Early Release Shoes For 2011

All of our new shoes as of December are just updates of our best shoes from 2010. The two best sellers are the Asics 2000 series and the Brooks Adrenaline. Both arrived November 1^st and we have just about sold out of our first shipment. That’s a good sign.

The new Asics 2160 continues to build on its great reputation as both stable and well cushioned. We sometimes felt that last years’ 2150 was too corrective for a light stability shoe. The 2160 however strikes a better balance between helping the over-pronator from breaking down their shoes to the inside, while also helping the more neutral runner who likes the 2160 fit and appreciates having some extra support for the end of their long runs when their arches get tired and their ankles roll in.

We really like the feedback we have been getting with the Brooks Adrenaline 11. By replacing the Hydroflow cushion pack in the heel with a new-fangled “DNA” gel material, the Adrenaline now has a much more smooth heel/toe transition. It used to feel stable but “flat”. Now it is stable and soft and smooth. Very nice.

Other new shoes include the Brooks Defyance 4. It is a little lighter and softer but still has a snug heel and roomy toe-box. I think the Defyance will remain our main “orthotic shoe”. It has such a nice wide platform and stable base, but does not have the duel density midsole that can often throw off the correction built into your orthotic.

The new Nike Structure Triax is still a steady performer. Believe it or not it is one of the widest shoes we carry. Forget your old experiences with Nike shoes scrunching your little toe; the Triax is wide, soft, stable and cushioned. Definitely worth a try.

I can’t forget the new Asics Kayano 17. Perhaps the shoe with the most dedicated following among runners. Every year they shave off a little weight and this year is no exception. The funky off-centered lacing from a couple years ago is fudging back to the center of the upper. Really though, the eccentric lacing system never made much a difference in this shoe. The Kayano is and will always be about fit. After years of honing the dimensions, and spec’ing the shoe with the best materials available, the designers of the Kayano have made the closest thing we’ll see to a “does everything” shoe. It is uncompromisingly stable, soft, and with an incredible fit. Of course no shoe is good for everyone but the Kayano comes pretty close.

Full Sleeve vs. No Sleeve Wetsuits

My friends at the Speedy Reedy triathlon store tell me they sell 80% to 90% full sleeve wetsuits to their mostly experienced triathlete customers. Here at Everyday Athlete however, we sell about 80% sleeveless suits. Weird. My best explanation is that we sell mostly to runners converting to triathlon and to mostly beginning triathletes who don’t want to spend $600 after just forking over three house payments for their bicycle.

A full suit is of course a little bit warmer and it gives your body a smoother “keel” so you glide faster and farther with each stroke. In the real world however things are a little messier. A sleeveless suit always offers more free arm movement and for swimmers with big shoulders or big…chests, and this is very important. Beginners can feel overwhelmed by the cold, crowds, waves, and black scary depths of open water swimming and the last thing they need is to feel like they have a monkey on their back squeezing their shoulders. Top-of-the line suits can have more stretchy shoulder panels aiding flexibility, but that comes at a steep, steep cost. The basic Blue Seventy full suit is $300, while the top of the line Helix is twice that much!

Also, most triathlets have a sloppy leading edge (they don’t swim like Michael Phelps) so the smooth arm-pit of a full suit will make little difference. Our experience as shown us that beginning swimmers with inefficient strokes and non-olympic shaped bodies generally like a sleeveless suit over a low-end full suit.

I recommend simply trying out a suit before you buy it. Take it to a pool and swim a few laps in a long sleeve suit and if you feel restricted then try a sleeveless. Don’t get a full suit because it is “supposed” to be faster. Try it out and see for yourself.

Sport Beans by Jelly Belly

By popular demand ... SPORT BEANS!

"It's about time" someone said. Natural ingredients; Carb's, Electrolytes, Vitamins, the whole deal. And they actually taste really good.

The package conveniently reseals if you don't eat 'em all which means less waste.

A box of 24 bags is $25, and individual bags go for just $1.25 each. Come check them out.

Pearl izumi Triathlon Shoes

Everyday Athlete has taken the plunge and is now carrying some bike shoes. We are starting slow with one option from Pearl izumi. Since we already do a lot of triathlon apparel and have started carrying some running shoes from Pearl', we thought they were the natural choice for a simple triathlon bike shoe.

The Tri-Fly III has a simple two strap closure system for simple transitions yet snug adjustable fit. The sole is a stiff nylon/plastic material that is designed to maximize your leg-to-pedal energy transfer.

The Tri-Fly is compatible with all of the popular pedal systems including two-sided mountain bike pedals. For a triathlon novice, this shoe is a great deal at only $125, but has all the features a veteran cyclist needs.

Lance here at the store says that he "has used the Tri-Fly in races from sprints to a full Ironman". Recently he has purchased one of the $250 pair of light weight shoes from Pearl', but the Tri-Fly remains his favorite for day to day riding.

We have lots of sizes for men and women in 1/2 size increments, so stop by sometime and check 'em out.

New Procucts from Clif

Bloks
In their never ending quest to make us all eat like astronauts, Clif has developed a protein powered Whopper. These "Shot Rocks" are kind of like their Shot Blocks chews but with a hard candy cover that keeps it from melting in your pocket or your hand. These Bloks come in three great flavors, Chocolate; Peanut Butter; and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. All good choices. So far the initial response has been great. Each packet of 9 chews has 4.5g fat, 38g carbs, and 20g protein. The formula seems most appropriate for a between workout snack, but when combined with and energy drink, they would make a fine supliment for epic workouts and post workout recovery.

Our favorite between workout snack is still the Clif Mojo Dipped bars. We have a hard time keeping them in stock because our staff keeps buying us out.
We have a good selection of Clif's other great products including Shot Bloks, Luna bars and and three flavors of Mojo Bars. Come on by and try a couple so you can find which flavors sit best with your system.
Train Hard!
Wade--

Aqua Sphere Swim and the Brooks Launch

Swim Accessories from Aqua Sphere
We are excited to have the Aqua Sphere Kaiman goggle back in the store. These very popular and great fitting traditional goggles have a flexible lens that wraps nicely around your noggin for a great seal both indoors and out in the open water. Right now we have clear and blue lenses, but will have more choices as the season progresses. The Kaiman retails for $20.

For those of you who feel a little claustrophobic in regular goggles, or can’t seem to find ones that fit, we also have the Vista swim mask. The Vista comes with a huge silicone seal that rests comfortably on your cheeks and forehead. Easy adjustability, great visibility, and a free bottle of anti-fog drops make this mask a favorite for just $35.

A new addition to our swim selection are the Alpha Fins from Aqua Sphere. These fins are the lightest, most buoyant, and most comfortable training fins you will find anywhere. Weather you are working on leg strength with a long kick set, or need a propulsion aid as you practice a particular pulling skill, these fins are awesome. (Coaching hint: when kicking with fins, work hard to keep your stomach tight and body straight. It is easy to let your back arch and the resulting tightness will make your life miserable for days afterward. When kicking with fins, I recommend not using a board and kicking on your back.) The Alpha Fins come in five sizes to fit anyone from a woman’s 5.5 to men’s 13. They retail for $35.


And don’t forget that we have more goggles, caps, swim suits, and pull buoys from TYR; and goggles, thermal caps, and wetsuits from Blue Seventy.


The Brooks Launch
Is it a racing shoe? Is it a training shoe? It seems even the smart folks at Brooks don’t know the answer to that one, so in the catalog they listed it as both. The Launch is the Van Morrison of running shoes; they both transcend categorization. But the fact is people like ‘em.

The Launch reminds us a bit of the old Brooks Burn, but even smoother, softer, lighter, and with Brooks’ new accelerated “toe-spring” last. For the real old-timers like me, there are hints of the iconic Nike Terra TC. A racing flat that is so comfortable, stable, and soft, you can’t help doing most of your long and fast runs in them.



The Launch retails for $90 so stop by and try them out.