Salomon Ultra Running Academy 2017 Moab: Summary, Pictures, Videos of Nutrition and Hydration & Uphill Technique- Max King and Anna Frost, Running with Poles-Greg Vollet

View of the Colorado from the hill behind Red Cliffs Lodge -Salomon Ultra Trail Running Academy 2017

I was super fortunate to report from Salomon's 2017 Ultra Running Academy in Moab, Utah last week. 16 athletes from the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia were selected out of 1500 applicants for a training camp with many miles of spectacular running, technique clinics on the trails,  video and photography class, and classroom seminars.
Salomon also announced a comprehensive effort to keep trail running a clean sport introducing a comprehensive and transparent athlete testing and health monitoring program in collaboration with Athletes for Transparency.
Sixteen top Salomon athletes will be tested up to 10 times per year in 2017. In 2018, all top ranked athletes, from all brands, will be required to submit to testing before 5 major trail races Salomon is sponsoring to race. Athletes with the sometimes abused Therapeutic Use Exceptions (TUE) will be considered "to sick to race" with particular focus on TUE's for corticosteroids, asthma medications which can provide performance advantages if mis used. Also see my article for Competitor Magazine here
At the conclusion of the Academy the runners participated in the Behind the Rocks 50 miler in Moab. I was invited to participate in everything, as best I could, with these speedsters... What a treat!
The Academy was headquartered  at the Red Cliffs Lodge about 15 miles down the Colorado River from Moab. The running was directly across from the Lodge, at Fisher Towers and in the Castle Peak area a few miles away.

Castle Peak -Salomon Ultra Trail Running Academy 2017

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra Review - S-Lab Race Performance Now Comes With Ample Cushion

by Jeff Valliere

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra
9.7 oz./275g US Men's Size 9
26mm heel/18mm forefoot, 8mm drop
$180. Available now

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 

I started off with very high expectations for the new S-Lab Sense Ultra, as I have really enjoyed the S-Lab shoes I have worn in the past, featuring the most precise, comfortable, locked in high performance uppers on the market, combined with a reasonable weight and great traction.  Not to mention, they just have a fast and race ready look to them, like a high end supercar.  I owned the S-Lab Sense Ultra SG 4 and the S-Lab Wings SG most recently, but have to admit that on rocky runs, runs with a lot of hardpack, long, fast downhills, etc..., they kind of beat me up.  Protection is good, but cushioning is somewhat minimal in the Ultra SG and very firm in the Wings.  Neither are all that plush or forgiving.

Enter the S-Lab Sense Ultra, which maintains all of the awesomeness previously listed, but with just the right amount of soft cushioning to really smooth out the ride and essentially eliminate the harsh feel I noticed in previous models, but did it meet my expectations?

Saucony Ride 10 Review: What a Daily Trainer Should Be! Comparisons to Ride 9

Saucony will release the Ride 10 on May 1st. The Ride 10 is a fantastic update to an already fine, lively daily trainer. The Ride 9 was my 2016 daily trainer of the year. (review here). 

Saucony Ride 10  www.roadtrailrun.com

The 10th edition's changes make the "ride"

• softer and more flexible 
• a touch less snappy and responsive 
• more smoothly cushioned and comfortable underfoot
• with a more comfortable, well held and slightly more relaxed engineered mesh upper

Ride 10 features a new and conservatively energetic (i.e. not a bouncy soft such as Boost or Saucony's own Everun) "new" midsole material, PowerFoam. PowerFoam was previously used in other Saucony shoes such as the Triumph ISO 1, Zealot ISO 1, and Hurricane ISO 1with a grid pattern to dissipate shock just under the sock liner.
The result, likely mostly attributable to the new midsole, is a slightly heavier shoe coming in at 9.5 oz/269 grams vs. 9.2/ for the Ride 9. Catalog weights may not include the sock liner. My size 9 early sample weighs 10 oz with sock liner. The Ride 10 has a 27mm heel/19mm forefoot with an 8mm drop.

Running/Trekking Poles Review - Leki Micro Trail and Komperdell Carbon Ultralite Vario 4 Compact

by Jeff Valliere

RoadTrailRun was offered the opportunity to review poles from two different companies, Komperdell and  Leki.  We could have done an apples to apples comparison of their most similar poles, but we ultimately decided that it would be more interesting to review different poles, with some overlap, but designed for slightly different usage.  Why poles for running?  I have often wondered the same thing, as I had never used them for anything outside of skiing or snowshoe hiking.

It is claimed that, when used properly, poles can aid in efficiency, relieve stress on your core and provide balance and stability.

Do they really make a difference?  With huge advancements in carbon fiber engineering and overall design, poles have become incredibly lightweight, fold quite compact and are easily accommodated on the majority of running vests/packs.  Wildly popular in Europe, they have been slow to catch on here in the US.  I am not entirely sure why, but if I had to guess, would say that it may have to do with tradition, combined with our more manicured, lesser gradient trails, vs. the steep, no nonsense, (what the heck is a switchback?) trails more often found in Europe.

I find myself a bit torn on the benefits of poles, at least preferential as to when and where it works best for me to use them.  On steeper, loose terrain, scree, snow, sidehilling, snowshoeing or any scenarios where an extra point of contact might be needed, I find poles to be helpful.  With a little practice, I find poles to aid in efficiency ascending steep terrain, where I may otherwise be leaned over with my hands on my knees.  My back is a little more relaxed and less strained which is a clear advantage on long climbs and certainly on long days with lots of climbing.

For actual running at faster paces however, I found myself carrying them almost always, or stowing them on my pack.  I also found that using/carrying poles interferes with simple tasks much more than I realized.  Of course eating and drinking come to mind, but then all the little things, messing with the watch, adjusting clothing, snot rockets, cleaning glasses, taking a picture on the move, etc..., the poles were a factor.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and I find having a high quality set of poles in the arsenal to be an asset depending on the day.

KOMPERDELL CARBON ULTRALITE VARIO 4 COMPACT

Packed Size: 41cm (46cm for non "compact" version)

Adjustable from 105-125cm (120-145cm for non "compact" version)

14 1/4 oz./404 grams per pair (measured on my own scale)

$239.95

Komperdell is an Austrian company focused on poles for all mountain activities as well protective gear for skiing, mountain biking, equestrian, and motorcycling. 

I selected the Carbon Ultralite Vario 4 Compact specifically to use as an all season pole, with the larger ice flex basket making it suitable for snowshoeing or backcountry skiing, yet is light enough and folds compact for multi season running.  Though initially I was somewhat indifferent on the ability to adjust the length of a pole, I found this to be a key feature.  Being able to quickly and easily vary the length made for more efficient and effective use of poles.  Personally, when encountering a steep and sustained climb, I found it most beneficial to drop the length of the pole from my normally preferred 120cm down to 115cm, where I could really take advantage of the added propulsion of using my arms.  I am also amazed at how much it relieved my core and especially my lower back.

On steep, loose, tricky downhills, I choose to lengthen the poles to 125cm and keep them out in front of me for added balance and stability.  I felt a little more confident leaning slightly more forward where I could maintain my center of balance and reduce the chances of my feet slipping out.

Varying the length on sustained and loose sidehills is quite handy as well, lengthening the downhill pole and shortening the uphill pole.  With the Ultralite Vario 4 Compact, it is super quick and easy to adjust while on the move.

The Carbon Ultralite Vario 4 Compact is, although quite thin and light, extremely sturdy and well constructed, utilizing carbon fiber and aluminum for the main shaft.

Saucony Kinvara 8 Review: Trying to Get Back to the Original K Shoe

Article by Peter Stuart and Sam Winebaum

Saucony Kinvara 8 www.roadtrailrun.com

Sam's pair of Kinvara 8, size 9 men's weighs 7.8 oz/221 g, exactly the same as the listed weight of the Kinvara 7 and 0.3 oz more than the weight listed at Running Warehouse here. Stack is 23mm heel/19 mm toe, 4mm drop so about the same as its predecessor. Retail is $110. 

The K Shoe Story

Peter: The Saucony Kinvara series, as many reading this know, has been an incredibly important shoe in helping usher “minimalism” into the mainstream of running shoes. When they were first introduced a few years ago (or 7 versions ago) they were a revelation. They were the first shoe, for me anyway, that had a seemingly unbelievable weight to cushioning ratio. They were light, more minimal than standard trainers and had a great deal of cushion. Since then we have seen lots of different shoes come into the same space: NB Zante, Hoka Clifton, Nike LunarTempo, Skechers GORun to name a few. So how does the Kinvara 8 do in the wake of this legacy? Well, read on to see. To cut to the chase though, the Saucony Freedom seems much more like what the natural evolution of the Kinvara should have been than the Kinvara 8 does. 

Sam: The Kinvara now in its 8th edition was the original low drop, light shoe from a major run company. Early versions were quite unstructured soft and agile. With the Kinvara 7,  the K shoe got a snug almost race fit, firmer midsole, and stiffer yet responsive ride. The Kinvara 8 attempts to dial back to earlier Kinvara with more upper comfort and a softer ride. Does it succeed? Read on. 

Key changes from Kinvara 7 to Kinvara 8:

• a new upper design with removal of the annoying tongue Pro Lock tongue bridge, a more relaxed mid foot saddle with a more free floating design and fewer overlays in the toe box
• substitution of the Everun heel insert for a full length Everun top sole
• a softer SSL midsole foam than the Kinvara 7
• somewhat more flexibility 

Initial Impressions
Sam: The result of the changes is a more comfortable fit, more agile forefoot, and a heel area which is softer and less responsive, has less rebound, so a shoe for me that rides more like the earlier Kinvara but with a more supportive upper.
While initially I thought the upgrade was good (see initial impressions review here), after more miles at various speeds I am concluding the mid sole foam is to soft for my preferences particularly in the heel where it seems to bottom out and then meet the firm outsole. This leads to less rebound and a more delayed rebound forward than I would like as a heel striker. This sensation could also be influenced by the vertical side walls of the medial side which might tend to keep my foot from pronating enough in the soft heel to rotate fast enough to what is actually a good final toe off much improved over the Kinvara 7 in its agility.

Nike Zoom Vapor Fly. Will it be the Breaking 2 Shoe? Initial Thoughts.

Update: See our full review of the Zoom Fly here
Update: See our detailed first impressions review of  the Vapor Fly 4% here

We are going to hear more about Nike #Breaking2 project and shoe named Zoom Vapor Fly today. The project will see some kind of half marathon time trial today on the Monaco Grand Prix race course, Cool!
Here is what I have been able to glean from Sweat Science over at Runner's World who are in on the action.

The big reveal: Nike's #Breaking2 shoe: foam with 85% energy return, carbon fibre plate for stiffening. pic.twitter.com/JAkb28TomW

— Alex Hutchinson (@sweatscience) March 7, 2017

The Breaking 2  Zoom VaporFly race shoe, a version worn at the Olympics by Rupp, Cragg, and Flanagain, comes in at 185 gram/6.5 oz. It has a 20mm forefoot/31 mm heel so as with other top race shoe high drop may be an advantage. I certainly appreciate drop when I am tired late in a race, slow old me.

Photo Courtesy Nike via Competitor Magazine

Zoom Vapor Fly has a new high rebound foam claiming to return 85% of energy, I am assuming in combination with the wave like full length carbon plate. I assume the shoe will be stiff. I say not to worry as readers may remember how "perplexingly efficient" I thought the super stiff Nike All Out Flyknit with its almost violent spring action was. My All Out Flyknit review here

The plate dips down towards sole at the front at the ball of the foot then rises, shades of a track spike for push off? but also unlike a track spike puts cushion under the ball of the foot. Looking closely at the picture above from Sport Science I see what looks like a stabilizing element for soft light foam towards the heel. I am assuming on the medial side as in the adidas adios Boost, Boston, and Energy.

One other nugget I picked up is that a short length light compression tight is supposed to be helpful. I tend to agree as long as the compression is light such as in the adidas Response short tight I have used and imagine Nike has equivalent ones.

Here is Competitor Magazine's article on the Zoom FlyVapor models with pictures

Here is Runner's World's excellent about what will be three Zoom VaporFly models with video

Click Here for Latest Running Shoe and Gear Reviews, over 65 in 2016, 20 in 2017 so far!

Click Here for  2017 Run Shoe Previews, 14 brands so far!

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1st Race of 2017 Gear Test-Mini Reviews Julbo Aerolite Zebra Light, Garmin Fenix 5X, Naked Running Band, S/Lab Sonic 2, adidas Terrex Agravic Alpha Hoodie, Compressport, OnRunning Pants

This past Sunday I ran my first race of 2017, the Half at the Hamptons on the New Hampshire Seacoast. With very bright clear skies,  temperatures of about 15 F/-9 C at the start( but it did warm up) and a very stiff breeze taking the "Feel" down to -18F  it was a perfect opportunity to put winter 2017 gear to the test.

My race performance was so so in the tough conditions a 1:43.28 but I was totally comfortable all the way even when the expected tailwind for the last 4 miles on the way back along the coast "miraculously" shifted to a headwind!
I can't wait to age up into a new decade age category next month. While I was 15 in my AG for the official 50-59 I would have finished 2nd in 55-59 and 3d in 60-69!To many "young" 50 year olds to duke it out with!

I "geared up" with

• Salomon S/Lab Sonic 2 race shoes (RTR article here)
• Julbo Aerolight Zebra Light sunglasses
• adidas Terrex Agravic Alpha hoodie jacket (review here)
• Compressport 3D Thermal thin base layer (RTR article here), gloves, and US compression sleeves
• On Running Pants (RTR article here)
• Naked Running Band
• Garmin Fenix 5X

Everything worked to perfection except speed in the legs, my Whoop band (article here) warning me that morning that my recovery status was on the low side and it showed at race time.

UltrAspire Alpha 3.0 Hydration Vest Review

Article by Dom Layfield

Ultra Aspire Alpha 3.0 vest, shown UltraFlask bottles (included) and UA hydration reservoir (not included).

First thoughts

I must start by saying that I’m probably not the best person to review this pack.  I like to wear a hydration pack when I race, but I don’t like bottles, and the Ultraspire Alpha 3.0 hydration vest is mostly targeted at runners who use water bottles.

Two 550 ml “ultraflask” water bottles are supplied with the Alpha 3.0 vest.  These are semi-rigid. Not collapsible like a soft-flask, but certainly more squishy than most rigid bottles, and have a crescent-shaped cross-section.

The pack is generally well thought out, and represents an evolution of an already successful design.  Following the industry trend, there are no rigid parts to the vest.  Everything is soft, breathable, and lightweight.

New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v2 - Stable, Well Cushioned Daily Trail Trainer

by Jeff Valliere
New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v2
10.6 oz. US men's size 9/8.5 oz. women's size 8
26 mm heel/22 mm forefoot
$124.99 - Available now

The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v2 has shed .6 ounces, while adding 3 more mm of cushioning over the v1, making it New Balance's most substantial trail running shoe.  The Hierro v2 feels light, reasonably responsive and is extremely well cushioned without feeling soft or sluggish.

Ultimate Direction AK Mountain Vest 3.0 Review - One Vest for Any Run with Amazing Gear Accessibility

by Jeff Valliere

Ultimate Direction AK Mountain Vest 3.0.
Color: Graphite or Canyon
Sizes: SM/MD/LG
$154.95

Canyon colorway (photo from UD website)

Specs:

• Volume Capacity: 702 in³ / 11.5L
• Weight: 11.55 oz. (14 oz. with bottles) / 330 g (400 g with bottles)
• Height: 15.7 in. / 40 cm
• Width: 11.4 in. / 29 cm
• Depth: 7.5 in. / 19 cm

The Ultimate Direction AK (Anton Krupicka) Mountain Vest 3.0 is a versatile, top quality, mid-high capacity running/hydration vest that is equally at home on an hour run, as it is on all day mountain adventures.  The AK 3.0 has significantly increased in capacity and function over the first two versions, aligning with Anton's shift to more gear intensive, unsupported full day outings.  With a capacity of 11.5 liters, spread throughout a whopping 14 pockets, this pack gobbles up gear in a very well thought out and organized fashion.  I appreciate that 10 of those pockets are within easy reach, either on the front straps or waist belt, which allows easy access to a multitude of necessities while on the move.

Review Salomon S/Lab Sonic 2-Highly Responsive Long Racer with Vibration Attenuation.

Salomon recently introduced 3 road running shoes Sonic trainer (review here), Sonic Pro 2 performance trainer (review coming soon)  and S/Lab Sonic 2 long haul road racer.

Top to Bottom: Salomon S/Lab Sonic 2, Sonic Pro 2, Sonic 

IceBug Anima5 Review - Secure, Studded Grip for Ice and Varied Running Conditions

by Jeff Valliere
IceBug Anima5
9.9 oz./280 grams US men's size 9
28mm heel/20mm forefoot
19 carbide studs
$184.95
Available in both men's and women's models

IceBug Anima5 

Icebug is a Swedish brand, specializing in winter traction and is best known for their models with Bugrip, which features carbide studs embedded in the lugs to provide secure traction on icy surfaces.  I have been running in IceBugs for 5 or 6 years and they have become one of my most reliable, go to winter shoes.  When offered to review the newer IceBug Anima5 Bugrip, I was more than eager to put them to the test.The Anima5 weighs in at 11 5/8 ounces for my US men's size 10, which is quite a reasonable weight for a water resistant, well protected, studded winter shoe.  It feels even lighter than that both in the hand and on the foot.

In Depth Altra Running Escalante Review:Fire!

Article by Peter Stuart and Patrick Caron with Sam Winebaum


Altra Running Escalante

Altra Running Escalante

Editor's Note: We are thrilled to offer this joint, in depth review of the Altra Running Escalante road running shoe. 
Patrick Caron is a 19 year old Boston area Altra Ambassador who set the New England ultra scene on fire in 2016 with 14:51 100 mile and 6:14 50 mile victories among several others. No slouch on the road he was the top 20 and under finisher at the 2016 Boston Marathon, 2:46. He averages over 100 miles per week of road and trail running, mostly in the Altra One. Patrick works in a running speciality store so he sees and fits lots of shoes.
Peter Stuart is a frequent contributor to Road Trail Run focusing on performance trainers and racing shoes. He is a masters runner on the "late side" of the 40-49 age group. One of the strongest masters in the Los Angeles area he has a recent sub 3 hour marathon and a 1:21 half marathon.

Altra Running joins three emerging running shoe trends big time with the Escalante:

• knitted or highly engineered mesh uppers
• a lifestyle look in a light performance trainer
• most especially, innovative midsole materials with bounce and claimed energy return

The Escalante has a catalog weight of 8.2 oz/232 g men's size 9, 6.5 oz/182 g women's 8. Sam's size 9 beats the catalog weighing in at 8 oz.
The stack height is 25mm heel/25mm forefoot so the same stack height as the Instinct/Intuition. All Altras are Zero Drop from heel to toe. 
The Foot Shaped toe box is of course on board with the last following that of the Torin 2.5 and Superior trail shoe. It is intended to fit in the Altra line between the Instinct and Torin.

Salming EnRoute Review and Comparisons: Comfortable, Light Trainer with a Soft Heel and Agile Forefoot

The EnRoute represents a new direction for Swedish brand Salming. Retaining the trademark Exo Skeleton upper, mid foot Torsion unit and great ballet line flex geometry the EnRoute takes the brand in a new direction with:

• a new softer foam midsole, Recoil
• more flexibility than previous Salming running shoes
• a more relaxed fit and roomier toe box and a less structured upper than the Distance D4  

The result is a comfortable lighter daily trainer with a wonderful soft and agile forefoot held back somewhat by heel softness.

Salming EnRoute www.roadtrailrun.com

Dion 121 Race Snowshoes Review - The Ultimate in Quality, Speed and Versatility

by Jeff Valliere

Dion Model 121 Frame with Quick Fit Binding and Ice Cleats

$255 as tested ($130 frame, $70 binding, $55 cleats)

Dion Snowshoes, founded by Bob Dion and his wife Denise (both multiple time national championship medal winners), is a family owned and operated business out of North Bennington, Vermont, specializing in designing, building and selling some of the best running snowshoes on the market.  All parts/materials are made in the USA and Bob personally has his hands on each and every snowshoe that goes out the door, ensuring top notch quality control.

Dion snowshoes set themselves apart in that they are a modular design, meaning you can choose 4 different frames, ranging from the smallest race snowshoe, the 121 (the number represents surface area in square inches), all the way up to the 220 backcountry snowshoe for maximum flotation.  The 121 features a hand crafted, aircraft grade aluminum frame with sleeve joined tubing for added strength, neoprene springs on hinge for constant tension and improved articulation and lightweight, abrasion resistant decking.