Hang here to learn about upcoming shoes, news in the running world and talk to RCS employees. Feel free to leave an questions or comments!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Run with Your Pup!

People are beginning to include their best friend in their run! It's really important to make sure that you have the right dog for your situation. Some need more care or more miles logged just to feel comfortable. Others are better for middle distance running. Check out this table before you purchase your next pooch!

BEST FOR

BREED

KEY TRAITS

Long, Steady Runs
(More Than 10 Miles)
Weimaraners
Goldendoodles
German shorthaired pointers
Vizslas
Jack Russell terriers
A medium build, well-muscled hind quarters, not too heavy

Brisk Shorter Runs
(Less Than 10-K)
Greyhounds
Pit bulls
English setters
Beagles
Golden and Labrador retrievers
A muscular and lean build, and a mind for sprinting rather than slogging

Going Fast
(7-Minute Miles or Faster)
Vizslas
German shorthaired pointers
Weimaraners
Greyhounds
Whippets
A medium-size, lean build, and a mental aptitude for running

Long, Slow Runs
Catahoulas
Labrador retrievers
Standard poodles
Dalmatians
A bigger body that can handle the distance—if you go slow

Running in the Heat
Rhodesian ridgebacks
Vizslas
Airedale terriers
Fox terriers
A long nose, a short, sleek coat, and a svelte body

Running in the Cold
Malamutes
German shepherds
Swiss mountain dogs
Siberian huskies
A thick coat and a stockier body type

Running on Trails with Obstacles
German shorthaired pointers
Vizslas
Weimaraners
Border collies
Belgian sheepdogs
Sure-footed and quick to react (such as herding and hunting dogs)

Most Obedient on Heavily Used Trails
Golden and Labrador retrievers
Standard poodles
Labradoodles
Border collies
Nonaggressive, people-oriented, and obedient; has a calm personality

It's really important to make sure that the dogs have great nutrition and are hydrated before running. You pay so much attention to what goes into your body don't you think you should do the same for your pet?

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Brooks Ghost 3

The new Ghost 3 is getting rave reviews!



Price: $100 See our price here!
Widths: Stand.-2E(M) 2A-D(W)
Weight: 11 oz(M) 8.9 oz(W)

Runner's World Says:

Although the original Ghost was a performance trainer, each update has moved the shoe more firmly into the neutral-cushioned category. It's still light and zippy while being supportive enough to protect your legs on long runs. The heel is now segmented to isolate impact forces and ease the foot through toe-off. This update is built on a last similar to the Adrenaline GTS, and testers enjoyed the snug fit through the heel and midfoot. We recommend it for runners with a relatively efficient stride looking for plenty of arch support.

Brooks Says:

Sweet! Runner's World deemed The Ghost 3 "Editor's Choice" in its Fall 2010 Shoe Guide in the September issue.

The new Ghost 3 is a thriller—day or night. Friendly to a variety of runners across the neutral spectrum, this shoe delivers bounce and balance thanks to generous cushioning and inherent stability. Now available in widths, the eye-catching Ghost 3 is topped off with an upper that envelops the foot for a fit that feels custom. One run and you'll become a believer.



Brooks Men's Ghost 3


Brooks Women's Ghost 3

Monday, August 2, 2010

Fueling Your Run

The number one response when someone asks what should I eat/drink is, "It depends". Everyone's body works differently. Each person needs to find exactly what works for them. This can be fun because you can use trial and error. You may try out all the different products that are out there until you have that AH-HA! moment when you've found the one that you love and works for you!

The same mantra is true for what you are using to drink. It is important to fuel up for your runs and hydrate before you head out there. This is a suggested approach from Runner's World:

Running Time: Up to 60 minutes

Drink: Electrolyte tablets

These nearly zero-calorie tablets, such as Nuun, CamelBak Elixir, and Zym Endurance, dissolve in water and provide electrolytes and flavor with few carbs. Use them if you have electrolyte-rich sweat (you do if you often have white flakes on your face postrun), if you're in sauna-like heat, or if you prefer to get carbs from other sources. Be careful if you take the tablets with energy gels that also contain electrolytes; the extra salt may upset your stomach.


Running Time: Up to 60 minutes

Drink: Low-calorie sports drink

Lisa Dorfman, a triathlete and sports nutritionist at the University of Miami, drinks low- or zero-calorie options, such as G2, PowerAde Zero, Motor Tabs, Nuun U, Crystal Light Hydration, and Luna Sport Electrolyte Splash, for workouts that aren't too long or too hard. They allow her to drink a lot of fluid without tons of calories. When it comes to longer or more intense runs, these drinks don't provide enough carbs to fuel your muscles.


Running Time: One to two hours

Drink: Sports drinks

Your body starts to significantly deplete stored sugars after 60 to 90 minutes of running. Reach for a drink that has about 60 grams of carbs (or about 120 to 240 calories) and about 300 to 1,000 milligrams of sodium per 32 ounces, such as Gatorade, PowerAde, Gleukos, Cytomax, and GU2O Sports Drink. Different brands use different forms of sugar, and some runners find their stomachs can handle one type better than another.


Running Time: Two hours or more

Drink: Endurance sports drinks

Drinks such as Gatorade Endurance Formula and PowerBar Endurance contain extra electrolytes to help offset large sweat losses and may help prevent cramps. "The longer you sweat, the more electrolytes you lose," says Michael F. Bergeron, Ph.D., who studies how exercise in the heat affects fluid and mineral balance. Researchers have found that the more salty drinks athletes consume, the less urine they produce and the fewer electrolytes they lose.


Running Time: Postrun

Drink: Recovery drinks, protein shakes, chocolate milk, smoothies

"Combining proteins with carbs increases glycogen stores in muscles and reduces the amount of muscle damage from exercise," says John Ivy, Ph.D., a professor of kinesiology at the University of Texas at Austin. Choose drinks or shakes, such as Myoplex Original, PowerBar Recovery, or Luna Sport Recovery Smoothie, that contain about a half gram of carbs and about .2 grams of protein per pound of body weight.


Running Time: Race day

Drink: Sports drinks with caffeine

Caffeine-enhanced sports drinks can be perfect for races or workouts when you're feeling a bit sluggish. "They are useful," says Kirk Cureton, Ph.D., a lead author in two recent studies involving cyclists and caffeine. In a 2007 study, cyclists had lower rates of perceived exertion during two-hour cycling sessions and were able to push harder at the end. Try Crisp Apple Clif Shot Electrolyte Replacement Drink, Accelerade with Caffeine, or Zym Catapult--just be sure to train with these drinks before your big day.

As said before, make sure to test different options. For some people certain things upset their stomach or create a discomfort. One should always make sure they are totally comfortable with the things they are putting in and out of their body.

Happy Running!