Introducing Stride Signature – An Individual’s Unique Running Form Defined by the Body’s Habitual Motion Path
At Brooks we strive to create the perfect ride for every stride. As we look to the future, we are focused on improving the complex interaction between the runner and the shoe by widening the lens of our understanding of runner biomechanics.
Four years of prospective research studies on hundreds of runners and work with some of our key specialty retail partners has led us to an exciting breakthrough. A breakthrough that will take us into the next era of how we assess runners and design footwear.
Today we are excited to share the first iteration of research that we believe steers us on a path to shift the current running shoe paradigm further in favor of the runner. We are calling this multi-layered concept Stride Signature. The goal of Stride Signature is to create a newholistic approach to designing and fitting running shoes that starts with the runner to optimize efficiency, reduce injury, and enhance comfort.
We invite you to read The Stride Signature white paper, where we will introduce a radical shift in thinking that will set Brooks on an exciting new trajectory in footwear design for years to come.
See below for Kelly’s “Long Run Sandwich Bites” Recipe.
For every nutrition question you have, there are at least ten expensive nutrition products on the market that claim to have the answer. It’s easy to be overwhelmed. Luckily, good running nutrition can be broken down into a few simple principles.
Thumbs up for good nutrition! Guest Blogger Kelly Egan breaks down nutrition basics for runners.
Carbs vs. Other Nutrients
Based on body weight, a typical athletic diet should be about 60 percent carbs, 15 percent protein and 25 percent fat. To get ready for a race, “carbo load” by bumping up your carbohydrate intake for three to four days before the event. Keep a food and workout diary if you make any changes to your diet to help you figure out what works for you.
Supplements
Many runners have questions about supplements – which to take, how many, at what times, etc. Skip those expensive pills and powders and spend your money on fresh fruits and vegetables instead. A varied diet will provide all the vitamins and essential nutrients that your body needs. Plus, your body is able to absorb nutrients better from food than pills. Fun fact: Consuming beets, a source of nitrate, has been shown to increase athletic performance!
Protein and Muscle Recovery
There is a belief that high amounts of protein, especially protein powders, improve muscle growth. A benefit to this has not been shown – excess protein is simply converted into energy – or fat. Save your money! Immediately after your run, enjoy an ice-cold glass of low-fat chocolate milk! It has a 4:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio and has been proven to help the recovery process. For an added benefit, have another glass two hours later – ideally with a healthy, balanced meal.
In Summary:
A basic running diet should have roughly 60 percent carbs, 15 percent protein and 25 percent fat – but listen to your body. Consult with a dietitian or nutritionist for best results.
Keep a diet and workout log to help you figure out what works best for you.
Increase your carbohydrate intake for 3-4 days before a race.
Instead of focusing on supplements, eat a balanced diet instead.
For a natural performance boost, eat beets!
Chocolate milk is an effective and cheap recovery drink.
In addition to this brief intro to running nutrition, I’d like to share an easy and nutritious snack to try during long runs. I came up with this idea after getting sick of bad-tasting gels and energy bars with a long list of ingredients that I couldn’t pronounce.
Long Run Sandwich Bites
You will need:
Bread – you can use whole grain or white, depending on what your stomach tolerates
Peanut or other nut butter – I like dark chocolate Yumbutter
Jam or honey
Combine all of your ingredients to make a sandwich.
Use a knife or mini cookie cutter to cut your sandwich into bite-sized pieces.
Pack a handful in a small sandwich baggie to take along on your long runs.
Pack these little guys with you on your next long run for on-the-go, inexpensive fuel.
Kelly Egan is a guest blogger for Brooks, as well as a member of our Inspire Daily program. Look for more posts from her on running myths in the coming months. Kelly is a fourth year medical student in Madison, Wis. This year, she plans to volunteer in India, graduate from school, get married, honeymoon in Morocco, move across the country and get her first job – in that order. To follow her adventures, please visit runningblonde.com.
Running races during a 16-24 week marathon training plan is one of the ways to best prepare yourself for a marathon. Depending on what kind of shape you’re in prior to starting your training period, you should easily be able to run 1-2 races. I recommend nothing short of a 10k and I wouldn’t go longer than a 1/2 marathon. The reason you want to run a race is it will help you get the feel for preparing for a race or running faster pace than your typical training pace. They will also get you used to getting prepared for race day activities (waking early, eating before the race, getting to the start line, etc). Racing also gets you used to running with a lot of people. Besides, the experience, it’s fun. I love the post race entertainment and food.
Take a look at the following guest article. Coach Patrick discusses racing to win. I wouldn’t taper prior to the race. Instead, just mix the race into your schedule. I hope you enjoy the guest post.
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by Patrick Reed
“Don’t you know that in a race, all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize.” ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24
Racing is where the distance runner dances. It is the weekly or monthly — maybe even just yearly — prom. It is the proving ground, the laboratory. It is instant youth and it is Play.
I used to love the game of soccer so much — even in my collegiate days — because it represented a complete cosmos, ruled by fairly just judges, and its parameters were as clear as white chalk lines. The object of this bounded life’s pursuit was evident, the rules were agreed upon — and inside of this world, captivated by it, all else in the universe fell away. The game became all of life itself — and outside of the game was irrelevant.
Of course, that worked pretty well until 4th year hit — and graduation loomed — and then suddenly arrived! On that commencement day, so far from the eternal destiny of the soaring black and white orb, striking the net with an elegance fit for heaven; on that day of new beginning, I became the tired runner staring at his shoes, sitting on the curb and wondering what happened. I guess I hadn’t trained hard enough. I guess I hadn’t any plan.
BUT — I knew what I loved. I loved to play that certain game.
And now racing has become that itinerant play. Itinerant by necessity. For only a few of us can play for our living — and then, I have heard, the play is not so much play any more.
So what does the Apostle Paul mean by “Run in such a way as to get the prize”?
Clearly this much and nothing more: Run to win. And what is it we aim to win? Is it the heaps of gold bestowed upon the forward thinking practitioner, who aligned himself adroitly for an easy destiny? Is it to get to the finish first at any cost? Dope, deceit or deviance — you choose?? Or is running to win not really about what we think winning is at all?
For it must be possible, says the theology which stands behind and supports Paul’s words, that every man can “get the prize.” Each only must “run in such a way…” What of this race where every soul can win? Is this the cheapest race — and is its prize, by the market’s definition, the most sordid and banal stuff?
No — emphatically NO!
And maybe, just maybe – your distance running addiction can aid you here in the way of the most elegant illustration. Each of us can indeed win in this game of life. Like the soccer game I so futilely longed to live within eternally, each life’s course is marked by clear boundaries and indeed has a just lawgiver and judge. Better still, the game is made for each of us – tailor made — and the gamekeeper wants, longs, dreams that we would win.
And only one thing is necessary: that we believe in the one whom He has sent. Namely, Jesus Christ – who died for you and me, that we may share in the new life he won in being raised from the dead on the third day.
To run to win — in this greatest race of all — is to believe. Nothing more and nothing less. All else is dross.
Run the race to win it — every day. I am racing right along side with you.
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