<?xml version="1.0"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Run - Tri247</title><link>http://www.tri247.com/index.html</link><description>Latest run articles from Tri247</description><item><title><![CDATA[Review: K-Swiss Blade Max Glide]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9579.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[Andy Tomlinson has been out and about testing winter running kit so it seemed only proper that he tells us what shoes he has been using.



What K-Swiss say
High mileage neutral running shoe offering a perfect cushioned ride from heel-to-toe thanks to Blade-Light technology. Also delivers super comfortable fit due to a seamfree upper.

What we say
The winter months always provide a challenge for shoe testing. The weather ends up playing a part too. Wet, windy and icy conditions all add to the fun!

Weather aside, I seem to have enjoyed a good year with K-Swiss shoes, they have taken me off-road and on tarmac without any drama so far. The Max Glide offering provides great cushioning and promises to be hard wearing. So far so good. I have had these shoes for a few weeks and not had any cause to complain.

When I initially tried these on for size they did feel a little loose in the toe box area but this has not caused me any problems when running in them. They reminded me a little bit of a pair of Brooks I had once. Good for keeping the forefoot cool, no doubt.



The final thing to mention is the construction of the uppers and the seam-free tech. This provides a very comfortable feel on the feet and will help prevent blisters.

In conclusion, as they say, a good all-round shoe which offers a decent balance of weight and suitable cushioning. This would make a great alternative for those looking for something different to the offerings from the established running brands and is definitely worth checking out.

For more information click here.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Newton launch special edition colours]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9578.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[Newton Running UK have announced a series of Limited Edition shoes in their Distance and Gravity designs. The shoes, designed for Newton&rsquo;s Japanese distributors in four bold colourways, are now available and are expected to sell out fast due to the launch of the Newton Brand Ambassadors Competition.

Newton shoes are quickly building a reputation on the UK running and triathlon scene as lightweight training and racing shoes for midfoot runners. Their unique Action/Reaction Technology&amp;trade; absorbs and returns energy back to the runner when the foot lands on the trademark lugs, giving a boost of forward energy with every stride.

Two of the designs, are being made exclusive to established UK retailers. B2P Sports in Windsor will be selling GB-coloured Newton Gravity and Lanson Running in Kingston have the special edition Distance Performance Racer in red, blue and yellow.

Other designs are available at www.newtonrunning.co.uk]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Review: Orca Perform Merino Tight]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9559.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[Andy Tomlinson knows what he likes when it comes to run tights and that&#039;s something which will keep him snug and warm. Nothing like a bit of New Zealand&#039;s finest merino wool to keep the winter chill at bay!



What Orca say
Combining the best natural and synthetic performance materials the Perform Merino Full Tight is an essential for performance in mild-cool temperatures and changeable conditions. Suitable to wear before, during and after exercise, the performance plated merino has a soft-on-skin New Zealand merino wool inner lining, which regulates body temperature, manages moisture and eliminates body odour. The merino is plated to an outer layer nylon/spandex blend which protects you from the elements and provides muscle compression, stretch and range of motion.

The tight features reflective logos and trims for safety, a small rear zip pocket and a fine fleece chamois for extra comfort and protection. Ergonomic panel construction ensures support and comfort mile after mile.


	Protection from elements
	Merino regulates temperature more effectively than cotton and polyester
	Anti-odour
	Non itch
	Durable and easy care
	Stays warm when wet
	Quick dry
	Fine fleece chamois
	Safety reflective logos/trim
	Suitable for mild-cool climates
	Contrast flat lock stitching
	Logo elastic waistband
	Ergonomic panelling
	Rear  zip pocket
	GBP &pound;80.00


What we say
I have to say from the outset that I have been a bit of a fan of the Orca Merino range for a while, having used some of their base layer tops for the past year. They have proved to be very hard wearing and very comfortable against the skin. They have also survived several accidental hot washes and remarkably have come out unscathed (so far) despite my fears for them being shrunk to an unwearable extra small size! Low temperature washes are suggested, as with most natural products.

I mention the hard wearing nature of my existing Merino items at the outset as these tights are priced at the top end of the scale and this might be a factor when purchasing some new tights. From my experience you will be wearing these for a good few cold seasons and still looking smart. So rest easy, buy right and buy once!

So how do these tights fare? Well I was very surprised at the feel of the material, a smooth outer and a more &#039;wooly&#039; inside, fine textured and comfortable. When you check out these tights you may come up with a better description than &#039;wooly&#039; as they are very fine and have a great technical feel. 

The fit for me was great, very snug with plenty of give in the fabric to avoid any feeling of constriction when in full flight. The elasticity of my existing base layer tops has remained exactly as it was when new.

A nice wide waistband ensures that these tights stay in place and also is another comfort feature that does not dig in. The small pocket at the rear is actually large enough to hold an iPhone quite easily if you so wish but more than adequate for gels or keys etc.

Construction of the garment is of a very high quality and the stitching looks  bulletproof which is reassuring as the tights are made up of numerous panels of fabric which aids the good fit. Dare I say an anatomical fit? As a black garment Orca have scattered various reflective touches as shown in the picture. These are not over the top resulting in a very restrained and elegant product. You will be seen in the dark but without looking like an extra from the film Tron!

In conclusion, don&#039;t be put off by the price, these should last a good while and provide a very comfortable and functional pair of tights for seasons to come. As a performance garment, and a natural product they provide excellent results in both the cold wind and those warmer winter days. How are they in the rain? Not a problem with its great wicking and fast drying.

Get a pair, you will not be disappointed.

To find out more please follow these links: for men www.orca.com/product/perform-merino-tight and for women www.orca.com/product/perform-merino-tight1]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[parkrun Mob Match Challenge]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9554.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[This year CPT does battle against Greenwich Tritons and Windrush Triathlon Club in a parkrun mob match challenge. The challenges will take place at the beginning of each month at a different local parkrun, with the first event kicking off on Saturday 4 February at the Crystal Palace parkrun. The proceeding dates at Brockwell Park parkrun and Greenwich parkrun will be announced in due course. They&rsquo;ll be checking the results of each challenge so we can see just which club has the biggest presence, and also which club has the fastest average time. So, come and have a go if you think you&rsquo;re herd enough! But remember to play nicely kids!]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[London Bike Show: AlterG treadmill]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9527.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[OK, this one&#039;s crossed over from our sister site, Run247, but it&#039;s obviously got connections to triathlon, especially for anyone recovering from injury and wanting to reduce the impact on their muscular or skeletal system. The AlterG anti-gravity treadmill was developed with NASA as a way of designing effective exercise programmes for astronauts but the way that it effectively reduces the body&#039;s weight with a patented air support system means you can reduce the impact of running without having to stop running.



Check out all of our London Bike Show coverage articles:

Wattbike video
EDCO wheels video
QimmiQ gel review

]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Win Eco-Trail de Paris® slots  ]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9511.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[If you fancy doing something completely different this Spring why not take a look at a competition our sister site Run247 is running for places in the Eco Trail de Paris? 
There&#039;s one place in each of the three distances (80k, 50k and 30k) up for grabs and accomodation is included. Check out the competition here. Bon chance!
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[AudioFuel for run, bike and swim]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9367.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[AudioFuel have been producing music assisted running programmes for a while now but recently branched out into other aspects of multisport with the launch of their swim and bike sessions. As the lady of the house is already a fan we handed over the headphones and pressed &#039;play&#039;...



A friend introduced me to the AudioFuel running system a while ago after I had been running for years with my own mix of music on an iPod. I was initially quite sceptical but the whole package is actually very good and Martin Yelling quickly became a regular running partner. I&#039;ve downloaded several of the sessions and they all give you a good workout and assuming you aren&#039;t entirely tone deaf it&#039;s easy to find the beat. I have to say that the one which is included in this package isn&#039;t one of my favourites but it&#039;s still a good interval workout. Most of the sessions I&#039;ve been doing have been aimed at longer distance and my needs aren&#039;t necessarily typical...

As I use a turbo trainer on a very regular basis I was very interested to try out the cycling module. I must stress that I have never taken a spin class in my life (and have little intention of ever doing so!) and I was concerned that being so used to having constant feedback from my cadence, power, speed and everything else that comes off the CycleOps PowerBeam I would be a little lost. However, if you are looking for a really solid interval session this module delivers. Even without the electronic aids I found that you rapidly pick up the beat, just as with the running modules, and you can follow along without any need for a cadence sensor.

As with any turbo session you can work to how you feel with increases in gearing and cadence (and you&#039;re told all this very clearly as the session progresses). I repeated the session with all the electronics turned back on and checked everything was as I expected and then turned the display off to see if I could work to a harder level just using the music. The answer is that you can - it&#039;s a great way to drive you along through a session.

If I have one comment it&#039;s that the four minutes of rest in-between efforts is a bit too much - but then it wasn&#039;t that long after my last big race so perhaps that&#039;s just my perception and others might be very grateful for the break!

To get a different opinion on the AudioFuel approach (and because we don&#039;t have a waterproof MP3 player to hand!) we farmed out the swim session to Karen, a friend who routinely swims to music of her own choosing. Here&#039;s her verdict:

This programme is excellent. It consists of a pyramid workout; swimming progressively faster and then slowing down again using increasing then decreasing arm speed. It is easy to follow with the coach counting the beats to ensure you get the correct arm speed for each phase and the beats in the music ensure you keep swimming at the right pace.

Each phase of the pyramid is done by time not distance which means it can be used in any pool or even in open water. Also because I was concentrating on swimming at the correct pace and using good technique I found the time flew by and felt I&rsquo;d had a good workout. I have already recommended it to other people and would love to have a longer version.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Newton launch zero-drop MV2]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9343.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[Leading natural-running education and footwear brand Newton Running are launching the MV2, a super-lightweight, zero-drop shoe that encourages a natural-running posture, provides protection and energy return. The 165 gram MV2 (pronounced M V squared) offers a unique solution for runners who want to run faster, perform better and avoid injury by adopting a natural running stride, but not sacrifice protection.

&quot;While all Newton Running shoes feature a low heel-to-toe ramp angle to support natural-running posture, the next logical addition to our line was a shoe that was completely parallel to the ground,&rdquo; says Newton Running co-founder Danny Abshire. &ldquo;The MV2 facilitates landing on your midfoot instead of the heel, which supports proper biomechanical alignment, faster turnover rate and greater running efficiency. This means you run faster with less effort.&quot;

The MV2&rsquo;s second-generation Action/Reaction Technology&trade; is the next evolution of Newton Running&rsquo;s patented midsole technology. Five articulating lugs align with the foot&rsquo;s five metatarsal heads. With each step, the low-profile lugs depress into a chamber and rebound quickly with the aid of a highly resilient membrane.

Therefore, unlike racing flats or minimalist shoes that employ a thin layer of midsole EVA foam, which dissipates energy and breaks down rapidly, the MV2&#039;s Action/Reaction Technology&trade; provides long-lasting impact reduction without dampening responsiveness or proprioception.

The highly breathable mesh upper is reinforced with a durable microscreen to block out dirt and debris and transparent PU support strapping ensures a high-performance fit.

Included with every pair of the MV2 are instructions for adjusting to a zero-drop shoe. The MV2 is available in men&rsquo;s sizes 5 to 13 and women&rsquo;s sizes 2.5 to 10 and will retail for &pound;100. Pre-orders are available now at www.newtonrunning.co.uk and will be in specialty retailers by late November.

]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Compressport 3D.DOT socks]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_9285.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[It&#039;s not that long ago that compression socks were something your granny might wear and they were a pretty nasty colour too. Of course, as triathletes we now all know that compression is here to stay as both a post-exercise recovery aid and as a way to protect and prolong muscle activity during exercise. Why, there&#039;s scarcely an ironman distance athlete out there these days not wearing something compression!

Having pretty much bought into (literally as well as figuratively to judge by the kit drawer...) the compression thing we were only too happy to accept the offer to test Compressport&#039;s new ProRacing 3D.DOT socks. And, when we say &#039;sock&#039; we really do mean sock and not the full calf stockings that you might expect. These are trainer socks, they do variants for bike, trail and traditional ankle-length but the ones we tested were the trainer liner type. As if that weren&#039;t different enough they come in some quite bright colour combinations with blue, green or pink dots on a black or white base.

The coloured dots are there for a reason; they provide grip in key areas, pressure in others and shock absorption as well. Make no mistake, these are not your regular socks!

With a two-year warranty and a money-back guarantee and all the technology you can rightly expect them to be at a premium price so the RRP of &amp;pound;15 is a pleasant surprise - we can think of certain branded socks that are at the same price point and don&#039;t have a fraction of the features. But price and features are only worth talking about if the socks actually perform a worthwhile function.

So, what does all the technology promise to do for you? The claims are that they will strengthen your stride posture and improve microcirculation, provide cushioning for key areas of the foot, protect against bacteria and generally keep your foot cool and fresh. Which all seems pretty much what you should expect from a performance sock so the acid test is do they deliver?

We let two testers loose on them so see what the results might be. The first tester is very used to wearing compression kit but found them a little to constrictive. In fairness, she normally wears no socks at all when running and uses calf guards for her compression - she also has slightly broader feet than usual for a woman which may explain why they felt a little tighter.

Our second tester suffers with ongoing but improving problems with her plantar fascia and related achilles tendonitis and her first impressions were that they were possibly the strangest looking pair of socks she had seen (the girl leads a sheltered life...) and she could not work out why the L and R (the socks are &#039;footed&#039;) were hidden on the inside. In fact during the first testing session she complained they were really uncomfortable and it was only then we realised she had them on the wrong feet...

She really liked the support given around the plantar fascia saying that it gave her confidence and that she was pain free throughout the test runs. She still got the usual tightness post-run, but this appeared to ease slightly quicker that with normal socks. She also felt a definite &#039;cradle&#039; effect from the arch band which is intended to stimulate blood flow and return.

The overall results, therefore, seem to be that they are comfortable, lightweight, genuinely appear to deliver on the promise of protection and improved blood flow and are far from being ruinously expensive despite being Swiss designed and European made. And you&#039;ve got a 30-day money-back guarantee to boot so what&#039;s not to like?

Check out the product information on the Compressport website, you can also order through their online store if you can&#039;t find a local stockist.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Virgin Active Video Training Series #11]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_8826.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[Running Techniques with Olympian,  Marc Jenkins
This video explains why a good running technique is vital  when fatigued. Marc  shows how important it is to keep the feet aligned  under the body, while not hitting the ground with a heavy heel. He demonstrates  the importance of a strong upper body and core in order to help stay upright  and maximise efficiency. 

Why not check out the entire series?

  Planning your Training and Getting the Most Out of  Race Day with Virgin Active
  Tips for race day, with Team Freespeed Virgin Activators
  Essential Kit for Triathlon with Olympian,  Marc  Jenkins
  Choosing the Best Wetsuit, Goggles and Tri suit with  Speedo presented by Dermot Hayes and Olympian Marc Jenkins
  The Right Shoe for Running Efficiently and Comfortably,  with Asics
  Getting the Most Out of Your Watch and Training with  Timex presented by Olympian, Marc Jenkins
  Preparing for Open Water Swimming with Speedo presented  by Olympian, Marc Jenkins
  Transitions with Team Freespeed and Team Challenger World  UK
  Pre Race Bike Check with Olympian, Marc Jenkins
  Changing a Punctured Tyre with Olympian,  Marc  Jenkins
  Running Techniques with Olympian,  Marc Jenkins
  Nutrition Strategies to Improve Performance, with  Maxifuel
  Monitoring Hydration and Calculating Sweat Rates with  Gatorade presented by Dr. Ian Roll

Find out more about the launch of the Virgin Active London Triathlon   Triathlon Training Series HERE]]></description></item></channel></rss>
