Moment Travel Bag Round-Up: Stylish Storage
THE INTRO BRANDON: Alright, alright, I know. I’ll be the first to admit it — this isn’t your typical running shoe review. In fact, I probably won’t mention shoes at all. But hold up, what about the other aspects of your day-to-day life? A good commuter pack or travel backpack can go a long way in making life easier. Luckily for you, Moment offers tons of lifestyle and creator-focused high-end travel bags for any occasion. I’m going to take you through a few packs and accessories that you might need for your next adventure. Oh, and bonus points if you’re a content creator and looking for a bag that has all manner of specialty pockets for your endless supply of gear. Before we go any further, let me just start by stating that I’ve tested all of these bags and pieces. They all work great and fit nicely into my everyday workflow. If you don’t know much about Moment, you should learn quickly because their gear is top quality. Alright, let’s deep dive into something a little different than we’re used to. MOMENT MTW 17L BACKPACK BRANDON: This minimal daypack is perfect for anyone looking for a stylish urban commuter pack. The bag is meant for that on-the-go person who’s constantly moving from place to place. This bag is perfect for days when you need to hit the gym, go work at a coffee shop, or even to pack your running gear for evening miles. The bag has a 17L capacity which means it holds all of the essentials and doesn’t allow for any overpacking — something I fall victim to way too often. If 17L isn’t enough space, Moment does offer a 21L option for some more storage capacity. The Moment MTW Backpack does come in a few different colors, but the Clay version is far and away the most elegant. It gets even better; the bag is fully waterproof and is membraned with a rugged recycled fabric. The bag has three main compartments for your gear and multiple pockets within those. Each compartment serves a different purpose and allows you to keep all of your stuff organized and tucked away neatly. The shoulder straps are padded for those longer commute days, and a hydration pocket can fit a 1L Nalgene water bottle. The bag offers a ton of easy-access zip options and is perfect for that person who is constantly on the go. PRICE: $149, currently on sale for $80-100 MOMENT MTW 5L CAMERA INSERT BRANDON: If you’re pretty stoked about the MTW Backpack, Moment offers a little something extra for creators. Whether you’re a content creator like me or even just looking for a little bit more organizational space, the 5L Camera Insert is a suitable solution and an easy accessory add-on. This isn’t like your traditional camera insert; instead, it’s sort of more like its own optional cube, which means it can be easily stowed away in or out of the bag and zips up nicely to protect camera gear and lenses. Beyond that, it acts nicely as an additional compartment section where you can stow wires, cameras, and other small tech or running nutrition items. This piece is really nice to have but, of course, isn’t a necessity. However, after reviewing it and giving it a shot, I’m happier I have it than not. Oh, did I mention it’s also waterproof? Yep, that means everything inside will stay dry, which is pretty amazing. For $60, the camera insert is a perfect way to safely and securely protect and store any camera gear or valuables you may have. PRICE: $79, on sale for $59 MOMENT MTW TECH ORGANIZER BRANDON: You probably don’t think about a tech organizer very often, but once you have it, you’ll probably wonder how you lived without it. I’m currently sitting at my desk with my laptop open, and directly to my right is my MTW Tech Organizer. I seriously can’t leave the house without it, no matter what. It’s kind of like a packing cube, but smaller and just for tech. Before I discovered packing cubes, I’d shove everything in my suitcase and, no matter what, the clothing or cable I was looking for would always end up buried. Once I adopted the cube lifestyle, my organizational skills became top-notch. The same goes for this organizer. Before this pack, I would rummage through my backpack looking for SD cards, lens caps, SD Drives, earbuds, you name it. Anything that was smaller than my hand would just immediately get lost in the abyss of my backpack. Once I got this tech organizer from Moment, the entire flow of my day changed, and all of a sudden, everything was accessible and at my fingertips. The pack is versatile, low profile, and comes in two different sizes. This is perfect for cord management and a handy way to store loose items. For only $50 and on sale right now, this MTW Tech Organizer is worth every penny. PRICE: $59, on sale for $49 MOMENT STROHL 45L MOUNTAIN LIGHT BACKPACK BRANDON: When I first tested this bag, I was hesitant. Not because I was questioning the quality or the brand but because I knew how much weight would be on my back for all of the hiking I was about to do through parts of the Shenandoah Valley for two days. I’m happy to report back that this bag really did the trick for me. My biggest priority was making sure that all of my camera equipment was stored safely, and this bag does exactly that. The Strohl Mountain Light 45L Backpack endured the mud, rain, and wind with ease. Sure, it got a bit dirty, but it was easily able to store my clothing, tent, trail running shoes, and camera equipment. The best part was the chest and hip straps allowed me to run, walk and hike, all with the correct posture and no pain. This pack is lightweight and nimble and provides all of the zipper pockets needed for a
Asics Magic Speed 3 Review: Third Time’s a Charm
THE INTRO MEAGHAN: To say I didn’t love the Asics Magic Speed 1 or 2 would be putting it nicely. I even opted out of reviewing v2 because I didn’t want to put 20 miles on it. So now that I’ve sufficiently bashed the Magic Speed (if you want more bashing read Thomas’ comments below), let’s talk about the latest iteration– v3. While it doesn’t look like a huge departure from v2, it truly is. The most apparent (and favorable) update might be the full-length carbon fiber plate sandwiched between two layers of Flytefoam (FF) Blast+. The previous iteration featured a TPU plate and a bottom layer of FF Blast, a firmer version of the foam. Asics also added a couple millimeters to the midsole on this go-around, giving the shoe a 36mm/29mm stack but keeping the 7mm drop. The upper is now designed with Motion Wrap material, the same stuff you’ll find in the Metaspeed Sky+ and Edge+. All of these changes also brought down the overall weight, my women’s size 8 came in at 6.5oz. So how do all these updates feel out on the road? Let’s get into it. THOMAS: In early 2021, I got a text alert informing me that a plated racer was coming from Asics. This was big news. Unfortunately, the only plated race day shoe Asics had put out was the Metaracer, which fell short of being an actual “super shoe.” We had seen prototypes of a higher stack Asics race day shoe during the rainy, Covid-amended London Marathon in 2020. In that race, Sarah Hall put together one of the most spectacular finishes in U.S. women’s marathon history, running alone for the whole race before closing in over the last 100 meters to secure second place. The shoe she was wearing looked to be a legit contender. I had high hopes my incoming shoe would be a version of the one Sara wore in London. Unfortunately, the shoe was the Magic Speed. There wasn’t any nylon-based foam (i.e. Pebax), or a full-length carbon plate. The Magic Speed was a FlyteFoam Blast midsole with a forefoot TPU plate. Sounds nice on paper, but really there was no magic to the method. I was disappointed and a little confused. Asics reassured me that the “real” race day shoe was coming, the MetaSpeed Sky. The second version of the Magic Speed, with a design that very much resembled the Metaspeed, arrived about a year ago. Again, I got my hopes up. Again, I was let down. It was one of the few shoes we gave a red rating in 2022. Needless to say, I wasn’t super excited when the Magic Speed v3 arrived at the office. Nevertheless, I reluctantly gave it a shot. Turns out, the third time is the charm. This time the magic was there. Now with a full-length carbon plate Full Flytefoam Blast+ midsole THE GOOD MEAGHAN: As you may imagine from the introduction, my expectations for this shoe were not very high. I felt the previous versions were just too firm, so I was pretty happy that the step-in feel provided a softer, bouncier feel. It doesn’t hurt that the shoes look amazing. The white colorway with red accents gives you those classic Asics vibes. The upper is very reminiscent of the Metaspeed Sky+. which I love. It’s really light and breathable, but still provides the structure you want for fast running. There isn’t a ton of padding around the collar and heel (more on that below), but the shoes feel comfortable overall. While I typically love a ton of stack, I didn’t feel like this shoe lacked anything in the midsole. The FF Blast+ is soft, but paired with the carbon fiber plate, gives you a nice pop. I didn’t do any real workouts in this shoe, but the post run strides felt great. I also found myself naturally picking up the pace on easy runs. THOMAS: This shoe looked so good I had to try it on. It fits like an uptempo shoe should. The Magic Speed 3 hugs the arch and just looks like a tiny Porsche for your foot. I was immediately intrigued with the full FlyteFoam Blast+ midsole, and was happy to find the harsh underfoot feeling from the previous models was gone. The cushion dialed in for fast miles that won’t tear up your legs. Even though the trainer feels low to the ground compared to most shoes today, there is still enough cushion. I was nervous it wouldn’t be enough stack for Meaghan (she loves cushioning above all other traits), so when she liked the ride I was certain the shoe would have wide appeal. The full carbon plate feels snappy. Overall, I have no complaints about the ride of the Magic Speed 3. The one-piece upper is a screen door. You can feel the breeze flow over your toes. I can’t believe Meaghan didn’t mention the gusseted tongue. It has one. The insole is glued down, so it will be a tight fit if you need custom insoles. Once I had the right size, the Magic Speed 3 fit like a glove. There is plenty of rubber on the outsole and I did not experience any issues with traction. My size 10.5 weighs 8.1 oz./232 g. Motion Wrap upper is the same material used in Asics’ race day shoes THE BAD MEAGHAN: I don’t really want to blame the shoe for this because my feet are really jacked up, but I did have some rubbing on my heel that caused a blister/bleeding. After the first run, I made sure to wear higher socks and that fixed the issue, but something to note. I also had to size up in this shoe. I typically wear a women’s 7.5, but as with all Asics race-style shoes, I went with a half-size large (women’s 8). THOMAS: Meg mentioned it and I will as well. The sizing in Asics shoes varies from daily trainers to race day shoes. I normally wear a size 10.5, but in all
Running Pain: Should You Keep Running Through It?
RUNNING PAIN: PHANTOM OR FOR REAL? We’ve all been there: that moment when you’re out on a glorious day, the sun is shining, and training is going beautifully. You’re in your groove, ticking away at your mileage, and then out of nowhere: pain. Maybe it’s in your shin, your hip, your knee, or some place you never realized could even hurt. Like any runner worth their salt, you immediately rest and recover. Just kidding, you totally ignore it and tell yourself it’s not real. First things first, you switch on your David Goggins audiobook for inspiration. You tell yourself it’s mental. Of course it’s mental– pain is in the brain! But what if it’s also in the bone? Is that a bone or a muscle? Do I even have bones there? Five minutes later: I think it’s feeling better. Five minutes more: It’s definitely getting worse. You start to panic. Your heart is racing but your splits are slowing. You may even have to… walk?! Send me to a nursing home, it’s all over. Your Strava will suffer. You’ll lose all your kudos. You don’t deserve kudos! You mentally draft an email to the race director of your goal marathon on how you’ll have to defer to next year. Maybe two years. Welcome to the dark side of running. And welcome to my office. When those finish line cramps hit THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER Ninety-three percent of my job is reassuring runners that they are going to be okay, that they will, in fact, run again. Ask the editor who’s working on this paragraph right now: he had one foot off the “never gonna run again” cliff before I brought him back to sanity. But hey, that’s what I do: I help them navigate when it’s okay to push through pain and when it’s time to respect it. Same goes for you. I may not meet with you next week in my office here in Baltimore, but maybe I can help you determine whether you need to see someone in your own area, or whether you are fighting fake windmills in your own mind. The first step is better understanding what exactly you’re feeling. Below are three questions to ask yourself as you navigate your own pain cave. 1) WHAT DOES YOUR PAIN FEEL LIKE? ⌁ Generalized, Dull, or Achy These types of descriptors typically relate to muscular or tendon type pain. What you’re feeling simply could be delayed onset muscle soreness (aka “DOMS”) related to a harder effort you’ve done previously in the week and will resolve in a few days. If related to tendon pain, it will likely stick around longer but won’t respond to total rest. Proceed with caution and monitor pain traits for the next 24-48 hours. Consider reducing the intensity of your workouts for the next week or two but don’t completely rest. Muscular and tendon pain are often the result of reduced loading capacity, meaning these systems aren’t keeping up with the repetition requirements of distance running. Adding in 2 days of strength training targeted at the lower body including exercises like calf raises, single leg squats, deadlifts, lunge variations, etc. can build muscular and tendon resiliency, reducing your risk of injury. ⌁ Sharp, Stabbing, or Pinpointed These types of descriptors are typically more worrisome and can be indicative of a stress injury or fracture or a tissue that is in an acutely inflamed state, otherwise known as an “itis” (i.e. tendonitis). None of these scenarios should be pushed. Do not pass go, do not collect any money except the deductible you’ll be giving your physical therapist as soon as they can get you into their office. Once there, they will help you determine next steps and if imaging is necessary. 2) IS YOUR PAIN GETTING BETTER OR WORSE THROUGHOUT YOUR RUN? ⌁ “It starts a little stiff, but actually, running feels good! It’s after I’ve stopped that it hurts the most.” Pain that improves with warming up and worsens with periods of post run inactivity or next day soreness is typically related to tendinopathies (non-acute tendon pain), stress syndromes (i.e. shin splints), mild arthritis, or muscular strains. Increasing blood flow to these areas can have an analgesic, or pain-relieving, effect, however, stiffness typically returns in a few hours. Proceed with caution. Consider strength training. Did I say that already? ⌁ “Worse. I can’t run through this.” Seek medical assistance. Pain that doesn’t get better as you warm up and instead intensifies requires further investigation. You could try a rest period of 1-2 weeks if you’re leery of medical providers but regardless, you should not push through this type of pain. If it comes right back after a few weeks off, you really need to see someone. Believe it or not, you’ll be fine 2) ARE YOU HAVING PAIN WITH ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES? ⌁ “Nope, just running and it seems to get better as I keep going.” You’re going to be okay. But maybe try that strength training stuff. Trust me, it works. ⌁ “Nope, just running but it’s not getting any better. And I’m losing my mind!” Seek medical attention. The longer you wait, the longer it takes. When an injury becomes chronic, the recovery takes more time. I know that runners absolutely hate taking more than one day off. But better a week now then three months down the road. Don’t be afraid to get things checked out even if it’s not impacting your daily life. ⌁ “Yes, even just walking around, it doesn’t go away.” Seriously, seek medical attention. It’s time. FINAL THOUGHTS ON RUNNING WITH PAIN It’s important to note that pain can be a tricky beast. It doesn’t always follow these characteristics, but hopefully this is a good start. There are trends, not absolutes, in general pain presentations. As a runner myself, I know that navigating pain can be scary, but it is normal, both in running and in life. Knowing the differences in pain characteristics can give you peace of mind and empower you to make
Roark x Ciele Team Up For The Perfect Summer Drop
LOST AND FOUND IN TAHITI We’re not saying Roark and Ciele are frenemies, but we will say that they both kind of hold some similar turf on the fringes of that grey zone between lifestyle and running. Roark leans more towards the lifestyle side– West Coast cool with laid-back, bonfire on a beach vibes, while Ciele exists as the outsider kids of running. If you see someone on the street wearing a Ciele GOcap, well, you know what they’re about. Stay golden, pony boy. Lately, Ciele has been the queen of collabs, partnering with everyone from Salomon to Article One to Norda. So it would only make sense that they team up with Roark Run Amok for a limited edition drop, The Lost and Found Collection, available now. Fever dreams in Tahiti Inspired by the colors and climate of Tahiti, the capsule features an array of designs in teals and blacks, which, according to Run Amok, “speaks to runners who are willing to showcase personal style and want to express their creativity on the trail.” The set contains five standard pieces from the Roark Run Amok line; those in the know will recognize the styles ranging from the Mathis Tee to the Alta 5” Short (by the way, we’ve worn all of these before so can give you a pretty good idea of what you’re getting). Learn more about the collaboration below. The night is dark and full of terrors ROARK RUN AMOK X CIELE Mathis Tee ($55) Featuring a DriRelease jersey knit, the Mathis tee is supremely comfortable and 4x faster drying than a typical cotton tee. We know, because we own a few designs of this shirt and can say it’s one of our favorite t-shirts out there. The construction is slim fit, but not too slim. It’s pretty much just perfect. Premium details include a stitched-in outer label as well as a climbing cord hang loop for setting out to dry after a run or whatever it is you do in the summer. ROARK RUN AMOK X CIELE Bommer Short ($95) The Bommer short is the most premium item on the list, and for good reason– it features a built-in compression liner with a thigh-positioned cell phone pocket, antimicrobial properties, and a 4-way stretch outer shell with 3.5” inseam. Throw in a couple magnetic closure slash pockets and back zip stash pockets and you’re good to go for any adventure. ROARK RUN AMOK X CIELE GOCap ($45) If you know about Ciele, you know about the GOCap. It’s been around since they’ve been around and there’s a reason it’s become a legend in the run culture scene. The lightweight Coolwick mesh is breathable and quick drying, while the soft brim makes it packable and stashable for on-the-go activities. A strapback design allows for customizable fit. Reflective elements top off the look, and we think the co-branding is on-point on this one. ROARK RUN AMOK X CIELE Alta 5″ Short ($89) The go-to short for Roark is the Alta, which makes sense because it has everything you need in a running short. From the 4-way stretch nylon with a water-resistant finish to the moisture wicking liner, it’ll get you through the hottest of summer days. Speaking of, the waterproof rear pocket is one of those things every short should have, but few do. It’ll keep your phone dry from sky sweat and your ass sweat, which we fully appreciate. ROARK RUN AMOK X CIELE BKTHat ($70) The bucket boys are back in town .Stay cool and keep the sun off you with 360-degree shade. Just like the GOCap, the BKTHat features a Coolwick construction and soft brim for ultra transportability. It also comes in two sizes for both you lizard brain and big skulled humans. A bungee cinch cord allows for additional adaptability. Making the Nike Zegama look cooler than they already are
9 Running Safety Tips For Women, By Women
WHY WE RUN DIFFERENTLY Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat: It sucks that female runners have to think about their safety any differently than men do. Unfortunately, though, 92 percent of women reported feeling concerned for their safety on the run, according to a recent Adidas survey of 9,000 runners across nine countries; more than half of the women surveyed said they were afraid of being physically attacked, while only 28 percent of men shared that fear. You can’t let fear dictate your life—but anyone who follows the news knows that a woman’s dread of being harassed on the run isn’t misplaced. Nearly forty-six percent of female runners have experienced harassment, a 2021 RunRepeat.com survey of 3,774 people determined, and their data showed that women are nearly three times more likely to be harassed on a run than a man. What does that look like? Of the 38 percent of women who said they experienced physical or verbal harassment in the Adidas survey, 55 percent have received sexist comments or unwanted sexual attention, 53 percent have been honked at, and 50 percent have been followed. As a result, 80 percent of female runners who have been harassed have changed their running habits, RunRepeat.com found.The onus shouldn’t be on women to change what they wear, avoid running along or at certain times of the day, or to carry protection with them when they run. But until things change, it’s important to take certain measures to ensure your safety on the roads or trails. 1) RUN WITH YOUR PHONE Part of the appeal of going for a run is detaching yourself from a screen for even just 30 minutes. Your phone, though, is your first line of defense. Not only can you personally dial emergency services if needed, but you can also record harassment to report to the police and share your location with a trusted contact so they know where to direct people if you aren’t responding. You can also download apps like AllTrails Lifeline or RoadID, which will alert chosen contacts if you stop moving and don’t respond to the app’s alerts. 2) ENABLE EMERGENCY FEATURES ON YOUR WATCH Chances are, you’re wearing a running watch—so make sure you know how to use the emergency features built into it. The Apple Watch’s Emergency SOS feature, for example, automatically calls local emergency services and shares your location with them; when the call ends, the watch sends your emergency contacts a text message with your current location. On Garmin watches, you can enable the Assistance feature, which allows you to hold down the power button in order to send your real-time location to preloaded emergency contacts; Samsung watches also have an Emergency SOS feature that allows you to press the home key to call and notify pre-selected emergency contacts of your location. 3) PROTECT YOURSELF After experiencing harassment, nearly a quarter of female runners started carrying a weapon or device for self-defense, RunRepeat.com reports. You don’t have to go the pepper spray route (and shouldn’t, unless you know how to use it), but a personal alarm—like the Nathan SaferRun Ripcord Siren, which emits a 120 dB alarm—can alert anyone nearby to trouble, while GoGuarded’s $15 ring hides a blade you can use to fend off an attack. 4) DITCH YOUR IN- OR OVER-EAR HEADPHONES No matter how motivating it is to blast your favorite running songs, sealing off your hearing leaves you vulnerable to unwanted danger (whether that’s from cars, animals, or people). You don’t have to give up your music, but go with an open-ear option like the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones, which use bone conduction technology, or the JLab Open Sport or JVC Nearphones, which hook around your ear instead of blocking the ear canal. Bone-conducting headphones allow you to hear the world around you 5) DON’T RUN ALONE Safety in numbers is pretty obvious from a practical standpoint, but there are other benefits to running with a buddy. For one, a workout partner keeps you accountable. But people who exercised with someone else were more calm and less stressed after exercise than those who exercised alone, older research published in the International Journal of Stress Management found. Plus, as anyone who’s spent hours with a long-run partner knows, those miles fly by when you’re chatting it up with a good friend. 6) STICK TO POPULATED AREAS Running the streets of New York can feel safe at all hours of the day, because there’s never a shortage of people, while running in smaller towns or more rural neighborhoods can feel downright desolate in the middle of the day. Keeping your routes to more populated areas can help you avoid being singled out by potential attackers. If you’re somewhere new, Strava’s Global Heatmap highlights the most commonly traveled routes for specific activities, so you can see which areas are popular and which areas you may want to avoid. 7) TAKE A SELF-DEFENSE CLASS Runners generally have the “flight” part of fight-or-flight covered, but if you can’t get away from an attacker, you need to know how to defend yourself. People who take self-defense classes feel more confident in protecting themselves, research has shown, and being able to fight back increases your chances of escaping an assault. Take a self-defense class or learn a few basic self-defense moves so that you know what to do in a worst-case scenario. Speaking of worst-case scenarios, if you are in one and an attacker is attempting to subdue you, go for everything—eyes, throat, hair, and groin—and use every tool at your disposal; biting, scratching, gouging, and stabbing are all fair game at that point. 8) ALTERNATE YOUR ROUTES The more predictable your behavior, the more of a target you can be. Try switching up your route regularly (even running your standard route in reverse can be enough of a change) and running at slightly different times of the day. And make sure to use privacy settings on any fitness tracking apps so your daily running route doesn’t become public knowledge (Strava, for example, allows you to hide the start and end points of activities, or to prevent specific addresses from appearing on
Gnarly Drops Salted Margarita Hydration Mix In Time For Cinco De Mayo
HYDRATION PARTY Salt. Sugar. Hydration. The keys to success on a long run and the formula for happiness post long-run, especially on a Saturday summer afternoon. Just in time for Cinco De Mayo and warmer days ahead, Gnarly released two limited-edition flavors of their Hydrate electrolyte powder: Salted Margarita and Lemonade. The flavors were determined by the fans– Gnarly surveyed nearly 500 customers to hear what the people wanted. Right at the top of the Family Feud board was salted marg, confirming that the entire survey pool were either ultrarunners, or alcoholics, or both. When life hands you lemons, make them Gnarly Let’s be real, it’s about time hydration brands started doubling down into the mixed-drink category. Why not replenish electrolytes whilst having a good time? Even better, the new Salted Marg flavor contains 500 mg of sodium per serving, double the amount found in the existing flavors of Hydrate. It’s a perfect formula for replenishing the electrolyte stores after running in the humidor of July (especially here in the Mid-Atlantic), or a great supplement for any of you heavy sweaters out there. Gnarly Hydrate also offers B Vitamins that are known to ensure you’re properly digesting and absorbing your nutrients throughout the day, prevent any type of nutrient deficiencies, and help with maximum performance benefits. Plus, they keep the sugar content down with only 4g per serving, making sure you’re getting what you need post-run, without all the junk. For the record, we have received a batch of the Salted Margarita mix, and can confirm it’s quite delicious and will pair perfectly with the below margarita recipe, which Gnarly was kind enough to send us: GNARLY MARGARITA RECIPE Get it while it lasts (and double down on the recovery with Gnarly protein powder, which we also love). Here’s to warmer days ahead!
Running While Pregnant: 10 Training & Gear Tips to Feel Your Best
I’d like to preface this article with a note- I recognize that everybody and every body is different. Also, every pregnancy is different. I wrote this article because it’s important for women to share their personal experiences, if they’re willing. It gives others something to relate to and helps us all to recognize that we’re not alone in our struggles and successes. This article is written strictly for informational purposes and in no way constitutes professional medical advice. Still finished a 12-hour race in the second trimester! INTRODUCTION TO RUNNING WHILE PREGNANT As a runner with two decades of mileage under my feet (half of that running ultramarathons), I’ve become quite familiar with how my body feels and reacts during training, from hard efforts to recovery days. Last September, as I was running 80 mile weeks in preparation for an upcoming 100-miler, I noticed I felt “off” for an entire week leading up to a tune-up 50K. Of course, this was during the final legs of Covid, so I took two tests and got only one line on both. Negative. My next hypothesis was simply training fatigue. I was training pretty hard, though it wasn’t that out of the ordinary for me. Around that same time, it dawned on me that my period was a week late. The morning before I was scheduled to fly out to Arizona for my race, I took another type of test, the kind you wait in the bathroom to see the results. That one also had only one line– a faint pink one. Yep, I was pregnant. It was nice to know my training was on point. Once the initial joy and excitement of the moment subsided, I knew that I would need to shift gears and reassess my running goals at some point. This was also the first time that I googled “running during pregnancy.” My search produced mixed results that left me feeling confused and overwhelmed. To be fair, it’s not exactly the most common pastime, though it’s thankfully becoming more common thanks to the high-profile athletes like Alyson Felix. Second trimester trails I filed my own questions away for my first OBGYN appointment. I’ve known of many women who ran and raced through pregnancy and ended up with healthy babies, which was reassuring. However, this was now my baby and it was sudden and new to me. Regardless, I decided to race my upcoming 50K with just a slight sense of nausea and uncertainty. In the end, it all turned out pretty okay. Following that race and my first OB appointment, I came up with some new running goals: As mentioned earlier, I consider myself an experienced runner. However, pregnancy has been extremely humbling. If I’m being honest, it feels a lot like starting over again. Nevertheless, I’ve learned a lot of lessons over the past nine months, and I hope that sharing them will help you in some way. Testing out some Rabbit running gear FIRST TRIMESTER TRAINING TIP #1: COMFORT IS THE NAME OF THE GAME. As far as running goes, not much changed in the first trimester besides nausea, fatigue, and a slightly slower running pace. I mean, that’s basically a description of the later stages of an ultra, so the feeling wasn’t that unfamiliar to me. Just like those moments, I found it useful to stay as comfortable as possible when running and not running. Gear tip: My absolute favorite during first (and really all) trimesters was Rabbit’s EZ apparel, which is their ‘relax and recover’ line made of the softest ever fabrics. No, seriously, they are the softest. I practically lived in them throughout my pregnancy. I especially love the fit and selection of neutral and fun pastel colors and patterns that make the wardrobe very flattering and perfect to wear on any occasion. My personal favorites are the EZ tee (long sleeve and short sleeve), EZ joggers, and Leggy 4”. These were all staple wardrobe items early on and continued to feel comfortable as my belly grew. Shop The Gear Shop Rabbit EZ Tee$48 Shop Rabbit EZ Joggers$88 TRAINING TIP #2: DON’T STRESS OVER PACE AND MILEAGE. I was guilty of this in the early weeks, but eventually I learned to let go. Running became easier and a lot more fun once I did. I also learned that each day was different- some days I’d feel good enough to knock out big miles, but others I opted to skip the run. I took full advantage of the good days and rested on the not-so-good ones. I also kept most of my runs easy and stopped looking at pace. My body was growing a human– that requires a lot of work! TRAINING TIP #3: EAT SMALL MEALS AND/OR SNACKS OFTEN. If I started my morning run on an empty stomach, it was almost a guaranteed puke fest. I found that starting the day with a light meal helped combat some of the morning sickness. Snacks and light meals throughout the day helped balance it out as well. Some of my go-to nutrition to ward off the nausea: greek yogurt with granola, small bowl of cereal, crackers, fruit, and granola bars.
Ultimate Direction Cirriform Collection Review: Isn’t That a Cloud?
INTRODUCTION TO THE ULTIMATE DIRECTION CIRRIFORM COLLECTION MICHAEL: From a company better known for hydration on the trails, the Ultimate Direction Cirriform collection comes as the brand’s latest foray into the world of high-end, trail-focused apparel. Consisting of a short sleeve, a long sleeve (not reviewed here), and a singlet (called a vest for some reason?), the Cirriform collection is built for essentially one purpose: to keep your runs feeling light and cool. Let’s get into the details of what makes these tops perform better than your average dry-fit tee from TJ-Maxx, or in my case, old cotton t-shirts from college. MELISSA: Ultimate Direction has had my back when it comes to keeping me hydrated over the years, and now they’re here to keep me dry as well. The Cirriform collection is designed with an array of cool features to keep you comfortable during your runs. Let’s dig in. MEN’S ULTIMATE DIRECTION CIRRIFORM TEE AND VEST MICHAEL: As I mentioned before, the Cirriform collection is built to keep the body feeling cool and light, so my typical morning runs in 85 degrees and 90% humidity proved to be pretty great testing grounds for the t-shirt. The fabric is not thin per se, so it doesn’t feel like a crazy light racing singlet or papery-thin, but rather a higher-end polyester blend. Despite their thicker construction, these shirts are seriously breathable, aided in part by a perforated back of even more breathable mesh material. If you’re feeling like you want to pull a Walmsley in your daily running wear and poke holes in your shirts, no worries. The Cirriform collection has you covered in that department. Other details I appreciated in the shirts were the flat-locked seams and seamless shoulder construction that made running with a pack very comfortable. And while I didn’t get a chance to test the long sleeve (we don’t exactly have the conditions for that yet), I have no doubt this will be a pretty well-loved piece for me during those weeks of early fall. I love the looser fit in my size M, and it’s also worth mentioning that the material provides UPF 20 sun protection and is also anti-microbial. I was skeptical at first, but sure enough, I do think these shirts didn’t smell quite as bad as others I’ve tried after literally ringing out the sweat in them after morning runs in AL. Lastly, I would like to clear up some confusion about the vest name for the sleeveless shirt in the collection. This isn’t a vest or even a sleeveless tank; it’s really more like a singlet. So even if UD says this piece is vest-compatible, I personally wouldn’t attempt the sleeveless shirt/running vest combo. I’m just not cool like Billy Yang, and that’s okay. PRICE: Tee – $54, Vest – $54 WOMEN’S ULTIMATE DIRECTION CIRRIFORM TEE AND TANK MELISSA: First off, I love the colors. A lot of running clothes I see lately feature crazy colors and patterns. I’m all for simplicity — my street clothes are mostly solid-colored tees and jeans — but of course, that’s just my preference. The fit is true to size, too. I’m 5-foot-2, 115 lbs, and the XS fits very nicely. In particular, the tee has a very flattering and comfortable fit. It’s form-fitting, yet loose where I’d like it to be. The material and cut make the likelihood of bunching and pilling minimal when worn with a hydration vest. Overall, it’s solidly constructed, and I have no doubt that these pieces can endure many, many miles. The material breathes well and dries quickly — perfect for those long summer runs. I also appreciate the mesh design over those key sweaty areas. Some other neat features include SILVADUR, an antimicrobial polymer technology designed to prevent the growth of bacteria that contribute to odor and staining, and UV protection. However, I’m a bit confused about the extent of UV protection, as the tags claim UPF 50+ while the UD website claims UPF 20+. Either way, it’s better than goin’ bare. PRICE: Tee – $54, Tank – $49
7 Insider Tips to Running The Boston Marathon (And Getting To The Start Line)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The Boston Marathon is the most iconic of running races– over 125 years of blood, sweat, and tears, with so many legendary duels and battles it’s hard to rank them all. For many/most runners, qualifying for the Boston Marathon is the pinnacle of their running goals. Often attainable, but often requiring years of work and incremental successes mixed with monumental failures, the race holds an almost mythical quality in the running world. When runners do finally qualify (or race with a charity bib), the process of getting to Boston and to the start line becomes another marathon filled with logistics, long waits, bus drives, and more. Nobody wants to worry about those things in the lead-up to the biggest race of their life, so we decided to put together a guide that will help you get from point A to point Boylston as stress-free as possible. Running the BAA 5K on Saturday INTRO MEAGHAN: The first time I ran the Boston Marathon was back in 2015. I was only a few years into running and couldn’t comprehend the magnitude of a major marathon. To the point that I took an Uber straight from the airport to the race expo the Sunday before the race. If you’ve ever been to the Boston Marathon expo, you know that having multiple pieces of luggage is one of the worst decisions you could ever make. All this to say, over the course of three trips to Boston, I’ve learned the hard way how to navigate the weekend, but eventually came away with some big wins (like a 2:48 course PR). Hopefully these tips can help you prevent the same mistakes I did so you can have the most success on race day and feel good throughout that long journey that ends with a right on Hereford, left on Boylston. We wanted a couple perspectives for this guide, so we also brought on Ben Johnson, Instagram personality and runner who’s run Boston twice (2021 & 2022), as well as Meghann Featherstun, registered sports dietician of Featherstone Nutrition and co-host of the Fuel For The Sole podcast, who’s run Boston four times. Lastly, if you’re heading up to Boston, we hope to see you there– make sure you say hello! Pre-race shakeout run in 2022 WHERE TO STAY MEAGHAN: If you’re reading this within a month of Boston, you’re probably screwed, and best of luck to you at whatever backwoods campground or overpriced hotel you’ll be staying at. The best place to stay is downtown Boston, near the finish line. Unless you have incredible parents who meet you in Boston, drive you down to Hopkinton on Sunday, and then drive up to the finish while you’re running Monday morning… yes, that was amazing. But, staying downtown is the next best thing. There are a bunch of hotel options, but you really need to book early (like mid-July of the previous years) through Marathon Tours for the best deals. We typically stay at The Westin Copley Place. If you’re looking for a quieter place to stay, Cambridge is an option, which is located across the Charles River from Boston. This area is home to Harvard University and MIT, and has some nice restaurants and shops. Newton is another option, located just outside of Boston. That’s where the famous Heartbreak Hill is located. BEN: If you’re okay being even farther out of Boston, I’ve had luck staying in Waltham. It’s a small town along the course and avoids much of the hectic feel during the stay, but it will require driving into town to get your bib, and coordinating your own transport to the bus pickup for the start (more on this later). This is a good option if you’re traveling with enthusiastic spectators that want to view the race from more than just the finish. If they have a car, being outside of town allows for stopping at a couple points along the course prior to heading down to the finish area to meet up. PACKING & TRAVEL MEAGHAN: It doesn’t matter if I’m packing for a long weekend or two weeks, there’s no way I can fit everything in a carry-on. With that said: ALWAYS CARRY ON YOUR RACE GEAR. We’ve heard plenty of lost-luggage horror stories where someone’s race kit ends up lost in the bowels of Southwest somewhere in middle America, necessitating an emergency run to Heartbreak Running Company. Nobody wants that stress on race weekend. For that reason, my race day shoes and kit can always be found with me. In addition to my kit, I basically carry on anything I can’t replace and need for race day – like my favorite handheld. I also carry-on on Skratch Hyper-hydration for the night before and regular Skratch for race day. You can get the nice individual packets, or just store some in a plastic bag and look real sketchy. Both get through security just fine. BEN: As Meg said, I always travel to races with a carry on and avoid the chance of a lost checked bag. Call me paranoid, but I also keep a smaller bag inside my rolling carry on. For more room and extra flair, I use the Nike Shoe Box bag which holds my race shoes and full race kit (shorts, singlet, socks, etc). If you just need to carry shoes, use a dry bag like the Ortlieb PS10. Both will keep odor locked in so it doesn’t smell up the rest of your luggage. It’s good to have both of these in case the overhead bins fill up and I am forced to check my bag at the gate; the smaller bag could be pulled out and put under the seat in front of me. For my other items I make sure to pack all of my fueling and nutrition so that there is nothing new on race day (Maurten has never had an issue making it through TSA, but my extra large bag of Sour Patch Kids was checked before). Bring layers, have rain gear, sunglasses
SunGod Ultras Sunglasses Review: If Santa Cruz Could See Me Now
THOMAS: It wasn’t all that long ago that shield sunglasses were a distant memory of the 80s and 90s, like the Walkman or the electric typewriter. Heck, I can still smell the coconut suntan oil that drenched the Santa Cruz surf shop where I first saw a pair of Oakley Blades. Those screens with multicolored reflective coatings seemed to magically float on your face, transforming ordinary dweebs like me into rad brahs with whom Jeff Spicoli would be stoked to share a righteous pie. The rub was that they’d set you back a hundred clams — at least. A Benjamin was a shit ton of money back in the day, but I had to have my Blades. Looking back, I get why they kept ’em in a locked case. I would have gone for a five-finger discount if they’d been any more accessible. Instead, I had to squirrel away money like I was investing in a 401K. As I saved, I imagined how cool I would look when I finally had them. Before long, that day came, and my biggest decision was which color to buy. I went to the surf shop and weighed my options, eventually landing on orange frames with a gold-to-red gradient shield. You might think — or at least I did — “Damn, the kid made it. Next stop, Coolsville, USA.” In reality, eyewear alone isn’t enough to transform a pale, scrawny, half-Jewish kid with braces. Honestly, the Blades just amplified my dorkiness, so I left the shields to pro wrestlers and burnt-out surfers. It would be almost 25 years before I would work up the nerve to wear another pair. Truth be told, I still can’t don them without a bit of self-consciousness, but as a runner, I can walk around in 3-inch shorts or tights, so who gives a shit what people think of my shades? Besides, the 80s are back in style. Looks aside, shield sunglasses offer a couple of practical benefits. First, blade-style lenses are lightweight and provide wrap-around coverage. Second, sunglasses are essential for protecting your vision, duh. As for the SunGod Ultras, need I say more than that you can customize each pair? You can make the Ultras fit your unique personality with ten frame color choices, ten different lenses, nine logo color options, and eight earsocks colors. Earsocks, for the uninitiated, are the rubber tips that cover the frame near your ear. I went through the process and created two pairs of Ultra sunglasses, which were delivered within a week. The SunGod Ultras are right in line with what you’d expect from the $185 price tag. The lens clarity is crystal clear, and there wasn’t any fogging. Once the glasses were in place, I didn’t have any bouncing. The Ultra can handle the double duty of running and cycling and are a perfect choice for triathletes. If I could write a letter to my past self, I’d tell him to save his clams on that pair of Oakley Blades. He didn’t know just how cool shields would become in the future. As Marty McFly told a confused gym in Back To The Future, “I guess you guys aren’t ready for that, yet. But your kids are gonna love it.” I’d also show him this picture…