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Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Podcast 111: Interview with TFS Senior Writer and Olympic Trials Marathoner PAUL PETERSEN

Posted December 21st, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 111 of The Final Sprint Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with The Final Sprint Senior Writer PAUL PETERSEN who recently qualified for and competed in his first ever U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials. He finished 53rd, surpassing his goal of finishing in the top 60.

In the interview, Petersen talks about the training that helped him earn the right to compete in the trials, the experience of going head-to-head with the best in America, his future goals, the challenges faced by athletes who don’t have sponsors, and his running heroes.

Download the podcast to hear Petersen discuss these topics, as well as, what he thinks of the new, stricter standards for the 2012 trials, the gear he uses to help him reach his goals and much more!

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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Paul Peterson
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 23.6 MB | Length: 34:22 MIN

Episode Sponsored By: Nike +

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Stare Down the Demons: Get psyched up for your next run!

Posted June 5th, 2007 at 2:37 PM by Alexandra Haller

Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Training Tips

We all have moments when we simply don’t feel like working out. It’s not always easy to lace up the shoes, walk out to the car in the cold, or wake up for a 5 a.m. run.

There are a number of demons staring us down: a sour attitude; the comfortable couch we dared to sit on after an exhausting work day; the cozy bed with a warm, enveloping partner; or just plain laziness. We can all agree that while we may not always feel up for a workout, we are thrilled with how we feel at the finish. The natural high kicks in. This is why it’s vital to have strategies for dealing with the fight.

I want to highlight three ideas I find useful. You can think of them as ways to trick your mind into doing what your body knows it needs. Perhaps all of the strategies don’t appeal to you. That’s okay. Pick one and experiment.
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TFS Review: Fuel Belt 10K 2-Bottle Belt

Posted May 19th, 2007 at 1:43 PM by Paul Petersen

Section: Gear & Apparel, Miscellaneous, Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews

With summer just around the corner, runners are shedding their gloves and long-sleeved shirts, and replacing them with sunglasses, singlets, and hydration packs. Staying cool and hydrated is important for runners of all speeds and abilities during all seasons, but this fact becomes even more critical during the warmer months. Fortunately, there is a wide array of hydration systems available to meet runners’ specific needs.

I have used Camelbak and Ultimate Direction hydration systems in the past, but had never tried a Fuel Belt product until recently, while field-testing their 10K 2-Bottle Belt during several long runs and hikes.

The Fuel Belt 10K includes a knit-elastic belt with a Velcro closure that sports two 8-oz bottles and a small, rear neoprene pocket. The belt also features reflective material in several locations and bungee cord locks to secure your water bottles. The bottles and the belt itself are contoured to match the form of your body to ensure a better fit and maximum comfort.
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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

Need advice? Injured? Confused? Overwhelmed? Bored? ASK FLASH!
ASK FLASH is a free advice column to help you with all of your running, fitness and nutrition inquiries. To ASK FLASH — simply fill out the form at the conclusion of the column.

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).
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Fastpacking: The perfect mix of running, hiking and nature

Posted May 5th, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Amanda Black

Section: Running & Training, Cross Training, Health & Fitness, Exercise

Have you ever wanted to fuse the beauty and surroundings of a hike with the face pace of a run? Well, if you did - then your in luck - because that’s exactly what the newest craze, called “fastpacking”, is all about.

Fastpacking is about taking as little gear as possible so you can travel greater distances in the wilderness unhampered. And what gear you do take with you should be necessary camping gear: (sleeping bag and tarp), food, cooking utensils, water, and everything should be durable and light. The total weight of your pack should be around twenty pounds or what you can comfortably run with for a long period of time.
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TN Sunglasses: High-quality performance eyewear for runners and other athletes

Posted March 20th, 2007 at 12:17 PM by Paul Petersen

Section: Gear & Apparel, Apparel, Miscellaneous, Product Reviews

Sunglasses and I typically do not play well together. I have purchased — and destroyed — countless pairs of lenses and frames over the years through a gamut of mishaps.

These destructive events were not of malevolent intent, but were rather quite accidental; whether by sitting on them, stepping on them, my dog’s chewing habit, or running them over with the lawnmower (yes, that really happened). Accidents … all of them! Oh, and the sunglasses that I manage to keep in one piece, I tend to lose.

Because of my tendency to destroy or lose my sunglasses, I am often forced to buy the cheapest pair possible in order to minimize my financial and emotional risk. These cheap-o’s, although easy on the pocketbook, are usually heavier, less comfortable, of lower lense quality, and less suitable for rigorous running. Thus, they tend to become relegated for driving-use only.

Enter TN Sunglasses; a Swiss brand created in 2002 that recently began entering the U.S. market. TN boasts that their sunglasses are virtually indestructible and that their frames can literally be tied in a knot without damage! They also back this up with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer’s defects.

This propriety material-plus-design combination, called TSM System, also makes them extremely lightweight. In fact, with lenses the Force One model (seen above) weighs a mere 23 grams and the Shadow model (pictured below) a feathery 17 grams!
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Podcast 8: Interview with Jim Biggins, co-inventor of the new “Stridekick” device

Posted February 3rd, 2007 at 4:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Gear & Apparel, Miscellaneous, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Today’s podcast features an exclusive interview with Jim Bigguns, one of the two MBA students who invented the highly anticipated “STRIDEKICK”. The Stridekick will allow runners to accurately and inexpensively track the mileage on their shoes and alert them when it’s time to consider replacing them.

Download the podcast to learn how the Stridekick will work, how the concept was formulated, when it will be available to the public and why it can benefit runners by preventing injuries.

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Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Jim Biggins
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 9.25MB
Length: 00:13:28

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Podcast 5: Interview w/ Daniel Talbott, inventor of Velocy

Posted January 26th, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

I had the opportunity to interview Daniel Talbott, inventor and owner of Velocy footwear.

Velocy, a new manufacturer of running shoes, is attempting to revolutionize the industry with their “Forward Gravity” technology. Daniel and his team used this technology to develop running shoes that focus on the forefoot; unlike traditional models that concentrate on the heel.

Download the podcast to hear Daniel explain how Velocy’s radically different and innovative design can improve your performance, help prevent injuries and enable you to Move with Gravity!

Listen In
[MP3] Direct Download (Right click, select save as).
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Daniel Talbott
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 8.74MB
Length: 00:12:43

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Velocy attempts to revolutionize shoe industry; embraces Forward Gravity

Posted January 24th, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Amanda Black

Section: Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes

Traditional shoe technology focuses on the heel; a concept that has been widely accepted by manufacturers and athletes for more than 50 years. However, architect Daniel Talbott and his team at Oregon-based Velocy have decided to challenge this conventional wisdom with their innovative new line of running shoes.

After spending ten years researching human performance and identifying the factors that help propel the animal kingdoms fastest species, such as the cheetah and ostrich, Talbot invented Velocy’s patent pending “Forward Gravity” shoe technology. Velocy explains:

“Forward Gravity technology is engineered to place emphasis on the forefoot and in doing this, all weight is shifted forward and supported by your leg’s muscular ability during knee flexion. This is the human body’s natural way of absorbing shock.”

Velocy asserts that Forward Gravity will enable runners to run more efficiently and effectively. They also believe that Velocy shoes are capable of helping elite runners run times that are substantially faster than many, current world records.
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