Marathon Motivation: Nike 26.2 Preview

Who's running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9? Who needs a little marathon motivation to get off the couch and start training? Who needs advice on how you're going to complete this event you mindlessly signed up for months ago, not thinking about training, fueling, clothing and everything else a marathon might involve? If you're nodding your head yes to any of these, you can get that jolt, knowledge, inspiration and more this Saturday, but you'll have to come to Chicago to get it.

If you're not within driving distance to the Windy City, start looking at weekend fare specials now because the Nike 26.2 Preview sounds too cool to miss. And if you can drive, bike or run your way to Soldier Field's south parking lot sometime between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on June 18, you may have to do just that. Trust me, I already got excited about this event once--sharing it with Chicago at Time Out Chicago's The Rundown--but after I learned even more about it last night, my energy levels spiked again. And for an injured runner who's starting to really hate her leg for quitting on her when the running season couldn't be more perfect (minus the heat and thunderstorms), that's saying a lot. Here's why even injured me wants to make an appearance:

• Saturday promises to offer a motivational start to whatever event you'll be training for this summer. The marathon is the focus but you could be running a 26.2 outside Chicago, a half marathon, your first race ever...you get the idea. Nike and the companies who are coming out to be a part of this special day really just want to get you excited about running.
• Earl Bennett, a wide receiver on the Chicago Bears will be in attendance, offering training tips from an athlete's perspective. He's set to arrive at 11 a.m.
• Rumor has it that Dathan Ritzenhein will also be on-site, maybe even running with a group or two. But don't quote me on it.
• Group runs will be occurring throughout the morning, departing from Soldier Field's south parking lot and running along the Lakefront Path. Expect to run 8 miles--or pull off early or run twice. Runs start at 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.
• Nike and marathon experts will be on-hand to talk nutrition, coaching and training advice.
• Nike will be showcasing its latest running apparel and footwear. That could mean the opportunity to see the LunarGlide 3 before it's released to the world in July.
• Fleet Feet Sports and Naperville Running Company will offer gear recommendations, in-depth running instruction and good form running tips. I can only guess that good form must mean a version of the Good Form Running that Fleet Feet offers weekly at its stores.
• Though not related to Nike and more something that formed because of the Preview, there's a #FFCheer tweetup set to start around 9:15 a.m. Stay tuned for more details. 
• And the event is tented, to a degree, so even if the predicted scattered thunderstorms roll in, you won't have to be entirely exposed to the elements.

Is that enough to crawl out of bed and run--or pretend to run by browsing--on a Saturday morning. I think so. But don't forget your wallet, you might find something you want to purchase to help you with that training. And who knows, maybe you'll find a training buddy. For more details about Saturday's Nike 26.2 Preview, check out 26-2preview.com. And as Nike says, "Let the road to race day begin."

Photo grabbed from Nike and 26-2preview.com.

The Saucony Shoe That Started a Conversation

I am addicted to minimalist shoes. Not the hard core ones like Vibram's Five Fingers because the pair of those that I own are more for protecting my feet from rocks when I'm near water. Instead it's the two pairs that are minimal but still oddly supportive that I've been lucky enough to have find their way into my possession in the last month.

Their names? The Nike Free Run+ 2, which have been my walking saviors for the last month when I started feeling the aches of my oncoming injury, and the Saucony ProGrid Kinvara 2, which I only started sporting a week ago. Now I alternate wearing each--gotta share the love--usually opting to wear the Frees when the weather looks iffy and the Kinvaras when the sun is shining. Yes, call me a shoe dork, but I will prolong the white shoe look for as long as possible if I can help it, and the Free gray is better at absorbing the dirt--I know because I already dropped something on them and I can barely see the mark. 

Their results? I'll be wearing these pairs until they wear out. They look cool, they weigh practically nothing and they squeeze really easily into a bag. They also make me feel like I'm padding around in my bare feet, but I can head outside and maintain some semblance of normalcy in my injured state.  

But here's the kicker on the Kinvaras, all whites aside: They apparently are pretty eye-catching, enough to start a conversation with a complete stranger. By Thursday, not even a week since I brought them home from Fleet Feet, I had already received three compliments on the shoes, the latest coming at the grocery store of all places. I could have been wearing a new pair of Uggs or some flashy Jimmy Choos that everyone wanted to have. But, no, I was wearing running shoes, and couldn't even brag about the run I took on one of the nicest days Chicago had seen all year. I guess the Kinvara is the equivalent among the running set?

That was news to me. But I'll take it if it means I can talk running when I can't even run, or finally feel  comfort in a pair of shoes that don't have a swoosh on the side, or think I'm wearing "magic shoes" that are going to make my stress fracture disappear and return me to the roads faster because I see improvement in my walk every day.

The roads better watch out for my return, that's all I'm saying. If I can like these two minimal shoes without using them for their main purpose--my current highlights include pairing them with jeans and yoga pants--then what's going to happen when I ease back into running and try them on the grass and then the pavement? I'm hoping for magic, but right now I'll even take a simple sweat session that doesn't involve a stationary bike.

To read more about the Saucony Kinvara, check out my take for FFCheer.

Do Good With Mother Earth

You know you don't recycle as often as you should. You're guilty of driving everywhere, even if you could walk the block and a half to the store (it's easier to stow the groceries in the trunk than have to carry them home). You toss stuff in the trash before figuring out ways to reuse it, and regret it when you realize you could have donated or re-purposed what you deemed junk. But if there's one day of the year where you want to try to reduce, reuse, recycle, it's today, Earth Day.

Started as a grassroots movement back in 1970, it's still going strong 41 years later. You don't need to be a crunchy, granola-loving hippie, the stereotype that often correlates to Earth loving and Earth Day initiatives either. Here are 10 suggestions to show your support of Earth Day.

1. Recycle your water bottles, sports drink bottles and energy drink cans.
2. Keep your car in the garage and commute by bike, foot or public transportation. With gas prices soaring over $4 per gallon in some areas, it's almost painful to use the car regardless of what day it is.
3. Find an Earth Day-themed running event. Even Easter weekend isn't going to stop race organizers from holding a 5K, 8K or 10K on Saturday morning. Chicago has the 5K for Earth Day, Boulder has the Earth Day 5K (but that's on May 1), the Cayman Islands has the Earth Day 5K, and Carlsbad, Calif. has the Earth Day 10K.
4. Donate your old running shoes to an organization like Share Your Soles, which gives the shoes to those who need them. Or Nike takes old running shoes, grinds the soles and turns them into running tracks. You often can find drop boxes at your local running store. 
5. Try reusing your old footwear for something else. Check out this article for some ideas on new uses for old footwear, especially flip flops.
6. Instead of tossing that worn yoga mat in the trash, try cutting it up and reusing it around the house. Need some ideas? Read these 50 courtesy of Gaiam.
7. Visit one of our country's national parks. You won't have to pay a fee to enter Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Rocky Mountain, and more than 100 more during National Park Week. This deal's good through April 24, with more freebies on select days of the year.
8. "Like" an Earth-friendly organization on Facebook. As part of their Earth Day initiative, Horny Toad will donate $1 to Heal the Bay for each new Facebook fan they get between April 21 and June 21.
9. Ski an eco-friendly ski resort. Sure, there are only a handful of resorts still open for the season, but snow in the forecast means one last chance to take some turns before you have to wait until November. According to the Ski Area Citizens Coalition, Squaw Valley gets top props for 2010.
10. Trade those plastic bottles for reusable ones from companies like Sigg, CamelBak and Nalgene. Wasn't Brian Williams just on a PSA sharing facts with the number of years it takes for a plastic bottle to decompose in a landfill?

 How are you staying active and showing your appreciation for Mother Earth?


Photo grabbed from DonkeyHotey at flickr.

Oprah's Fit Ultimate Favorite Things

Either Oprah Winfrey has dreams of working out when her show's final season wraps in a few months, or she recognizes sporty comfort when she sees it. And with the media mogul's stamp of approval, two active brands, Lululemon and Nike, are only going to become more popular now that they've made her final Ultimate Favorite Things list (her show is going bye-bye next year). Among the 22 items guests received at the taping of her annual Favorite Things episode (part one was revealed on Friday and more are in store come Monday) were Lululemon's Relaxed Fit pants and pairs of Nike Free Run+ shoes. Let's just say BIG, GIANT LIKE.

I already went ga-ga over the Nike Free shoes earlier this year--I caught myself doing it again the other night when my friend wore hers. Minimalist design to mimic barefoot running builds running strength with compromising comfort, support and traction. And when you can choose from a variety of colors, you're bound to find a color combination you like enjoy to wear the Frees on and off the running route. Why does Oprah like them? "It's the next best thing to being barefoot," she says.

Now my eyes can spot the Lululemon insignia from a mile away and I'm surrounded by it--I swear--every time I go to yoga. I might feel like the odd woman out in since my down-dog go-to's consist of Nike, Under Armour, Adidas and Moving Comfort, and my only Lulu pants have probably been out of style for at least two years--a never-in-the-yoga-studio pair I snagged on sale before Lululemon expanded to within walking distance of my house. I only wish that my closet could handle more of their items (sorry but at $98 a pop, my wallet has to take a pass--it's cringing) like those drawstring pants or the Scuba Hoodie. But I've got one question: why did she choose the the Relaxed Fit Pant over the Still Pant? Same price, same four-way stretch fabric that's a Lululemon signature, same appealing drawstring. Must be the back zipper pocket to safe-hold keys and ID and the waist design that can flatter any rear. With the option to roll it low or wear it high, depending on your best assets, these pants apparently provide the illusion of a smaller behind. And what's not to love about that? And Oprah thought so too, saying, "Anything that cuts your butt in half should be your favorite thing too!"

OK, OK, so I ogled over the cruise trip and the big screen TV--and my mouth watered at the sight of the mac and cheese--but to see these fitness finds among the big ticket items was a huge plus. And a bit of a surprise to follow a panini press, a pan of decadent brownies and that so-called best mac and cheese, items that can pack on the pounds instead of parting with them. But if Oprah likes them, they must be good. Right?


Photo courtesy of Nike.

Meet the Nike Free Run+

Maybe I was a little too excited about the Freedom Run (but after winning, can you honestly blame me?) on Wednesday night. But after I took off my medal and colored bracelets to relax at home, it hit me that I missed one of the important messages from the evening. That would be release of the new Nike Free Run+, the whole reason we were running in the first place.

I saw the shoes on the feet of other runners as we gathered at Fleet Feet, I just arrived too late to try a pair. And then I saw them again at our post-run party at Altitude--a special display devoted to the newest Frees and all of their pretty colors. I knew the basics of the Free technology, or at least what I remembered from the first version released nearly six years ago: how they were designed to take away many of the traditional supports of running shoes for more foot freedom, give your foot protection from the elements, and make you rely on your foot's natural motion when running. That hasn't changed and in fact, what may have been skeptical in 2004--taking out all the supports and leaving minimal cushioning so that you were practically running barefoot--is now one of the hottest rages.

I know some of the skeptics from 2004 who doubted that the lack of support would be good for your running. Meanwhile, I bought into it even though I had yet to try it. Why? I liked the idea of having a shoe to wear after a long hard run that wasn't that particular running shoe but could help strengthen your foot muscles. I wore running shoes everywhere and style-wise, this didn't look like your regular running shoe. And it was recommended to alternate running with the Frees and your regular running shoes to work on that strengthening, but not going super-long while wearing the Frees. I've gotten shin splints as a result of a slight change in my go-to running shoe (the Nike Pegasus, back in the day), and through marathon training knew that it'd be OK to switch up my shoes. Yes, Nike did a good job convincing me of the Free's benefits at a 2007 media event, but the skeptics I knew said it would never fly.

Look who was right. Six years and a few Free versions--3.0, 5.0, Everyday to name a few--later and we're meeting the newest Nike using the Free technology. As the latest version in the Free line of Nike running shoes, the Free Run+ updates the cushioning, support and fit from previous styles. It's more supportive than the 3.0, more flexible than the 5.0 and even more like running barefoot without exposing your feet to pavement elements. And it's the first Free shoe to be Nike+ ready so if you have the sport kit for your iPod or a Nike SportBand, you can drop the sensor into the footbed slot and track distance, pace, time and calories burned on your run. And well, these new Frees just look cool too--and you can bend them in half.

But remember that the Free Run+ still has some technology so you're not totally barefoot running. But you are bringing out the best of both worlds. The flexibility enhances your foot's natural movement, and flex grooves on the sole trigger muscle activation to strengthen your foot muscles and give you the barefoot feel. You'll still get cushioning and arch support to give you some stability in your shoe. The midsole's bootie fits your foot like a glove and make it comfy to sport the Frees with or without socks.

Still not convinced? What if I said the likes of Paula Radcliffe, Kara Goucher, Dathan Ritzenhein and Meb Keflezighi use the Free technology? They do, often using the Free Run+ during recovery and cool down runs. Check out this piece for what these elite athletes had to say. Are you sold now?


Photos courtesy of Nike.