Social Workout

Workout Wear

In Search of the Perfect Running Shoe

I go through about three pairs of sneakers a year. Seems like within minutes of first wearing new sneakers, they're filthy, completely stretched out, and of withering arch support. Truth is, I have no idea how to pick a good shoe. Generally my process goes something like this: Walk into store, find shoe that fits and doesn't look appalling, walk around for approximately thirty seconds, buy, then wear for a few months until it's time for a memorial ceremony. I just mourned the passing of another pair, but this time I was determined to get new sneakers that fit perfectly...

Workout

I gots me some new shoes and they gots me runnin'

So I took all ah y'all's advice and went to a store that checks your gait (Jack Rabbit) to find the best running shoes for me.  I wasn't too picky about style, mostly price, so I only needed to try on two pairs.  Right away they were so much better than the Pumas I've been running in.  I had planned on running 3 miles this morning, but my stomach started to hurt, so I stopped at

Social Workouts

Eyes on the Prize: Eat.Sweat.Blog.Celebrate.

Challengers on final approach, or readers planning their post-Halloween detox, here's something to focus on: November 4th. Equinox, in their wisdom, has given us the run of their swank, polished-concrete, Highline-proximate MeaPa location. We're inviting everyone we know. Whole Foods will be there with a chef, Siggi will be there with his skyr, our pals at TheKitchn.com will be dishing out five ways to eat anything, the Vita Coco guys will be in full effect. Some crack running shoe fitters from Jack Rabbit Sports are coming, and also a crew from Blueprint Cleanse, with samples. (That's just to honor certain among you who have gone deep into the cleansing). Also, Jared Koch of Clean Plates N.Y.C. will join us, and, really, many more inspiringly healthy people. And hopefully you. Come sweat and eat and talk, and celebrate the heroes of our latest challenge. Come get re-inspired to treat your body well. Yes, there's a dress code of sorts, and, yes, you can bring friends. Full details after the jump. Meantime, though, be good to your fine, healthy self....

Runners Alert

Last Minute NYC Marathon Sign Ups Happen Now!

It's running season! Even hardened spin teachers looked at their students funny when the weather is this nice. "What are you doing here?" Jamie Morales screamed at us on Saturday afternoon at Equinox mecca. Good question. Well, for the clever runners out there, here's some critical intel:

• Today is the last day to get in on the lottery for the New York City marathon in November. Want to spice up your Monday? Fire off an application!
• For those already on the plan, this past Saturday was the NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix. Congrats to all who finished! Our sources at the 11th Street Cafe said it was a big success, but also reported that by mile six, their nifty Nike+ was saying they were on mile seven. Doh! Nothing quite so demoralizing as discovering you're a mile behind where you thought you were....
• Meanwhile, New York Times gadget blogger Danielle Belopotosky is training for the marathon, and has done a round up of local and online running clubs. It's not exactly comprehensive  -- misses SW faves like the Bridge Runners, the Jack Rabbit Sports training programs as well as some good virtual sites like Runner+ -- but it's worth a browse.

Enjoy the weather!

Round Up

Run for Spring

Three reasons to go running today, even though Spring is still struggling mightily to show up...

New York

Gear

Hurts So Good

Spring is playing cat and mouse with us this week -- with crowds shifting between treadmill and running path with each fluctuation of thermometer -- but clearly running season is at hand. It's time, then, for my annual love affair with The Stick. I've found that if I take the time to rub this crazy rod over any troublesome leg muscle, before and after running, I can ward off the kind of early season pain and injury that has hobbled -- or halted -- my spring running in the past before it even got going.

It's really dead simple (and vaguely sex toy-like): Just a mildly flexible, dense plastic rod; but the effect is uncannily like deep tissue massage. The operative benefit is warm muscles before you hit the path in chilly weather, and, presumably quick dissipation of lactic acid immediately after.

For the record, I actually learned about The Stick from a yogi friend, so it's not exclusively a runners thing. I gather Phil Jackson, Zen meditator and superstar NBA coach, is also a big fan. You can pick one up in New York at Jack Rabbit Sports on 14th street for $19.95. Way cheaper than a weekly sports massage, though some things are certainly lost in translation.