Racing Heart

So one of my essentials of running is my watch. I currently am using the Garmin Forerunner 220. I love it. Previously, I was using the Forerunner 10, but a few things went wrong, so I upgraded. Here is what I can tell you about the Forerunner 220. My Forerunner 220 Accuracy. So far, I have found this watch to be extremely accurate. Yeah, you may run into an area where the satellites can't reach you as well, say under trees or under bridges, etc., but from what I have found, it is fairly spot on.  Satellite connection. One thing with this watch, I have found that it is quick to catch a signal. I had some issues with this in my Forerunner 10, however the one nice thing that this watch does is when it is unlocked, it has a signal bar at the top of the display. This shows how connected you are, and as soon as you unlock it, it searches. This differs from the 10 and the 15 where you have to enter the run mode to start searching.  Battery life. 6 weeks in watch mode, 1...

This post is for everyone who plans on coming into a running specialty store to get their new shoes, just some helpful advice to get you started. Bring your old shoes in! A shoe can tell a whole lot about how you run. I am not kidding. To a sales associate who has been trained in the art of selling shoes, we can tell if you need more stability, less stability, if you are a forefoot runner, if you are a heel striker, and many other things. Bring them in, let us look at them, and it will help a ton. There was a customer that I worked with once who brought in her last 3 or 4 pairs of shoes. You wouldn't believe how well this helped me. I was able to see what she liked in the past and how her gait had changed, which all this information led me to grabbing her next pair.  Know your shoe's name! I cannot stress this enough. Now when I say name, I do not only mean brand, I also mean model. Coming into a store and responding to the question, "what shoe were you in previ...

With all my posts about running shoes and clothes, I realized that I have never mentioned where you could find these items. Check your local running store! Many people will tell you: "local running shops have higher prices than the big box stores, why waste your time?" or "People at the big box stores know just as much as the other people, why go there?" Well I am here to tell you otherwise. Here are my 10 reasons you need to shop at your local running shops. The prices are no different than at the big-box sports store. Shops have to set their products at a price set by the company. Many times as well, the stores will price match. Here's the thing though. Many times, you may find a shoe that you are interested in, (lets say the Nike Pegasus), and you go to your local shop and their Nike Pegasus 31s are priced at $100, and when you check the big-box retailer, they have a Nike Pegasus for only $70! What? How can this be!? Check the model number. Just becau...

I have been writing this blog for a few months now, and I am slowly learning more and more how to make this blog look as nice as it possibly can, as you can see now, on the top of the page, I have separate pages for races, shoes, and whatever else I can imagine posting! So go ahead. Click them. See where it takes you. See what you learn, and sign up for new races! I love sharing what I have done and what I have learned, and would love to hear from you! Feel free to comment on my posts, share your thoughts, vote in my poll to the left, or shoot me an email! Tell me what races you've recently done, what ones you think I should try out, what you like about my blog, or maybe what you don't like! Also, if you would like a few more updates on my blog, follow me on twitter, @theracingcritic. Well good luck in all your races and all your running endeavors! Run happy my friends! 

Race date: January 18th, 2015 Race location: Dubuque, Iowa Race length: 13.1 miles Website: http://tripledrace.blogspot.com/?m=1 So let's start with a little background of the Triple D. The Triple D race series is a collection of races including: a half-marathon, a full marathon, an ultramarathon, a 50k and 100k bike race, and usually a 50k and 100k ski race (I say usually because this year, the weather melted all of the snow, so no skiers). I ran the half marathon, and let me say, this race is such a nice break from the normal, street-ran half marathons I typically run. The Triple D race is ran on the Heritage Trail, a limestone trail that runs from Dyersville, Iowa to Dubuque, Iowa. Now if any of you know or have been to Dubuque, you might think that I am absolutely insane for running there, but the trail we ran on is flat with some rolling hills. The course actually had a net downhill which was nice.  Race day, we parked our cars at a local hotel and were shut...

****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.*** Mizuno Wave Inspire: Category: Stability Fit: Snug in the heel and midfoot and more open in forefoot. Has the feeling of a sock in the midfoot. Cushioning: Softer in the forefoot than previous models, firm in the heel though. Heel to toe drop: 12 mm Weight: 8.6 oz Price: $120 Comparable shoes: Asics 2000 3, Saucony Guide, Brooks Ravenna Company says: Hado, the intrinsic, vibrational life-force that exists in all living matter, comes to life in the Wave Inspire 11, where this powerful, transformative force maps, secures, and surrounds the midfoot. I say: I've only ran in Mizuno shoes once, and that was 4 years ago in the Wave Rider. The one thing I loved about tho...

****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.*** Saucony Hurricane ISO: Category: Stability, High Cushioning Fit: Like the Saucony Triumph, the Hurricane received the ISO update and I have to say, its great. Not too tight, not too lose. Just right. Cushioning: Plush, but not too soft. More on the firmer side, but soft at the same time. You'll have to try it on yourself to feel how it really feels. Heel to toe drop: 8 mm Weight: 9.4 oz Price: $150 Comparable shoes: Asics Kayano, Brooks Transcend Company says: Batten down the hatches and prepare to experience the most cushioned, plush edition of the Hurricane yet! ISOFIT provides stabilizing support while adapting to the movement of the runner's foot, and the enh...

Now that the arctic cold has finally hit us here in the states, some of us runners are left in the confusion. Do you attempt to run outside, run on the treadmill (which I know that no one is a fan of), or does your running slow down, nearly to a halt during the cold weather months? I am one of those people who braves the negative temperatures and takes the plunge headfirst into winter. I must be nuts! Surely everyone thinks that. When I do run outside, I make sure to wear the correct layers. Here are some of what I would consider essentials. Tops: A comfy sports bra. Ladies, its cold outside, and I don't know if this is the same for most women, but my chest tends to ache a little more when it gets colder. A good, supportive, and comfortable sports bra is key, especially when the temperature drops. I am going to sound like a sales man right now, but the thing besides shoes that needs more updating than you are currently doing is your sports bra. Put it this way, you s...