A brief update before starting today’s post: if you’ve been following the whole Hood to Coast DVD subplot recently, but didn’t stick around to see all of the comments on last weekend’s post, I should let you know that the movie’s director left a comment on that page, and he seems like a pretty stand-up guy. He apologized for the misunderstanding around the giveaway, explained how he’s in the midst of delicate negotiations with the distribution company (a point he elaborated on in a separate e-mail to me), and offered up a free DVD for one of my readers after the official video release.
In other words, we’re cool. And if the giveaway offer ever materializes, I think the only fair thing for me to do is go back through the original review post and pick the winner from that list of commenters – so if you were one of them, all hope’s not lost quite yet.
I’ll post further updates as I get them – but for now, let’s resume our regularly scheduled programming …
*
Imagine this: you’re in the closing miles of a half-marathon, and fairly certain that your time will be fast enough to earn you an age group award. Suddenly you’re passed during mile 12 by someone you suspect is in your age group, and the battle is waged.
You crank your “effort dial” up to 11 as you fight to stay within striking distance of your opponent – and when you’re finally closing in on the finish line, you muster a furious sprint to edge past him, ultimately crossing the line a few strides ahead. At the awards ceremony, you feel rewarded by your effort and look forward to claiming your much-deserved prize …
… only to discover that the other guy beat you by two seconds.
That was my friend Mike’s experience at last fall’s Big Sur Half Marathon, and it inspired our most recent Monterey Herald column. The award discrepancy was due to chip timing: Mike’s rival had passed the start line a few seconds behind him, so when they were racing neck and neck, the other guy actually held a few second cushion that was unbeknownst to both of them.
The whole thing reminded us of some other instances of confusion – one of them coincidentally involving Mike again – when it comes to determining the winner of road races, which seems like an inherently simple thing to do. And this is the part where I normally say that you can read about it in the column that follows below – but today I’m flipping the script a bit. Instead of including the article here, I’m linking to it on our dedicated Running Life webpage.
If you’re wondering about the rationale for this … well, you see, I’ve got this book I’m selling. I may have mentioned it before. It’s available from Amazon.com (also in digital form on Kindle), but the book is actually cheaper from our independent book page, which happens to be our newspaper archive as well. You can also write instructions such as special handling or inscription requests if you order from our dedicated page.
So go check out the Monterey Herald article, and stick around to take a gander at our book. And don’t worry, I won’t force a hard sell on you too often … but I figure a gentle reminder every now and then can’t hurt.
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“Sleep, sleep tonight, and may your dreams be realized – If the thundercloud passes rain, so let it rain, let it rain.” - U2, “MLK” (video after post)
Actual conversation between my 7-year-old daughter and me this past Saturday morning …
Daughter: We had do some journal writing in my class this week, and this is what I wrote: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Me: Um … wow. That’s pretty good. How’d you come up with that?
Daughter: I memorized it from a book about Martin Luther King and copied it. We’ve been learning about him in class.
Me: Right … I thought it sounded kind of familiar.
Daughter: I picked that part because I really liked it.
Me: I like it too - it's cool that you memorized it. I hope your dream comes true.
*
I’ll pretty much leave it at that for today, aside from a musical snapshot that also ties into this weekend’s holiday: a wonderful gem that often gets overlooked in the U2 repertoire - partially because of its simplicity and brevity, and partially because there was a far more popular song that also paid tribute to Dr King on the same Unforgettable Fire album where it first appeared.
The beauty of this one has never been lost on me, though ... maybe because I also found it to be a sweet little lullaby to sing to my kids when they were babies.
It turns out that today's giveaway winner announcement has an unexpected twist that's pretty much a bummer ... but before I mention that, let's start with the good news.
Addy, Carly, and Elizbeth (in Ohio) - e-mail me your addresses; you've won the Orgain nutritional shake giveaway! I'll forward your contact info to the company rep, and you'll have a full case sent your way soon.
Now for that unexpected part of the story: two days after my Hood to Coast movie promotion was posted, I received a follow-up e-mail informing me that the director doesn't want me to share my copy of the DVD with a blog reader. When I was slow to reply to that one, I received another e-mail the very next day, stating that the director was still concerned about my offer, and would I please return it within three days.
So that's the bad news for today: NOBODY wins the Hood to Coast DVD - not even me. I understand the logic of this, of course: the director wants every last one of us to run out and buy the DVD as soon as it's released, and if I give one away for free, that's one fewer potential customer out there. The frustration from my standpoint is that I had asked in advance about giving a copy away, and shortly after my original post was published, the rep wrote me to say that it looked great. I guess that's the way things go sometimes, but I apologize for getting everyone's hopes up.
**
This weekend's Random Shot of Beauty could easily be mistaken for a random dose of fear; it comes from one of my most-frequented trails in Garland Ranch Regional Park, and was taken last Saturday. Click to enlarge, and read the sign:
Apparently it's mountain lion season again. And you wonder why I'm so fixated on having enough brightness from my headlamps in the morning.
Every now and then a product is developed that serves such a great purpose that you wish it would have been around years ago. Considering the hundreds of dark mornings I’ve ventured onto the trails, and the thousands of hours of headlamp battery life I’ve burned in the process, Petzl's CORE rechargeable battery pack is one of those products.
Petzl CORE pack and USB cable; all photos from Petzl website
Then again, I doubt that this pack could have been developed a few years ago, because the technology that’s involved is fairly cutting edge stuff. It also has smart features and design elements that make it versatile, durable, and very easy to use.
Lithium ion polymer battery pack
Most importantly of all, it’s green: Petzl’s CORE is a rechargeable battery pack that is compatible with the brand’s entire line of TIKKA 2 or ZIPKA 2 headlamps. It uses a lithium ion polymer battery that is guaranteed for 300 recharge cycles, thus sparing the consumption of at least 900 regular AAA batteries. And it’s not only eco-friendly, but wallet friendly as well, because it pretty much pays for itself after just a handful of recharge cycles.
Although a few larger headlamps (such as my personal favorite, the Black Diamond Icon) have utilized rechargeable battery packs for a while now, in the realm of compact headlamps – which the vast majority of road and trail runners use because of their convenient size – there was a huge void in similar green technology. Yes, some compact lamps are compatible with rechargeable AAA batteries, but from my experience those batteries don’t burn nearly as brightly or as long as alkaline batteries. The CORE doesn’t remedy that situation to perfection – there’s still a bit of a brightness dropoff, as I’ll explain shortly – but it represents a huge step in the right direction.
Since the TIKKA XP2 is my compact lamp of choice (see my review), that’s the one I tested the CORE pack with most frequently. Here’s how it works: instead of opening the battery case as you normally do, you separate the headlamp into two separate pieces with a twisting motion. I was a bit apprehensive in doing this the first time, because it kind of feels like you’re breaking the thing completely apart. (The dude on the demonstration video embedded below makes this looks extremely easy, but I have to say that I still feel a bit of hesitance when twisting my casing open.) The CORE pack then snaps into place between the two pieces you’ve separated, and powers the lamp just as your alkaline batteries did. Headlamps with the CORE pack still maintain the specified water resistance of the standard casing.
CORE wedged between front and back of standard casing
Placing a new middle compartment between the original housing pieces makes the overall profile of the headlamp visibly thicker, but in practice it wasn’t extremely noticeable. The only times I noticed additional bouncing was when I really hammered the pace, particularly when running downhill – but for 95% of my mileage, it’s hard to tell a difference in bulk attached to your headband. That might be thanks to the overall weight of the CORE, which at 30g is nearly identical to the three alkaline batteries (typically 10g each) that you've replaced. Even better for me from a practical standpoint is that the lamp is still small enough to tuck into the pocket of my waist pack when I’m continuing my run after sunrise.
LED indicator circled in red
The CORE pack has an LED battery indicator to tell you precisely what percentage of charge remains: either greater than 75 %, 50-75%, 25-50%, or less than 25%. It recharges via a standard USB cable into your computer or any other power source with a USB port. If your wall outlet or car charger has a USB adaptor, you can charge the CORE there as well. Recharge time is approximately three hours from a fully drained start.
Cable port underneath protective cover
As mentioned earlier, the CORE is compatible with every model of Petzl’s TIKKA 2 and ZIPKA 2 series headlamps, but since all of those lamps have different light outputs, an ideal battery pack would be able to determine how much power is needed to produce the necessary brightness level for various lamps with maximal efficiency. That’s where the “smart” element comes into play, with the help of a free software package called Petzl OS.
After downloading OS onto your computer, you open the program and plug your CORE pack into the USB port. The program then asks what lamp you’re using the CORE with – you can use multiple profiles if you have more than one lamp – and what brightness settings you’d like to program into the pack. You can customize the brightness settings to whatever levels you want (within the range of the original lamp specs, obviously), and if you’re a visual person, the OS program features graphs to help demonstrate the brightness vs battery life relationship of various settings (the video below this post has a great demonstration of this).
OS interface
Unfortunately, what you can’t do is get the same lumen output or light distance with the CORE as you can with alkaline batteries. For example, a normal XP2 has a maximal output of 60 lumens on the high setting and shines a distance of 60m in spot mode, but the brightest burn you can get with the same lamp using a CORE pack is 50 lumens and 46m. In my opinion, this is the most significant drawback to the unit, because as a trail runner, brightness is king when it comes to the overall utility of any particular headlamp.
As recently as one year ago, the Tikka XP2 had a substantial brightness advantage over its main competitor, the Black Diamond Spot. Then BD went and raised their game significantly, packing 75 lumens into the updated Spot, and 100 lumens into a similarly-sized casing for a new model to be released very shortly. (And in case you’re wondering – yes, I have each of those, and I’ll be reviewing them soon.) I’m all for being eco-friendly when the performance dropoff is marginal, but stepping back from 60 to 50 lumens at the same time that I have an equal-sized lamp putting out 75 isn’t quite the tradeoff I was hoping for. I’ve found the brightness from the CORE plenty sufficient for neighborhood running, groomed trails, or fire roads – but if I’m venturing onto highly technical trails in the dark, I like a little more candle power to light my way.
Think green!
Aside from the highly demanding lighting needs I just described, the Petzl CORE pack is truly a wonderful option for anyone who uses the company’s line of compact headlamps. It has outstanding versatility and customization, and from a social responsibility standpoint, it’s an absolute home run. Hopefully future models will have a bit more muscle to burn a little brighter, but in the meantime, the current version fills a much-needed void in the greening of compact headlamps.
"CORE Rechargeable Battery" by Petzl (click to play):
* Product provided by Petzl ** See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling,com.
A quick update before today’s post: You can still enter the drawings to win Orgain nutritional shakes or the Hood to Coast DVD – winners of each will be announced this weekend. Click over, then come on back!
** “Just another night – With a sunset and a moonrise not so far behind – To give us just enough light – To lay down underneath the stars, listening to Papa’s translations – Of the stories across the sky – We drew our own constellations.” - Jack Johnson, “Constellations” (video after post)
Ever since running her first 5K races last spring, my 9-year-old daughter and I have a standing date to go jogging together one night per week after I get home from work.
For the past couple of months, that’s meant running in the dark for part or all of our time together – a prospect that was initially met with some reluctance by my daughter, but one that she’s gradually embraced a little more with each passing week.
Her progression started during the Christmas season, as our first mile typically took us through neighborhood streets lined with holiday lights. She inevitably slowed down to take in the displays that seemed far more cozy, joyous, and welcoming when traveling on foot through the cold winter air than they ever did from the confines of a passing automobile. We quickly learned to adjust our planned route based on which houses had the most impressive lights.
Midway through our run we typically turn onto an abandoned airfield, where the road turns into a dirt path, and the ambient light disappears from our immediate vicinity. It’s here that the darkness becomes expansive, and we embrace the quiet solitude with nothing but each other’s companionship to carry us through it.
Sometimes we gaze at the stars, looking for the familiar shape of Orion, and using its landmarks to visually track the dog star Sirius, or the surrounding constellations of Gemini, Taurus, and Pleiades. We talk about some of the stories across the sky, and contemplate the billions of tales that have never been told but are are scripted in the heavens above.
Other times, we focus on the beams of our headlamps, lighting up our path just a few steps at a time. There’s beauty in that darkness as well, although it’s more intangible than picking our favorite stars from the sky. It’s a beauty that I’m well familiar with, however – and it also led to one of my favorite exchanges with her:
Daughter: This is kind of neat, with everything quiet while we’re staying in this little dome of light.
Me: I know. This is actually one of my favorite things about doing my long ultra races – you spend a lot of time running in the dark like this.
Daughter: Are you always by yourself?
Me: Sometimes I’m with somebody else, running and talking exactly like this. Other times I’m by myself, just enjoying the darkness and silence.
Daughter: It’s peaceful.
Me: Yup. And a lot of other things. I really love it.
Over the course of several runs with my daughter, I’ve recalled how my own affinity for running in the dark was assembled in small doses from one early morning to another, from one rewarding moment stacking upon others, until the inconveniences of the task are nearly forgotten. At first the darkness causes an uneasiness, akin to feeling adrift on uncharted waters – but once you’ve navigated through it a number of times, that sensation becomes familiar, and you develop a greater appreciation for the experience of traveling through.
Sailing through that beautiful darkness with my daughter, soaking in all the lights – whether decorative, celestial, or functional - has been the biggest unexpected pleasure of these dark, cold months. Not enough for me to hope winter sticks around any longer than necessary, of course – but certainly enough for me to not dread it quite so much.
** As for the song ... with this daughter, it pretty much has to be Jack Johnson. And this one just happens to be one of our favorites.
Every now and then – hopefully more frequently than not – I like to think my website provides you with some temporary relief from boredom. Realistically though, that diversion only lasts for a few minutes (or even shorter if you’re one of those who just skims through to see whether or not there’s a contest at the end) – but today, I have the opportunity to offer a longer period of relief. Approximately the duration of a feature-length film, to be more specific.
Last month I received an advance copy of Hood to Coast, a movie that documents the annual race of the same name that has become one of the best known running events in the world. It chronicles the history and growth of the event from its inception in 1982, and profiles four notable teams on their quest to conquer the 36-hour, 197-mile-long running relay.
The film was an official selection of the 2010 SXSW (South by Southwest) Film Festival, and provides a nice glimpse into the craziness that goes along with such an undertaking. Although I have no personal experience with the event to base this opinion on, the movie struck me as a bit heavy on the emphasis of descriptions like arduous, grueling, heroic, and impossible to describe the challenge – but maybe that’s just my own “impossible is nothing” bias as an ultrarunner. There’s no doubt that H2C is a wonderful event; I’m just not sure it ranks up there with Badwater, TransRockies, or even Western States among the most extraordinary feats of human accomplishment.
Nevertheless, the film is entertaining for anyone who likes compelling human interest stories within the sport of running. It’s also very visually appealing, as it was filmed entirely in HD and features several very cool shots of the landscape the runners traverse on their way from the mountain to the coast. It definitely offers a hefty dose of mojo, either to sustain your New Year’s running commitment or just to better appreciate the sport we participate in.
Hood to Coast is having a special one-day cinematic release on January 11th, in 500 theaters in all 50 states; you can click here to find the theater nearest you that is showing the film. Following the premier screening you’ll see videotaped interviews with notable runners such as Mary Decker Slaney, Bart Yasso, and race founder Bob Foote discussing their previous Hood to Coast experiences.
So if you’re sitting around looking for something to do tonight, consider this a recommendation. If you need something more to whet your appetite - or for the severely attention-span-challenged folks out there - I've embedded a three-minute trailer below. And if you happen to see the film, I’d love for you to stop by here again and leave a comment with a brief review.
(But if all you’re looking for is a contest … fine. I’ll mail my copy of the DVD to one commenter below.)
"Hood to Coast Trailer", from SXSW 2010 (click to play):
Hey, guess what? Remember all that giveaway madness that went on back in December? It’s not quite over yet. Today’s giveaway might not be as exciting as a pair of killer trail running shoes, but it’s a pretty nifty prize for anyone who’s interested in trying healthy nutrition alternatives or having a handy meal replacement for life on the go.
A couple of months ago I was contacted by Orgain to try its organic nutritional shakes, which were born from a life-altering experience of the company’s founder. Dr Andrew Abraham is a cancer survivor who was dissatisfied with the traditional chalky meal replacements that patients were often subjected to. He recognized the need for nutritional alternatives that didn’t rely upon artificial ingredients, that tasted good enough to enjoy, and could provide balanced nutrition for optimal health at all stages of life.
(Actually, the whole tale kind of reminds me of the CLIF bar origin story … except in place of “guy on a long bike ride” you’d say “guy with cancer”, and instead of “all-natural, better tasting energy bar” you have “all-natural, better tasting milkshake.” And Southern California [Orgain] instead of Northern California [CLIF]. But you get the idea.)
Orgain was founded in 2008, with the expressed vision of becoming the healthiest beverage company in the world. Dr Abraham has also stated that, “When you drink Orgain, you gain health, energy and life.” Pretty lofty goals, huh? No one will ever criticize the company for lack of ambition.
From company website
So what exactly is Orgain? It’s a ready-to-drink 11-ounce shake made entirely from certified organic ingredients which can be stored for up to a year without refrigeration. It has 255 calories in a 2:1 ratio of carbs to protein (16 grams worth), along with 24 vitamins and minerals, heart-healthy fiber, and the antioxidant equivalent of 10 servings of fruits and vegetables. They are gluten-free, caffeine-free, and contain absolutely no preservatives, corn syrup, saturated fat, antibiotics or hormones. It comes in a completely recyclable package, so you can be eco-friendly after you’re finished. All good stuff, to say the least.
Of course, none if this really matters if the finished product still tastes like chalk. I received samples of two flavors – Sweet Vanilla Bean and Creamy Chocolate Fudge – and had a taste test with my 9-year-old daughter one morning. I started with the vanilla flavor, since that’s pretty consistently my favorite flavor of anything – and after drinking about half the container thought to myself, "This stuff is pretty good." But I didn’t want to influence my daughter’s opinion, so I kept my mouth shut. That’s when we had this exchange:
Me: So how does yours taste?
Her: Great. It’s like drinking chocolate chips.
In kidspeak, that means "this stuff is pretty good." Then we each took a drink of the other’s, and agreed that the taste was quite impressive for something that had sat in our car for two hours.
As to why it was stashed in the car … that was because my daughter and I had just run a 5K together, and we only had about an hour to drive across town, get changed, and show up for her cowboy poetry recital later that morning. Along with the bagel and orange slice she had after the race, the Orgain shake worked great as a meal replacement since we didn’t have breakfast before or after running.
I can also see how these shakes would be a great source of quick, healthy calories after a hard workout, or a wholesome nutritional boost for anyone who’s sick and trying to bolster their immune system (remember, they were first designed for cancer patients). Their extended shelf life and convenient use makes them easy to keep around the house for a while or stuff into a workout bag when you know it’s going to be a long day.
As you’ve probably guessed with keywords like “organic”, “meal replacement”, and “gluten free”, Orgain isn’t exactly cheap. An 11-ounce pack sells for $3.50 from the company website, and may be marked up slightly higher in retail health food markets like Whole Foods. That’s why it’s great to know someone who does giveaways!
In conjunction with this review, three winners will receive a 12-pack case of Orgain shakes, divided equally between vanilla bean and chocolate fudge flavors. To enter, leave a comment below this post by Thursday, January 13th, and I’ll pull three winners out of the “Random Numberinator” and announce them on the weekend. Thanks very much to Orgain for sponsoring this contest, and good luck to everybody!
*Product provided by Orgain **See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com
