Any runner or cyclist worth their salt spends at least a few minutes making sure they have all of their gear ready for a run or a ride. That includes not only clothing and shoes, but also other equipment, like a Garmin, race belt or helmet. I have actually gotten to the point where I put together a pre-race/ride checklist to make sure that I don't walk off without some essential piece of gear.
One piece of gear that is on both lists is my Road ID bracelet. As you can see from the picture above, it is a velcro band that includes the pertinent identification and contact info for the wearer, including name, phone numbers and, in my case, blood type. I have been very lucky in my runs and rides never to be seriously injured or hit by a vehicle, although I have had some close scrapes. In the unfortunate event that I was unable to communicate, my Road ID would allow first responders to identify me and contact my wife.
I know that some runners and cyclists carry their driver's license, which is fine, but who wants to lose that? The Road ID is, in my opinion, worth the very modest investment and may well save your life. As I see it, this unobtrusive little bracelet is a pretty valuable piece of safety equipment!
Most of my posts on this blog are focused on my running, hence the name "On the Run in Virginia." That being said, I am a cyclist in addition to my running and have found that they are a nice compliment to one another. Like running, I am relatively new to cycling, but have found it to be another great community.
Until this past Saturday, my longest ride was at the 2012 MS 150 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where our team did 75 miles on consecutive days to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. On Saturday, I participated in my first century ride (100 miles) as part of the Cap2Cap Ride sponsored by the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. Although the weather forecasts were a bit troubling, we only got rained on briefly and then the sun came out for the rest of the ride. If you are a cyclist and have not tried a century, give it a try. It did take some training, although I did not train as much and for as long as I should have and was feeling it by Mile 90.
The ride took us through some beautiful and historic areas of Virginia, including the Charles City County Courthouse, the Richmond Battlefield Park, Rockett's Landing in Richmond and past the James River plantations along Route 5. This was a great ride and kudos to the VCTF for a job well done.
If you have ever spent any time around other runners, you will find that the conversation inevitably turns to shoes. After all, they are a major component of the sport and something we all have in common. I have to preface my remarks by disclosing the fact that I have been actively running only since September, 2011. Consequently, I don't have the long perspective that some running bloggers bring to the table. I do, however, have some strong opinions.
Before I began actively running, I was a walker for many years and had decided that Saucony was the best shoe for me. I am one of those rare supinators, so I have to have a neutral shoe. When I started running, I naturally continued to use Saucony's, which are great shoes, but were not as comfortable for my running. I actually was smart and went to a local running store to get fitted with the right shoe. After trying on several types, I decided that the Brooks Ghost 3 gave me the best fit and feel. The Ghost 3 is still one of my favorites and I think I went through three pairs of them. I was not as fond of the Ghost 4's, but, about that time, Brooks introduced its Brooks Pure Project series. The Pure series was Brooks' foray into a minimalist, lightweight shoe. I tried the Pure Flows and loved them. Wonderfully light, while still well-cushioned. I still use them and recommend them to others.
The latest evolution in my running shoe journey are my Newtons. Like so many other runners, I had never heard about Newton running shoes until I began seeing them at races. Newton Running, a Boulder, Colorado-based company, was doing bright colors before it became trendy. I was intrigued by them and did a bit of research. What I found was that they are designed to emphasize a more natural style of running. The shoes employ a lug on the bottom of the shoe that encourages the runner to shift his or her weight to the forefoot. This change in form is less stressful on the knees, which is especially appealing to those of us in our 50's.
Like so many other runners, I was a heel striker with the excessive heel wear on my shoes to prove it. At first, I was put off by the cost of Newtons. At $175 for a pair of Gravities, they are not cheap. Finally, I decided to take the plunge (with the help of a gift card from a buddy of mine). I am not being gratuitous when I say that my Newtons have transformed my running. Although it took a few weeks to adjust to the new running style, I cannot say enough good things. My Gravities are lightweight and comfortable. My legs are more resilient during runs and I am no longer overstriding. In short, I love them and I think they have made me a better runner. I will continue to use my Pure Flows in my shoe rotation, but from now on, Newtons are my "go to" shoes.
The Monument Avenue 10K (above) was my first race in my Newtons and they performed well. I was not expecting a PR, because of the large number of runners, but managed to get one anyway. Although I am not ready to run a full marathon in them, I would not hesitate to use them for a half. Like many aspects of running, the choice of a good running shoe is a very individual decision. I suspect, however, the next time you see me on a run, I'll be in my Newtons!
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