November 2020 - Fresh Brew Run Club

Nike Infinity React 2: FIRST LOOK

November 28, 2020December 30, 2020freshbrewstaffLeave a comment

Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming Nike Infinity React 2

The Nike Infinity React 2 is the next iteration of one of the more hyped running sneaker releases from Nike almost a year ago. The original Infinity featured React foam, a sock-like upper and a mix of stability and lightness got a lot of runners excited.

Personally I was not a fan; after about 100 miles, I retired it because it seemed to put a ton of pressure on my calves and achilles tendons. It felt like I was running in sand, and my heel would slide around a lot in the shoe. I found the Nike React Miler to be a much better everyday training shoe.

Well, Nike is back with an update that appears like it might be directly addressing those issues with the Nike Infinity React 2.

New Features

At first glance, the Nike Infinity React 2 has some major updates. The upper looks a little more solid than the original’s thin Flyknit material. To counteract this, there appears to be some ventilation on the forefoot area. The laces also appear to be secured by some kind of Flywire setup. There’s now a tongue instead of the previous full booty knit that just wrapped around the ankle.

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The biggest change I can see to the Nike Infinity React 2 comes in the heel area, where a new padded collar should help lock the heel into the shoe and prevent the previous issue of sliding around too much, and reduce the chafing the heel.

Similarities

React is in the name of the shoe, so it’s no surprise that full-length React foam returns. The shoe also appears to keep it’s width, in order to retain it’s purpose as a stability shoe.

Reactions

The reactions online has been pretty positive so far. A few notables:

“Looks like a solid update, but wondering how much weight they added.” -the_real_dad_runner on IG
“About time! I just bought some and I was slipping all over the place, they had to go back 😔 looking forward to these 😁” -daleruns_ on IG
“It looks even better than 1 version. Great news !!!” -wojtech10 on IG
“The Nike Infinity React 2 looking like a big improvement from a lockdown perspective – can’t wait!” -dpl_runs on IG
“Lockdown was perfect for me in version 1 but I can see why they have done this tweak. Not too bothered if additional weight as I use this shoe for easy miles where I want the pace to be very slow.” -marcusnye on IG

Nike Infinity React 2 Release Date

According to Nike, the official global release date for the Infinity React 2 is January 7th! Official image below:

What do you think about the shoe? Leave a comment!

FIRST LOOK: Nike Alphafly Ekiden

November 27, 2020November 27, 2020freshbrewstaffLeave a comment

First look at the Nike Alphafly Ekiden colorway, via Protosofthegram on Instagram.

Another flashy addition to the Alphafly lineup. No release date specified, stay tuned for updates!

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What do you think of this colorway? Drop a comment!

2020 Gift Guide for Runners

November 26, 2020November 27, 2020freshbrewstaffLeave a comment

The Fresh Brew Run Club 2020 Gift Guide for Runners has something unique for the runner in your life.

From stocking stuffers to space age shoe technology, our 2020 Gift Guide for Runners has some gifts that go the extra mile. Check it out!

JLayDesign Running Posters

These awesome posters from runner/designer JLayDesign are perfect for the runner looking to spruce up a wall. Featuring collections of the latest and greatest trainers and even Forrest Gump rocking some Vaporfly Next%’s, these posters will make a splash. ORDER HERE.

Exclusive Gear from Bell Lap

Bell Lap Track and Field was started as a hassle-free way for professional runners to sell their gear in order to pursue their running dreams. At least twice a week, Bell Lap has a gear drop, where a plethora of new and pre-owned gear becomes available. Oftentimes, these are items you simply can’t get anywhere else. Products vary week to week and often sell out fast. A great way to support fellow runners! SHOP HERE.

Shipping from Boston

The Boston Marathon may have been cancelled in 2020, but you can still score some great deals on official Boston Marathon merch. From clothing to custom replica mile markers, these gifts are a great for fans and participants of one of the most popular marathons in the world. SHOP NOW.

Bowerman Track Club

The BTC is one of the premier running organizations in America. Their runners have won huge races, smashed world records and looked good in the process. Bolstered by a partnership with Nike, the BTC also has fantastic merch, so the runner in your life can look the part of an elite athlete on the trail or just lounging around the house. SHOP HERE.

Nike Alphafly Next%

In 2019, Eliud Kipchoge debuted the Nike Alphafly Next% as he ran the world’s first sub-2:00 marathon. The shoe has since been released to the general public, often selling out immediately. However, it’s never sold out here. Give the gift of carbon fiber-plated goodness this holiday season.

The Hanson’s Marathon Method

If you or someone you know is looking to run a full or half marathon, I wouldn’t recommend any training plan in the world except the Hanson’s Marathon Method. This training plan is much more than what you’ll find by searching “marathon training plan” on Google, it is a comprehensive, custom method that covers everything from pace charts for every workout to nutrition. I’ve used it to repeatedly get my PR in the half marathon. SHOP NOW.

Theragun Prime

This gadget has taken over the sports world, from NBA superstars to elite runners. The Theragun provides deep muscle treatment to ease soreness, tightness and aid recovery. Get it at RUNdetroit.

Custom Course Maps

These custom maps from Run Ink are a great way to commemorate a memorable run. They take a race course map and add details like name, bib number, time, date and color scheme to create a really cool poster. You can also create a custom course, which is especially nice during a year where many runners ran virtual races on their own courses. SHOP HERE.

MAURTEN Nutrition

A perfect stocking stuffer, MAURTEN is the nutrition choice of many of the world’s best runners. From drink mixes to energy gels, these products are seen in some of the biggest races. Check out several varieties at RUNdetroit.

BibFOLIO+ Bib and Display Case

Finally, I think it has been scientifically proven that most runners have at least 10 medals from races crammed into a junk drawer in their house somewhere. So why not put them on display? This case has a place to hang medals and display bib numbers for all the world to see. SHOP HERE.

Thanks for checking out the 2020 Gift Guide for Runners. Hopefully these gifts make the season merry and bright. Did I miss anything? Share your running gift ideas in the comments!

Power Ranking: Cars Least Likely to Use a Turn Signal

November 21, 2020November 27, 2020freshbrewstaffLeave a comment

Runners and cars must coexist, but not everyone plays nice. Here’s my list of cars least likely to use a turn signal.

Running can be hazardous. This summer alone, I twisted my ankle three separate times. I’ve seen runners pass out, fall down a muddy hill and get stung by hornets. But cars are another story. Runners must always look out for cars who don’t stop, signal or even look at the road, because our chances against a two-ton machine aren’t great.

One of my biggest pet-peeves is drivers who don’t use a turn signal. I can’t predict where a car is going to go, especially at intersections. Are you going straight, or turning? If only there was a way to signal your intentions as a driver by using some kind of device… Anyway, here’ s my power rankings of cars least likely to use a turn signal.

5. Chevy Suburbans

The official status symbol for soccer moms rushing around the roads while clearly having a speakerphone conversation on the phone. Do these cars not come with Bluetooth? Are Airpods sold out? I can see why it’s impossible to use a turn signal, when you have one hand on the wheel and one hand on your bedazzled iPhone.

4. Nissan Altima

If I see a Nissan Altima, I assume the driver is either A.) texting and driving B.) eating and driving or C.) pretty much doing anything besides paying attention to the road. It doesn’t matter the year of the car, I fear them like Nissan Altima drivers fear using a turn signal.

3. Any BMW or Mercedes-Benz

I think when you get to a certain point where you can afford one of these car brands, you just feel like you are above the law. Or maybe turn signals aren’t standard on these brands? Is that a German thing? Who knows, but I do know these drivers will run a stop sign, not signal and stare you down like it’s your fault for being in the way. Get out of the way runners, the important people in the world have important places to be.

2. Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeeps, man. What is it about these vehicles that just invites a level of automotive selfishness on par with me at a self-serve frozen yogurt shop? Set aside the fact that these beasts were designed for off-roading, but will spend more time parked in a cul-de-sac, they have a certain unpredictability that goes beyond turn signals. I guess “it’s a Jeep thing” right? Too bad we can’t turn the “Jeep wave” into the “Jeep turn signal” in 2021.

1. Ford F-250

Not sure what it is about the F-250 that empowers drivers to feel the need to put on a show of force on every single humble sidestreet, but these trucks are the definition of “just chill out, man.” Between comically aggressive acceleration at green lights, “rollin’ coal” and a complete lack of interest in the rules of the road, I just assume an F-250 is going to attempt to put me into the ditch and do a burnout on the way to getting groceries, or whatever mundane tasks that underutilized suburban trucks do in their spare time. Also, having a Punisher sticker on the back window also increases the likelihood of not using a turn signal to 100.00%.

Stay safe out there, runners.

Note: if you drive one of these cars, don’t take it personally. Be the turn signal you want to see in the world.

Nike React Miler – 200 Mile Review

November 15, 2020November 27, 2020freshbrewstaff5 Comments

200 miles later, the Nike React Miler remains a rock-solid everyday trainer.

Nike React Miler review — Processed with VSCO with a5 preset

Earlier this year, I reviewed the Nike React Miler after one run. After 35 runs and 202 miles, here’s my thoughts on this shoe.

I used this shoe for my easy runs and recovery runs, to take advantage of the stability and cushion when speed was not the main goal.

Pros of the Nike React Miler

Comfort is the name of the game. This was a great fit for my runs when I needed something to protect my sore feet from the pavement. There’s a lot of material between the road and your feet, and the upper locks in nicely around your foot to provide lots of stability.

This is a also a very durable shoe. Like I mentioned in my initial review, this shoe is built like a tank, with tons of cushion and a very durable upper. After runs on concrete, dirt, asphalt and grass, the upper shows almost no signs of wear.

The outsole held up very nicely as well. Since I used this shoe on my slower runs, my heelstrike was magnified, and I have begun to wear down the heel and forefoot rubber. However, I don’t feel like the shoe is comprimised at this point, and has a lot of life left. I only noticed a few areas where the react foam had creased, which is a big contrast to other Nikes that tend to crease and eventually crumble at those stress points.

Initial signs of wear from my heelstrike

Cons of the Nike React Miler

In order to remain durable, the shoe is pretty heavy. If you’re looking for a trainer to set a PR or run speed workouts, maybe look for something with a little less mass. The materials on the upper are also not super breathable, which can result in some sweaty feet on hot days.

It’s not the lightest shoe in the world.

Verdict

I’m a huge fan of this shoe. It didn’t recive the typical Nike marketing push, but I found the Miler to be a rock-solid shoe for tackling long, easy and recovery runs. It’s a little on the heavier side, which might actually be an advantage if you rotate in a faster shoe for faster runs. Almost like baseball players taking practice swings with a donut weight on their bat before swinging the lighter, weight-free bat in the game.

The durability of the shoe makes it agreat investment. I have no doubt that I will be able to get 400+ miles out of the shoe before I need to retire it. It’s just a solid shoe. And since it’s has been out for a while now, you can find some fantastic deals.

Overall, if you’re looking for a comfortable, stable shoe and you’re not concerned as much about speed, I highly recommend the Nike React Miler.

First Look: Nike Vaporfly Next% 2

November 14, 2020January 15, 2021freshbrewstaff1 Comment

Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming Nike Vaporfly Next% 2

UPDATE No. 2: We have official images, via NikeTalk user TC1990. More images here.

UPDATE: via @protoshoes on Instagram, we now have a new look at the shoe, and a possible summer 2021 release date.

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Over the past year and a half, the Nike Vaporfly Next% has played a massive role in both competitive and every day running. Watch any race and you’re sure to see the signature bright pink, volt and other colors of this carbon fiber-plated shoe on at least half of the runners. Elite runners and amateurs alike have loved the shoe’s lightweight build and carbon fiber plate that supposedly accounts for a 5% improvement in performance.

It now appears as if the next iteration of the shoe will be hitting shelves at some point in the near-ish future. The first appearance of the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 came from the Twitter account @TrackSneakLeaks, showing an updated version:

Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 — Via TrackSneakLeaks

Sneakleaks also mentioned the possibility of an “OG” colorway, which pays tribute to Eliud Kipchoge’s first Breaking2 attempt:

Another post from the Instagram account @Vaporflyers gives us yet another look at they “Hyper Jade” colorway (along with a Hyper Jade colorway of the Nike Tempo Next%).

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New Features

The updates to the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 appear to mostly be focused on the upper. The Vaporweave upper material has been replaced with a mesh-like material for better breathability. There appears to be a few tweaks the the tongue and the position of the laces, moving them a little bit off-center, angling outward from the middle of the foot. There also appears to be some reinforced material along the forefoot rand.

Similarities

The shoe’s ZoomX midsole with a carbon fiber plate appears to be the same as the original Vaporfly. The overall look is similar, with a giant Swoosh on the inside of the shoe, and a smaller Swoosh near the heel.

Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 Release Date

There has been no confirmed release date, but stay tuned for updates!

10 Observations From My Pandemic Half-Marathon

November 3, 2020November 10, 2020aaronbrandtLeave a comment

I ran a half marathon this past weekend; here’s 10 observations from my pandemic half-marathon.

2020 was going to be my year. I finished my 2019 running season by smashing my PR in the half-marathon and feeling great. 2020 was going to be the year I took things to the next level. I planned on hitting the gym hard, maintaining my fitness and heading into summer training in the best shape of my life.

Well, my gym was closed for renovations for months, then the pandemic hit. Not only did it keep my gym closed, but it cancelled the race I was planning on running. Instead of giving up, I decided to run a half marathon on my own in the fall. So after a long summer of training, I did it. Here’s my observations from my pandemic half-marathon.

Running a race during a pandemic. — En route to a PR.

1. I miss crowds

There’s nothing better than rounding the final turn and hearing a roaring crowd cheer you on as you approach the finish line. Thankfully, a few of my friends showed up to cheer me on, but that’s not always an option for everyone.

2. Laps are boring

Metro Detroit doesn’t have a ton of flat running paths uninterrupted by roads, so I was limited to doing laps around a park. They are boring. “Two laps down, six to go” is not a pleasant thought. I was reminded why I never liked track.

3. Goose poop is slippery

Pretty self explanatory. Goose dung has some oily properties, creating a dangerous situation on the sidewalk.

4. Starting a race on my own time is amazing

WHY are races so early in the morning, especially during fall in the Midwest? What, are we trying to get the race in before the temps hit 40 degrees? These 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. start times mean runners have to wake up as early as 3 or 4 in the morning, just to get fueled, ready, parked and at the start line by the time the gun goes off. But I can start my race whenever I want, not worry about parking and take my sweet time warming up. More races should start after 9 a.m.

5. Getting hit by a car isn’t a concern in a real race

But it sure is when running on your own! While I made sure I wasn’t crossing any roads on my homemade race course, there were a few driveways, and despite my frantic arm waving and blinding neon singlet, Sally in the Suburban didn’t see me, or even attempt to come to a stop before turning onto the street. Not sure I recall having to dodge two-ton Dodges during an official race. We live in a world made almost exclusively for cars, and us runners must never forget that.

6. A fuel plan is important

Unlike a real race, there will not be tables set up at various points of the course, staffed by eager college athletes handing out water, energy gels and petroleum jelly on sticks. I put together a little fuel plan and had my coach (aka my wife) hand me an electrolyte drink and gel at various points of the run. Without it, I would have needed to stash a bottle in bushes scattered about the course, risking theft and vandalism.

7. Don’t trust your GPS

I switched GPS watches earlier because I wasn’t getting very accurate results. My new watch was awesome, until raceday, when it inexplicably decided to betray me worse than Anakin on Mustafar. I did plan for this, and mapped out the exact distance on Map My Run, so I didn’t need to rely on the watch 100% to tell me when to stop. Of course the watch was way off and made me run almost a quarter mile more than I needed, but I was able to go back and figure out my elapsed time at the point of my course that should have been the finish line and calculate my time. I’ll never take a chip-timed race for granted again.

8. Running alone is hard

Pretty obvious, but running alone, oftentimes out of sight of any human beings doesn’t have the same feel as running in a race with other people. There’s no one to track down on the last mile, and no fear that someone is tracking you down as you approach the finish line. It’s just you, your thoughts and a few gassy geese.

9. Watch for sticks

Something you don’t often see on the course of a big race; sticks on the ground underneath leaves. This combo was nearly my demise.

10. I’m glad I did it

I considered just taking the year off and running at a leisurely pace all summer, not training for anything. But I’m glad I chose to try and run a race. Not only did I get my PR, but it kept me motivated to run in one of the hottest summers I can remember. Even though I would have much rather run the wide open streets of Detroit, surrounded by cheering crowds the entire time, I stayed motivated and ran my pandemic half-marathon.

How to Break Out of a Running Slump

November 1, 2020November 27, 2020freshbrewstaffLeave a comment

Getting out of a running slump can feel like an impossible task, but with a few tweaks, you can be back on pace in no time.

Not every run is sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes its a bad day, and other times it can feel like a bad week, or even a bad month. Running slumps happen to even the best runners, but they don’t have to last forever. Here’s a few simple tips for how to break out of a running slump.

Take a Break

One of the hardest parts of running consistently can also be the most necessary. Taking a break may seem like a counterintuitive approach to becoming a better runner, but sometimes it’s what your body needs. Fatigue can be both physical and mental. Maybe a heatwave has sapped your energy. Or a series of disappointing results has you down in the dumps. Taking a break to let your body and mind recharge is one of the easiest ways to get back on track. Don’t feel guilty about taking some time off; rest and recovery will keep you fresh and healthy.

Change the Scenery

Running is as much of a mental sport as it is physical, so if you’re brain isn’t engaged in your environment, runs can feel dull and boring. Looking at you, boring sidewalk by my house. Try running at a new location; a park you haven’t visited or a downtown street in a nearby city. Changing up the location brings a whole new set of sights, sounds and smells into the mix to stimulate your mind on a run. You can also try running at different time. Switch from morning runs to evening runs for a nice change in perspective. Either way, change can be good.

Check Your Shoes

Shoes are a runner’s most important tool. While many people take pride in wearing a pair of trainers into the ground like a 1998 Honda Civic, it’s important to make sure your shoes are in good shape. Replacing them with a fresh pair can be the change needed to bring the bounce back into your step. Plus, who doesn’t love lacing up a pair of fresh shoes and hitting the road? As the adage goes, “Look good, feel good, run good.”

Balance Your Diet

Diet is an important part of running, so make sure you’re getting proper nutrients and fuel before and after your runs. You don’t need to strictly adhere to the latest fad diet, but getting the proper mix of healthy carbs, proteins, fruits, vegetables and minerals can have a significant impact on your running. Cut back on the sugars, high-fat foods and soda as well.

Sleep Well

The body needs rest. A lack of sleep can be a major contributor to your slump. Your body needs sleep to recover, and sleep helps keep the mind sharp. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep a night so you can recharge your batteries and be ready to hit the dusty trail the next day.

Get Some Inspiration

Personally I find books, documentaries and videos about elite athletes to be extremely inspiring. Seeing how the best runners in the world prepare for races always makes me want to get out there and throw down a few miles. There’s tons of excellent running content out there that can help you get your edge back and bust out of a slump.

What inspires you to run? Maybe it’s watching elite runners perform, or maybe it’s as simple as setting a goal. Focus on what motivates you to run.

Running slumps aren’t any fun. But a few tweaks can help get yourself back on track.

Have any other tips for how to break out of a running slump? Leave a comment!