First, Happy National Running Day! That’s a holiday I can really get behind. Ask me again when I finish a workout in the hot-humid-welcome-to-summer-weather we’re currently experiencing. National Running Day is a day to declare your passion for running and offers discounts on races and gear but also opportunities to raise money for charity.
I came across two truly bizarre gear items this week. The first was posted by This Running Life and is a “running bell” to let other pedestrians know that you’re coming up behind them. Granted I’m not a gear person anyway, but this seems insane. A simple “excuse me” or “on your left” should work for most people. For the people who have headphones in and music blaring, a bell isn’t going to get their attention any better.
I can barely find the battery for my heart rate battery daily, so this has no chance.
If the bell seems absurd, hang on because I found the one item that might be more bizarre. The following is slightly NSFW on account of it comes from Victoria’s Secret. For those that can open the link, can someone please explain to me why I would WANT a sports bra that zips over my regular bra. Although I’m not always successful at this and have a run or two a month where I realize my regular bra is still on under my sports bra (#runnergirlproblems), I cannot come up with reason why I would need or want this item.
Moving on to more substantive issues, here’s an incredible article on what happens to our brains when we exercise. I’m currently in Neural Science, so we talk a lot about clinical syndromes associated with the brain but perhaps unsurprisingly, not a lot about what to do to prevent those clinical syndromes. The key takeaway from this beyond the already-accepted exercise makes you happy is that the happiness benefits of exercise extend beyond the day when you get that exercise, making another case for lifelong activity.
Tina Muir is a Saucony athlete who writes a blog that masterfully blends the art and science of running and coaching. She recently wrote an excellent article on the reasons you need to take breaks in training, my favorite part of which was this abstract, which talks about muscle damage and recovery after the marathon. I’ve learned a lot of things in medical school, one of the biggest being what words = bad in terms of clinical outcomes. Pro tip = necrosis is bad. I try not to criticize other runners (outloud), but in the week after VCM, I’ve had to use extraordinary self-control as I’ve watched numerous runners insist on starting to run again with almost no time off after the full marathon. My biggest pet peeve with the marathon is when people don’t respect the distance, whether that’s in training for the event or recovering from the event. Stepping off my soapbox now…
Two more doping stories are presented without much comment beyond looking for a noise to express how fucking frustrating it is to keep hearing these as a clean athlete who panics every time she files a TUA for her inhaler (that I’ve had since age 4). Adrienne Herzog has more excuses as she gets caught for the third time and an insider gives some perspective on the line between innovation and cheating.
Maggie Vessey made an interesting fashion statement at Pre this year. She’s currently unsponsored and went with the outfit below. I’m impressed that she got through the 800 with no mishaps, but not sure this would work for a marathon.
Image from Getty Images
In the video of the week (well, from last week), Katie Mackey LIT UP the runner from Australia at the World Relays when she wandered out of her lane after the handoff.
Finally, USATF may never issue a statement on the SNAFU that was Indoor Nationals this year, but don’t worry, they are policing Instagram!
Runner Under Pressure 
That sports bra looks like a win/win idea for Victoria’s Secret. I am guessing you spend close to $50 on the sports bra, then after several sweaty runs you can no longer wear the regular bra in normal situations b/c you can’t get the sweat smell out of it, so you go back to Victoria’s Secret and spend $50 on another regular bra and then after several runs…
That Oiselle picture issue reminds me of the Nike guys on the 1992 Olympic basketball team taking issue with wearing the Reebok logo on the podium for the medal ceremony. I guess the moral of the story is Nike always wins.
After last weekend I have to say I was off the mark complaining about the cooler than normal temps before the Tough Mudder. By the third climb up Mt. Snow (while sweating profusely) I was greatful it was only in the mid-60’s.
So true about the sports bra. Ive noticed a recent trend to try to get them to be more aesthetic so maybe I’m just the wrong audience with my focus on function.
Lots of people have brought up the Reebok comparison. There are lots of ways to view the Nike/USATF relationship but it certainly gives me pause.
Fortunately I don’t have to deal with the bra issue. Although I do get to listen to my wife gripe about not being able to find a flattering and effective sports bra. I can see the reasoning behind wanting to look good if you aren’t going to be winning anything.
Out of curiousity, do you have any idea if Nike is as influential with the national track and field organizations for other countries? Do other athletic companies have as much influence in their home countries – ie does Adidas have as much sway over German track and field as Nike does in the US?
That is an excellent question that I hadn’t thought of. I’ll have to do some research and get back to you on that.
I actually have to say that I like the idea of Runbell. Just this past weekend I was visiting a friend in Brooklyn and went for a run from their apartment to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and it would have been cool to have this while jogging along the sidewalk. Much nicer than shouting ‘Passing through’ as in my opinion that comes with much more of an expectation that someone should move out of the way as opposed to using the bell which is a gentle alert to which the person ahead can respond as they wish… since sidwalks are meant to be shared, I obviously don’t expect someone to move out of my way just because I happen to be going faster. So, yea call me odd but I’m into the product.
Interesting! The only truly crowded place I run here is our bike path and on nice weekend days, you have to be a little aggressive to get through. I agree that we do all have to share sidewalks and wish everyone were a little more attuned to that. Thanks for commenting!