Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Have a Fast Christmas!

Thanks for all Support this Year!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

December, 50 000 and Boston

Boston Marathon is soon 18 weeks away! Hamstring is getting better bu I have been having some issues with tightness and grumpiness. I have been able to run bun have been moving forward slowly this week in order to put not to much stress on it. I got a nasty tick bite 2 weeks ago and was put on heavy antibiotic. Not sure if that had anything to do with my grumpy hamstring but over all I felt very tired. I'm trying not to over do the foam rolling and stretching but I have to admit its very tempting to give it an extra push with the foam roller after a run (sorry Caleb). So Monday it is 18 weeks til Boston and I hope to be back soon doing some quality work outs and get the mileage up.

I proud to announce that I'm going to represent Feetures! socks during 2014 as an ambassador. I have been using their elite socks for years now, so I'm really exited to represent them an an ambassador. Feetures! Gives you a really close, snug feeling and you don't have to worry about chafing. The Elite socks comes in different cushioning ?thickness. I really like the Ultra light sock, snug fit and as I like the road feel when running, the Feetures! does not interfere with that feeling. As the tempreatures get stiffer here in NJ, I'm going to use the Merino wool version of the Elite. Nothing beats wool when the freezing temps are biting your toes.

Swedish Colored socks will match Swedish colored Speed2



50 000
50 000 visitors is getting closer for therunningswede.com! This week the blog will pass 50 000 visitors...Thank you all who has visited the blog during 2013 and A big thank you to all my friends at Skechers Performance Division for all support!


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Skechers GoMeb2

During a visit in the city, I dropped by the Time Square Skechers store.....Four colors available right now, including NYC Marathon Special Edition. Something tells me I'm going to rock the blue and yellow in Boston 2014!





Monday, November 25, 2013

GoRun3 reviews

Skechers GoRun 3 has been released for a couple of weeks. I will try to keep the blog updated with reviews as they come in. As my Hamstring is still very sore/tight my own review has to wait a few weeks. First impression is very promising!

Believe in the Run
http://www.believeintherun.com/index.php/2013/11/23/skechers-gorun-3-review/

Happy Feet
http://happiefeet.blogspot.com/2013/11/skechers-gorun-3-initial-review.html

RunRepeat
http://runrepeat.com/skechers-gorun

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Running in the dark

Winter time has arrived which means shorter days of daylight. For most of us runner it means that you have to run in the dark. In Northern New Jersey where I do most of my runs, I do not have any shoulders on the road, no street lights and a lot of "crazy" drivers. My experience is that most of the drivers don't really respect you as a runner, to busy paying attention to their cell phone texting/talking or Seniors who are to old to drive their Cadillac's . This apply to any running on the roads, not just in the dark. So when I run in the dark, I try to make myself as visible as possible. Of course the rule number 1 is to run on the right side of the road, facing the traffic, again this apply to any running on roads. You wanna see the traffic and get an understanding if they actually see you and respect you. Numerous time I have been forced to take a dive in the ditch because of reasons mentioned above.


So when I get out for my night runs I wanna try to make myself as visible as possible. If I look like a Christmas tree in the end, fine, as long as it does not interfere with my running.

From top I wear a headlamp, I add a red light in the back. I have had great success with my Princeton Tec Fuel, perfect amount of light and its lightweight. In the back I have a small signal light from Petzl.

Upper body: Most jackets have some kind of reflective & illumination features but as my main "source" of reflective & illumination, I wear a Amphipod Xinglet Reflective Wear. This "vest" gives you lot of freedom and does not interfere with your running. This "vest" also provides 360 degree reflectivity.



Legs and arms: Again most of today's tights and jackets comes with some sort of reflective illumination feature. For the legs and arms I add reflective bands from Nathan, they are easy to put on and stays in place while you are running. Adding this to the parts that moves more gives you extra visibility and drivers will see you faster.

Shoes: Most brands today have added reflectiv illumination features to their shoe lines. If not most of today's shoes have some spots in the back of the shoe or in the front. Here are some options:
We have been using shoes from Skechers and the Nite Owl series. The Nite Owl series is GoRun2 ( review here) and GoRun Ride2 (review here)  with added photoluminescent technology. We have now tested the shoes for several of runs and walks ( with our dog Tess) and I have to say this technology really works. After only a few hours "charging" the shoes they glow for your entire run or walk. An the glow is sharp! Downside can be if you forget to put the shoes out before your run, it wont work. The shoes need light and to be charged to "lid" up. I have my shoes out 24/7 so its not an issue for me, but if you keep your Nite Owls in the closet, you need to remember to get them out a few hours before your run.



I never rely on one source of reflective & illumination gear. The Nite owls or any other products in this blog should not be your single source of light, reflection or illumination. Use them together in order to stay safe on the roads.  There are many other ways you can make yourself visible on your run, these are just the equipment I use at the moment. You can find lights and leds for every single piece of your body if you wish. Find the way that works for your running, your gear and environment.  As mentioned before I get a little bit paranoid when running in the dark and I wanna make sure the drivers sees me ahead of time. I might look like a Christmas tree when I'm running at night, but that is OK as long as it keeps me safe!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I receive Running shoes from Skechers Performance Division as part of their Skecher Performance Division brand ambassador program. I was not required to write a positive review. All other brands mentioned in this blog was bought by myself. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Sore Hammie....

So for the last couple of days I have been off running. Last Thursday I had mile repeats X 4 scheduled. I have been feeling a bit tired after the Steamtown marathon but nothing really off. After the 8 mile Chilli trail run, my Hamstrings were beat up, but again I didnt think it was anything to worry about. The hamstrings has been a bit tight since the trail race, but I wanted to keep the momentum and not loose to much training before I hit my Boston training again.
So after a warm up with our dog Tess, I started up my intervals. The plan was to keep half marathon pace, around 6:10. First repeat went well and I kept the pace good. About 4 min in to the second repeat, my right hamstring tighten up fast, I did not even have time to stop then BOOM. I almost fell. It was like a cut straight in to my right hamstring. I knew immediately that this was not good and started to walk. I have been icing a bit now after but 4 days later I can still feel some tightness.

Well needed rest in Vermont


This week will most likely be a complete rest week from running. Im going to try some biking and core exercise to keep legs going.....

Learning by doing! Listen to your body, my hamstrings were clearly not happy and rested after the Marathon and Trail run.....

Thursday, November 7, 2013

NYC Marathon Momentum

By far this was not Meb Keflezighi best NYC Marathon. But instead of call it a day when his body screamed NO, Meb continued and finished in 2:23:47. He stopped, walked and then continued in a "slower pace".

These videos describes it all and why I think he his #1 marathoner!

 http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250963-New-York-City-Marathon-2013/video/723689-Emotional-Meb-Keflezighi-after-NYC-Marathon-2013

 http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250963-New-York-City-Marathon-2013/video/723682-Meb-Keflezighi-body-shut-down-from-lack-of-training-in-NYC-Marathon-2013-full-interview



 Lot of great things are happening for Skechers Performance Divisin right now, Meb signed a new contract with Skechers Performance Division after NYC Marathon

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/skechers-performance-division-extends-multi-135500426.html

And Skechers Performance Division wins "Brand of the Year Honor" from Footwear News!
http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20131106-909214.html

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/skechers-performance-receives-brand-of-the-year-honor-from-footwear-news-2013-11-06?reflink=MW_news_stmp