Running | Evolving Consumer

Weekend Reading List (05.24.2014): Golf Gear, Interbike Opens Up, Vacation Fitness

Golf Gear

From Sport Techie: Golf Gadget Round-Up for All Types of Players
I’m far from being a high-tech wizard. I don’t collect gizmos for the heck of it, but I can appreciate the latest offerings in golf gadgetry just as much as the next guy. When GPS-enabled golf carts hit the market, essentially, if your local course didn’t jump on board, they were considered behind the times. While some of us still prefer to know more about the course than our carts do, it’s impossible to remain analog in this newly digitized version of the game. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (05.24.2014): Golf Gear, Interbike Opens Up, Vacation Fitness

Maximum Air

Nike is promising smooth running this summer with its Nike Flyknit Air Max running shoes, which offer a lighter waffle pattern outsole that has been redesigned to distribute the wearer’s weight more evenly. The shoes feature Flywire technology that integrates with the laces and provides a dynamic yet supportive fit.

The sculpted cushion midsole will put spring in the step, while the flex grooves provide for more natural range of motion. The crazy colors include reflective elements that should enhance visibility in low light.

Nike Flyknit Air Max Official Website

Weekend Reading List (05.17.2014): Phily Fold Up, Lapping the Competition, Sprint Ahead

Phily Fold Up

From Bicycle Retailer:Philadelphia to host first US Brompton folding-bike events
The first-ever U.S. Brompton Urban Challenge will be hosted by the City of Brotherly Love May 31. Brompton owners’ orienteering skills will be put to the test as they make their way to secret destinations and Philadelphia landmarks. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (05.17.2014): Phily Fold Up, Lapping the Competition, Sprint Ahead

Suunto Moves to Strava

GPS smartwatch maker Suunto launched its online data-crunch website Movescount a while back, but now it is moving to a deal with Strava. This will allow users to track runs, rides, swims and hikes and track heart rate and cadence via the Suunto watches and will add the social fitness ability to provide motivation and camaraderie.

Movescount Strava Website

TICKR Run to Reduce Injury

Fitness trackers can monitor your results and progress, while some can even track your stance, posture and form. Now Wahoo Fitness has introduced what it calls the world’s only heart rate monitor with activity tracking that provides real-time analysis of a runner’s form, helping to improve efficiency and avoid injury rates. The TICKR Run is Wahoo’s new heart rate monitor that pairs with Android and iOS smartphones and devices.

It utilizes triple axis motion sensors along with an accelerometer that together can measure a runner’s form in three planes: vertically, side-to-side and front-to-back. Those sensors and Wahoo’s fitness app for Android and iOS produce a measurement of each runner’s form called Running Smoothness, a sophisticated algorithm that assigns varying levels of importance to each axis and combines them into a single, easy-to-understand index.

With Running Smoothness athletes can improve their form to avoid unnecessary body motion, which improves efficiency and reduces the risk of common running injuries. Using Wahoo’s app, runners can even track Running Smoothness through their workout history to see improvements over long periods of time. Continue reading TICKR Run to Reduce Injury

Foot Armour

Apollo is considered a complex Olympian deity – and was a god of light and the sun, truth and prophecy, healing, plague, music, poetry, and more. He’s not as swift as Hermes/Mercury but apparently Under Armour still thought Apollo the worthy namesake of its new Speedform Apollo running shoes.

These feature a seamless heel cup, which naturally cradles the shoe to the foot and provides superior support without heel discomfort. Ultrasonic seams throughout the shoe provide just the right fit while form-fitting upper is breathable to let heat escape. The lightweight midsole also helps provide shock absorption without added bulk. It might have wearers feeling like the shoe is one of poetry in motion.

Under Armour Speedform Official Website

Weekend Reading List (05.03.2014): Passing Lane, Feature Friendly, Sit Back

Passing Lane

From Runner’s World: When Passing Another Runner in a Race, Should You Offer Encouragement?
They might appreciate it. But, then again, they might not. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (05.03.2014): Passing Lane, Feature Friendly, Sit Back

Weekend Reading List (04.26.2014): Going Downhill, Bionic Olympics, Entrepreneurial Approach

Going Downhill

From Runner’s World:Three Tips for Running Downhill
Train on descents – without getting hurt – to build strength, boost coordination, and even have some fun. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.26.2014): Going Downhill, Bionic Olympics, Entrepreneurial Approach

XBand on the Run

Tracking runners once just required a stopwatch, but today coaches have more options and now the XBand Speed Pro offers coaches as way to track speed and agility metrics through a new wearable device. A wearable body module is paired with a finish line module and smartphone adapter and can be used to interpret data and display the results in the accompanying app. It utilizes a microwave sensor, accelerometer and RF modules to precisely measures and transmits key performance data to a smartphone app as runner’s train, and with this information runners can improve their speed and performance.

The XBand Speed Pro is being developed via a Kickstarter campaign, and the designers hope to have it off and running later this year. Video after the jump

New Balance Runs Back to Boston

New Balance is once again offering a special running shoe to commemorate the Boston Marathon. This year the Limited Edition Boston 890v4 (M890BOS4) is ready to hit the streets of Bean Town, and is a tribute to the supports and competitors of the historic race.

It features a custom color along with the image of Massachusetts ghosted on the side. This shoe uses no-sew construction to keep the wearer’s foot secure at any speed, while responsive REVlite midsole and ABZORB crash pad will ensure runners can go the distance.

New Balance Limited Edition Boston Marathon Running Shoe Official Website

Weekend Reading List (04.12.2014): Sport Studies, Name Game, Weight Loss

Sport Studies

From Sport Techie: #SportsInSTEM Series: Applying Sports to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Issues
In recent years, the United States has fallen behind other nations with educating students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Only 16 percent of U.S. high school students are proficient in math and actively pursuing STEM careers. In a world run by technology, where the majority of jobs in the near future will require advanced education in technical fields, these trends are troubling and must be reversed. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.12.2014): Sport Studies, Name Game, Weight Loss

Back to Boston

You can’t keep Boston down, and even after last year’s tragic and cowardly attack on the Boston Marathon – this year the race will go on. Competitor Group Inc. shows its support with its “Boston Strong” hubt, which includes videos, articles on the course, a spotlight on key Boston players, and facts on the growth of the Boston marathon including breakdown of the runners and number of finishers over the past few decades.

The 118th Boston Marathon will take place on April 21, 2014. Continue reading Back to Boston

Weekend Reading List (03.29.2014): Stop Running, Take or Share, Crowd Funding

Stop Running

From Runner’s World: Should Runners Jog In Place At Stoplights?
You’ll look ridiculous if you do. Then again, the world’s best runner does it, so maybe you should too? Continue reading Weekend Reading List (03.29.2014): Stop Running, Take or Share, Crowd Funding