I’m not really sure where to begin with this one. There have been a few products advertising much the same thing for a few years now. For those of you not in the know, Phiten produce a range of products from necklaces and bracelets, to tape (like plasters) and lotion. The company claims that by somehow making titanium soluble (yes, I know) and then absorbing it into material they have created an ‘aqua-titanium’ that controls the body’s bio-elctric current by stabilising positive and negative ions. To cut a long, and rather unbelievable sounding story short, these products are supposed to increase recovery time, delay fatigue etc etc.
Posts Tagged ‘kit’
Peculiar Product Test #1: X-Socks Speed One Socks
April 22, 2009Since upping my mileage after Christmas I’ve been getting sore toes where, I assume, my feet are moving inside my trainers. The other day I’m on a running shop website and see running socks, and it occurs to me that maybe my £1-a-pair ‘sports socks’ are exacerbating matters.
X-Socks Speed One Socks
So I look at the most popular pairs and pick the X-Socks Speed One socks. They’re supposedly reinforced in all the right places, anatomically shaped, with air conditioning channels, ankle and achilles tendon support and most importantly have toe-tip protectors. It says on the packet that they are sprint and medium distance socks, but they have heel padding so I can’t see why they can’t be an all-rounder (probably so you have to buy more than one pair depending on how far you’re running).
Since they arrived at the beginning of the month I’ve run in them 5 times and they’re fast becoming my favourite socks.
So what can I actually say about a sock? Yes, they’re pretty nice. Quite probably the most comfortable socks I’ve ever tried, but that isn’t exactly saying a whole lot. They’re made of a number of TMd materials with names like “Mythlan” and “Robor” and it’s quite a noticeable difference from cotton and elastic. They keep your feet pretty cool and (well, less sweaty) and I get the impression that they won’t lose their shape in the wash for quite a while.
Though at £9.50 a pair I suppose I’ll have to save them for race day.
Feel free to comment if you think I should try out a new bit of kit, but if I see the words “running” and “skirt” in the same sentence I might have to hurt you.
The almost-but-not-quite essential piece of running kit.
April 8, 2009I am, of course, talking about trainers. Inspired by this blog post by Blogger the Jogger back in February, I have decided that today’s discussion shall be on footwear. Cue at least 50% of readers deciding that going to check Facebook/Twitter/e-mail will be a better way to spend their time :-)
Still with me? Excellent. Now, when most girls talk about shoes you don’t really envision a pair of asics gel 3000s or Nike Air Victorys, but for me buying new running shoes it much more exciting than some designer heels. The right pair of trainers can make all the difference to a run. Not only does running become easier (honest), but you prevent injury and a new pair of trainers are great for motivation. Needless to say, you’ll also look good.
The reason I say a pair is not quite essential is because of the supposed increase in barefoot running. A tremendous amount of pressure goes through your joints when you run, this being one of the reasons that most running shoes are so well cushioned. However, barefoot runners argue that this encourages you to hit the ground harder, and the bone jarring vibrations of each footfall become a self-fulfilling prophecy. A smattering of papers and studies boast increased output and lower chance of ankle injury, while any community of barefoot runners seem to prefer the fact that you can feel the ground beneath you and experience running the way that nature intended.
In the spirit of dedication to the post I have decided to sample the world of barefoot running… or maybe barefoot jogging… or just walking quickly whilst attempting to avoid getting anything sharp stuck in the bottom of my foot. Either way, look out for future posts as I embark on, what I assume will be, a rather painful journey.
RoadID
March 18, 2009Running outdoors, as I do for two thirds of the year, I am often without money, phone or ID. Probably not the best of ideas I know, but all the time I’m not going very far (and let’s face it, there isn’t a whole lot of room in running shorts to start carrying things) I don’t bother. In January 2008 I saw the RoadID in a magazine and I decided to check out the website.
Last summer (and the few outdoor runs I’ve done so far this year) I could be seen sporting the Wrist ID Original; a nylon and velcro wrist band with a stainless steel plate (sounds heavy but only weighs 0.1 ounce). The steel plate is laser engraved with my name, that I have asthma, my blood type, that I’m an organ donor, my mum’s and brother’s phone number and a motto. You have 6 lines of text and can ask for pretty much anything to be engraved on there. For $20 (around £15 nowadays but only a tenner at the time) that’s not bad.
So OK, ID isn’t really going to make running out on my own any safer in itself, but short of wearing kevlar and carrying mace (I live in Shelton after all) there isn’t a whole lot that can easily be done. ID means that, should something happen, my medical info and contact phone numbers are there. Which is better than nothing.
It’s light and comfortable, comes in different colours and even has a reflective strip for increased visibility. If you’re interested but wristbands aren’t your thing, fear not. RoadID do ankle band versions, dog tags, and one that straps onto the laces of your trainers.
If you want to buy a RoadID, for yourself or for a friend or relative, then please click on the RoadID button on this page (below and in the right hand side bar). That way, 10% of the cost of the ID gets back to me and I donate it to the charity I’m running for. Thanks.
Nike+
March 6, 2009I just have to tell you about this bit of kit. For anyone that doesn’t know, the Nike+ system comprises of a receiver, which plugs into your iPod nano, and a sensor, which fits in your Nike trainer. Once calibrated to your walking and running gait, information from each run is saved onto your iPod. Namely the distance, time, pace and calories burned. The next time you sync your iPod, you have the option to send your run information to the Nike+ website where your run will be displayed in a lovely graph.
