The North Face Winter Running Gear Review

December 10, 2013 run on the median along Commonwealth Ave. in ankle deep snow.

Introduction

The North Face was kind enough to send these Vagabond Runners some great running gear. We already reviewed the TNF Hyper-Track Guide trail shoe, which we loved. With temperatures dipping into the teens in Boston, we can finally provide a meaningful review of some of this gear. 

We think you might like this stuff.

Read more!

Newton MV3 Review: Feel the Need for Speed

Image copyright Vagabondrunning Blog

Introduction

When Newton sent us the Energy NR to review, they were kind enough to also send us the MV3 to review, too. This yellow racing flat with the red Newton logo is definitely eye candy, and we could not have been more excited to try this zero drop racer with Newton-unique specifications.

Read more!

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra Review

If you have not been out trail running during the year, the winter can be a great time to start. For those of us that live in areas of the country or regions of the world where a wonderful, white, ice-y/powder-y substance falls from the sky accumulating in such a way that roads, towpaths, and sidewalks turn into snowy trails, you might want to consider a trail shoe for the winter months.

Read more!

The North Face Hyper-Track Guide | In-depth Review

Introduction

Sometime during the late-summer, I got in contact with The North Face about their Winter 2013 line-up of running gear (review forthcoming next week!). As part of a box of goodies that they sent us, I was pleased to find a pair of the TNF Hyper-Track Guide.

Read more!

Newton Energy NR Review

Newton Running is a shoe company based on Colorado that produces shoes designed to enhance natural, more efficient running. If you actively follow the running scene on Twitter and / or Facebook, then you are probably familiar with Newton's numerous campaigns and running form clinics that they hold around the country. After hearing about the soon-to-be-released [and now currently available] Newton Energy NR, which would be their most affordable shoe to date, I decided to reach out to Newton to see if Jordan and I could wear test this model. Newton was extremely generous and sent Jordan and I the Newton Energy NR and the MV3 [review forthcoming next week] to review for our blog.

Read more!

3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Running: Part I Running is Not Masochism, or Run Slow

Running is not masochism, but it might seem that way. Running does not come naturally to most people that I know. Even the once-serious college and high school athletes I rub shoulders on a daily basis with don’t like to run. Maybe it’s because running was punishment in practice, or maybe it’s because the determined athlete in them will only stop once vomiting occurs. No matter the contextual reason it really boils down to one simple and unsophisticated truth: running is hard.

Read more!

One Year with Coach Caleb

Coach Caleb on the Newton Hills at the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Yesterday, I ran 14.5mi with my 9.3lb backpack on at an easy 8:45 min/mi pace. Three and a half hours later, I ran 2 miles in 13:45, finishing the last 0.75mi at a 6:10 min/mi pace. Not super fast, but not too shabby for legs that were feeling pretty fatigued.

And then I started to think, "There's now way I could have done last year at this time."

12 months ago I started working with Coach Caleb Masland of Team Wicked Bonkproof. I was a different runner 12 months ago. A very different runner.

Read more!