Tired of bottle belts or camelbacks?

Sometime ago I saw a runner who had a normal drinking bottle stuck between the waistband of his running short. It looked highly uncomfortable but hey, maybe he thought the same of me carrying a 330ml bottle in my hand.

Someone must have thought the same and came up with a solution. A bottle shaped to be carried along in the waistband of you short, skirt or even sports bra (see video). This guy used kickstarter to crowd source the capital required to produce his invention and here it is. Simple Hydration Water Bottle

the bottle in use

Myself being a skinny runner I fear of loosing my short if I weigh it down with a bottle so I stick to carry my bottle in my hand (it tones my arms as well;-) ). The bottle can carry 384 ml of 13 oz. share your experience, post a comment underneath this posting!

You can order the bottle on . amazon.com: Simple Hydration Water Bottle

Five GPS watches tested for accuracy

The Polish edition of Runnersworld featured a accuracy test with GPS watches.

The tested watches are:

• Garmin Forerunner 610
• Nike+ Sports Watch
• Polar RCX3 GPS
• Suunto Ambit
• Timex Run Trainer

The watches were tested on 4 distance/speed combinations a 400m track and a 5th  test was run over a longer distance on a trail in a park.
The watches were also tested on two altitudes: 415 meters above sea level and 714m

The results are:

 GARMIN
Forerunner 610 

 NIKE+
Sportswatch 

 POLAR
RCX3 

 SUUNTO
Ambit 

 TIMEX
Run Trainer  

dist.400m

slow

390m

418m

390m

400m

396m

dist.400m

fast

390m

434m

390m

390m

404m

dist.800m

810m

836m

800m

770m

798m

dist.1600m

1650m

1625m

1610m

1540m

1750m

dist.5320m

in the park

5000m

5030m

5100m

5040m

4840m

alt. 415m

boven n.a.p.

420m

405m

--

409m

413m

alt. 714m

boven n.a.p. 

714m

704m

--

699m

710m

The Polar lacks the altitude registration but is the most accurate on distances. It is available in white as well.

A plus for the Nike is the availability in three colours. It is clearly more of a fashion article.
The Suunto is available in silver as well as black.

Al watches can be used as a heart rate monitor as well but for some you'll have to order the sensor seperately so read carefully before you order what's in and what's out...

Below you'll find both the images and prices on amazon:

Almost 30 but still innovative: Nike Air Pegasus

one of the oldest running shoes carrying the same name all along is the Nike Air Pegasus. Celebrating its 25th birthday in 2008 it is turning 30 next year!

Being an oldy in name, the shoe itself is still innovative and now also available in the ID line, the customisable shoe.

This time not only the colour but also the sole, road or trail, and the upper, Gore-Tex or mesh.
This way you can have the same shoe for four types of use/running:

1. Road/mesh: for dry weather
2. Road with Gore-Tex: For the wet rainy seasons 
3. Trail with mesh: Dry conditions during an off road run
4. Trail with Gore-Tex: Wet conditions off road.

Can't wait for the Pegasus 30. I am curious what they come up with for this anniversary.

The ID is available in the Nike Store. The ID is not available in other online stores.

The regular Pegasus is widely available. Picking the one year old  Pegasus 28 can save you an additional 20 to 30 bucks or more.
See all the Nike Air available on Amazon Including a '92 retro version (see image). 

Skins: Innovative or just good marketing for running gear?

Last week I was introduced to a new brand of running gear (or sportswear in general): Skins. After compressions socks you can now buy compressions clothing for your whole body.

The flyer addresses a couple of features that charaterise the apparel of Skins:

• Compression: with the known benefits of enhance bloodflow and improved recovery;
• BMI fit: refers to sizes that not only address height but posture as well;
• SkinMuscle+: Additional compression of the clothing around relevant muscles;
• Skindry: something all functional clothing promisses;
• Skintemp: optimal body temperature regardless of outside temperatures, again a feature that all functional clothing promisses;
• SkinUVblock: OK, that sounds new but then again, doesn't most fabrics shield at least to some extend from the sun?

Sizes of a running tight ( Skinssite ).

Posturesshaped of women
according to Skins

Skins has the following categorys of man clothing:

• Active for all sports
• for Cycling 
• for Triathlon
• for Golf
• for Snow
• for Recovery

As runners we have to resort to either 'all sports' or Triathlon.

OK, I llike their marketing but do they realy offer something new comparec to for example high end apparel from Falke or Adidas. I myself have some very tight tops from Adidas Fusion (with Polar heart rate sensors) whcih have most of the above mentioned charateritics. And to be honest he price of Skins is with f.e. 90 euros for a top with short sleeves high end of the market...

Please share your own experience with this gear...

New Nike Free Commercial

In order to promote the new Nike Free a commercial is made of two and half minutes of length as a small film with a complete story line.

Preparing for a ultra run?

Wanna know what you need to prepare for a ultra run? For example to prepare for the Western States 100? At least it takes a lot of training hours. More than I can manage next to my regular work.

Check out the gear you need for a run. I prefer the hammock;p
Met .

Knitting your shoe? The next step towards barefoot running

In the dutch Runnersworld of last week the big shoe test. It is overtaken by the new release of the Nike Flyknit. The trend visible in the test is less and less shoe to approach barefoot running. The Nike Flyknit is the next step in this evolution.

The startpoint for this new shoe? The comfort a sock offers: “A sock fits great, feels snug, goes unnoticed, and you get no irritation,” Yeah sure but how about stones, glass on the pavement or some support during running. No such thing in a sock. Than the Nike Flyknit is the solution.

What I like about this shoes is that it is designed to meet the wish of the (common) runner. That the (industrial) engineer face a s#!t load of problems to realise this wish is basically a designers dream. Solving al the problems. That is took the engineers 4 years is no punishment if you like such a challenge. The shoe is not entirely new. The Lunar(lon) sole is in use in the shoeline with the same name and the flywire is used as well in commercially available shoes.

Besides the topline shoes weighing 160 gramms Nike will release a trainer of only 270 gram. The top model is for the runners of the olympic marathon next summer in London. On the site co.design is an extensive article. Off course you can find the pressrelease also on the Nike site. Below a couple of videos: and number 2:

Running in Business and in a vest

For those who make serious business of building their network I hardly have to mention the existence of LinkedIn. One of the groups on LinkedIn is Running in Business.
In one of the recent discussions someone poses the question how he can work on his strength during the winter season. Some reactions point him towards the gym or spinning. Some reactions (including mine) are along the line of enjoying running by being outside which is very well possible in North West Europe in winter. Besides during this season there are many crosses that also help building strength.
One reaction I find worth mentioning here in more detail. It is about a weight vest! I never heard of it but according to a link to an article in Runnersworld it has been around for 15 years.
The idea is that you train a certain period with a vest of around 10% of your own weight. During this period you won't experience any progress. Afterwards you still need a few weeks for the effect to kick in so its use takes some careful planning before a race. Click here for the article .

Running skirts

Apparantly popular in de US woth runners of the female kind: Skirts as running gear. I have never seen them myselves her in the Netherlands but maybe it is because I do not take part in Ladies Runs.
This video highlights the usefulness of this new running atire..

Trail running on trail shoes

Yesterday I posted some tips on trail running. Depening on the surface of your trail run it might be advisable to wear trail shoes! I have posted a very short review on the Inov8 Flyroc 310, and the Inov8 Terroc 330 but for more reviews I am so free as to copy a review from Map My Run. The website Map My Run now offers the possibility to add your own story in various categories. The categories are Check this Out!, Favorite Route, Feature Story, How-To, Interviews, My Gear!, Photo Essay and Race & Event Report or you can simply select the Top 10.
In the categorie My Gear! you can find this review thanks to Kevin:

	The North Face Fire Road Traction: This is a great shoe for light/smooth trail running combined with road running. Stability: Testers said they felt very supported in these shoes while running on smooth trails or roads. Toe Protection: Good Presentation: This shoe did well with our testers in the looks department. One of the favorites for looking good on the trails and around town. Fit: Normal Durability: 8 Breathability: This shoe is extremely breathable. Cushioning: The Fire Road faired well with our testers with its cushioning system. Price: $109.95 buy now
	Brooks Cascaida Traction: The lugs on the bottom of the Brooks Casadia give you traction in almost any senario you will run into. Stability: These shoes performed very well in this category. It is hard to find yourself off balance in these shoes! Toe Protection: Good Presentation: These shoes have a good running shoe look with the added ruggedness for those looking for more of a hardcore look. Fit: Normal Durability: 9 Breathability: Extremely breathable mesh throughout the shoe. Cushioning: The Cascadia performed very well with its cushioning system without sacrificing it stability. Price: $104.45 buy now
	Pearl Izumi SyncoSeek 2 Traction: The traction of the Synco is much like a road running shoe. Stability: With it’s low profile, these shoes will keep you well grounded for shorter trail races. For the ultra trail racers, we suggest a shoe with more of a cushion system. Toe Protection: Fair Presentation: This shoe had an average look according to testers. Fit: Normal Durability: 8 Breathability: The shoes provide great overall breathability. Cushioning: These shoes are a lightweight trainer/racer, but in that category, they performed well with its cushioning system. Price: $84.50 buy now
	TevaPro Wraptor Stability Event Traction: This shoe has a good traction system for the trails of all levels, best for rocky trails. Stability: These shoes performed best on extreme uneven surfaces. Toe Protection: Great Presentation: These shoes felt boxy for most testers and was lower in scores for looks. Fit: Wide Durability: 7 Breathability: The breathability in these shoes are better in colder conditions. The inner liner keeps a lot of heat in. Cushioning: The Wraptor had a pretty stiff ride for most of our runners. Price: $110.00 buy now
	Adidas Adizero XT W Traction: This shoe provided good traction with most trails surfaces. The low profile allows the foot to grip most rocks and odd shaped surfaces. Stability: These are a great lightweight trail race shoe that will keep you on your feet for those shorter distance trail races. Toe Protection: Fair Presentation: These shoes have a snug fit and testers said they liked the look of these shoes. Fit: Narrow Durability: 7 Breathability: These shoes felt great -- lightweight and very breathable. Cushioning: These shoes are a lightweight trainer/racer, but in that category, they performed well with its cushioning system. Price: $84.00 buy now
	Asics GT - 2130 Traction: This shoe has a beefy road shoe traction feel to it, allowing good traction for most trail runners. Stability: These shoes performed well in this category. There weren»t many surfaces that could throw our testers off balance. Toe Protection: Fair Presentation: These shoes have the look of many road shoes with a few darker colors as many trail shoes have. Fit: Normal to Wide Durability: 9 Breathability: The GT provides average breathability. Cushioning: The shoe provided great cushioning without sacrificing stability. Price: $84.99 buy now
	GoLite Storm Dragon Traction: This shoe performed extremely well in a wide variety of trails, such as mud, snow, and rocks. Stability: The lug system in these shoes was a question mark for our runners at first, but after testing these shoes, They performed great in the stability category. Toe Protection: Great Presentation: These shoes tend to have the look of a hardcore trail shoe. They can could also be considered as a lightweight hiking shoe. Fit: Normal Durability: 9 Breathability: These shoes do better in colder conditions, but will also do well in mild climates Cushioning: The Storm Dragon provides ample cushioning for all types of runners. Price: $142.95 buy now
	Salomon XT Wings Traction: Great for the rugged trails and they also did well on the roads. Stability: These shoes were designed for those who are looking for a mix between road and trail, and they performed great on the trails and have the road shoe feel to them. Toe Protection: Great Presentation: Great mix between a street shoe look and the rugged trail shoe look. Fit: Narrow to Normal Durability: 9 Breathability: The XT Wings performed great for those who run in humid or hot climates. Very airy. Cushioning: Many testers felt these shoes performed extremely well in this category for its cushioning system. Price: $119.95 buy now
	Vasque Velocity VST Traction: This is a great shoe for serious trail running. The soles provide great grip and traction against rocks and uneven ground. Stability: One of the more stable trail running shoes tested. For real backcountry runs, these shoes provide a lot of structure without sacrificing the comfort. Toe Protection: Good Presentation: A good cross running/light hiking shoe that will please the outdoor types who are looking for a more rugged running shoe. Fit: Narrow to Normal Durability: 9 Breathability: The lightweight mesh on this shoe provides for a highly breathable running experience. Cushioning: These shoes had an average cushioning system, with more of a focus on the stability of the shoe. Price: $99.95 buy now

Second life for old shoes

In january I posted over the Nike programm in which they collect old shoes to reuse the material for surfacing playcourts. On About Running there are two more possible destinations for your old runningshoes. These are the Shoebank and Sole Responsebility.

Shoe laces

On the My Asics forum (dutch part) a runner is complaining about bad circulation in her feet during running. One of the responses suggests the use of an extra loop in the laces near the top holes. I think most runners are familiar with 'the loop' but as it is difficult to descripe I use an image to explain what to do.

In the left image you see the right shoe which has its laces in the normal fasion. The left shoe uses the loop. So instead of crossing over with the lace to the other side of the shoe for the last hole stay on the same side and loop back trough the top hole (outside in) and than cross back to the other side where you pull the lace trough the loop.
The right image shows the loop 'in action' with tied shoelaces.

In this way you can vary the tention of the laces on the top of your foot and you bring the knot a little bit lower. Most shoes, these Brooks as well, have an additional hole that you can use. This gives you plenty of possibilities to vary the way you tie your laces. So experiment a little to find out which configuration is the most comfortable for you.

Running on old shoes...

Did you think your old running shoes are useless? Think again. Its materials can be used again. Nike supports this with a special programm as your can read on this site. They use the waste materials for surfacing playcourts. Hence the 'Let me Play' title of the site.
As a matter of fact when running on thse courts you are running on old shoes. Something you never would do as a runner!

IAAF rules amputee Oscar Pistorius ineligible for Olympics

South African Pistorius, who misses both lower legs, wants to take on 'regular' able-bodied runners in Beijing. This dream has come to an end following a ruling from the IAAF. According to the IAAF the South African is ineligible to compete in Beijing because his racing blades are considered "technical aids" which give him a clear competitive advantage. These blades are called "Cheetah". The ruling covers other sanctioned able-bodied competitions as well.

Difficult subject: Does a disability give someone an advantage?

Below a clip from a Dutch sports programm

A simple and good idea: The SOS Coin. A round plastic disc that you can attach to your laces (like a ChampionChip). On this disc you can have you personal data printed!
Of course every runner thinks he will return savely home when he goes out for a run but you'll never know. Maybe a cardriver is not paying to much attention of you get disorientated by becoming too cold or tget overheated in summer and you will not be able to express yourself properly. Than this little disc with your address or the phonenumber from your homefront can help! You yourself can decide which information it should contain. Do you have key medical information? Add it to the coin.

Of course you could carry an ID card, actually in the Netherlands everybody above 14 is obliged to ID himself when requested by the police but be frank:"Do you carry an ID card when you go running?" I don't!
An alterantive I came across a few years ago was the following: Take an old plastic membership card which contains you address. Cut out the address, punch a hole and attach this to your laces. Of course this is just your address and not the contact details form your homefront! Therefore: A simple and good idea this SOS Coin.

Review: Trailshoes

On the blog Run to Dream (in Dutch so for help with translating see my blog in Dutch) a short review on three trailschoes. Special schoes fit for the more rough off the road work (so less suitabel for the use on the road). The lady in question is will take part in the Trans Alpine Run. A run of 8 days and 240km across four of the Alpine countries.
Now about the shoes, the: Inov8 Flyroc 310, the Inov8 Terroc 330 and the Adidas Supernova Trail. The writer used all three (not on the same time;-p) and an opinion on the demping they provide which makes them suitabel for various terrain conditions. The Terroc is hard and there for very stable but is not comfortabel if you have to run on asphalt where the supernova has some demping causing no problems on asphalt. The flyroc is somewhere in between and suitable for soft off road terrain

To me this all sounds like very specialist stuff that is less usefull for the everyday recreational runner.

Review: Running skirt

On Complete Running Network I came acrossthis articlewhich has no meaning to myself but still are referr to it. It is about runningskirts! I don't need them myself but out of sheer amazement (I have never seen one) and with the female runner reader of this blog in mind here is my post on this topic. Besides previously on my Dutch blogI have written beforeon the way the sports fashion brands target the large and attractive group of recreational runners who like to spend money to look good while running. I blogged on thespecial site for women from Asics.
The article on CRN contains a review of the various skirts available. So for the ladies that like to know what other women think on these skirts I can recommend this blog. This review deals with skirts from Nike, Sugoi, Zoot, Moving Comfort and Hind. A second part will follow because the writer has also tested Skirt Sports, Running Skirts & Atalanta. For the curious ladies (and gents), who like me never have seen a skirt running, on the site of Runningskirt you can find images of ladies with a running skirt in action

Bug in Polar RS200sd

Let met start with stating that I am very satisfied with my Polar however....

On this image from the manual you can see that the polar RS200sd registers both the average and the maximum speed per lap. Small digits in red outline is average, large the maximum speed.


On my polar I find from time to time that my average speed is higher than the maximum speed. Could be that I didn't pay enough attention in highschool but I don't think so. So a bug in the RS200sd?
See the image: 9.1km/h average versus 8.5 maximum...

Running Dutch = Running Cheap???

I know that in English the word Dutch has a rather negative ring to it. 'Going Dutch', 'Double Dutch', 'Dutch role' (aviation), etc. Furthermore I know that abroad the Dutch are, like the Scots famous for their greediness therefore a nice article to start with....'How to save money' when running is you favorite sport. The text is a copy from a blog on the complete running network .

It has been said more than once that running is a cheap sport. However,
when adding up the money I spend on it over a year, I’m not sure I agree. As
with everything you do, there are plenty of ways to spend your money. If you
want to run along at a budget, try a few of those things:

• Sports drinks are expensive. A cheaper alternative is to mix water and fruit
  juice. A 50/50 mix results in an isotonic drink, but you can water it down more
  if you find that easier to swallow during a run. Also, most sport drinks contain
  sodium, so add salt if you feel like it.
• Energy gels are ridiculously expensive, considering that they mainly consist of some sugary paste. I used to take one gel if I ran 15 miles or more, and 2 gels for any 20 miler (or more). I have since completely given up on gels, apart from during marathon races. And guess what? My distance runs don’t feel any more difficult as a result.
• Spending a lot of money on recovery drinks? According to coach Greg McMillan, the perfect recovery boost comes from a glass of Slim-Fast, because it contains the perfect mixture of carbohydrates and protein. My local supermarket even had it on a buy-one-get-one-free offer a few weeks ago, further driving down my expenses.
• Energy bars are an expensive snack. I can think of two
  alternatives straight away: many “normal” snack bars contain pretty much the
  same amount of carbohydrates than the sport ones, but at a lower price. Just
  look at the ingredients. Even better, try some fruit. An apple, orange, plum,
  kiwi, peach or any other fruit you can think of will give you the same energy
  boost, but is both cheaper and healthier.
• Running shoes are a major cost factor. Many shops have sales at the end of the year. Try and stock up on several pairs of runners then. You can literally save hundred of dollars/euros that way. (Disclaimer: I don’t have a local running shop to support.) Are you planning on an out-of-town marathon as well as a big holiday? Why not combine the two. Next time you take your spouse to Paris, why not do it in the middle of April? Just don’t get too romantic the evening before the race though, or you might come to regret it.

The tip on shoes is somewhat doubtful. Real running shoes are not very frequently on sale (at least not in the Netherlands). However I am not a fashion victim so I don't need matching running gear so I do buy al my other gear in the SALE.
I also found that a bar of mars delight also works in stead of a gel package. Easy to eat, enough calories to last another few miles.