Five Things Running: Issue #74
More Summer Running for everyone!
Heya, great to have you back for another edition of Five Things Running!
This week I ran in Croatia, Austria and Germany, which marked the end of my runcation. On Monday I did a nice last run along the beach of Kastel Stari, then hopped in the car and basically drove all day. Tuesday started with a nice run through a village near Salzburg with lots of views of the nearby mountains.
And on Wednesday I was back on my usual routes here in Hamburg. School will still be out for a few weeks, which will give me time in the mornings to run. On Saturday I did the first run with the Hamburg Chapter of the Founders Running Club, which was good fun. I got to talk to lots of people from the startup scene in Hamburg and did a nice 5km run in conversational pace, then had a coffee and ran back home.
This Sunday I did my long run in the so called Harburg Mountains, which are really just lots of hills, with the highest “peak” at 120m or so. I ran 31km and managed to get in more than 900m of vertical gain, which shows just how hilly the area is. I ran through lots of moorland area, saw a herd of sheep (so called “Heidschnucken”, a local breed that likes heath) and also some deer.
I again managed to run more than 80km this week, which is something I’m really proud of.
Three packages from New Balance waited for me when I get back home, so I had some new shoes to test as part of my partnership with New Balance. I ran in the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos, which I really enjoyed and which really made me pick up the pace, leading to my fastest round along the Alster. I also ran in the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5, which are even better then the v4. I ran more than 700km in the v4, so I am thrilled that I can now run plenty of kilometers in the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5. I also got a pair of New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 and while this is a solid daily trainer, I probably don’t run fast enough to fully enjoy the FuelCell foam, but I found it too stiff and not bouncy enough for me.
Anyhow, it was a busy week. How was your running?
Oh, one more thing: Fractel just launced their latest collection, just in time for summer! Check it out! This is my favorite cap of this collection. And yes, I always run with a cap, not just today, because I forgot to bring it, which really never happens. Check out the latest collection from Fractel!
It’s the Most Hellish Marathon in Olympic History. So I Had to Run It.
Not all race cources are created equal. This one was really special and very hilly. I think it is a wonderful idea to plan a marathon course that features plenty of historic sites and can create great imagery for TV and Social.
Super Shoes Aren’t Just for Olympians. But Do Casual Runners Really Need Them?
I’m a simple man: if you want a so called super shoe and you can afford it, get a pair and be happy about it. Sure, for back of the pack runners, 4% improvement might not tip the scale in the rankings, but if you are out there to get your personal best, then the shoes can help. If it makes runners happy, that’s great.
The Latest Running World Records Are Unfair
My kids also complain that a lot of things are unfair. I don’t think it is unfair that we have huge improvements in technology, much better understanding of nutrition and physiology, and so on.
The wild world of Olympic nutrition
I guess I have to rethink my attitude towards junk food. I always thought athletes would focus on organic food and stay away from ultraprocessed foods and now I learned that ultraprocessed foods are easier to digest and therefore help you run better.
Across the Lofoten archipelago on a trail running adventure
This trip sounds like a lot of fun. I once got to run in Tromsø in the winter, which was great, so I can only imagine how amazing it must be to run on the Lofoten in the summer.
If you missed last week’s edition, you can read it here:
Now, go running!
— Nico
🏃🏻♂️
