon
Lelisa Desisa and Rita Jeptoo return for April 21 race. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (12.14.2013): Back to Boston, Future Sports, Banned Foods
Smart Shoes Ready to Run
There are smartphones and smart watches, but now developers at the Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) are looking to create smarter shoes. The “EU Project RUNSAFER” concept utilizes specialized running shoe packed with a micro-controller, a radio frequency (RF) module, accelerometers, GPS sensors and a battery.
The system is designed to capture biomechanical signals from the body and transmits them via Bluetooth to the a runner’s smartphone, which then evaluates the data and offers feedback to the runner on how they can improve performance.
“Pulse-rate watches and chest straps record only vital signs like breathing and heart rat,” said Dr. Andreas Heinig, a scientist at IPMS. “In contrast, our running shoe medically evaluates and moni- tors training while jogging. It informs the runner for example of incorrect foot position, asym- metric loading, or warns of exhaustion or overload. There has never been a comparable device before.”
A prototype of the running shoe has already been developed, as has a mobile smartphone app. The researchers are now working on a smaller version of the microelectronics and sensors, which remains the bigger challenge, particularly since the system must be waterproof, light, and durable.
[Press Release: High-tech athletic shoe for pure running pleasure]
Weekend Reading List (12.07.2013): London Dying, Holiday Run?, Cycling Summits
London Dying
From Gear Junkie: Thousands Of Cyclists ‘Die’ In London
The protest took place outside the offices of Transport for London, the transportation authority for the city where 14 people have died in cycling related accidents during the past year including six during the two weeks leading up to the protest. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (12.07.2013): London Dying, Holiday Run?, Cycling Summits
CES Innovations Award: Magellan Echo
It is November and while that means Thanksgiving with Christmas just around the corner, it is also the time when we start to hear about the International CES Innovations 2014 Design and Engineering Awards. For the upcoming show, the Honoree in the Wearable Technologies category includes the Magellan Echo, the first smartwatch dedicated to running by connecting smartphone fitness apps to the wrist. It utilizes Bluetooth Smart to wirelessly connect with a smartphone and provides users control over their favorite fitness app and displays running metrics where it can be easily seen.
Magellan Echo drives integration with the world of sport and fitness apps, and has support from Strava, MapMyFitness, iSmoothRun and Wahoo Fitness. Echo features a ruggedized design, water-resistance to withstand adverse conditions and a replaceable battery that lasts 6-11 months.
Weekend Reading List (11.09.2013): Lance Comes Clean, Student Board, Race Circuit
Lance Comes Clean
From Cycling News: Lance Armstrong exclusive interview: Part 1
A year on from USADA’s Reasoned Decision, Lance Armstrong swivels in his desk chair as he talks at length about the last 12 months and many aspects of his career starting from when he turned professional back in 1992. The now disgraced Texan has agreed to sit down with Cyclingnews Editor Daniel Benson for a face-to-face interview in his new temporary home in a sleepy suburban district of Austin. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (11.09.2013): Lance Comes Clean, Student Board, Race Circuit
Minimal Acceleration
Swedish shoemaker Icebug is looking to give minimalist runners some serious traction for the trails. The company is in maximum gear with the Acceleritas3, a shoe that strips away everything except what is needed for stable footing in any terrain.
Designed to feel like a pair of socks, this natural shoe provides thermal and impact protection and yes a lot of traction. The outsole offers a special pattern that is optimized to grip on hard as well as wet surfaces. The shoes won’t absorb water and thus won’t get heavier even in wet and watery conditions. Instead they’ll feel light on the feet while offering serious grip in almost any terrain.
Weekend Reading List (10.26.2013): East Riding?, Facing Questions, Gotta Go!, Skate Innovation
Easy Riding?
From BikeRadar: Bordering cycle lanes with white lines will not keep cyclists safe, says charity The CTC has questioned elements of a coroner’s report which suggested London’s unbordered blue cycle lanes could be made safer if they were demarcated with white lines. The charity claim that most motorists won’t be aware of the legal differences anyway. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (10.26.2013): East Riding?, Facing Questions, Gotta Go!, Skate Innovation
Weekend Reading List (10.12.2013): UniRider, Shoe Hole, Football Tech
UniRider
From Gear Junkie: Man Rides Unicycle On 525-Mile Bike Tour
Riding 525 miles on a bicycle is a solid physical challenge. Grandfather of five Mark Massie made it tougher, opting to ride the entire California Coast Classic Bike Tour on a unicycle. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (10.12.2013): UniRider, Shoe Hole, Football Tech
Don’t Leave Without the Sleeve
We think of sleeves as being something for the arms, but the 2XU Compression Performance Run Sleeves are worn on the legs, and these feature a zoned breathability panel for maximum airflow and comfort. This gradient panel provides increased blood flow and maximum muscle containment.
These can be used for endurance activities and workout sessions as well as for putting in the miles on the road. These promise improved race times and faster recovery, along with reduced muscle fatigue and can even help minimize shin splints.