Ryan Hall's Blog, page 282

Shoe Of The Week: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080

FIT-FEEL-RIDE: In a word, this shoe is plush! Our wear-testers loved the thick cushioning, comfortable interior and stable ride of this high-mileage workhorse, while also noting its slightly wider footprint and locked-down fit. This is the first edition of the neutral-oriented 1080 to have New Balance’s innovative Fresh Foam midsole material. The contour and shape of that midsole is derived from gait-pattern data from a wide range of runners. The data allows shoe designers to create a shoe with more flow, smoothing the foot’s transition between touchdown and takeoff. It’s real science at work, but you won’t need to worry about that while you’re running. All you’ll feel is the easy-riding comfort, luxuriously soft landings and reliable smoothness in every stride. One of the other biggest changes to this shoe is the addition of flex grooves in the midsole and outsole that help increase flexibility and adds to the smoother heel-toe transition. This edition of the 1080 also has a new engineered mesh upper that offers both greater flexibility, breathability and comfort, while an interior bootie fit system helps keep the foot in place.

For all of those reasons and more, we tagged this shoe with our Editor’s Choice—Best Update award in our Spring 2016 running shoe review. (More new 2016 running shoes can be found here.) We pegged this shoe as a great almost-everyday trainer for runners training for 10Ks to marathons. The only drawbacks to this shoe are that it’s not quite as light as some other everyday trainers and the thicker midsole gives up a little bit of “feel the ground” proprioception and agility. For those reasons, it’s not going to be a shoe particularly inclined for faster workouts, but it’s very accustomed to gobbling up miles on long runs with ease.

This is the shoe for you if … You’re looking for a soft, reliable workhorse for long-distance training.

Price: $150

Weights: 10.3 oz. (men’s), 8.5 oz. (women’s)

Heel-to-Toe Offset: 8mm; 29mm (heel), 21mm (forefoot)

Info: NewBalance.com

RELATED: Shoe Of The Week—Hoka One One Vanquish 2

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Shoe Of The Week: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v6

FIT-FEEL-RIDE: In a word, this shoe is plush! Our wear-testers loved the thick cushioning, comfortable interior and stable ride of this high-mileage workhorse, while also noting its slightly wider footprint and locked-down fit. This is the first edition of the neutral-oriented 1080 to have New Balance’s innovative Fresh Foam midsole material. The contour and shape of that midsole is derived from gait-pattern data from a wide range of runners. The data allows shoe designers to create a shoe with more flow, smoothing the foot’s transition between touchdown and takeoff. It’s real science at work, but you won’t need to worry about that while you’re running. All you’ll feel is the easy-riding comfort, luxuriously soft landings and reliable smoothness in every stride. One of the other biggest changes to this shoe is the addition of flex grooves in the midsole and outsole that help increase flexibility and adds to the smoother heel-toe transition. This edition of the 1080 also has a new engineered mesh upper that offers both greater flexibility, breathability and comfort, while an interior bootie fit system helps keep the foot in place.

For all of those reasons and more, we tagged this shoe with our Editor’s Choice—Best Update award in our Spring 2016 running shoe review. (More new 2016 running shoes can be found here.) We pegged this shoe as a great almost-everyday trainer for runners training for 10Ks to marathons. The only drawbacks to this shoe are that it’s not quite as light as some other everyday trainers and the thicker midsole gives up a little bit of “feel the ground” proprioception and agility. For those reasons, it’s not going to be a shoe particularly inclined for faster workouts, but it’s very accustomed to gobbling up miles on long runs with ease.

This is the shoe for you if … You’re looking for a soft, reliable workhorse for long-distance training.

Price: $150

Weights: 10.3 oz. (men’s), 8.5 oz. (women’s)

Heel-to-Toe Offset: 8mm; 29mm (heel), 21mm (forefoot)

Info: NewBalance.com

RELATED: Shoe Of The Week—Hoka One One Vanquish 2

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Abeba Aregawi, 9 Ethiopian Athletes Under Investigation For Doping

World champion Abeba Aregawi is the latest big name to get dragged into the doping conversation. Photo: PhotoRun.net

The Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro are a little over five months away and doping news continues to pervade track and field.

On Monday, the IAAF announced that Abeba Aregawi of Sweden, the reigning 1,500m world champion, recently failed a doping test in her native Ethiopia and is suspended until an investigation can be completed. Aregawi, who was fifth in the 1,500m final at the London Games while competing for Ethiopia, is currently awaiting the results of her “B” sample to be tested. The Associated Press also reported on Monday that nine unnamed Ethiopian runners, including five “top athletes,” are under investigation for suspicious test results.

“To be clear, some banned (substances) were found in the five athletes,” said Solomon Meaza, general secretary of Ethiopia’s anti-doping agency. “They will be summoned and asked if they have taken any banned substances (or) chemicals.”

Pending the results of the 25-year-old Aregawi’s “B’ sample, she could have many of her past results suspended, including her 2013 world championship. If that happens, American Jenny Simpson, the 2011 world champion who finished second to Aregawi in 2013, could be elevated to the top of the podium.

“There’s always a mix of satisfaction and grief when you hear the news that an athlete has been caught for cheating,” Simpson told The Denver Post. “These emotions are even greater when it’s a fellow competitor. I’m grateful that the sport is taking steps to catch cheaters and meaningfully deter others from violating the rules in the future. Justice begins when someone that stole from the sport isn’t going to just get away with it.”

Monday’s news is the latest in a dark period for track and field, which has included a World Anti-Doping Agency report last November of a widespread systematic doping program—and cover-up—by the All-Russian Athletics Federation and, more recently, corruption within the IAAF, revelations of Chinese state-sponsored doping in the 1990s and Kenya being placed on probation for being non-compliant in regard to its anti-doping program.

RELATED:

— Brian Metzler to Seb Coe: Invoke Lifetime Bans For Dopers

— What Motivates Some Runners To Cheat?

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Salomon Running TV: Paradise Lost

In the first episode of Salomon Running TV’s fifth season, ultrarunner Anna Frost takes us back to Papua New Guinea, where she spent a portion of her childhood, to explore the highlands through running—while also trying to find herself.

An entire multimedia feature of Frost’s journey can be seen here.

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Chasing Rio, Part 4: Meb’s Olympic Trials

The fourth episode of “Chasing Rio: Meb’s Road to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials” presented by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series follows Meb Keflezighi on race day at the U.S. Olympic Trials marathon. Meb takes us through his feelings before and during the race, and looks ahead to what’s next.

RELATED:

Chasing Rio, Part 3: Meb Arrives in Los Angeles

Chasing Rio, Part 2: Meb’s Support System

Chasing Rio, Part 1: Meb’s 2016 Olympic Quest

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Reebok’s Totally Unique Sneaker Giveaway

Only well-trained runners can run 5:42 mile pace for a long time. That’s roughly the pace that pace that Amy Cragg ran while winning the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles.

But most people can run that fast—roughly 10.5 miles per hour—for about 10 yards or so, even in street clothes. Those who did won a free pair of Reebok running shoes in a rather unique promotion in Stockholm last week. According to a story in Adweek, the brand orchestrated an interactive outdoor ad display equipped with a built-in speed camera and tracking technology to measure the pace of pedestrians passing by it in the downtown area of the Swedish capital. Those who ran past the speed monitor faster than 17 kph (or roughly 5:42 mile pace) unlocked a clear plastic window box display to grab a brand new pair of Reebok ZPump 2.0 shoes. (Watch the video above!)

It’s the latest in a recent string of unique interactive concepts from running shoe brands. In 2011, ASICS challenged pedestrians to run as fast as Ryan Hall’s marathon pace for 60 feet in a New York City subway station and later put runners in a harness on a treadmill to see how long they could run 4:46 mile pace.

MORE: Adweek

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2016 Running Gear Guide: A to B Bras

$45, Thenorthface.com

The third version of the Stow-N-Go bra is not only lighter than its predecessors, it also better incorporates its key feature—the center chest pocket—into its overall function as a bra. The cups are simultaneously connected and separated by the center pocket by a double layer of fabric increasing individual support. Plus, the main compartment has an even smaller pouch within it for organizing a number of items.

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2016 Running Gear Guide: C to DD Bras

$29, Brooksrunning.com

Instead of a generic sizing scale, the Fiona Bra uses your exact band and cup size 
to determine the best fit. On top of that,
 it has an adjustable back hook-and-eye closure and concealed Velcro straps for an even more custom fit for B up to DD sizes. Loose cup molds are an alternative to padding for those who prefer a more natural shape, and the soft, sweat-wicking material feels luxurious against skin.

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2016 Running Gear Guide: Women’s Bottoms

$68, Oiselle.com

Oiselle has designed another flattering, functional and, most importantly, comfortable pair of capris with unique geometric prints that won’t budge during a long run. The sleek yet wide waistband sits just below the navel and wraps the body evenly like a second skin. It also leaves room for a rear zip pocket that’s big enough to fit house keys and an iPhone 6.

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2016 Running Gear Guide: Women’s Jackets

$98, Saucony.com

The DWR-coated front panel and sleeves (for water resistance) and a breathable mesh back panel with laser-cut ventilation holes makes 
this full-zip jacket an ideal high-performance running partner. A soft collar lining, thumbholes, 360 degrees of reflectivity and a drop tail take on-the-go comfort to the next level.

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