GO>ID Review Posted by Steve on June 4, 2013 No Responses » Jun 042013 Staying fit is one thing, staying safe is a whole different game. As we’ve mentioned before, staying safe while out for a run, hike, walk, ride, climb, or swim is an extremely important factor to consider when participating in these activities. For the most part, this can be achieved through simple means: going out with a friend, keeping yourself well-lit or wearing reflective clothing, running with a cell phone for emergencies, knowing your surroundings, and paying attention to the time of day (if trail-running, mornings can be hazardous because of animals; if road running, nights can be bad due to crime or traffic). Unfortunately, even if you take the aforementioned precautions, I would be lying to you if I told you that they make you magically immune to accidents. For those times that something does goes wrong, it is best to be prepared. Enter GO>ID, with which, as they so elegantly put it: You’ll have the peace of mind to do everything you want to with the confidence to go anywhere. As far as big ideas go, the simple ones are always the best. Continue reading “GO>ID Review” » Technorati Tags: exercise, fitness, GO>ID, hiking, identification, racing, running, running tips, training tips
The Challenges of Coaching Posted by Ashley on May 29, 2013 No Responses » May 292013 It’s been a month now since I started coaching my corporate track team. Practices are held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, with about 20 runners coming to practice. I have been faced with several unforeseen challenges and with leading a group of runners with a huge variety in athletic backgrounds. Needless to say things have been…interesting. “Ashley…This is so hard…” I’ll admit it. I made our training schedule way too difficult. I made a schedule that an active racer like myself could do, but I overlooked the main problem – most of the folks on this team are not racers. Our upcoming meet may be the only running event they participate in every year. I’ve been truly humbled when it comes to telling people what they should do. I’ve realized that not everyone can do the workout we have planned for the day and I have to be ready to provide options. Even so, the dedication to the training is inspiring. Some of my runners have never run this hard in their lives, but they give 120% every practice. I often hear the classic line, “This is too hard”, but I encourage them to try, and at the end of practice, when it’s all over, I always hear “Oh, that wasn’t too bad!” And then I jokingly ask them if they want to do a few more repeats! Continue reading “The Challenges of Coaching” » Technorati Tags: coaching, running, running coach, running tips, track
Featured Runner: Kim Virden Posted by Kim Virden on April 23, 2013 No Responses » Apr 232013 My name is Kim Virden and “I’m a Runner.” I think I was born a natural athlete. I’ve been in sports since I was in kindergarten, and competed on my first swim team at age 5. I was always doing some type of sport… if I wasn’t swimming, playing tennis, or downhill skiing, I was out fishing. I’ve always been drawn to sports – even after a bad skiing accident that left me with a traumatic brain injury and epilepsy at the age of seventeen. Continue reading “Featured Runner: Kim Virden” » Technorati Tags: Achilles Track Club, epilepsy, inspiration, Lily's Fund, marathon, NYC marathon, running, running inspiration
GymPact: Get Paid to Work Out Posted by Meagan on April 17, 2013 No Responses » Apr 172013 Staying motivated is one of the biggest hurdles people face when it comes to working out, especially for those who are just beginning an exercise program. As someone who has been a (fairly) consistent runner for almost two years now, even I struggle to get myself out of the door. A training schedule for an upcoming race definitely helps motivate me, but still, talking myself out of going for a run is much easier than I would like it to be some days. Now, however, thanks to GymPact, not only do I have to consider the detriment to my training when I skip a run, I also have to consider the financial cost. Continue reading “GymPact: Get Paid to Work Out” » Technorati Tags: Android, app, application, exercise, GymPact, iOS, motivation, running
And So It Begins… Posted by Ashley on April 9, 2013 No Responses » Apr 092013 Well, I never thought I would coach a track team. Never in a thousand years. Yet, here I am, up super late trying to put together a workout schedule for the month of April, trying to order spikes and singlets, and thinking what in the world am I doing?! Every year, Schlumberger competes against the top oil companies in Houston in a throw-down style track meet in early June. Success in this local meet can mean advancing to regionals and even nationals in the corporate track circuit. Unfortunately, the Schlumberger running list serve hasn’t been too organized in the past. And we have some serious competition. Think Edina in Mighty Ducks, or the rich boys in The Karate Kid. Instead we’re talking about the Exxon Mobil Tigers with matching uniforms and having won the past gazillion local meets, they are the enemy. And that is where I come in. Continue reading “And So It Begins…” » Technorati Tags: coaching, coaching tips, corporate running, running, running tips, running workout, team, track, track team
The Hoka Stinson Evo: A Trail Runner that Lives Up to Its Name Posted by Ashley on April 3, 2013 No Responses » Apr 032013 When I discovered I would be testing a pair of Hokas, I first wanted to figure out what “Hoka” actually meant. This is what I found: “hoka” (in Japanese) = the other “hoka” (in Hawaiian) = baffling “hoka” (in Swahili) = mania “hoka” (in Maori) = to fly (the actual meaning behind the shoes) You could say I was ready for anything after reading that. And true to words, the Hoka Stinsons I received were out of the ordinary. Continue reading “The Hoka Stinson Evo: A Trail Runner that Lives Up to Its Name” » Technorati Tags: Hoka, Hoka One One, Hoka Stinson Evo, maximalist, running, running shoes, shoes, trail running
Merrell M-Connect Series Review Posted by Steve on April 1, 2013 No Responses » Apr 012013 When Merrell first asked us to review the M-Connect Series running shoes and apparel, we were thrilled because our previous experiences with Merrell have always been very positive. The Merrell M-Connect Series is the company’s rebranding effort and update to their barefoot line. As you might recall in my Flux Glove review post, I mentioned how confusing their naming scheme is, but it seems that this has been addressed with the release of this new line. As Merrell so elegantly puts it on their site, the M-Connect Series is: “The connection, speed, and glove like fit of Merrell Barefoot now with added cushioning for your hiking, training, and running adventures. Connect to Your World” I think this slogan sums it up best, because the shoes included in this series are designed to allow you to truly connect you to the outdoors. Whether it be cross-training, running, trail-running, or hiking, the M-Connect Series is with you wherever you go. As hinted in the quote above, the M-Connect Series also gives you many options when it comes to the level of cushioning you desire. From the barely-there, sock-like feel of the Vapor Glove to the more heavily-padded transitional, or some might even say more traditional, Mix Master, this line can pretty much cover all of your minimalist needs and also includes some pretty awesome clothing. Read on to get the details! Continue reading “Merrell M-Connect Series Review” » Technorati Tags: Bare Access, barefoot shoes, cross training, Flux Glove, hiking, lithe glove, m-connect, merrel, Merrell Barefoot, merrell m-connect, minimalist shoe review, minimalist shoes, MixMaster, proterra, Road Glove, Road Glove 2, running, running shoes, shoe review, Trail Glove, Trail Glove 2, vapor glove
