Back with Saucony for 2016! (Running updates from Andrea and Jake)

Our streak of powder skiing weekends finally ended. So in place of the typical weekend ski-stoke update, the timing is good for an update on our running as we look forward to the 2016 season (but keep our fingers crossed for plenty more cold smoke days before we swap out touring boots for racing flats).

Andrea and I both started running for the Saucony Hurricane team in 2011. We are both proud to announce we will be representing Saucony again in 2016. The support and encouragement we have received from Saucony over the years has played in big part in both our accomplishments and the way we have bounced back from setbacks. Just as Saucony is loyal to the sport, we are loyal to the brand and the people (who have become friends) at Saucony. We have developed great relationships with Saucony employees and other athletes over the years and looking forward to keeping that going. Regardless of whether we are "sponsored" by Saucony or not, you wouldn't catch us running in any other brand!

For me (Jake) 2015 was a down year. I didn't race well and I didn't race much after I fell apart (physically and mentally) in the spring. For Andrea, the last several years have been tough - two major surgeries and a seemingly endless recovery process. However, both of us seemed to get our groove back in the fall of 2015 and are really looking forward to seeing what we can do in 2016.

Some forward-looking thoughts on the 2016 campaign from both of us below...

August 2011

October 2015

Jake

I'm excited about 2016. Winter has been good to us thus far and El Nino is bringing us plenty of snow. My body feels like I went back in time five years - I'm strong, athletic, and running smooth. I'm fit and aerobically strong thanks to the combo of running and uphill skiing. My hunch is that the base I'm building right now is going to pay big dividends on the roads later this year. 

2015 was a down year from a running/racing perspective (I've documented that breakdown enough times, and I'm done now), but it was an "up" year on so many other levels (just look at the all the posts on this blog from last year!). I wasn't tearing up the roads like I had in the past, yet Andrea and I had so much fun getting back to our "roots" - exploring and adventuring in the mountains, deserts, etc. My love of the outdoors helped me stay sane, re-focus on what is important in my life, and also re-discovered my love of running (as if it ever went away - I run doubles simply for fun! - but I had still lost a little of the passion). The fact that Saucony has given me another shot on the team in 2016 means a lot to me, and I truly believe I can be back to racing at a high level this year.

My plan right now is to enjoy the winter/spring (ski a lot!), then transition into more focused running and eventually racing as the days get longer and warmer. The combo of running and uphill skiing is the making my body strong and balanced, so I want to keep that going as long as I can. I'd like to run some local races this spring and summer before heading some bigger events during the late summer and fall. Ultimately I want another shot at breaking 2:20 in the marathon* and I'm targeting a few potential races in the October-December range. Its a long year, and there is a lot of time between now and then, so I'm not forcing anything at the moment. I wrote out some 2016 goals on my running log at the beginning of January, but if anything - I'm even more stoked on both skiing AND running/racing than I was a month ago

[*I don't feel like I have ever had a perfect marathon - where everything falls into place the right way. You aren't necessarily guaranteed one of those in a running career, but I want to give myself a few more stabs at it. I've run some very good marathons, but I don't feel like I've come close to my potential. Philly 2011 (in a bit over my head) and Boston 2012 (HOT!) were blowups. CIM 2013 (2:20) was really cold, and at Chicago 2014 (2:21) I was essentially running on one good leg. I had a couple other good performances in local races (UVM 2011; winning TOU 2012 and PHX 2013) but those don't scratch my itch... I want to run a really fast one on a bigger stage... or at least know that I gave it another shot]

Andrea

The last few years have been really tough on me. After a big breakthrough in 2011-2012, I sustained a major injury in July 2012 that led to surgeries in May 2013 and September 2014. I was in a pretty bad place during this time, dealing with chronic pain that affected me in every aspect of life. Seriously - going for a ½ mile walk was a stretch at time. I would have to wear an ice pack on my abdomen at all times (even to bed at night). As you can imagine, that was not fun. FINALLY about 6 months after the second surgery, I started to feel like I was getting better…that I was getting my life back again. I started (limited) exercising in March 2015 with running and backcountry skiing and have been increasing the volume ever since. Progress has been slow but steady.

Although I want to get back to high mileage running, I have found that variation in exercise is key to my progress. My body is not quite strong enough to run every day. So for the past several months I have been running ~4 days a week, backcountry skiing (or skinning laps at Brighton) ~3 days a week, and strength training ~2 days a week. This schedule is working really well for me and I feel like I am getting consistently stronger (or more tired!). I am planning to maintain this schedule through March and April, then I hope to be able to gradually increase my running volume as the snow melts into summer.

This upcoming summer is going to be crazy with lots of wedding planning and honeymoon-ing through the middle of August. This is when I would like to focus on training and get back into racing. This is all heavily dependent on my progress, but if everything goes well I would like to target a 5k and a half-marathon during the fall. It would be very rewarding to run sub-1:20 for the half marathon and sub-18 for the 5k again. But honestly, the highest priority for me this year is to have fun, enjoy life, and go on lots of adventures. So we’ll just have to see what that entails! :-)

Our friend Sarah brought this sign to the 2011 Philadelphia Marathon.
We didn't make it to the trials in 2012... or 2016... but don't count us out for 2020 just yet!

Saucony Nomad TR Shoe Review

Nomad TR - Wasatch tested and approved

Last month one of Saucony's brilliant technical reps told me about the brand's new trail running shoe - the Nomad TR. He said it was so comfortable that he was even wearing it casually throughout the day. I've been wearing the Peregrines for several years, but have tended to just wear my Kinvaras on most non-technical / non-rocky terrain, as I like the comfort and flexibility of the Kinvara over the Peregrine. And let's face it, the trails I like to run are of the smoother variety. I've had a pair for a few weeks, enough to give them my seal of approval.

The Nomad strikes the balance between the Kinvara and a more traditional trail shoe, with a couple of really nice upgrades...

1. The Nomad is built on the Kinvara's last, so you are starting off with exceptional geometry. But look at that toe box width - the oblique shape gives a little more room for the toes to spread out naturally... especially great when running downhill.

2. The PWRTRAC outsole is a new kind of rubber - more traction, and supposedly more durable. The outsole pattern is unique and won't get clogged up with sticky mud/clay.

3. FIT!!! Saucony is killing it in this category lately. The Nomad TR has a one piece upper with high end materials and a sock-like feel. I'm not going to say it has the luxurious feel of the Triumph ISO, but I'd say this is as good as you are going to get in a trail shoe.

I think the Nomad will be great for winter/snow running in addition to being my go-to for trails, dirt roads, and hiking! 

Cosmetics are a definite winner for this model as well for both genders.

Shoe Rotation Update - Cortana 4, Breakthru, Triumph ISO

I haven't done a shoe rotation / review in a while, but my stable has changed a little bit this year so it's time for an update.

I have already praised the Kinvara 5 multiple times. It remains my favorite all-around shoe of all time. I haven't worn the Kinvara 6s yet, but trusted sources have told me they are just as good.

Back in the fall, Andrea suggested that I try the Cortana. I've heard the Cortana 4 described as a "beefed-up Kinvara" and I would say that is an accurate assessment. It features the same fit and geometry (4mm drop) but has a bit more cushioning and protection. I found the Cortana to be my "go-to" shoe over the winter when it was colder outside and I was running on more roads than softer surfaces. I have about 500 miles on my current pair and I'll definitely be keeping this model in my rotation.

A month ago I starting phasing in a pair of the Breakthru. This is a simple, lightweight trainer with an 8mm drop. I think this will make an excellent tempo run / fast long run shoe. I've only put about 40 miles on them, but so far, so good.

Now for the super-duper-star of the group: Triumph ISO. I'll be honest, the $150 price tag is an immediate deterrent. Can you really tell the difference between a "luxury" model like the Triumph and a (more basic) cushioned shoe like the Ride 7/8? In this case, YES!

When I'm heading out of town for a few days and I'm only taking one pair of running shoes with me, I've been grabbing the Triumph ISOs before my Kinvara 5s recently (sorry Kinvara - it's not personal). I've put about 250 miles on my Triumphs so far. The ISO-Fit system is unreal - I've never had a shoe that conforms to the foot so well - it is truly a luxurious feel, especially in the midfoot. Soft, yet supportive. The Triumph is also surprisingly light for how cushioned it is - you really notice the extra cushion in both the heel and forefoot. Flexibility is the other thing that I have noticed - on par with a much more minimalist type of shoe. You should expect all of these things in a high-end shoe, and Saucony definitely delivers with the Triumph ISO.

So my current rotation is: Kinvara / Triumph / Cortana / Breakthru. I'm looking forward to trying the Nomad TR as a possible upgrade to my Peregrines for trail runs.

Saucony - Running shoes without the crazy

Today's New York Times had an article about the emergence of "maximal" shoes, with a big picture of a pair of Hokas. It was essentially the same article I remember reading 5-6 years ago if you swapped in the term "minimalist" and a photo of Vibram FiveFingers (or someone running barefoot on the sidewalk).

There is always going to be anecdotal evidence of something at the fringes working for a select group, and that's always going to make a lot of noise, because people love to gravitate towards anything that is new and at the extremes. I view running footwear like a pendulum - it may swing far to the left or right, but for the most part, the majority of runners will thrive wearing something that falls in the middle (and that's a big range).

Back when running barefoot with the Tarahumaras was all the rage, Saucony (somewhat) quietly launched the Kinvara, which in my opinion was and still is the best all-around running shoe ever made (the Kinvara 5 is the best iteration yet). I remember hearing the phrase "minimalism without the crazy" to describe the Kinvara and thinking that was spot-on. Lightweight, flexible, low drop, durable - everything you want out of a running shoe, and something that meets the demands of a lot of runners.

Now that the pendulum has shifted to the other extreme (maximum cushion), Saucony has once again responded to what consumers want, without getting nuts. I've been loving the Cortana 4 this winter - it's lighter and more cushioned than previous versions, and a bit more "plush" than the Kinvara. The new ISO series (especially the recently released Zealot) has very light, highly cushioned models that stay within the bounds of reasonable shoe geometry. Saucony's designs are backed up by actual research, not just the desire to create buzz.

Saucony Zealot - a full cushioned trainer without the crazy!

Competitor profiled the Saucony Lab a few week's ago. If you haven't seen this article yet, I'd recommend checking it out:

An Inside Look at Saucony's Innovation Lab

Some highlights...

“Minimalism was the consumer asking for something different. Our job is to figure out what they’re really asking for and then deliver it,” O’Malley says. “We can do that because we have no pressure to invent things here. We do have pressure to innovate. With an invention you start with the shoe, but with innovation you start with the runner. We innovate around the runner.” 

O’Malley says Saucony has “a very defined bullseye” and one that allows employees to be courageous. “We have to answer one question: ‘Does this make it better for the runner?’ And when that is your bullseye it gives you the courage to try things. When we want to take a risk we can get everyone in the room and debate it and ask the question ‘What is better for the runner?’ And that allows us to take calculated risks, more so than anywhere else I have been.”

On that note, I'm pleased to announce that I was selected for the 2015 Saucony Hurricane team. This will be my 5th year representing the best company in the business. I don't think I can ever imagine lacing up a different brand of shoes or donning another singlet. I'm very proud to be a part of their team.

Jake's Winter / Spring Racing Schedule - London Marathon!

2015 Winter/Spring Race Schedule

Feb 7th - USA XC Championships (12K)
Feb 28th - Phoenix Half Marathon
April 26th - London Marathon

SkiMo Race Schedule

Jan 31st - CROWBAR
Mar 7th - Wasatch Powderkeg

The obvious big update here is that I'm entered in April's London Marathon! Getting a spot in the race was not a sure thing and wouldn't have happened without some major help from the team at Saucony. As always, I'm so thankful for their support over the past four years. Some awesome folks at Saucony went out of their way to make this dream possible (they know who they are) and I definitely owe them one!

WHOA. Saucony is an awesome company. I'm very proud to represent them.
(Gonna need to find a pair of these)

My plan for the London buildup is to be conservative. I don't think I'll be able to knock out any very impressive tune-up races along the way nor will I even attempt to do the specific training for a fast XC race of half-marathon. I'm going to use these next three months to get marathon fit, get healthier, and be ready to pop one really good one over in London. I'll keep my running miles a lot lower than what I did leading up to Chicago (but considering the time spent uphill skiing, the training volume will probably be about the same). Two stress days per week is plenty - not two stress days plus a long run... the long run IS a stress day and I'll probably be incorporating a lot of quality miles / workouts into my longer efforts. I'd rather be a tiny bit under-trained than straddling the razor's edge and risk compromising my race performance, as I've done in the past. I have a tendency to get a little crazy 3-5 weeks out from a marathon when I start to feel like I'm in good shape. It will be important to be sensible during that time period (late March / early April).

Chicago took a lot out of me - I raced hard in a compromised state of health. My hamstrings took a beating, and I still feel the effects from time to time. So on that note I finally broke down and I'm going to start seeing Andrea's physical therapist next week, in hopes that he can help me get to the line 100% healthy this time around. I re-started some upper body strength training about a month ago, which I believe helps me hold form late in races... and get this - stopped eating ice cream altogether.

The other noticeable update is that the race schedule is now split - there's a running AND SkiMo component. Andrea and I took the plunge and bought our own SkiMo racing equipment - lightweight skis, boots, bindings... and are in the process of fashioning several pairs of racing skins (I even had a power tool out the other night and didn't seriously injure myself!). We have a long way to go before we are really competitive in that sport (I mentioned that a bit in this post) but we are both excited about making SkiMo a big part of our winters from now on. Check out some of those races I linked above (CROWBAR / Powderkeg).

The main reason I ski is because I love it - not for any training benefit. Drop in and float through some deep turns on a powder day and you'll know what I mean - it's a downright spiritual experience and hard to explain to someone that has never done it.

BUT I actually think backcountry skiing and SkiMo training/racing make me a stronger runner. All of the climbing at high altitude adds a huge aerobic stimulus, without the pounding of extra running miles... it works different muscle groups than running, which is especially helpful. There's a huge mental benefit in being out in the beautiful mountains during the cold, sometimes smoggy (in the valley) winter months. I'm sure plenty of people would still disagree with the idea of skiing a lot during a marathon buildup, and I have two words for them: [redacted by Andrea]  :-)

I anticipate Wasatch and Beyond will still be dominated by skiing posts for the next few months (daily log is here), so back to running for a bit...

I'm at a decent fitness level right now but nowhere near race form. I've been averaging 90-100 miles per week for the last couple months, I've built up my long runs to 20 miles, and I've slowly increased the length and dropped the pace of my tempo runs.

Here's the training summary from Chicago leading up to now (13 weeks out from London). I feel like I can be ready for my best marathon to date in three months.

Tan = Long Runs / Steady State; Brown = AT (Aerobic Threshold); Blue = Ski; Green = Faster
Orange Cloud = Smog.

I'll be the first to admit that I should have just taken 2+ additional weeks completely off after Chicago. At the time, however, I was thinking I going to bounce back and run CIM (in an effort to boost my chances of getting an entry to London), but I was too beat up from Chicago to do that. In hindsight I delayed my recovery quite a bit, to the point where even in December, I started to write off the idea of being able to run a fast Spring marathon. Hopefully I'll learn from that mistake and May will be a very low mileage month.

Details on the progression of AT runs (really, my only workouts other than a couple token sets of intervals) to date:

So that's where I'm at. Next stop on the running circuit = the USA Cross Country Championships in Boulder. What a terrible and painful choice for a season-opening rust-buster! It should be a really good experience and fun weekend with friends - that's why I'm headed there.

2015 Outdoor Retailer Show

I had a good time helping out at PowerBar's Outdoor Retailer booth yesterday. There are hundreds of blogs out there reviewing all of the awesome stuff going on at the Winter Market, so I'm not even going to try and do that. It was fun to walk around and see all the innovative (and in some cases, stupid) products. Here's a few pictures I snapped from my favorite brands...

PowerBar has some delicious new flavors coming out

Saucony's lineup always impresses

Kinvara 6 (men)

Kinvara 6 (women)

Dynafit's space was also impressive

Bright colors in the new lineup of SkiMo race skis

They are going flashy with the new TLT6 boots as well

Saucony Type A6 (Preview) Review

Thanks to the guys at Saucony Racing and the Saucony Performance Engineering Lab, I was able to get a pair of the new Type A6 racing flats a few months before they are released so I could wear them at CIM. I've been wearing the Type As for racing since I got back into running seriously in 2011, and I was especially excited for the A6s because of some of the enhancements made to this newest version.

This is a FAST shoe. For most people, the Type A6 is ideal for 5K to Half-Marathon. For lighter, efficient runners it can be a fantastic marathon shoe. Like I said, I wore them at CIM, and while I'm also a big fan of the Fastwitch 6 and have had great success with that model, I'll stick with the A6 as my primary marathon shoe in 2014. This new version of the Type A felt a little more cushioned than the previous models, and I had no problems with my feet over 26.2 miles, even on a cold day in Sacramento.

What stays the same? The A6 continues to be a very light and responsive racing flat. The fit is the same as previous version, although I would say this new version is a little more "glove" like - which is great!

What's new? Saucony has incorporated new materials throughout the shoe (outsole, midsole, and upper) to make the entire shoe more durable AND lighter. That isn't an easy thing to do - but the Saucony lab is full of really smart people, and they hit a home run with the design of the A6. The outsole is now iBR+ blown rubber, and the upper is now all FlexFilm, which creates that seamless glove-like fit.

Other specs: Weight - Men's 9 = 5.1 ounces, Women's 8 = 4.5 ounces. Drop = 4mm. 

Release date: February 1, 2014.

The Saucony Blog has more details on the new Type A6.

My collection of Type As, going back to version #3. I wear all of these!

Another view of my A6s

As you would expect, Saucony's designers have come up with some sharp-looking color schemes...

Women's Purple/Slime and Men's ViZi Orange / Black

Women's Coral / Citron (from Runningwarehouse.com)

Men's Citron / Blue / Orange

Saucony Mirage 3 Review

Over a year ago I reviewed the Mirage I/II, at that time it was a staple in my shoe rotation, and had become my favorite "everyday" trainer. What I have always liked about the shoe is that it provides a little more cushioning and guidance than the Kinvara, but it was still light and responsive.

Earlier this spring I finally broke into a box of Mirage 3s, which was given the "best update" by Runner's World. Sometimes a major update to a shoe you already like can be a problem - but in this case, the Mirage went from a shoe I really liked to a shoe that I'm kind of in love with.

I've put about 350 miles in my first pair (which are still going strong - I'll easily get double that mileage out of them), but I could feel the differences one my first couple runs. The new version is lighter and more flexible, but retains the touch of guidance and cushion that makes this shoe so important.

One look at the side profile and bottom of the shoe and you can see where the Saucony performance engineers made some modifications. The heel is decoupled (red boxes below) and they added some additional flex grooves in the forefoot (blue boxes below). This creates a much more flexible and responsive shoe. Trust me, try it on and you'll love the feel.

The shoe's upper has a great fit, using seamless Flexfilm, and feels similar to the Kinvara. This also cuts down on weight. At 8.7 ounces (M9), its nice and light. In additional to recovery runs, I really like using the Mirage 3 for long runs and fast-finish "medium" runs, where I run some tempo in the final miles. I like that it is supportive enough for a long run without beating up my feet/legs, but I have no problem dropping some fast miles feeling smooth. I'll even occasionally run some 200m reps on the track in these at the end of a recovery run.

I think the Mirage 3 is one of the most versatile shoes in Saucony's lineup. I use them for a wider variety of types of runs than anything else in my repertoire*. 

*Currently, I'm using the same rotation I have in the past: Kinvara and Ride for recovery runs, Mirage for recovery / long runs / some workouts, Fastwitch for tempo runs / long repeats, and Type A for shorter intervals.

Saucony Wear Testing Opportunity

Passing this message along from the mothership...

We are looking for dedicated athletes to participate in trials of our new footwear styles.

Participation will provide you with an opportunity to evaluate some of the leading technologies in the athletic footwear industry and have a direct impact on the design and development of our footwear.

•Run more than 40 miles a week
•Know what you like about running shoes and have ideas on how to make them better
•Have a strong commitment and passion for running
•Would be able to adhere to our program schedule and uphold our professional standards
•Wear a women’s 8 OR a men’s 9, 10
•Are excited to test new prototypes and provide in-depth detailed feedback

Please contact us for an application to join our wear test program:

Saucony shoes and apparel at Dick's Sporting Goods

Specialty running stores are always a good place to find a selection of Saucony footwear... but Dick's Sporting Goods now carries a big lineup - most of their locations stock the Triumph, Hurricane, Guide, Ride, Kinvara, Peregrine, Exodus, as well as childrens' models.

There are several DSG locations are in the area: Salt Lake City (Gateway), Layton (Layton Hills Mall), and new locations just opened up in Midvale (Ft Union Family Center) and Orem.

We've visited these stores and found that the sales associates are very knowledgeable. The new store in Midvale has a treadmill where they'll be doing free gait analysis.

We're starting to see some Saucony apparel pop up in these stores as well, which is awesome - being that now that the days are getting shorter, its definitely ViZiPRO season!

Saucony Fastwitch 6 Sneak Peak

March 2013 Update: I've run two marathons in the Fastwitch 6 since writing this original review (TOU 2012 and PHX 2013). I won both races, so its gotta be the shoes, right? :-)  In all honesty, I've been very happy about how these shoes have performed over the marathon distance. My feet and toes have held up really well both times. No blisters, no pain. I wouldn't even think about wearing anything else for the marathon. 

My favorite racing flat for marathons (and my primary "fast workout" shoe) is the Saucony Fastwitch. I got my first pair of Fastwitch 5s last fall, wore them for the Philadelphia Marathon, and have used them for about 300+ miles worth of tempo runs since then. This past spring I picked up another pair in bright blue that looked pretty snazzy on the streets of Boston.

Saucony has a new version (Fastwitch 6) coming out in early 2013, and they were able to get me a pair ahead of time for the Top of Utah Marathon on September 15th. The new FT6 is a very slick shoe - Saucony didn't change the midsole/outsole (which is good - no need to alter something that is awesome!), but they revamped the upper - changing it to Flexfilm, which reduces the overall weight of the shoe by about an ounce. So its the same great Fastwitch, just a little bit lighter.

I took the FT6s out for their first test-spin this morning - a fast 10K tempo run. They felt perfect and I'm excited to lace them up for the marathon next weekend! I'm a big fan of how outrageously bright orange they are.

I should also note that Andrea has had a pair of FT6s since we visited the Saucony HQ in April. She had been wearing the FT5s for the half-marathon and marathon with great success, and is also big fan of the "upgrade." She raced in the new version when she ran 1:17 at the USA 1/2 Champs in June.

The two men's color schemes from Saucony Racing (check out their Facebook page)

Another sneak peak from Running Warehouse.

Here's some video previews from Running Warehouse and Outdoor Retailer if you want some more information...

Saucony Ride 5 Review

I've finally found the shoes to fill the only gap in my shoe rotation - a lightweight, very cushioned trainer w/out any excess motion control features... the new Ride 5. I've only been wearing them for 2 weeks, but since I've run over 300 miles in those 2 weeks, and 150+ of them in the Rides, I think I can already say that I love them and won't be taking that statement back!

Here's what Saucony has to say about the improvements to the Ride 5:

A full ounce lighter than its predecessor, the Ride 5 is the most responsive version of this shoe to date. The heel edge is beveled (rounded) for a smoother transition from heel strike to midfoot, and more flex grooves have been carved into the forefoot design for better overall fl exibility. The heel-to-toe offset has been adjusted from 12mm to 8mm to promote a more balanced, efficient stride throughout the gait cycle. Excess materials have been removed to reduce weight, making the Ride 5 the lightest Ride EVER! The heel-to-toe offset is updated from 12mm to 8mm. The heel edge has been beveled. ProGrid™ technology (previously in heel only) has been extended to the entire foot bed for a more seamless feel. Outsole material is upgraded from traditional blown rubber to IBR plus, for enhanced cushioning and durability. Weight 9.8oz.

I don't really notice much of a weight difference between the Ride and the Mirage (the ride is only about a half-ounce heavier). But I do notice the difference in cushion - its like running on a cloud... and when you are putting in big miles like I am, that makes a big difference on recovery days. This is mainly due to the fact that Saucony put their highest quality cushioning throughout the entire shoe (up in the forefoot, which is good when you are a mid to forefoot striker). For the most part, I've been wearing them for longer runs in the 14-19 mile range. 

I'm definitely pleased and already looking to get another pair. I'm rotating between the Mirage, Ride, and Kinvara for the majority of my mileage, the Fastwitch and Type As for faster workouts and races, and the Peregrines for the occassional trail run. I feel like that covers all the bases!