Polygamy in Shoe Brands

Have you run the one you love into the ground? When your favorite pair of running shoes has reached its maximum mileage, it might be time to try, not only a new shoe, but a new brand on for size.

From triple knotting shoes to listening to the type of music that could only belong to pre-teens during a warm-up, runners have the most unique of quirks. Yet, there’s something to be said about the inherent and obsessive shoe quirk within runners. If there were a set of norms—commandments, if you will—in the running subculture, they might include matters such as, he who eats pasta on the eve of race-day shall perform best, and running brotherhood is to nod at passersby on trail runs. Of these, the tenth commandment of running would likely read, thou shall commit to one brand of running shoe and never turn back.

Come race day, Andrew Goodman, a collegiate runner at Colorado State University, sports racing flats belonging to the College’s athletic sponsor, Under Armour. During training, Goodman admits that for four years he, too, was an offender of commitment when it comes to running shoe brands. Up until the summer of 2013, he pledged his feet to a certain Nike Pro shoe from season to season and he’s gained the run-down pile of shoes in his closet to prove it.

Up until now, you have probably dipped your foot into the pool of a couple of different brands looking for the right one. No doubt, a process reminiscent of Cinderella’s own shoe wear, runners have been dabbling in the wrong fairy tale plot.

Megan Price, a 39-year-old career woman, says running is both a release and helps her refuel her mind. "I've learned, though, that if I want to use running as my primary release, I have to take care of myself," Price says. "Whether that means taking days off, or equipping myself with the best gear, you can't enjoy something when it gives you pain."

“Runner’s have to know that the shoe is going to be your best friend or your worst enemy,” says Thomas Hecker, Doctor of Podiatric Medicane at the Orthopedic Center for the Rockies (OCR) in Fort Collins, Co. As a practicing doctor on the biggest team at the OCR, the Foot and Ankle team, Hecker has gained years of insight in his foot injuries amongst runners.

“Be it injuries blisters, it’s all the same in the eye of a runner,” Hecker says. “They want a brand that they know is going to take care of them, and I have to coax people into seeing why different shoes will help them perform better”.

Although the fourth commandment in running may read all pain is curable through an ice bath, not all commandments can stand the test of time. A runner’s most valued tools are the feet. And when the only shield you can offer them is a shoe, concerning yourself with optimal fit versus renowned logo will allow for longer trail runs and many more race days ahead.

“Every little thing I can control, I want to control. It’s a mental aspect and I want to know that my shoe is a good fit when I get on the line and race,” Goodman says.

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Fourth Meal: 3 Great Snack Ideas

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee on any morning is enough to pull you from your bed to the kitchen. After your senses have been shaken awake and your bed-head has started to lay flat, however, you might not crave a hot cup of Joe. In order to get a midday fill of energy, open your cabinets to one of the following snacks.

1. Hummus on wheat crackers: A mini meal, hummus with your preferred wheat cracker, like Wheat Thins or Triscuits, will give you an appropriate dosage of protein and fiber. This is a heavier snack that can help you re-energize if you have a more intensive workout on a particular day. (280 calories for 3 oz. hummus and 8 crackers)
2. Popcorn (Unbuttered or lightly buttered): For the salty snack-lovers in need of something filling and low in calories. (80-100 calories for 2 cups, popped)
3. Fruit Popsicles: If salty is your second choice, and you’ve got a sweet tooth to satisfy, reach for a store bought or homemade fruit popsicle. For a homemade recipe, use your favorite low-sugar lemonade or juice and mix in sliced fruit for a more filling snack. (75 calories for every 3 oz.)

For a complete list of 25 snacks for a runner's appetite, check out this article from Runner's World. 

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Lorde performs hit song, ‘Royals’, for U.S. Television Debut

You don’t have to be a churchgoer to be entranced by New Zealand’s latest standout star, Lorde. At 17 years old and with a sound all her own, she’s defying the boundaries of her island homeland and gaining listeners on an international level.

On Tuesday night’s show of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Lorde sang her hit song, ‘Royals’, and baptized the first of many stages in America. The kiwi’s debut studio album, ‘Pure Heroine’, became available for purchase on iTunes Sept. 30. At $9.99, the entire album features ten tracks of Lorde’s smoky voice that manages to engage listeners song after song.

While her growing fan base can attest to her fresh and strong sound, the young star has made few television appearances. Tuesday night gave Lorde a new medium to grab the attention of the masses not only with her raspy voice, but with her bold appearance, as well. Revealing her youth and her mane of curls, Lorde swayed into the tempo of the song as she sang.

It’s apparent after her performance on Late Night that her fans aren’t the only ones who get lost in the rhythm and poetic lyrics of her songs—she, too, connects with the music. From co-writing her songs and gaining traction in New Zealand, Lorde offers tribute to the traditional journey towards fame. And if she continues on this streak of passion and lyrical depth, her fans will surely sing along. 

Check out Lorde's U.S. television debut above or click here ---

Don't stay Still During your Warm-up

No matter if you prefer distance or sprints, every runner will face injury or extreme fatigue at some point in the road. Some runners stand by the claim that stretching after a run is much more rewarding than before. This is becoming a more popular belief after research has surfaced on more active warm-ups being the most beneficial to serious runners.

While stretching after your workout might be much more relieving for your legs, there is a great amount of warm-up taking place in your most valued muscles when you take pre-emptive action. While stagnant stretching may be a habit, more active warm-ups before your workout, like high-knees, jogging, and fast skips.

According to Bill Roberts, Sports Doctor at Runner’s World, stretching can be a waste of time before your race. You should choose actions that will lightly raise your heart rate and mimic the motions you will make during your run. As mentioned in his article, Roberts says that flexibility and stretching is important, but is too much of a motionless warm-up to prepare you for your run ahead.

Check out Bill Robert’s article here. 

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