Posts Tagged Brooks Running
My Running Gear
Posted by streubel in Uncategorized on February 2, 2011
In response to some questions about my running gear thought I would let people into my running bag. There are several places people can go for gear advice but hopefully you find it useful to see what I wear and Run Happy.
Disclaimer: In full disclosure I am a member of the Brooks Running Pace Team (since 2010) which is about giving regular guys like me the opportunity to feel like a rock star. HOWEVER I have been running in Brooks gear since the mid-1990’s so the closet was full of Brooks before the ID Program. http://www.runbrooks.com/brooksid
The Top:
Outer Shell Top: A long sleeve Brooks NightLife jacket (Marathon Maniac Issue Member #1475. This is bright and reflective so I can run at anytime of the day and know people will see me. This color also keeps the Grandview gangs from flashing signs at me. (Happens all the time when wearing blue or red Brooks jackets) Under the jacket I will wear a technical running shirt long or short depending on the temperature.
Bottoms: Brooks Elite Shorts or Spartan Pant 2 running pant. I do have several pairs of shorts both longer and short, my ultimate choice revolves around how much flesh I want to show for the day 🙂 I do believe real runners wear short-shorts. (my friends don’t agree)
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GTS Series. Brooks currently is on the 11 model I am still wearing the 10. (http://www.brooksrunning.com/Brooks-Adrenaline-GTS-11-Mens-Running-Shoe) When I run in this series I have been averaging 500 miles per set of shoes. I stop at 500 so I can wear the shoes around the lab etc. I would be able to get more out of them if I needed. My current pair is almost at 400 miles.
Socks: Although some do not see why I would want to spend $20 on running socks. I promise it makes all the difference in a marathon (or 5k). I use several of the Brooks socks and get 2 years of running out of a pair before they are done. After biting the bullet on my first pair of running socks I have never gotten a blister or hot spot. I will never go back.
Next post – My nerdy tech stuff
When Goats Pee
Posted by streubel in Running Free - Brooks ID on March 12, 2010
Over the last two months a new running group has been established at WSU’s Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, WA. On any given day there is the potential of 4 or more runners heading out for a nice lunch run around the roads of the beautiful Yakima Valley.
Yesterday was not one of those days as everyone’s schedules have been a little different making running alone necessary. The thing about our running routes is the amount of dogs who like to come and greet us alone the way. Depending on the day we each take turns yelling at or rushing the dogs giving them the scare of their lives…or at least reminding them they make us nervous.
Yesterday however, there was no one to help deflect the dog attacks, it was just me. The beginning of the run was relatively calm with less then normal dog action but all of a sudden one of the usual suspects started running from the front porch to make my leg into his lunch snack. On the normal day the 4 foot fence keeps him at bay but today (of course when I was alone) he jumped the fence without hesitation coming to hunt me down. In that moment of panic I saw my new Brooks GTS 10’s being ripped in two and my new Brooks ID Elite shorts pulled to my ankles tripping me into ball of shame in the middle of the road. Somewhere out of my inner most soul it came, the loudest, most gnarly exclamation I have ever made “Go Lay Down”. The dog’s hair rose throughout its back and stopped dead in his tracks retreating to behind the protection of this fence.
In was in that moment of pride and relief I noticed that in the adjacent field the 15 plus goats were eyeing me down and in peeing in unison. (As a former goat owner I have seen this response before) The urination in fear response is a classic.
With my Brooks gear unharmed and firmly around my waist I finished my run and returned to the world of graduate school with the ever present reminder that my voice and face are capable of making goats pee. May my anger never reach that point with my kids because that is not how a Dad should ever be remembered.
Run, Walk, or Crawl – Just Finish
Posted by streubel in Faith, Life, Running Free - Brooks ID on February 12, 2010
This phrase is not original to me but I have used it during my last few marathons to justify walking after a major battle with cramps around mile 22. When I first started running marathons 10 years ago the thought of walking was in my mind an Epic Failure only reserved for “the lesser”. Ten years older and wiser I now realize the power of the marathon comes in the completion. Yes, I strive for PR’s and the ever present goal of qualifying for Boston (before I hit 40) but at some point I realized that when you cross the finish it doesn’t really matter how it looked in the middle…I finished. I strapped on my Brooks – moved forward – didn’t quit.
Philippians 3:13-14 says Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. The last month has been one greenhouse failure after another causing stress, frustration, heart ache and perhaps a graduation delay, but it is the past. Now I start the process all over again, with yet another lesson learned through trial and error, but with more knowledge comes a greater chance for success. It’s like the marathon, it doesn’t matter what the middle looked like in the end, it is finishing that counts. Although it might not be pretty, whether I receive my doctoral hood in December or May will not matter 10 years from now…I just have to finish.
Off I go to a committee meeting, then to prepare for replanting the greenhouse, and clean out the manure tanks. I am straining toward what is ahead – pressing on towards the goal – to finish the race, because I have to Prepare the Soil for Harvest.
Tightening up the running shoes (Brooks of Course) I will Finish – Running, Walking or Crawling.
Mr. Freeman’s Trail
Posted by streubel in Faith, Running Free - Brooks ID on January 26, 2010
Freeman’s trail, it is a special place hidden from the masses but open to all who ask. Created for days when you need to clear the fog and spend some time in worship. It could be the woods, the quite, or the man who made it but one thing is for sure…Freeman’s trail will also bring you back to what is important.
Jim Freeman, my high school cross country coach and life long friend built a running trail on his property specifically made for days like these. (Mr. Freeman was a world class marathoner in the late 60’s early 70’s – 8th at Boston – 2 invitations to Olympic trials) I have run this trail since 1992 throughout every season. I have even just taken my wife for a walk around the picturesque surrounding. Saturday was no different.
Running along side my friend Tim we spent over an hour talking faith, life and biology. As we ran the mud covered my shoes (Brooks Adrenaline GTS) and backside. The quick turns inside the woods laced with enormous cedars revved the heart beat into the upper 170’s. The upper hill, which Tim insisted we run 4 times, made the calves scream with pain as only a “good” hill can conjure. In the flats along the mowed path we would continue talking as our bodies regained the courage to run another lap. Then as we passed by the food bank garden and pond the talking stopped, the pace increased and we pushed the hills. It was a good Saturday run.
When overwhelmed by the crashing wave ready to pound every once of good intention my faith solidly holds me in place. This anchor never moves however at times my vision is blurred and I struggle to see the obvious. Although the deepest part of my core knows it is holding firm I need a good run to sort it out. Saturday was one of those runs.
Thanks Mr. Freeman for the beautiful trail.
Tales From A Poopsmith 