ASK FLASH: About Flash’s Training, Apparel, and Gear
Posted May 17th, 2007 at 6:00 PM by Joshua Flash Gordon
Section: Gear & Apparel, Apparel, Running Shoes, Gadgets & Acces., Columns, Ask Flash
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Today, Flash will reveal his personal approach to several key running questions from Curious in Askea Grove, Alabama…
Q. What kind of clothes do you wear when training/racing? Stylish top of the line, or old tattered race shirts and whatever shorts you dig up?
A. I am very much a function over fashion kind of guy - but that doesn’t mean that fashion doesn’t matter. To me, it all starts with being comfortable. I’m not comfortable in cotton shirts because … well … because they make my nipple bleed. That is a bummer - who needs that?
I’m not comfortable in very short running shorts because my thighs rub and chafe. Again, bummer. Big droopy basketball shorts weigh far too much when you sweat like I do. So, I have settled into a style of comfort. I mostly wear good quality mid-length runners shorts, sleeveless technical shirts, and very high quality technical underwear (see Underwear…it really matters).
Of course, living in New England, comfort extends to weather considerations. I have some ridiculously ugly winter hats that do a helluva job at keeping my dome warm. The worse the weather the less I care about how stupid I look. But keep in mind, I do my water running in a pink (thanks chlorine) water running suit that is unbelievably functional.
So, what about race day? I care a little more about fashion on race day. I’m lucky because my running club sports some of the most stylish racing gear around - in my opinion. Sometimes I wear ripped cargo shorts and tattered T-shirts in ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ fashion before the race and other times I am sporting a dapper Ethiopian track suit.
I think of it like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, once I have satisfied functional needs, than fashion considerations can come into play…
Q. Expensive “technology” shoes or basic $80 dollar runners?
A. Yes. I start with the premise that all shoes have some flaws, no matter how well you match them to your particular needs. I deal with this by rotating between 5-7 different pairs of running shoes in my active rotation. I have some high-end pairs like the Asics Kayano and then some more basic shoes like the Brooks Adrenaline or Asics 2110. I also run in a pair of Nike Free running shoes and then a variety of racing flats and light trainers.
I have bad, flat feet but have had the most success with this approach. When I plan to run faster I opt for the less technical shoes in the rotation. On days when I am worn down or going long or exposed to too much pavement, I try to take advantage of a more technical shoe. I also believe that it prevents the risk of building weakness by overcasting your feet on too regular a basis.
Q. GPS, basic Ironman watch, or just check the time before and after the run? Do you have to know every distance and time?
A. At this point in my running career, I am a complete data geek. I think it is essential to monitor distance, pace, and heart rate across weeks to ensure that I minimize risk of injury and run each run for the intended purpose.
I have found the best tool for me is the Polar RS200 which accurately measures distance, HR, pace, etc. Living in the city, I find it to be much more accurate than GPS technologies and I feel free to explore more without having to run on known routes to go a distance desired.
Q. Is everything “balls to the wall” or mostly just how you feel on that day?
A. Every run has a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is achieved by running balls to the wall but that is not a daily approach. I follow a basic hard-easy-hard structure trying to do base runs, a long run, interval work, and a tempo/ race/ hill day. I also try to be flexible to adjust to any particular needs I think my body has on any given day. To underscore this, my most important mileage goal is my annual goal. To achieve this, I believe in sacrificing a day to save a week and a week to save a month and a month to save a year.
Thanks for taking an interest. Hope that this helps!
Gotta go…
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Joshua ‘Flash’ Gordon is a runner who is never shy to give his opinion. Flash has been running competitively since 1989 and can be found training hard on the roads and trails of Boston. Flash continues to compete in distances from 5k to the Marathon as part of the Boston Athletic Association (BAA).
Sometimes Flash runs fast. Sometimes Flash runs slow. But neither rain nor snow nor heat nor gloom of night can keep Flash from the swift completion of his training regimen.
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Tags: advice, apparel, Asics 2110, Asics Gel Kayano, Ask Flash, brooks adrenaline GTS, chafing, electronics, gear, Joshua Flash Gordon, Nike Free, polar, Polar RS200, running, running shoes
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