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Dec 31, 2016

2016 review with exciting races coming in 2017


Well another great year of running.  I ran less but still got in 1,500 miles.  I raced less (16 races and only one marathon and 6 half marathons).  I blogged much less this year and did less race reviews and less product reviews.  I didn't take the opportunity to review every product put in front of me like I had in the past and I stopped writing reviews on races I've already ran in the past.  I didn't see the purpose in writing a review again since it's obvious if I signed up again that I liked the race.  I only posted 19 times this year including today's post.  I used Instagram much more than anything this year.  I had more fun and really enjoyed the year of training and running.

The upcoming year will be filled with more running thanks to a couple challenging races including a very hilly (over 5,000 foot of gain) marathon in New York and a very hilly 50k in the U.P. (my second).  It will also involve much less beer (I know crazy!) as I try to get in shape for these very difficult races.  I look forward to what the year has in store for me in regards to running and wish you a very Happy New Year.

Have a Great Day and....Keep Running!!!!

Nov 17, 2016

Nathan Giveaway winner!!!!



The contest is over and we had a nice variety of entries through the Blog, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

The winner of the Nathan giveaway is Kyle B.

Congratulations Kyle - please email me at jeff@detroitrunner (dot com) and I'll get your contact information to Nathan so they can send you this great package!

Thanks to Nathan for Sponsoring this great giveaway!

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!

Nov 5, 2016

Nathan National Safety Month Review and Giveaway!!!

A few weeks back, Nathan sent me a few of their products to test out for National Safety Month.   I hope you do what you can to stay safe out there when running.   These products will certainly help.

They sent five things that help runners be more safe for me to review as well as to giveaway the same for a lucky Detroit Runner reader.  Here's a look a what I tested and I'll go in order of their products above:

First up is the Neutron Fire Headlamp.
Runner's Headlamp
Honestly, I was a little worried about this because of how small it was but there was no concerns here at all.  The headlamp is definitely smaller than what I'm used to running with which is a welcome change.  You barely know that you are wearing this headlamp!  The headlamp has a white light setting that is low (25 Lu), medium (45 Lu), high (90 Lu) and sprint (115 Lu) giving it various levels of light.  It also offers a strobe (45 Lu).  I pretty much used the medium or high depending if I was running with another runner and didn't need the brightness or high if I were running alone.  In addition, there is a setting for green, blue or red lights as well to help you see.  The light is fully adjustable so you can get it to the tightness you want to wear it.

The light takes 2 AAA batteries and lasts up to six hours on high and 90 Lumens is more than enough to see the road or the trail.  I typically run trails, where it's REALLY dark early mornings and it does a great job leading the way.  The lamp is adjustable so you can have light going further out or tilt it down so it's closer to your feet.  It's also water resistant and I ran one morning in the rain with no issues at all.

The next product Nathan sent was the Hipster.
The Hipster
This is a product to allow you to run with your phone, gels or any miscellaneous items.  Personally I didn't think it was good for storing a key since there is no clip or zipper.  It was, however, outstanding for carrying your phone on your run which, of course, keeps you much safer.  I have the iPhone 7 and you can see from the picture on the right that it fits perfectly.  I know that many of you worry about running with this for fear of it bouncing around, however, the fact this fits well around your waist at your hips keeps the phone against you and it does not bounce.  It has several openings to store things on the front (which I found best for the phone), the sides and back.

I've run over 60 miles with it and you can't even tell it's there.  I found myself checking during the run since I could not tell if I still had my phone with me!  One of the best running belts I've ever tested and I'm so excited to have this on my runs now.  Previously I've rarely run with my phone but now I do all the time.  Not only is it safer to run with your phone, but you get an opportunity to take pictures on your run like this one I took on today's 10 mile run.
I wouldn't have been able to share this without having The Hipster
Next up is the Speedshot Plus Insulated bottle.
Nathan SpeedShot Plus Insulated bottle
I have always run with a handheld bottle since I started running 6 years ago.  Even on short runs, I really need water during the run and bottles help keep you hydrated.  This one is nice for several reasons:

  • It's light
  • It allows you to take 12 ounces of water with you (plenty for up to ten miles for me)
  • It has reflective parts to help you be seen at night
  • It's insulated to keep your drinks cold
  • It's got a nice hands free grip to it so you don't have to hold it hard allowing you to forget you are holding a bottle
As you can see from the pictures above, it's got a nice wide opening for drinking.  It also has an angle at the opening to help make it easier to drink.  It comes with a pouch on the front to allow you to store keys or gels and I'm always carrying a key and car fob since I drive to the trail.  The lower left picture was taken with my iPhone 7 in the front.  I had to stretch it to get it in there but it did fit.  Of course, if you have the Hipster, you don't need your phone in this.  I was even able to put my lightweight gloves in there from this mornings run once I warmed up.  For me, it's the perfect size for most of my training runs.

Next I tested the Mag Strobe.


The Nathan Mag Strobe is an extra light you can use either on the front of your shirt or on the back to help cars see you.  While the light itself is small, it can project light up to 2400 feet so cars see you coming or them coming up from behind you.  It's one extra precaution you can use especially while out running on the roads.  In my experience, you cannot have enough reflective gear, lights, headlamps on especially when you are running roads early in the morning or late in the evening.  I sometimes have 3 or 4 items to help me be seen and still cars don't see you!  This is especially true for 5am runs where drivers are still asleep and not looking for you.  It runs on a watch battery and clips to your clothing with a built in magnet.

Last but not least, I tested the LightSpur RX.
LightSpur RX
This is a nifty little light that clips onto the back of your shoe.  The light stays on because there are little spurs that rest against the shoe to stay in place.  Personally I think it's better suited for road running than trail running but it worked well for both and stays in place.  I say this just because sometimes you brush up against things on the trail.  The light itself is bright and you can change it to blue, green or red and it can be a steady state light or flashing.  I actually prefer the flashing light since cars tend to see you better when the light you have is flashing.  It's also rechargeable so no need to replace batteries.  As you can see, I have it plugged into my iPhone charger and the cable that comes with the LightSpur.  The light will last anywhere from 8 to 16 hours depending on if it's on continuously or on strobe.  This is one of those products I put in the category of using with several other safety items like the Mag Strobe and the Headlamp.  It's nice to have something that is lighted in back of you in case a car comes up behind you.

Overall, these are a great set of products to help you be safer when out running whether it's light out or dark.  All of the Nathan products are high quality and I can tell they will last for many years to come.

Nathan wants you to SEE and BE SEEN.  So who's interested in winning this great Nathan package?  Here's how you can win:

  1. Post a comment on how you stay safe while running in the dark on this blog or on the Detroit Runner Facebook page (1 entry)
  2. Post a comment on Twitter and tag @detroitrunner1 and @nathansportsinc telling us how you stay safe while running in the dark.  Use hashtag #FireUpYourRun as well. (1 entry)
  3. Post a comment on Instagram.  I'll be posting about the giveaway there as well. (1 entry)

Three ways to win!  Good luck to all.  I'll announce a winner on November 15th and have Nathan send out your package directly to you.

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!






Disclosure:  I received all 5 products from Nathan in exchange for a review and giveaway.  All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a particular opinion other than an honest one.





Oct 2, 2016

Thru the Leaves Trail Half Marathon race review


Short Version
Finished in 2:34:50 (official time); no new PR
Overall Place:  21/36
Men 40-49:  6/6 - really - I suck!
Men overall:  14/22

Timed race #117; Half Marathon #43

A fun half marathon in Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills.  This is a park I train in regularly but I have not run the hills that we did in this race.  Great way to see new parts of the park that I've not run much.  Nice small race.  Old school pull tag timing.  Awesome sweatshirt.   Had a great time.

-------------------------------------------------

Long Version
Registration/Packet Pickup/Start Area
Registration was online and very simple.  I decided at the last minute - that week - to sign up for the race so it was a bit more expensive that what I could have paid.

Packet pickup was race morning only given the small race.  No need to go to this one early as there is plenty of parking.  I was there WAY too early.  Bloomer charges $5 for their daily pass.  Funny thing is this is the first time I've ever been in Bloomer with my car since I usually run from a couple trailheads on the Clinton River Trail into the park.
Bloomer $5/day
The race was at the Hilltop shelter.  It was kind of misty out but the temperatures were good for running.  The race was all set up and very organized and ready for the runners.  I got to meet Tim who I follow I Strava and we chatted a bit as well as saying hello again to Christian before the race started.  I love really small races!
Packet pickup on race day
Course
I knew that we would be running more hills than I'm used to running in the park so this ended up being a much slower course for me.  It didn't help I went out so fast in the first mile either.  There is a couple miles on the course that I run regularly so it was nice to see that and also fill in other miles with some areas that I have not run much.  The race did a great job with finding a variety of trails to run.  One small loop in the beginning and two large loops.
Splits/course map/elevation

The race started out with a little asphalt through the parking lot to get to the trails.  It spread out any crowd at the start.  The 10k and half marathoners all started at the same time.
A little asphalt at the start

The half marathon runners had to run a 0.75 mile small green loop first and then come around and run 2 pink loops.
Spread out the crowd
White markings are the cross country teams and were not to be followed.  We followed pink flags.
Onto the trail
The great thing about Bloomer is there are a variety of trails including wide track, two track, and single track.  It really is a nice park and I'm happy to be so close to it.
wide track
The race did an awesome job at marking the course.  I never felt like I was going to get lost off the trail.
Single track
It was kind of a dreary day out so pictures didn't come out that great.  It was perfect running weather but was a bit humid out.

We had to go up stairs twice and it made for an interesting course.  The stairs were really wet so you needed to watch your footing.
Stairs - twice
Down stairs
It's always nice when you are familiar with parts of the trails.  Frankly, I felt that I didn't run this course that well.  I was expecting to run it much faster than I did since I knew the area well but I just didn't have it in me today.
Great area by the river
Wide trail
Regardless, I really enjoyed the course as the race did a super job putting together a course that had some nice variety as well as it was challenging.
Part of my regular route
More of my regular route
The swamp was super green and this picture didn't even do it justice.
Swamp we ran through - just kidding
There was a longer stretch of wide track that was nice and flat too.
wide trail
I talked to a friend, Pam, as she zoomed past me!
Pam passing me!
White lines are the cross country route
The first loop went faster than the second loop but it seemed to go by quickly.  The race had an aid station at the start/finish line for the half marathon runners.
Time for another loop
Signage to mark where to run for the half marathon was nice.  I didn't get a good picture but the race was directing the 10k runners and half runners at this split since we had that extra 0.75 small loop.
Well marked course

We passed by the Velodrome a couple times as well.  If you have not seen it, when you run at Bloomer sometime, you should check it out, it's really cool to see this.  I'd love to see a bike race there.
Passed by the Velodrome
Below was one of the most beautiful parts of the park up near the top of the mountain bike route.  You didn't want to get too close to that edge - it was a really big drop down.
Awesome area
The mountain bike course was really fun to run and I was happy to be running it down instead of up!  Haha!  Actually it might have been easier on my knees had we run this up!
Down we go!
It took some maneuvering to run these in the downhill without wiping out on your face.
Switchbacks
 They did level off though even if we then had to run over logs.
Logs to jump
Or run along logs, as is the case of this log bridge below, which was really fun by the way.
Log to run over
The course really kept you on your toes at least for the first 3 miles of it.
Don't fall right
The second time around on this and I was mostly alone so it made it a little easier.  I wasn't as worried about running into someone.
fun part of run
The course by the river was really nice.  Given all the rain we had, the river was flowing quite a bit and was really high too.  You could hear it the entire time you ran by it and that's not always the case - at least when I've trained there.
Back by the river
I was surprised to see how high the river was but was happy to see it didn't require the race to modify the course due to flooding.
The river was very high given the rains
Single track
I always love running by the water whether it's a river or a lake.
River flowing
We got to cross several wooden bridges as well.  It's really fun to run these but you needed to be careful since they were pretty wet.
Bridges
We experienced a little mud on the course but nothing really that bad.
Little mud
Mile 6 or 12 
Wet area
My shoes got soaked and stayed wet about a 1/2 mile for this portion of the course.  With all the rain we got in the last couple days, I was surprised that this is all that we really experienced for wet trails.
Shoes got a little wet here
A little more mud and wet
The mud and wet always make for an interesting race.  For those running the 10k, you only had to run this once and it was near the end of the loop so not that big of deal.  It was actually the first time my Skechers really had any real water in them and they did drain off the water pretty well.
Playing in the mud
Almost done
Before I knew it, I'd run 2:30 hours!
Finish
Aid Stations
Ed and Nikki and their daughter were helping out at the aid station at the top of the stairs.  It was nice to see some familiar faces as I came through the area.
Ed and Nikki volunteering at aid station 2

There was also an unmanned aid station for anyone that wanted additional water.  Good idea.  As mentioned, the other aid station was at the start/finish area.
Unmanned aid station 3
Finish Area
The finish area was right back at the start.  The race had bananas and fruit bars as well as water for the runners.  Pam and I talked for a few minutes but I was soaked and getting cold so I didn't stay around too long.
Finish area
Amenities
For your race entry (I paid $65 plus fees), you received a flagged course with finish line food.  Timing was pull tag given the small size of the race which made sense and the time pretty much matched my watch.
Bib
You also received a finisher medal with the race name on it.
Medal
Medal close up
While the medal was not a really exciting design, I can see that the race chose to spend their money on the sweatshirts.  They did a great job with the sweatshirts.  I like the color and they are made well.  It's also awesome to have something other than another tech t-shirt.  Awards were for the top 5 overall who won a nice medal pint glass.
Great sweatshirt
Organization
Organization of the race was well done.  The race website had information on the race as well as race day information.   The director did some announcements before the race (although they could use a microphone).  The course markings were excellent.  The aid stations were good and well placed with great volunteers.  The finish line was well organized.

Overall
Overall, I'm glad I decided to run this race.  I hesitated to run it just because I do run Bloomer for my regular training runs, however, I'm really glad that I did.  I ran some parts of Bloomer that I've not run before which is nice.  The course was very nice and had some real challenge to it.  There were more hills than I thought.  The sweatshirts were awesome and I'm happy I ran it just to get one of those.  The race, Move-It Fitness, did a great job.  They also have numerous other races throughout the year and I'm sure I'll run more of their races in the future.  If you are looking for more trails races, this is one you should check out.
Another finish!
Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!






Disclosure:  I paid for this race with my own funds.  All opinions are my own.