Altra Awarded Runner’s World “Best Debut” January 21, 2012
Posted by gobarefooting in Uncategorized.add a comment
You may have heard me talk about the shoes from a company called Altra. To this point Altra has been a smaller company that is still very new to the market, and industry, but a company that I love. They are making the shoes that I have wanted for more years than I can remember, and they are steadily becoming just about the only shoe I wear because of that. The foot-shaped design and Zero Drop sole is, for me, the ideal footwear scenario and those are key points to every shoe Altra sells. Recently Altra was given some recognition for their innovation by Competitor Magazine in winning the “Most Innovative Shoe of the Year” award which I thought was very deserving. Still, we all know you’re not quite there until you are noticed by the big boys, and in this case that would be Runner’s World. Well, wait no more because Altra has been officially noticed. It was announced this week that Altra is being awarded “Best Debut” for the Instinct and Intuition (that I reviewed here) by Runner’s World in their March Shoe Guide Issue! That’s pretty impressive for a company that started selling to the public last April. Yes, that’s not even a full year ago.
The “Best Debut” award is given when “The shoe represents a promising new addition to its category, receiving high marks from the Shoe lab, wear-testers and editors.”
Congratulations Altra. You deserve every bit of the credit you are getting, and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
The Latest Study to Claim Nothing January 18, 2012
Posted by gobarefooting in Cool Things on the Net Right Now, Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Recently I received and email from the good people at VIVOBAREFOOT that claimed “It’s Official: Barefoot is Best!”. I want to say I like VIVOBAREFOOT and have some of their shoes. With that said they have a propensity to really go big on the marketing with what I like to call “somewhat false” statements. This new statement comes from a recent study released by Dr. Lieberman of Harvard who is also the guy that gave us the first “earth shattering” study about impact force differences in heel striking versus forefoot landing while running. While both studies are very interesting they are hardly the end all to the debate about barefoot versus shoes. What they really are is an indication that we are on the right track and in the end it probably won’t be about what’s on your feet at all but more about how your feet are functioning.
I have been writing my thoughts on this study and this advertising statement when I got an email from my friend The Maple Grove Barefoot Guy. It was his latest post to his highly entertaining blog and it appears he too has some thoughts about both the study and the statement. He pretty much said everything I wanted to say so instead of cluttering up the world with my thoughts I’m just going to share his. The link below will take you to his post and I hope you enjoy it. He’s a bit passionate about the topic, like myself, so you’ll have to excuse his use of some extra curricular verbiage (otherwise known as foul language) but he really did say what I was thinking so here it is.
http://www.maplegrovebarefootguy.com/2012/01/lies-damn-lies-and-barefoot-statistics.html?m=1
Rediscovering My Form: A Concussion Story November 16, 2011
Posted by gobarefooting in My Corner.3 comments
A few months ago I suffered a concussion. I’ve found that this is not a common statement, and typically people are surprised when I say it. To be completely honest it’s a phrase that has been quite common in my life as I have now suffered through seven of them. Yes, I just said seven. For the most part it’s because I’m reckless and don’t protect myself enough, but the other part is that once you have one it gets easier to have another. Basically concussions are like Lays chips. That, however, is not the point of this article. The point is that this concussion has caused more damage to what I think is important than any other. With other concussions I’ve suffered memory loss, headaches, blurred vision, light sensitivity (which is still there a bit), and even developed a stutter once that lasted nearly two months. I had begun to wonder if it would ever go away, but still none of that compares to the devastation from this most recent bang to my skull. This last concussion has cost me my running form. (more…)
Basic Core Routine October 25, 2011
Posted by gobarefooting in Training.1 comment so far
Sometimes you just want to hit the abs. Maybe you have just enough time to get something in and why not focus on that area that is usually the cause for most concern? Perhaps you have all the time in the world but you haven’t given the old core area enough focus lately and as a runner you want to make sure you have good core stability and strength. Well you are in luck because below you will find a good, basic routine to work your core but not take up a lot of your day. Depending on how you decide to approach it, you might only lose about fifteen to twenty minutes of your day and you’ll still get a great workout in! (more…)
Product Review: Fuel Belt Wedge September 13, 2011
Posted by gobarefooting in Reviews, Running Gear.2 comments
You ever see a runner trotting along wearing a belt with water bottles hanging from it? I see them all the time. You ever think they look like a modern fanny pack? Remember how fanny packs have been a big joke for a very long time? With all that going through your mind do you ever wonder if you could pull off the water bottle belt and have it look cooler on you? Maybe on you it wouldn’t look like a fanny pack at all and people would think you must be a serious runner because of your awesome gear. I’ve had all of that run through my head on a lot of different occasions and every time I’ve pondered the idea of a water belt I have come to the conclusion that I just cannot do it. I think I may have found an answer. (more…)
Product Review: VIVOBAREFOOT Achilles August 17, 2011
Posted by gobarefooting in Reviews, Running Gear.4 comments
I was lucky enough to get a first release pair of VIVOBAREFOOT’S new Achilles Running Sandal to test out, and I was very excited about the opportunity. I have read numerous accounts of people’s experiences with huaraches, but I have never tried to run in anything like that myself. I tried making a pair of huaraches and had a lot of difficulty tying them so that they stayed comfortable. It was that issue that made the Achilles very enticing to me. I’ve run for a very long time and have logged miles in just about every type of footwear imaginable, but this was a new adventure in what turned out to be a great a great sandal, for running. (more…)
Sit Ups: Worst Thing Ever or Best Ab Exercise? August 5, 2011
Posted by gobarefooting in Training.add a comment
Sit ups are bad for your back. Many of you will read that statement and agree. Some of you will disagree. The question becomes, “which of you is correct?” I will attempt to answer that question, and some of you, depending on which way you look at it, may be surprised. 
(more…)
Leg Workout to Boost Balance July 18, 2011
Posted by gobarefooting in Training, Uncategorized.4 comments
Having good balance is a key factor in a lot of exercise movements, sports, and daily activity. Being able to step off a curb without losing our balance, maintain control in a single leg jump down, or just not fall over for no reason all involve good balance and body control. Most importantly for the purposes of this site: good balance can be a key factor in running ability. This routine is a short but tough one that will help you improve leg strength as well as overall balance. (more…)
Product Review: 110% Play Harder Transformer Shorts July 14, 2011
Posted by gobarefooting in Reviews, Running Gear.1 comment so far
Sometimes as a runner I can be a little old school. There was a time that I would go on a run with nothing more than a pair of shorts and shoes to get me through it. I didn’t have things like moisture wicking clothing, carb gels, or compression gear to get the job done. I have since found these wonderful products and I have enjoyed seeing how they can enhance my workouts, recovery, and overall performance. Some of the things I have tried have been amazing and others not so much so I get really excited when I find something that does exactly what it advertises and even a little more. One of these recent finds is 110% Play Harder, and I’m now a huge fan of them. (more…)
Runner vs. Racer July 5, 2011
Posted by gobarefooting in My Corner.5 comments
Are you a runner or a racer? Is there a difference? If so, then am I a runner or a racer? Does entering races make you a racer? Does it matter? These are some of the questions I’ve been fielding lately, and the answers I came up with left me surprised. (more…)
