Ryan Hall's Blog, page 314

December 7, 2015

Photos: What Caught Our Eye at The Running Event Trade Show

We spent parts of four days meeting, mingling, running and socializing at The Running Event trade show in Austin, Texas from Dec. 1-4. Here’s an inside glimpse at some of the shoes, apparel, accessories, events, people and trends from one of the running industry’s biggest trade shows.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

More than 35 shoe brands (including Pearl Izumi) and hundreds of apparel and accessory manufacturers showed off 2016 products to retailers and media during the show.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Records were shattered at the second annual FloTrack Beer Mile World Championship on a fenced-off course set up in the parking lot of the Austin American Statesman newspaper. Erin O’Mara set a new women’s beer mile world record by drinking four beers and running four laps in a time of 6:08.51. On the men’s side, Lewis Kent lowered his own world record, finishing in 4:47.17.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Soleus unveiled a signature series of red, white and blue watches honoring pro American runners Kara Goucher, Alysia Montano and Nick Symmonds. The Kara Goucher GPS One will retail for $89 when it hits stores in early February.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

The Arc'Teryx Norvan SL Hoody is being touted as the lightest Gore-Tex Jacket ever built. A men's medium weighs just 4.0 oz. It hits stores in February with a price tag of $299.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Nuun offered samples of its Active and Energy hydration products, which now include only plant-based sweeteners (monk fruit and non-GMO dextrose). They're vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO certified.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Under Armour is going big into running shoes and this pair of Sprint Pro spikes is one of the many innovative products it will release in 2016. The Sprint Pro spikes have a SpeedForm upper and a double BOA closure system that create a wrapping second-skin fit. The retail price hasn't been reveled yet, but a similar pair with laces will cost $110.

Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Altra has made a name for itself over the past five years by producing road and trail running shoes with a zero-drop profile and a slightly wider foot-shaped toe box. Now it's pushing further into casual shoes with those same design elements. Pictured here are the suede Desert boot ($120) and Tokala Slip-On ($90) which hit stores in May.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Hoka One One and DeFeet Socks hosted a party with bands called The Fartleks and Cro Moly, each of which included a mixture of running industry people and professional musicians—including former 2:13 marathon Keith Dowling on guitar and ex-Goo Goo Dolls drummer and avid trail runner Mike Malinin on drums.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Nike's Aeroswift Shorts are made from a super-light four-way stretch fabric with a perforated waistband for maximum moisture management and comfort. They'll hit stores this spring with an $80 price tag.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Glukos displayed its new energy gummies made from glucose, the most efficient form of energy the body can consume during a race. They come in fruit punch, lemon and orange flavors and are gluten-, soy- and dairy-free and verified as a vegan product. A 2-oz. package (about $2) includes two 90-calorie servings. It also released a new glucose-based energy gel in the same flavors.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Zoot continues to infuse a SoCal style into its shoe and apparel lines. Its surf-inspired men's Boardshort running shorts come in a 7" ($45) or 9" ($50) inseam.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Numerous athletes attended the trade show on behalf of their sponsors. Champion ultrarunners Stephanie Howe and Rob Krar signed autographs at The North Face booth.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Athletes and industry personnel from brands mingled and met with retailers. From left to right: Hoka One One co-founder Nicolas Mermoud, trail runners Scott Jurek and Anton Krupicka, and Ultimate Direction brand leader Buzz Burrell.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

This polyester-filled winter running Kenya Running Vest from Janji shows of the innovative style and social consciousness of this design-oriented Boston-based brand that regularly donates part of its proceeds to international causes. It will retail for $82 when it hits stores in August.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Night Runner 270° Shoe Lights ($60) was one of the numerous products offered by small entrepreneurial companies at the trade show. They're like headlights for your feet. A winged design means you also have a rear facing red light on each foot. Each rechargeable 150-lumen light weighs slightly more than an energy gel and has a four- to eight-hour run time.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Caffeine-enhanced Run Gum, an entrepreneurial brand co-founded by elite middle-distance runner Nick Symmonds, will soon be available in a zesty Cinnamon flavor.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Hi-top running boots designed to tackle harsh winter weather or rugged mountain trails could be a big trend. Altra Lone Peak NeoShell Mid ($160), The North Face Ultra MT Winter ($170) and Hoka One One Tor Speed 2 Mid WP ($150) all slated for a late-summer or early fall arrival at stores.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

In 2016, Saucony is introducing bright, colorful versions of several of its best-selling shoes (including the Ride, Guide, Kinvara and Hurricane) in a program it's calling Run Pops. (The regular color motif versions will still be available too.)

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

A lot of running industry people could be seen dancing the night away at a performance by the Spazmatics, a 1980s cover band known for its silly antics and sing-a-long favorites.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

The Indie 5K race is annually one of the fastest 5K races in the U.S., but it's only open to trade show attendees. In previous years, the top 10 men have typically finished under 15 minutes. This year the winner finished in 13:30, but it was later revealed the course was 2.85 miles and not 3.1.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

The RhinoMed Turbine breathing device for runners clips on the end of your nose and inserts into your nostrils to increase airflow during exercises. A three-pack costs $18.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Running socks are all the rage right now, both in terms of performance and style. Here are the updated versions of Balega's Enduro No Show and Contour socks.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Several brands showed off its top-of-the-line gear built for especially for the Olympics. These are adidas track and field spikes for sprinting, distance running and various field events.

Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Oklahoma City’s Red Coyote Running and Fitness, owned by Burke and Jon Beck (pictured a the center), was named the 2015 Running Store of the Year on Dec. 3 at the 50 Best Running Stores in America banquet on Dec. 3.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

On the last night of The Running Event, most of the industry gets their jam on at the Brooks party at a bar called Market. (That patriotic hats were a carryover from the Brooks trade show booth that had an election theme.)

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Published on December 07, 2015 13:33

Photos: The 2015 North Face Endurance Challenge Championships

One of the top ultramarathons on the race calendar took place this weekend in the Marin Headlands just north of San Francisco. The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships, with a $10,000 prize for the 50-mile winner, welcomed many elite trail runners to take on its challenging, yet breathtaking course in the Bay Area.

The 50-miler winners were Zach Miller (6:12:37) and Megan Kimmel (7:13:52).

To get a sense of the beauty and challenge of this race, check out this photo gallery. All photos taken by Ultra Race Photos / Myke Hermsmeyer / Ken Schuh / Nate Baker. For more images from the race visit Ultraracephotos.com.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

The 50-miler started at 5 AM. Runners are required to wear headlamps for the first two hours.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

North Face athletes Rory Bosio and Hal Koerner getting ready to start the 50-miler.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Runners in the 50-mile race are treated to a spectacular sunrise a couple hours into the race.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

The coastal trail features incredible views of the California coastline.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

A runner passes through a misty eucalyptus grove.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

A runner from the November Project cruises along the coastal trail.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

The course features smooth singletrack along with wide fire roads.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Racers need to earn the incredible views on a course featuring over 10,000 feet of elevation gain.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Third-place female Ellie Greenwood heading out of Stinson Beach.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Paddy O'Leary, who leads the November Project group in San Francisco, power-hikes a steep climb.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

The Leave No Trace booth at the expo area.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Dylan Bowman of nearby Mill Valley took second overall in the 50-miler, his highest ever placing at the event.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Third-place male Ryan Bak hikes the steep climb out of Muir Beach.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Runners grind up the steep trail that climbs above Muir Beach.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Missoula's Jeremy Wolf tackles the climb out of Muir Beach around 40 miles into the race.

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Rory Bosio facing a long climb.

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50-mile female winner Megan Kimmel cruising above Muir Beach.

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Keely Henninger having a great race on her way to seventh place in 7:42:34.

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A rare flat spot along Coyote Ridge.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Having fun on the coastal trail.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Dylan Bowman crossed the finish line in second, 8 minutes behind race winner Zach Miller.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

The long climb up Coyote Ridge is the next to last climb in the race.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Runners celebrate at the finish line.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Fourth-place finisher Ruth Croft runs through the grove on her way to a strong finish.

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Runners catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands as they head toward the finish line at the Golden Gate National Recreation area.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Ultrarunning legend Hal Koerner, who spent much of last year on the sidelines recovering from knee surgery, finished in 7:27:28.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Spectators near the finish line.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

50-mile winner Zach Miller gets a hug at the finish line.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Post-race elation at the awards ceremony.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

The women's podium for the 50-miler. Left to right: Ellie Greenwood (2nd), Megan Kimmel (1st) and Larisa Dannis (3rd).

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

The men's podium for the 50-miler. Left to right: Dylan Bowman (2nd), Zach Miller (1st) and Ryan Bak (3rd).

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Max King and Mike Wardian presenting the USATF team competition awards.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

Monica Roldan, the last finisher to cross the line at the North Face half marathon on Sunday, gets a hug at the finish line.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

A minion leads out the free kids race.

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The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship

These are truly hard earned medals. None of the courses at this event are easy by any means.

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Published on December 07, 2015 12:21

4 Tips for Buying a Treadmill

Horizon Fitness Elite T9

Running on a treadmill can be a great way to maintain a consistent training routine amid a busy workweek or during winter months. But it can also be a big expense, so consider the variables wisely, including whether or not you’re more apt to run outside or go to a gym during the winter months.

Size and Space

Treadmills take up a lot of room, so make sure you have adequate space in your home. The footprint and necessary buffer zone of most treadmills measures about 7 feet by 5 feet. You might want to place your treadmill near a window to get fresh air. (If you put your treadmill in a garage, keep in mind that dust and grime can lessen its performance and expedite the need for maintenance.) Collapsible treadmills can be temporarily stored against a wall, in a closet or even under a bed when not in use, but not all fold-up models are suited for high-performance running.

Performance and Quality

Like any fitness product, treadmills come in a variety of levels: basic, standard and premium. But if your aim is to run moderate mileage at a variety of speeds, you don’t want to “under buy” and wind up with a lower quality machine that can’t keep up with your pace or volume of running. The must-have features to look for are a powerful motor (continuous duty 3.0 horsepower or higher) and a quality shock absorption system that will provide a smooth and stable ride at any pace.

Price and Features

Treadmills suitable for running range in price from about $400 to $4,000. As with most things, you get what you pay for. The higher-priced models will deliver great, consistent performance and have all the extra bells and whistles (LCD screen, MP3 interface, heart-rate interactivity and remote-control adjustments). Depending on the features you want, expect to pay $1,500 to $2,500 for a mid-range running treadmill. Mid-range and deluxe treadmills offer built-in workouts that allow for variable speeds and levels of incline/decline.

Take a Test Run

Make sure you take a test run on a variety of machines to see how each feels. (You’ll know immediately if it doesn’t feel sturdy.) Consider shopping at a specialty fitness retailer or at an online dealer that offers interactive sales assistance.

Four Options to Consider

Nautilus T616, $1,000

The T616 is a good entry-level treadmill that’s chock-full of features. It has a large running belt and can run up to a 5-minute mile pace. It’s nosier than some of the other treadmills, but the built-in speakers can help drown out the sound.

Horizon Fitness Elite T9, $2,000

The T9 serves up a smooth ride from a three-zone cushioning system and a responsive digital drive system that continuously re-calibrates with every step. The solid base and hydraulic folding system allow for easy storage without compromising the integrity of the running platform’s sturdiness.

Pro-Form Boston Marathon 4.0, $3,000

This model has a top speed of 15 miles per hour (which means you can run very fast intervals), high-def video workouts that sync to the Boston Marathon course and a wireless finger control that allows for easy pace adjustments without breaking stride.

Landice L7, $4,400

With an incredibly smooth ride and a whisper-quiet 4hp motor, this deluxe-model treadmill is ideal if you like to run early in the morning or late at night. Its orthopedic suspension system offers customizable absorption softness.

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Published on December 07, 2015 11:30

Photos: 2015 XTERRA World Championship Trail Run in Hawaii

Patrick Smyth changes at the front of the pack of the 2015 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship at historic Kualoa Ranch on the northeastern shore of Oahu. Photo: XTERRA / Mike Adrian

Patrick Smyth and Kimber Mattox defended their titles at the 2015 Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Running World Championship on a picture-perfect Hawaiian morning along the northeastern shore of Oahu on Sunday. More than 1,500 runners from 20 countries and 40 states participated in the event at historic Kualoa Ranch, a lush, mountainous venue that has served as the movie set for scenes from “Jurassic Park,” “Godzilla,” “Pearl Harbor,” “50 First Dates” and several other Hollywood films. Smyth, a Nike Trail Elite team member from Santa Fe, N.M., was the overall winner, completing the 21K championship course in 1 hour, 20 minutes, 16 seconds. Mattox, a former University of Oregon All-American from Bend, Ore., was the first female and eighth overall in 1:36:44. In addition to the 21K race, 5K and 10K races were also held during the event. For complete results, go to the XTERRA results page.

Check out the amazing photos from Mike Adrian in the gallery below.

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