Random Shots of Christmas

A truck full of toys …

All laid out on a stage …

Plus a joyful (if somewhat weary-looking) Santa* …

Equals one special afternoon at an after school program for local at-risk kids:

It’s projects like this and days like this that make the holidays somewhat frenzied at times - and also makes me feel like I have little initiative or motivation for training.  However, these are also the things that make me see that in the grand scheme of things, training really isn’t that big of a deal.

*By the way, see that hair and beard on Santa?  It’s all real.  And apparently he owns his own suit and makes several appearances like this every year.  On this particular afternoon, Santa spent time with more than 90 kids, spoke with each of them individually while handing out presents, and hung around afterwards to spread Christmas cheer to kids who sorely need it.  So, yeah, he looks a little tired … but this guy lives for this sort of thing, and it shows.  Maybe we should all be tired like that.

"Christmas is Coming", from A Charlie Brown Christmas (click to play):

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GoLite Black Mountain Thermal Wind Pants Review; GoLite Cross Timbers Zonal Tights Review

It’s not exactly a coincidence that I’ve talked about GoLite a few times in the past month or so, and today’s review is a perfect example of why I’m such a big fan of the company.

I have to admit I wasn’t certain how the company’s “no marketing, no retail sales, just rock bottom web pricing across the board” strategy would play out when they announced the paradigm shift earlier this year.   Based on initial results from the first several months, I’d be terribly disappointed if it doesn’t succeed – and you should be too.  The reason why is simple: you simply cannot get better gear for lower prices anywhere.  Period. 

Two perfect examples are two pairs of cold-weather running apparel I’ve been using: the Black Mountain Thermal Wind Pant, and the Cross Timbers Zonal Tight.  You may recall that I mentioned receiving these earlier in the fall, but our temps weren’t yet cold enough for me to test them.  Well, the weather has finally cooperated here – I guess that’s how I’m referring to it - with overnight temperatures into the low 30s and upper 20s, so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to try them.

The ornament says "Winter is Coming", and belongs to my 14-year-old son.  Apparently it's a Game of Thrones thing.

However, one disclaimer on the product photos in this post: I don’t have action shots, because I’m much less inclined to arrange self-timer photo shoots on dark freezing mornings than I am when the sun is out.  So you’ll just have to take my word for it that I’ve run in these things.

GoLite Black Mountain Thermal Wind Pant

First up is the Black Mountain Thermal Wind Pant, which I was somewhat anxious to try, primarily because I haven’t had a lot of luck with non-tight bottom garments in the past.  The fit always seems too baggy here, too tight there, and I eventually end up going back to wearing tights again.  But with the Black Mountain pants, the fit is pretty well dialed in from waist to ankle.  There’s just a bit of roominess through the thighs and calves, but not so much that the pants feel baggy or bulky.

The Black Mountain pant is also super-duper warm, thanks to material construction that’s hard to assemble with traditional tights.  The exterior front panels are made of windproof polyester that’s been treated with DWR for water resistance, but the interior front surface has a soft fleece material for comfort and additional insulation. 

Fleece interior lining, drawstring in front, rear zipper pocket

Brushed microfleece lines the entire interior surface on the front and back side, and it stretches very nicely to provide full range of motion.  Another cool construction element for comfort and range of motion are fully articulated clamshell knee joints, which prevent the stretching of material on the front of the knee and bunching on the back side.

Articulated clamshell knees; 

Because they provide outstanding protection from the elements along with comfort and freedom of movement, the Black Mountain pants would probably be good for a variety of winter aerobic sports such as cross country skiing or snowshoeing in addition to cold-weather running.  And here’s where GoLite’s new business strategy is a wonderful thing, because pants like this would normally retail for close to 200 bucks, and at this time last year, GoLite would have sold them for $160.  Today, the Black Mountain Thermal Wind Pants retail for $64 from the GoLite website – trust me, you won’t get a better running pant for less money.

**

If you’re looking for traditional tights, the Cross Timbers Zonal Tight is a lightly compressive legging that provides a good combination of warmth and breathability.  It has brushed stretch fleece throughout the front of the legs (but not the back), and soft flatlock seams that minimize chafing.  Overall comfort is pretty nice; these are the kind of tights you can wear to start a multi-hour run in the dark, but still be comfortable when the sun comes up later in the morning.

GoLite Cross Timbers Zonal Tight

All the other basics of traditional running tights are included as well: ankle zippers, a drawstring waist, a zippered rear pocket, and reflective accents and logo.  Basically, it’s a solid high-performance piece for a bargain price; instead of a pre-business model change price of $120, GoLite now sells it for $48 from the company website.

*Products provided by GoLite

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Random Shots of Christmas; Injinji Sock Contest Winners

Apologies for another late weekend post … and let’s get right into things.  In honor of the season, I’m converting the customary weekend fare into a Random Shots of Christmas:

(click to enlarge)

This one’s a family tradition: a table full of decorated sugar cookies that my wife spent a full day baking, and all of us spent most of the evening decorating.  Unfortunately, the “eating” part doesn’t last nearly as long as the preparing part, but we at least manage to save a few of these to pass around as gifts over the next week or so.

Longtime readers will recall there’s often some imaginative nonsense involved with my cookie decorating, but this year the creative torch was passed to our kids, who came up with some pretty clever things …

… such as these, clockwise from top left: a Rastafari snowman, an apparently quite overweight Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes fame), Beaker and Dr Bunsen Honeydew (from my 11-year-old Muppet freak).  The last one is something called Steve the Minecraft Player, courtesy of my 14-year-old son.  No, I didn’t know that one offhand – and the fact that I have to Google my kid’s Christmas decorations is a sign that I’m getting either too old or hopelessly out of touch.  Probably both.

Thankfully, my kids managed to keep in mind the reason for all this holiday busy-ness:

As you see in these Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus cookies.  Sure, it’s a beautiful thing – but I’m already cringing at the inevitable debate in the near future about who gets to eat Baby Jesus. 

**

We also have one order of business to wrap up: announcing winners of the Injinji sock giveaway contest.  Running Farmer, Jessica (Book of Life), and Maggie Wolff: e-mail me your contact info – you’re the winners!  Thanks very much to everyone else who entered; normally I’d say to stick around for the next one … but with the current state of things here, I’m afraid this is probably the end of the contest posts. 

So, um … yeah.  I guess goodbyes are awkward sometimes.  I’ll try not to make a fool of myself over the next couple of weeks – but there’s probably as much chance of that happening as those cookies making it past Christmas.

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Injinji Performance 2.0 Sock Review; Injinji Sock Giveaway Contest

Before today’s official review, a cool sale offer to pass along: GoLite is in the midst of a 12 Days of Savings campaign, featuring a killer deal on at least one item each day.  I receive banner links to a new item each day, but since I’ve long since stopped posting every day around here, I’m just including a direct link (on the photo below) to their site so you can return back later and check out the savings for yourself. 

And now we resume normal programming …

**

Even before embracing minimalism a few years ago, I was familiar with Injinji socks.  They were something of a novelty among ultrarunners, although those who used them seemed completely enamored with their ability to prevent blisters on or between your toes.

Shortly thereafter, the whole minimalist thing exploded, and Vibrams became the sexiest thing going – sometimes literally.  And since most of us live in places where the weather gets cold – yes, even here in California – Injinjis soon became the cheese to Vibram’s macaroni, and surged in popularity along with the FiveFingers.

Here’s the thing, though: I wasn’t exactly wild about Injinji’s early offerings.  They were fairly comfortable and great at keeping grit from grinding against your bare skin during a long trail run, but I wasn’t really impressed with their insulating capacity or ability to dry quickly.  They also seemed to stretch out and lose their shape fairly significantly after a handful of wash cycles.

So when I was offered a few pairs to try again this fall, I made sure to ask the rep if something had changed from the pairs I tested from a few years ago.  It turns out, something had – and the new Injinji Performance 2.0 series will be available in early 2013.

Injinji Performance 2.0 series socks

The new line has less of a cottony feel than the previous versions, with improved CoolMax fabric that is more similar to technical running socks in its wicking ability and moisture management.  They use a variety of fabric combinations and weave patterns to improve the fit, and they seem more compressive than the previous line.  I’ve washed mine several times, and so far they are holding their shape quite nicely.

Injinji classifies the Performance 2.0 line according to activity, such as Run, Trail, and Sport. They are further categorized by height – from knee high all the way down to micro - and by fabric weight (lightweight, original, and midweight).  In other words, there are a lot of options, which should make it easy to find a variety you like.

My favorite of the new collection is a wool model from the trail line.  Although it isn’t as comfortable as some other materials, I’ve gradually become a fan of wool socks during wet or cold-weather outings, mainly because of its ability to maintain insulation even when wet.  Injinji’s wool socks are thicker than its other fabric blends, but they are quite effective at keeping your toes warm in shoes with highly breathable uppers.  The only downside is that if your FiveFingers are a snug fit, you may need to size up for winter running.

I suppose the bottom line is that if you liked Injinjis in the past, you’ll like the Performance 2.0 line for sure – and if you (like me) weren’t wild about Injinjis in the past, it may be time to give them a second look.  And following this post, a few readers will get the chance to try Injinjis for themselves.  The company is offering three winners a running sampler pack including a road model, trail model, and wool Injinji sock.  There’s no criteria to enter – it’s simply a luck of the draw thing of this one.  Leave a comment below to enter, and I’ll announce the winner on Sunday night.

Thanks very much to Injinji for sponsoring this giveaway, and good luck to everybody!

*Products provided by Injinji

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Christmas Time's A-Coming

“Christmas time’s a-coming – and I know I’m going home”

-      -  Patty Loveless, “Christmas Time’s A-Coming” (video after post)

Even though we don’t live in a winter climate, our little hometown of Carmel Valley takes Christmas time pretty seriously.  For proof, you need look no further than this weekend’s annual festivities that never fail to draw virtually every man, woman, and child in town – partly due to the fact that almost everyone is involved in some capacity.

And since this is the weekend, we’ll use this as a starting point for an extended Random Shots of Beauty, which may also be rightly called Random Shots of Christmas, or even Random Shots of Life in a Small Town.

The fun gets underway with the approach of a helicopter to the Valley’s abandoned old airstrip …

… that carries special passengers from the North Pole.

It’s Santa Claus and Mrs Claus, escorted by a fireman.  It’s worth noting that in Carmel Valley, firemen are right up there with Santa in terms of admiration from local kids – which is exactly as it should be.

The Advantages of Being a Girl Scout in Carmel Valley, Part 1: the local troop gets first dibs at greeting Santa after touchdown.  It’s a great advantage to have …

… because as soon as they’re done, Santa gets the complete rock star treatment.

In case you doubted that Santa’s arrival is a big deal here: See that guy in the Hawaiian shirt?  He’s a United States Congressman.

After the Fly-In, our one-street village hosts a Christmas parade that tells you as much about the town as it does about Christmas …

… beginning with another star turn by the local fire department in an old-school fire truck.

Advantages of Being a Girl Scout in Carmel Valley, Part 2: the local Brownies get another featured role in the big day.

Then again, the local dirt-bike kids also get their spot in the show …

… as do a lot of farm equipment, usually towing a load of kids.

In an old ranch community, you know you’ll see a lot of horses …

... and in our part of California, this is the only kind of snowman most of us will ever see.  Also, did I mention the tractors?

Of course, the nicest tractor is reserved for the star of the show, fresh off his helicopter landing, along with some lucky kids who get to share the ride with him.

I don’t know whether it’s the impending joy of the holiday season, or the yearly reminder of what a special place this is to live – but our annual Christmas parade is one of the many things that makes Carmel Valley feel like home.

**

And continuing last weekend’s reference to our family’s favorite Christmas songs is this one from a Patty Loveless album that – seeing as how I never considered myself a huge bluegrass fan - took me completely by surprise when it gradually became one of my most-loved collections a few years ago.

“Christmas Time’s A-Coming” by Patty Loveless (click to play):

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Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon Review

At the rate Vibram is going, it’s almost hard to remember a time when runners complained about the company’s lack of options.  Like, you know … all the way back to three years ago.

Back then trail runners had to make do with Vibram’s flagship KSO model, which effectively became a “one style does all” model that was adopted by a wide variety of users for pretty much any purpose you can think of.  But as the minimalist running movement exploded, Vibram remained at the forefront of innovation by cranking out one new model after another, and focusing more intently on the unique needs of various user groups.

Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon

As the product line increased, the differences between models from either a design or performance standpoint become more refined – and a perfect example of this is the FiveFingers Spyridon, which debuted this fall.  It’s essentially an unlaced version of the company’s Spyridon LS, which was one of my favorite minimalist shoes last fall and winter. 

Spyridon LS on left, new Spyridon on right

Instead of the quick laces that are employed on the LS version, the Spyridon uses what can rightfully be called a throwback by Vibram standards: a strap that warps behind the heel and attaches with a Velcro closure on top of the midfoot.

It’s interesting that Vibram even created an unlaced version of the Spyridon, considering that for most of its other running shoes – the Bikila, Trek, and SeeYa – the progression happened in the opposite direction: the unlaced version debuted first, and the laced version came later. (*Note: I'll be reviewing the SeeYa LS soon as well.)  The Spyridons went in the opposite direction, which seems unusual in that the majority of Vibram users typically prefer laced FiveFingers models to unlaced.

Laced systems have become my preference as well, and in that regard the Spyridon doesn’t really compel me to ditch my LS version.  In my testing, security of the upper through the midfoot isn’t quite as locked in with the Spyridon as it is with the LS.  However, there are a couple other design elements that might position the Spyridon ahead of the Spyridon LS for some users.

Uppers of the new Spyridon are composed of a thin, lightweight stretch mesh that is noticeably cooler than the LS version.  It also feels softer against bare skin than the laced version.  Despite the lighter material, weight of the Spyridon is identical to the LS version at 6.8 oz; my guess is that the weight that is lost with the lighter upper material is gained with the addition of the strap.

Construction around the ankle collar is different as well, with the Spyridon echoing the low profile and thin material of the KSO, while the Spyridon LS has the more “traditional” (as much as you can say that about anything Vibram makes) thinly padded collar and higher Achilles contact that it first used with the Bikila running models.  This is another area of individual preference; in my case, I happen to like the LS ankle collar better against bare skin.

Below the upper, the Spyridon is virtually a carbon copy of the LS – which is great news, because the lower half of the Spyridon LS is simply awesome. There’s a 3mm polyurethane insole to provide added comfort and a tiny amount of cushioning underfoot …

... and a super aggressive XS Trek rubber outsole that contacts the ground.  This aggressive, multi-directional outsole was the second biggest innovation on last year’s Spyridon LS, and from a performance standpoint it’s hard to imagine how Vibram can improve upon it.  Aside, perhaps, from the very eye-catching color on this pair, which makes it look like you just stepped on Kermit the Frog.

As for the biggest innovation on last year’s model, that would be this:

A heavy duty polyester mesh layer between the outsole and insole which functions as a flexible rock plate, providing additional puncture resistance and dispersing sharp impacts across a broader surface area.  Having logged hundreds of combined miles on this plate (inclusive of Spyridon LS and the new model), I’m highly impressed with the level of protection it offers despite being so thin …

… and still allowing the complete freedom of movement you expect from Vibram running shoes.  Of all the shoes I’ve tested, it’s the Spyridon (LS or normal) that offers the most ideal balance of ground feel and protection of the entire bunch.

So I guess my main takeaway from testing the Spyridon is that these models are both near the very top of the class in minimalist trail runners – but there may not be a strongly compelling reason to choose the new version over last year’s laced model.   If you’re one who prefers the fit or feel of Vibram’s traditional upper and strap fastener over the laced versions, this is definitely the model for you.  For everyone else, it’s kind of a coin flip.

Another determining factor may be cost, as the unlaced version retails for $110 compared to $120 for the LS – not a huge difference, but every dollar counts, right?  And for a limited time, you can get Vibram’s Spyridon models at an even better price from TravelCountry.com, where the unlaced version is on sale for $88, and the LS version is on sale for $96.

*Product provided by Vibram

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Run For Power (In a Hamster Wheel!)

Would you run in a hamster wheel to save the Earth?  That was the question posed by Outside Magazine in response to a proposal by a Lebanese industrial engineer who presumably had a creative stroke of genius during one of the frequent power outages in his home town of Beirut. 

His brainchild is essentially a modern treadmill that harvests energy – and if the technology is applied in large enough quantities, may pose a very viable alternative to traditional sources.

It got my friend Mike and I to thinking about whether or not runners and cyclists would embrace the idea enough to make it work – and it became the inspiration for the Monterey Herald column that follows below.

** 

Running Life 11/29/12                                                 “Run for Power”

Last week was Thanksgiving – and if you ask any runner what he or she is thankful for, the ability to run will be fairly high on the list. 

So how can a grateful runner pay that blessing forward?   There are several routes you can take.  You can volunteer at a race.  You can invite a friend to go running with you.  You can help a running partner train to set a personal record.

Or if you’re more globally minded, you can help to save the world.

All photos from YankoDesign.com

At least, that’s the idea a Lebanese industrial designer named Nadim Inaty proposed this summer to a website called Yanko Design, an online magazine dedicated to introducing innovative concepts in all walks of life.  Inaty’s design was complete with specs and schematics, and the discussion that followed further clarified precisely how runners and cyclists can produce green energy and decrease our collective reliance on fossil fuels.

Click photos to enlarge

Yes, it’s ambitious, but the whole notion is actually quite plausible.  Here’s how the Yanko site describes it: “Green Wheel is an exercise machine that transforms kinetic energy produced by the human body into electricity. Multiple machines are connected to a central energy storage unit where electricity can then be supplemented to road lights and traffic lights.”  Essentially, the machine is a large (3 meter diameter) hamster wheel that is powered by humans; it’s not the most flattering exercise invention ever created, but then again, neither is spandex.

Inaty imagines that units could be placed in public spaces – his prototype features grassy rest areas surrounding the wheel - and that users could donate their jogging time in exchange for a place to run.  Have you ever run along the coastline and wished the view could last forever?  Well, if a Green Wheel was parked along the rec trail somewhere, you’d enjoy the same scenic vista throughout your entire run. 

At the very least, a unit would be a step up from the treadmill, which has been antagonizing runners ever since the days of George Jetson.  If your health club installed a few Green Wheels alongside the regular treadmills, wouldn’t you rather pick the one that had some external benefit?  Don’t worry, someone will figure out a way to show your favorite TV program inside the wheel by the time we get there.

Health clubs can make an even more tangible impact if similar technology is incorporated into exercise bikes.  Imagine a spin class full of energetic 30-somethings pumping their legs up and down like crazy, generating small increments of electricity with each pedal stroke.   If nothing else, the power they create will offset all the hot water they’ll use when showering afterwards.

For the concept to succeed, Green Wheels need to be used in large numbers, because the power output is somewhat low.  By Inaty’s calculations, a single unit used for 30 minutes will produce roughly 120 watts – which is enough to light a compact fluorescent bulb for five hours, or to charge 12 mobile phones.  Yes, it’s small in individual doses – but think about how many treadmills, elliptical trainers, and stationary bikes are in motion all day long in gyms and health clubs all over the country.  If each of those machines contributed a small charge to the grid, the impact on city infrastructures could become significant.

Therefore, another necessary component is altruism, in that runners or cyclists will voluntarily contribute their efforts for the greater good – which is where the whole Thanksgiving thing comes back in.  If you’ve been blessed with the ability to run, wouldn’t you appreciate a creative way to leverage that gift for a greater good?  Or if you’re looking for a unique way to get in shape, would this kind of eco-friendly mission be enough to inspire you?

The Earth needs your help.  Get out there and run!

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