Ciele Elite Collection is the Elevation of Running Apparel
INTRO On race day, you want to race, not just run. In any other sport, race day means employing the lightest and most technologically-developed products. Think carbon-fiber components and aerodynamic designs for race cars and bicycles. But when it comes to running, we throw on the most expensive chassis and wheels, but tend to just put on whatever looks good when it comes to the body. Ciele Athletics is looking to fix that with its all-new Elite Collection, an apparel drop of five pieces designed to give athletes the most of their performance on race day. For a brand known primarily for its top-tier running caps (we can confirm, they’re pretty much the best), a foray into premium run apparel may seem like a bit of a leap. There’s quite a bit of difference between a hat and a singlet or jacket, especially when that gear falls anywhere between the $100-$400 range. However, when Ciele went into the research and development of the Elite Collection, they did so with intentionality throughout every step of the process. Their goal with the Elite was to find “the very best recycled fabrics, the very best factories, the very best constructions and use these ingredients to build the very best products for your run.” The standard was impeccably high from the start. Keep in mind that when they first debuted, Ciele caps were twice the price of almost every other running hat out there. Now, they’ve become the standard that many running hat companies are trying to emulate/match, though few have come close. And so it is with the Elite Collection, with features unlike any we’ve seen in other running apparel. As you’ll see, the thoughtfulness is apparent, from the welded pocket seams of the DBSShort to the unbelievably light weight of the waterproof FLRJacket. For the jacket in particular, there were only a handful of factories globally who could produce it. Ciele chose a factory that they had been to, and know the team personally, in order to produce a garment that would meet the high standards we were driving for. Is this gear for everyone? Certainly not. The price alone is a barrier for most runners. But for those that can afford it and are looking for a product that features recycled products made in premium factories and with thorough regards to performance engineering, then the Elite Collection is surely something to consider. Learn more about the pieces below and our experience running in them. RCDSINGLET ELITE Made from recycled fabric yarns, this singlet tingles the senses by truly allowing you to feel like an elite. In a nothing-there manner, the stitchless construction is comprised of Ciele’s COOLmatic.EXP knit, which is– get this– infused with carbon fiber. I didn’t even know this, but carbon fiber absorbs odors and allows for greater breathability and temperature regulation. And because of this superior construction, the performance won’t fade or wash out, unlike traditional fibers. It still maintains high stretch and durability but retains a sturdy-yet-soft feel. The singlet also employs airBEAM, which is specially designed vents on the spine to allow the body to perform its natural cooling process. A constant two-way air exchange pushes warm air our and circulates fresh air. I can confirm that on the run, this singlet truly does feel weightless and reminded me of the best elite singlets I’ve somehow scammed companies to let me wear on race day. Chafing is non-existent and the breathability is as good as it can get. The carbon fiber construction is something I’ve never seen before; basically, I’m excited to keep this on the “good side” of my singlet drawer for a long time. PRICE: $100 RCDTSHIRT ELITE The RCDTshirt elite is essentially the same construction and materials as the singlet, just in t-shirt form. If you want all the details, scroll up just a bit, but the idea here is that you’re getting a bit more protection and coverage for less-than-singlet weather. Did we also mention this has a lifetime guarantee? Bold move for a running t-shirt, but we like it. PRICE: $120 QCKBRA ELITE This running bra features an OekoTex approved fabric featuring 65% recycled nylon with 35% elastane for shape retention and support over any distance. It also features all of Ciele’s most advanced apparel tech, including COOLmatic.plus lining and HeiQ Smart Temp® for accelerated wicking and HeiQ Fresh® for odour control. Meanwhile, eflective elements keep you lit from sun down to sun up. includes removable pads. PRICE: $60 DBSSHORT ELITE For us, this is the highlight of the collection. Another garment that features the carbon-infused yarn of the COOLmatic.EXP, the shorts are everything you need on race day. It’s also made from stitchless construction, which is… wild. But again, it comes with Ciele’s million miles guarantee, so we’re not worried about it. Waistbands are always an issue with running shorts, but this one is next-level good. Super soft to the touch, it features odor control and stowaway adjustment cords. Clearly some thoughtful design was put into this short. Which is evidenced even further by the front panels, which use a durable water repellent finish that’s helpful on damp days with headwinds. But here’s the best part– the shorts feature the best fuel pockets we’ve ever seen in a short. Three mesh inner fuel pockets are flat-welded to the short so you are locked and loaded on race day. Speaking of race day, the 3-inch split style allows room for your entire range of motion so the short feels like it isn’t there. Look down every so often just to make sure. PRICE: $120 EVDSHORT ELITE This one is probably our least favorite of the collection, because we kind of don’t know where it exists? To their credit, Ciele does note that it’s designed for running and in-between runs (i.e. a casual short over your race tight that feels just right on a community run). The dual button system on the sides is interesting, allowing for customizable levels of mobility, but we’re also not sure where we would actually use
Saucony Triumph 20 Review: Not an Endorphin, But a Triumph
INTRO MEAGHAN: Saucony has been dropping some gems this year. The refreshed Endorphin line is the crown jewel, so why not expect more greatness across the board? It’s been a couple of years since I laced up a version of the Triumph, but I’m always down to test out a highly cushioned trainer. Bring on the Saucony Triumph 20. This year’s model comes with a brand new slab of PwrRun+ that’s lighter and softer than its predecessor. Oh, and Saucony bumped the stack height from 32 to 37mm in the heel and 24 to 27 in the forefoot. That means more stack and a higher drop, somehow in a lighter package. The upper is all-new, too, but it still brings the same plush comfort that Triumph fans know and love. Saucony’s lacing system offers some additional lockdown features at the eyelets, and there’s no shortage of padding in the tongue and collar. On paper, this shoe checks all the boxes. But how does it feel out on the roads? ADRIENNE: Meg is right. Saucony has been killing it this year. My personal history with the Triumph starts back at version 17 when Saucony introduced PwrRun+ to the equation. I expected a heavy and dull shoe back in the day, and I was happy to be wrong. That was then, and this is now, so let’s see if Saucony has kept up its winning ways in the Triumph 20. Once again, Meg is right — the Triumph 20 passes the eye test with flying colors. I don’t even mind wearing the shoe in public, which doesn’t always happen with running shoes. It’s as comfortable as it is stylish, so you know you’re in for a plush ride. For most people, the FormFit design will hold your foot in place and adapt to you rather than forcing you to change your stride for the shoe. I put almost 50 miles on the Triumph 20, and it shines best as a recovery/easy day shoe. It’s capable of picking up the pace, but there are better options — even within the Saucony stable. The slower I went, the better the shoe felt, and for me, on days where I need not push, this turned out to be a good thing. Be warned, however, that the Triumph isn’t an Endorphin in disguise. It knows what it is and leaves the high-tech cruisers in their own lane. Let’s see what I mean. RYAN: I’ve had my feet in more than my fair share of Saucony shoes this year, and I’ve yet to find one I didn’t like. I trotted in the Tempus, felt good in the Freedom, did something that starts with A in the Axon, and thoroughly enjoyed the Endorphin Pro and Speed. Now it’s time to take it home in the Triumph. Sometimes a shoe happens to land at the perfect time. I’m about a month out from my first marathon at this point, and I’m looking for as much cush as possible to hold me through the heap of road miles. That’s basically what the Triumph 20 is — a fat stack o’ foam with a plush layer of cushion on top. There’s no reason this shoe should be as light as it is, but that’s magic, baby. Meg and Adrienne covered most of the important stuff above, and they touch on the important tech specs below, so I’m just gonna pass along the vibes. Let’s roll. THE GOOD MEAGHAN: Let’s start with the aesthetics because I love what Saucony did here. The Triumph 20 colorway I received (Prospect/Glass) is a neutral gray with some bright accents like a shiny gold Saucony logo. It’s fun without being over the top. The PWRRUN+ sock liner and cushioning underfoot feel great upon step-in. Paired with the highly padded tongue and collar, it’s got all the features of a very plush shoe. While Saucony increased the stack, they also reduced the weight. My US W7.5 came in at 8.3oz — pretty decent for a well-cushioned trainer. ADRIENNE: I agree with Meg that the weight reduction was nice, and the step-in felt luxurious. I have relatively narrow, low-volume feet and had no problems with the fit. I was able to lace up and go without a second thought. If you love hella cush, then you’ll probably love this shoe. There’s cushioning for days with the PwrRun+, and it’s not interrupted by a plate, a different core, or any other midsole modification. The change means there’s less fire in the Triumph 20, but that’s by design. I found the ride pretty smooth overall, though there are some things I’d change (more on that in a sec). It’s not so much a snap and a pop as a slow, luxurious roll. Think Rolls Royce, not Ferrari. As I ramp up my fall training, I need a go-to recovery shoe for the double days when my legs are tired. The Triumph is that shoe — it’s soft and comfortable, and it keeps me from wanting to push too hard. It also feels stable and grips the pavement well, thanks to subtle outsole improvements. There’s more than enough rubber here. In my opinion, this is one of the most comfortable trainers of the year. I didn’t run into hotspots, irritation, or anything else that made running less enjoyable. The materials are premium, and the cush is king. It reminds me of the recently reviewed Mizuno Wave Neo Ultra in some ways, which is actually a compliment. RYAN: Comfort, comfort, comfort. That’s the story of the Triumph 20. There’s padding everywhere, from the extra-thick midsole to the marshmallow-esque upper. Everything is thick, and it feels great on foot. I took the Triumph for 12 miles right out of the box and enjoyed every one of them. Then, I took it for a 17-mile long run with similar results. Speed didn’t matter for either effort, just comfort and distance. The PwrRun+ is plush underfoot, and it doesn’t feel like it deadens out over the course of a run. No, it doesn’t add anything incredible, but I
Recipes from Meghann Featherstun: Let Go My Waffles
LET GO MY WAFFLES Where our morning runners at?! Don’t miss that opportunity to refuel when you get home with something warm & delicious, and it might provide some solid nutrition as well. Careful or someone might steal one of these bad boys… INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS Pro tip: double this recipe if you’re feeding a crew. Nutrition Facts: 1 waffle (makes 5 waffles) 140 calories, 6 gm fat, 19 gm carbohydrates, 5 gm protein ABOUT MEGHANN Meghann Featherstun is a sports dietitian who works with runners all over the country to help them fuel their bodies for the best performance in life, running, and beyond. Check out more recipes, blog posts, group nutrition programs, and 1-on-1 nutrition coaching from Meghann at featherstonenutrition.com or on Instagram.
Air Relax Pro Recovery Boots Review: Under Pressure (The Good Kind)
INTRO BRANDON: If you’ve been in the running world long enough, somebody somewhere has told you that recovery is the key to a more successful and sustainable running career. They’re not wrong, recovery is more important than most of us give it credit for. There are tons of studies that prove it, too, lending legitimacy to everything from a foam roller to an ice bath. Companies are getting in on the sky-high demand for recovery products, and I get to try them out. I was pretty stoked to find out that the Air Relax Pro Recovery Boots were on their way to me. Before I get into the nitty-gritty, at least promise me you’ll take this one piece of advice: There will never be a better recovery system than a good night’s sleep and proper nutrition. Alright, on to it. Air Relax is a recovery company that prides itself on developing state-of-the-art technology to improve muscle and circulatory recovery. They sent me their AR-4.0 Recovery System to try out, complete with all the bells and whistles. The system comes with an AR-4.0 Control Unit, the leg sleeves, hose bundle, AC power supply, and a large 38L carrying case and power bank for life on the go. Fair warning, the complete set tips the scales (or burns your wallet) to the tune of $1,250. It’s not exactly cheap, but how do you put a price on your health? THE GOOD BRANDON: Let’s break it down, piece by piece, starting with the boots and the AR-4.0 Recovery System. The boots strap nicely around each bag and are comprised of six compression chambers. It might sound like a lot of sections, but they’re meant to replicate a more anatomically accurate human leg — tighter in some places, looser in others. The design is slick, with uncompromisingly strong zippers and durable nylon fabric to help the chambers expand and contract. All I’m trying to say is that you won’t have to worry about breaking a zipper or popping a chamber… ever. The AR-4.0 Recovery System is fancier than most interfaces in cars, with a 5.5-inch LCD built-in. It allowed me to customize my recovery experience with 14 levels of pressure, customizable chamber selection, and various recovery plans. An optional power bank can provide you with three extra hours of juice while away from a wall socket. The 38L carrying case is small enough to fit as a carry-on yet big enough to fit all of the items mentioned above with room left over for a day or two’s worth of clothing, making it an ideal traveling companion. I can sum it up by saying you’ll have a pretty amazing recovery experience. Oh, and the entire process is pretty quiet, which is nice if you want to throw on the Air Relax Pro boots while you catch up on House of the Dragon. I’ve been using them for a week straight, and I don’t see myself breaking that streak. THE BAD BRANDON: The obvious elephant in the room is that all in, you can end up dropping $1,250 for the Air Relax Pro with all of the bells and whistles. If you want to save a little cash, you can grab a smaller, less customizable setup for around $575. It’s still not cheap, but it’s a little better. I like the idea of Air Relax’s optional power bank and carrying case, but they could have been better executed. The case adds little more than a way to keep things organized, and I mostly use the boots at home. That goes hand in hand with not needing the power bank, as there are more than enough outlets around my house. I’m sure some people will like the added portability, but the entire package isn’t all that light, so I won’t be lugging it around. AIR RELAX PRO RECOVERY BOOTS CONCLUSION BRANDON: The Air Relax Pro AR-4.0 Leg Recovery System is amazing, but it can be a tough sell at $1,250. That’s a lot of money, especially compared to other recovery alternatives like rollers and ice baths. However, the Air Relax Pro is a safe bet if you are looking for a top-notch leg recovery system. You can customize your preference of boots, sleeves, and systems for a full-body experience — at a price. Since bringing the Air Relax Pro into my life, I’ve noticed a major shift in my recovery and overall wellness. My legs feel less tired and more ready to go on hard workout days — even as marathon season arrives. As I mentioned earlier, sleep and nutrition are still my one and two, but this AR-4.0 system is a powerful number three. You can pick up the Air Relax Pro Recovery Boots for $1,250
Recipes from Meghann Featherstun: Bagel ‘Winter Bites’
BAGEL ‘WINTER BITES’ Feeling like winter running bites the big one?! You’re not alone. Get out there and get those miles in and have all the fixings for some nostalgic bagel bites waiting for you when you get home. Get creative here, folks. Whatever you like on your pizza is fair game! INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS Nutrition Facts: 4 bagel bites (1 recipe) 350 calories, 8 gm fat, 55 gm carbohydrates, 14 gm protein ABOUT MEGHANN Meghann Featherstun is a sports dietitian who works with runners all over the country to help them fuel their bodies for the best performance in life, running, and beyond. Check out more recipes, blog posts, group nutrition programs, and 1-on-1 nutrition coaching from Meghann at featherstonenutrition.com or on Instagram.
Recipes from Meghann Featherstun: DunkaRUN Dip
DUNKARUN DIP Who says we can’t have a little fun with our nutrition?! Those icing + cookie packs we all tried to trade our entire lunch for at the elementary school lunch tables are back in a slightly healthified way, but we promise you won’t mind. Delicious. Fun. And, dare we say, dip those pre-run graham crackers straight into this DunkaRUN dip and watch yourself crush some runs. INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS Nutrition Facts: ¼ cup (15 servings total) 60 calories, 2 gm fat, 10 gm carbs, 1 gm protein ABOUT MEGHANN Meghann Featherstun is a sports dietitian who works with runners all over the country to help them fuel their bodies for the best performance in life, running, and beyond. Check out more recipes, blog posts, group nutrition programs, and 1-on-1 nutrition coaching from Meghann at featherstonenutrition.com or on Instagram.
Lumen Nutrition Review
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW MEAGHAN: I first heard of the Lumen in 2020 when an ad for the device popped up in my news feed. It claims to be the first hand-held device that enables you to “hack” your metabolism. I had just started working with a sports dietician (Meghann Featherstun) and asked her if I should try and get a unit for review. She did some research and suggested we hold out while I was in the middle of training for a marathon PR. Fast forward to October of 2021, and the company reached out to see if we wanted to try it. I figured why not. So, what exactly does this vape-looking device do? Let’s dive in. Lumen is a small breathalyzer equipped with Bluetooth that syncs to an app on your phone. It measures CO2 levels to decipher whether you’re running on carbs or fat and aims to help improve ‘metabolic flexibility.’ Each time you breathe into it, the device analyzes your breath, giving you a score from 1 to 5 to tell you whether your body is running on fat (a 1 or 2), carbohydrates (a 4 or 5), or a combination of both (a 3). It follows with a recommended meal plan of approximately how many carbs, fat, and protein servings you should be eating that day, with the ultimate goal of making your metabolism more efficient. THE GOOD MEAGHAN: Using the Lumen properly means you are starting your day with this thing every morning. Before you even have a sip of coffee, you need to breathe into the device to get an accurate reading. The biggest benefit here? Starting your day with a couple of nice, deep breaths. The worst part? If you don’t score a 1 or 2, you kinda feel like a failure. Since the overall goal is to help you become ‘metabolically flexible,’ the idea is that you want to start your day (after fasting) burning fat, then switch to burning carbs throughout the day. Why? According to Lumen, increasing our metabolic flexibility can have multiple positive effects, like a stronger immune system, sustained energy, fewer blood sugar roller coasters, and overall better health. In addition to testing your breath every morning, you’re also encouraged to use the device before and after meals and exercise and right before bed. The more effort you put into using the device, the more data and information you’ll get in return. After a couple of weeks of using the device, you get a metabolic flexibility score. I scored somewhere right in the middle: not inflexible, but not super flexible. So how do they recommend you increase your metabolic flexibility? Mainly through nutrition, fasting, and exercise.Lumen weekly recapLumen nutrition planLumen levels breakdown THE BAD MEAGHAN: While this all makes sense, I have to think back to all of the conversations I’ve had with my sports dietician. What is my #1 goal? Is it to be metabolically flexible? Or is it to perform at my best? As someone who is always pretty active, I rarely have ‘low carb’ days. If I were following the guidance of this device, I would be eating half, sometimes less than half, of the carbs that’s been recommended by my sports dietician. While this might help me wake up in a state of fat burning, it likely won’t help with performance. On the flip side, I can see how this device might be helpful to someone deciding if they need to fuel before a run. A quick breath into Lumen pre-workout will let you know if you’re good to get you through your session or if a snack is in order. LUMEN NUTRITION CONCLUSION MEAGHAN: As a pretty big data nerd, I’ve enjoyed testing out the Lumen. It’s been fun to find out if I’m burning fat or carbs in real-time, and there’s a wealth of information within the App, from nutrition basics to recipe suggestions broken down by macros. The Lumen comes at varying prices depending upon the program you choose. On the lower end, the device with 6 months of use will cost $249. On the higher end, the device with 18 months of use will cost you $349. If you’re interested to learn more about your fat/carb burning state without going to see a professional for testing, this is an ideal device. While I would be hesitant to recommend this to an athlete in the middle of a hard training block, I think the information the device provides could be beneficial to just about anyone.
Q&A With PWURE Athletes Sisson, Fauble, and Droddy
PWURE, the data-based sports nutrition company, welcomed three of the United States’ top long-distance runners – Emily Sisson, Scott Fauble and Noah Droddy – as its newest investors and athlete brand ambassadors. Using a proprietary methodology developed by athletes for athletes, PWURE individually formulates personalized, data-driven pre and post-workout shake blends for athletes of all levels engaged in endurance sports and activities. I mean, it actually takes your Strava data (or your own user-submitted data) and builds customized formulas and recommendations for your training. And instead of a bunch of ingredients you can’t understand (i.e. tons of f**king sugar), PWURE consists of clean, all-natural ingredients designed to be used as part of their training and recovery regimen to help achieve their goals and personal records. “PWURE is both honored and proud to have such accomplished athletes as investors and ambassadors for our up-and-coming sports nutrition brand,” said Hadrien Royal, PWURE’s co-founder and CEO. “Unlike other brands who create individualized products only for professional athletes, PWURE uses the same data-driven, personalization that goes into developing formulations for world-class athletes such as Emily, Noah and Scott’s mixtures as it does for all of our customers.” Believe in the Run recently got a chance to talk with Emily, Noah and Scott about PWURE as well as check in on their running lives. Q: So… how’s your running going? NOAH: Running is going fine! I’m in the early stages of a marathon training block, just enjoying getting out the door everyday and enjoying the process of getting better at something. SCOTT: It’s going well, kind of in a down period as I build towards a Fall Marathon. Q: What are your plans for 2021? NOAH: My big plan is a fall marathon (TBA), I’ll fill my schedule in with some road races before then, but I haven’t committed to anything quite yet. SCOTT: I’d like to run a few races over the summer in the 10k to half marathon range and then hunker down with 6-8 really good weeks of work before a Fall Marathon. Q: Looking back over the last decade, how has running changed your life? NOAH: That’s a big question because running has changed everything about my life. Where I live, who I’m marrying, what I dedicate most of my energy to, has all been influenced by the commitment I made to running. SCOTT: Oh man, how hasn’t it changed it? I guess mostly it’s provided me an awesome education and now my dream job. EMILY: Running has changed my life in many ways but probably the most notable are the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve gained. Both have shaped who I am and I am incredibly thankful for that! Q: What’s one tip you wish someone would’ve told you about when you were younger? NOAH: I feel like I’ve learned all the important lessons when I needed to. I think as I get older, I need to remind myself more consistently to enjoy what I’m doing, and be present in the process. I realize I’m in the latter half of my elite running career, so I just want to continue to be mindful of what a privilege it is to do what I do. SCOTT: I guess one tip I wish I would have known when I was younger was to look at running holistically. It’s not enough to just run a lot, this is a full-life endeavor. EMILY: It’s very cliche but one tip would probably be to not put as much pressure on myself and to enjoy the process more! I don’t feel pressure from others really but I hold myself and my work ethic to such high standards that I have sometimes needed the reminder that I’m doing my very best and that is good enough! My younger self definitely needed to hear that! Q: How does nutrition play a part in your training? NOAH: Nutrition is the cornerstone to everything. You won’t be able to perform or recover well if you aren’t adequately fueled. You’re only going to get out of your body what you put in. SCOTT: Nutrition is huge. It would be impossible to train well and recover without adequate nutrition. EMILY: Nutrition plays a huge role in my training because when I am running 90-100 miles per week, how I fuel becomes pretty critical. If I’m not fueling enough or fueling with poor quality nutrition, my recovery will be affected! Q: You use PWURE as part of your fueling strategy. How/why does it work for you? NOAH: I sometimes use a pre-workout formula if I need a little extra pep, but I always have a post-workout recovery shake. It’s important to get nutrients in as close to the end of a workout as possible. The post-workout formula makes that easy and convenient. It sits well in my stomach, and I use it with confidence knowing my formula has been designed with my specific training load in mind. SCOTT: Yes, I do. I like Pwure because it makes my fueling and recovering so much easier. It has everything I need, in the right doses, and nothing I don’t. It really rakes some variables out of the equation. EMILY: I’ve always had a really sensitive stomach with pre and post-workout drinks, and with Pwure the products digest so easily! The Post Workout drink has that perfect ratio of carbs to protein and if you study the nutrition labels of most protein drinks they actually don’t have that 3:1 or 4:1 ratio. So I think that’s pretty awesome! Q: How can PWURE benefit non-professional runners? NOAH: We’re all out there doing the same thing, whether you’re professional or not. If you’re passionately chasing your running goals, PWURE is one more tool to help you improve on the margins. The beauty of personalized nutrition formulas is that you won’t be drinking mine, you’ll be getting exactly what you need for your workload. SCOTT: Look, it’s personalized, so you aren’t going to get the same formula as I am. And that’s good. We have different bodies and different exercise habits and different needs. EMILY: PWURE can benefit anyone who trains because
PWURE Running Nutrition Review
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEN: PWURE (pure + power) touts itself as the “hyper-personalized” pre-and post-workout nutrition. It’s founded on the principles that nutrition should be tailored to each athlete and their training. By consuming the right carbs-to-protein ratio immediately after activity speeds up glycogen and muscle protein synthesis. Their foundation is based on data-driven formulas, quality ingredients, and they include vegan options. The pre-workout is a mix of carbohydrates and has an option to add caffeine. It’s intended to fuel the workout and improve performance. The post-workout includes both protein and carbs with the option to add vitamin B12 and vitamin D with the intent to optimize recovery. The protein can be chosen as plant-based or whey isolate. The difference between a protein shake and PWURE is that it’s not just some arbitrary amount of extra protein, but it’s a full pre and post nutrition strategy that customized to each athlete. Start by entering your e-mail, name, gender (optional), height, weight, and then link up your fitness tracker. Options include Strava, Garmin, Fitbit, Suunto, Polar, and Apple Watch. If you don’t use any of these it can still create a customized mix based solely on your responses to the questionnaire, including manual workout history. The PWURE system looks at both your training history via Strava and your expected future training via questionnaire. Next, it asks if you want caffeine, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and if you want pea, brown rice or why isolate protein. Flavor options are unflavored, chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. THE GOOD BEN: All of the above might sound a bit confusing or complicated, and probably seems quite time-consuming. The good news is that it’s not. The entire questionnaire only takes a couple of minutes and is very intuitive. The Strava connection correctly pulled my training history and showed that the last 4 weeks I averaged 8 workouts a week for a total of 384 minutes. I chose the caffeine and vitamin add-ins, and the chocolate flavor. The process is great and has many resources available to explain what is in the mix and why it’s there. My order shipped within a couple of days and arrived soon after. The mixes arrive in paper pouches with customized labels that include your name – a neat feature! The aesthetic is very “organic” and certainly a lot different than the normal plastic tub of protein powder with reflective graphics and catch-phrases written all over it. The pouches are appropriately lined with a moisture barrier plastic and have Ziploc-style closure. They don’t come with a scoop, so get ready to raid the kitchen for some measuring spoons. For my dosages, it worked best to use a tablespoon for the pre-workout, and a ¼ cup for the post-workout. Once you actually get into it, you’ll notice that the powder is pure white regardless of flavor. The team at PWURE confirmed this. I found that mine only had a slight hint of chocolate flavor but it was pretty good. One of the main ingredients is tapioca and this is what I found myself taking the most. The amount of mix needed is considerably more than the scoops of pre and post-workout I’m used to, so hopefully, your bottle is big enough. A Blender Bottle worked well in my experience. The next surprise came as I began doing workouts and syncing to my Strava account per my normal routine. PWURE’s analysis doesn’t stop once the mix is created and sent to you, it happens in real-time and sends an e-mail with a custom serving size based on your workout, which is next-level big brother stuff. EXAMPLE 1: “Hi Ben, nice work! Based on your activity, three-quarters of a dose should be enough for this time to help your body recover. You should have 61 grams of your post-workout dose meaning 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp, which will bring you 42 grams of carbs and 14 grams of protein.” EXAMPLE 2: “Hi Ben, way to go! You really made a big effort! We recommend that you take a full post-workout dose to speed up recovery. This means 81 grams or 3/4 cup, which will bring you 56 grams of carbs and 19 grams of protein.” THE BAD BEN: I enjoyed the flavor and had no issues with digestion, energy levels, or anything related to the consumption of the mix. A very minor nitpick is that the packaging does not come with any measuring scoops, so it requires some scrounging through drawers. The pouches are nice, but the mix made a mess all over myself and the counter. The dosages are also kind of different. Some days I’d run for an hour and get an e-mail saying I didn’t need to take any post-workout. I’m not sure if this is truly a bad thing but it seemed surprising and was unexplained aside from being told my calorie loss was “limited.” My biggest gripe is with the price. This is a customized, premium product, that uses natural ingredients, and the price reflects that. If you’re looking for a budget protein powder, this isn’t it. That said, they are offering BITR readers 20% off with code NEXTLEVEL, so you should probably take advantage of that. PWURE NUTRITION CONCLUSION BEN: PWURE is a high-end nutrition solution made by athletes, for athletes. It uses a data-driven process to create a custom mix tailored to your activity level. It looks good, tastes good, and makes you feel good. The price is premium, but so is the product. If you want a formula tailored to your activity level without having to any of the work or research yourself, this is your easy button.
10 Great Running Books You Should Probably Read
Done scrolling through your Instagram feed for the third time in the last 10 minutes? Baked more bread than you can/should eat? Caved in and bought a Master Class subscription but have yet to master any class? By now, most of us are at our wits’ end when it comes to quarantine time-killing– what was once a novel skill or a quirky hobby-to-be has instead become another symptom of each day’s monotony. Even though life is starting to reopen, we’ve still got a long way to go, and things aren’t exactly looking like they used to. But in case you missed it, reading is back, and in a big way. (As an English major it was never “gone,” but I digress.) If you’re looking for a way to engage with your running after you’ve logged those daily miles or planned tomorrow’s Strava route, you’re in luck. We at Believe in the Run put together a list of our favorite books that are sure to inspire. What follows are 10 running-related book recommendations that will do as much for your appreciation of the sport as they will for your outlook on life. » KICKSOLOGY: THE HYPE, SCIENCE, CULTURE & COOL OF RUNNING SHOES By Brian Metzler If you’re like me, you probably find yourself reading reviews for shoes you didn’t even know you needed. Sound familiar? There’s a reason we do what we do here at Believe in the Run––runners are a tricky breed, for as much as they like their shoes, they’re also very particular about them (often to the point of obsession). Eventually, drooling over leaked upcoming releases and AlphaFly prototypes will lose its edge, so do yourself a favor and check out Brian Metzler’s Kicksology. With years of sports journalism and shoe testing chops to boast of, Metzler is an authority on all things running and all things shoes. In Kicksology he takes a deep dive into the $10B running shoe industry, bringing you from half-baked concept to fully-fledged production model. If you’ve ever wondered about all that goes into a great shoe, this one’s for you. » 26 MARATHONS: WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT FAITH, IDENTITY, RUNNING, AND LIFE FROM MY MARATHON CAREER By Meb Keflezighi Indulge in the lessons of a pro runner without putting in the thousands of training hours. Okay, that might sound like the next big influencer hack, but Meb Keflezighi is no slouch, and this is no fit tea he’s selling. As the first person in history to win the Boston and the New York City marathons, as well as an Olympic marathon medal, Keflezighi is highly regarded amongst the marathon greats for good reason. In 26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career, retired pro runner Meb Keflezighi regals readers with stories of each of his 26 marathon performances. As much as it is a collection of race recaps and practical advice, it’s also full of valuable life lessons that go way beyond running. No matter your history with the sport, 26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career will make you a better runner (and almost certainly a better person). » LET YOUR MIND RUN: A MEMOIR OF THINKING MY WAY TO VICTORY By Deena Kastor Though the physical demands of running are widely acknowledged, I don’t think the mental game gets its due diligence. It’s the ultimate test of willpower. I mean, c’mon– most people balk at the idea of even going on a run, much less having to put in the work to go faster or longer. So what do you do when your pro running career is in full swing and you’re on the brink of burnout? After years of keeping her foot stomped on the gas and doing everything to stay ahead of the competition, Kastor found herself frustrated and weighed down by her own negativity. Enter Joe Vigil, a legendary running coach and the founder of the first professional distance-running team. Before throwing in the towel, Kastor took a chance on Vigil’s dream and moved out to Alamosa, Colorado. Whether it was the thin air or the breathtaking views, Kastor finally achieved some clarity in her running––deciding to focus on the power of positivity and training her mind to be encouraging and kind in the face of adversity. Spoiler alert: It was only with a change of mindset that she was able to break American records in distances from the 5K to the marathon. Let Your Mind Run follows Kastor’s remarkable story, giving readers a look inside the mind of an elite runner and providing helpful advice for how you can train your own to give you a competitive edge. » RUNNING TO THE EDGE: A BAND OF MISFITS AND THE GURU WHO UNLOCKED THE SECRETS OF SPEED By Matthew Futterman From high school cross country meets to national championships to Olympic races, Bob Larsen has earned his coaching stripes at almost every level imaginable. Part scientific discourse, part narrative retelling, Running to the Edge follows Larsen’s journey from humble farm boy to American running coaching great. In Running to the Edge, New York Times’ Deputy Sports Editor Matthew Futterman examines Larsen’s uncanny ability to bring out the best in his athletes, whether it was growing distance running in the days of its infancy or coaching marathoning legend Meb Keflezighi to victory at New York and Boston. Bob Larsen may be the focus of the book, but the result is a testament to Futterman’s own relationship with the sport. No matter if you geek out over running science or fangirl over famed coaches, Running to the Edge has a little something for everyone. » RUNNING WITH THE BUFFALOES By Chris Lear I know, I know, “insider accounts” are a dime a dozen. I’ve left a few of such books unfinished, but Chris Lear’s Running with the Buffaloes is different. Those other pretenders might be little more than a bunch of motivational quotes slapped together without any real substance, but this book lays it all out in gritty detail (like, there was a push to ban it in schools for offensive