Last week’s training went moderately well. I’m slowly trying to get back into shorter distance shape. While the exact same time of 5ks might not seem like I’m making any progress, I know this weeks 5k was significantly harder than the previous week.
New Balance has done a lot of great things with their shoes in 2019. From the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel to the New Balance 880, I’ve been a fan of pretty much everything they’re put out. I’ve run off and on in the New Balance 1080 for a few years. TheNew Balance 1080 v10 is very different than previous versions but in a good way. When someone asks: did my shoe change much, the answer is usually no. When someone asks did the New Balance 1080 change much, the answer is yes, it did by a lot.
Every aspect of the newest 1080 had to be better than it was before.
Weight: 8.9
Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm
The upper of the New Balance 1080 v10 is entirely different from previous versions. It’s still an engineered knit upper, but now with it’s been designed with a custom computer modeling technique called “reaction-diffusion.” What does that mean? The upper creates different stretches within the same fabric.
New Balance calls this new fabric, “Hypoknit.” The Hypoknit is designed to support all the way around the shoe as well as be flexible for a more customizable fit. Before Hypoknit, if you wanted a stretchy material as well as breathable, you would have to use completely different fabrics. Now it can all be done together on one machine.
All of this to say, the upper is now one material.
One issue with the New Balance 1080 was the heel counter. Some felt as though the heel counter was too thin and sharp. The 3d heel counter of the New Balance 1080 v10 has been redesigned and is slimmer and less rigid. It also flairs up, so it doesn’t bother the Achilles.
I’ve worn anywhere between a 10-11 wide in the New Balance 1080 and I found the 10.5 to fit well. I appreciate the wide toe box, New Balance is well known for.
Like the previous version of the New Balance 1080, the New Balance 1080 v10 uses a full-length fresh foam. New Balance Fresh Foam is known for its softness like a sponge. For the 10th version, New Balance has created “Fresh Foam X.” Fresh Foam X is a new cushion that has more cushioning and energy return. Compared to previous versions of New Balance 1080, the Balance 1080 v10 is much softer mile after mile.
If you flip over the New Balance 1080 v10, you’ll also notice the change to the bottom of the shoe. Now, it features blown rubber outsole lug segments. These blown outsole lug segments help provide the New Balance 1080 v10, traction as well as easier flex.
I think the New Balance 1080 v10 is one of the best-updated shoes of 2019. It’s lighter, more cushioned, and more responsive. It will remain a daily trainer for me and I’m fairly certain this will be a shoe I go through more than one of the New Balance 1080 v10.
Easy/Daily Runs: New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Elite TRX, Hoka Bondi 6, Saucony Triumph 17 Shoe Review
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Hoka Rincon, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2
Long Runs: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Mizuno R2, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Reebok Run fast Pro
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Medford Lakes Colony Turkey Trot 20:33 Continue reading
Coros Pod Review
Recently, I got to try the Coros Pod. After running New York and taking time off, I didn’t explore all of the features the Coros Pod has. It didn’t make sense to review the Coros Pod before diving in and trying out various features.
I learned more about my running with the Coros Pod in a few weeks than the last several years combined.
The Coros Pod provides advanced metrics, including power and form data. This data can help turn you into a smarter and more efficient runner.
The Coros Pod uses a ratio of speed to power-to-weight measures how much energy is involved in propelling your body forward. For those who don’t know (I didn’t before using the Coros Pod), when your speed increases and power decreases, you improve your efficiency. By becoming more efficient, running becomes easier. Is it ever “easy”? No, but it does become easier.
Most watches these days will calculate your cadence and stride length, including the watch I already use: The Coros Apex. However, no watch is perfect, not even Coros.
So why use the Coros Pod if your GPS Watch already calculates that? The Coros Pod also calculates Stride Height, Ground Contact Time and Left/Right Balance.
I also learned, when running and by staying closer to the ground, and having a faster cadence running becomes “easier.” I think the left/right balance is one of my favorite features of the Coros Pod.
Using the information from the left/right balance, I learned what I need to work on to run healthier. I never realized my left side was stronger. However, it does make sense since my right side has had more of the injuries lately. While .4 doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s a fairly substantial amount.
The Coros takes into account weight, speed and several other inputs to calculate your Running Power. Not only will the Coros Pod calculate your power horizontally, but it will also do so laterally, vertically.
No, but as someone who uses the Coros Apex, I do recommend any of the Coros GPS watches from the Coros Apex Pro to the coros vertix. If you already use a Coros GPS watch, existing Coros users just put the watch in run mode and go.
In fact, you can use the Coros Pod alone if you prefer. To pair the Coros Pod, you just download the Coros App and start running. Running with just the pod will tell you all of the information like heart rate, stride cadence, and running efficiency without feeling tied to a watch. For some people who prefer to run naked and not know the pace, they can tell their information without a watch. I do appreciate that I can know the information without ever using a watch. When you’re done with your run, the Coros pod will sync with the app and track your run.
You can also sync the Coros Pod with third party social media sites like Straa and Training Peaks.
No. I’ve run just over 100 miles with the Coros Pod and it’s neer inhibited my run. I even raced with it once and it didn’t fall off or bop around. I highly recommend it for someone who wants the features of a GPS watch but doesn’t necessarily want a watch on their wrist.
If you’re interested in the Coros Pod, it’s available here.
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
Do you have a stronger side?
What is your favorite piece o running technology?
November brought a whole bunch of a lot of things. I ran my fourth marathon, took some time off, and now am getting back into running again. I didn’t really have a “goal” for November but to run the marathon, take time off, and then get back into running.
Miles Run: 150ish
Range of Paces: 6:34-11:15-untimed
Rest Days: 12
Races:
TCS New York City Marathon (3:27.19)
Cpl. Marc T. Ryan Memorial 5k (21:38)
Medford Lakes Turkey Trot 5k (20:33)
In all, it was a good month of training. I met my goal of starting and finishing the marathon healthy. After pulling out of the Big Cottonwood Marathon because I pulled my hamstring, I was happy to start and finish New York healthy.
Now that the marathon is done, it feels like forever ago. I can’t believe it was only a month ago. My goal for December is to build mileage and to ease back into running. I want to start running and training for shorter races consistently. Although I said that last year, I’m hoping to get back into a shorter distance shape. I wrote a post about marathoning and why it’s not my favorite or for me. My 5k PR is about five years old now.
During December, I’ll focus on building a base. I had a decent base for the marathon, but I would prefer to be comfortably running between 50-60 miles. Then go from there in January (which…who knows what the weather will be like in January, I’m sure NJ will get some snow days).
Posts from the Month:
Hiking:
Chimney Rocks Trail via Hermitage and Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Hiking the Pulpit Rock-Pinnacle Loop (Appalachian Trail)
Product Reviews:
Sport Suds Laundry Detergent Review
What Makes Maurten Energy Gel and Drink Mixes Different?
Shoe Reviews:
Saucony Triumph 17 Shoe Review
Diadora Mythos Elite TRX Shoe Review
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
How was your training in November?
Do you have any plans for December?