Saucony Blog » Sauc-Talk http://blog.saucony.com We Run the Internet Wed, 01 May 2013 15:18:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= 6 Ways You Can Help Boston http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/6-ways-boston/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=6-ways-boston http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/6-ways-boston/#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:42:24 +0000 Saucony http://blog.saucony.com/?p=592 BostonMemorialFBCover

1. DONATE
  • The One Fund Boston Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, Inc. to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.To contribute to The One Fund Boston, click here. To send a check by mail: One Fund Boston, Inc. 800 Boylston Street #99009 Boston, MA 02199
  • Boston Children's Hospital Boston Children's Hospital continues to care for the young victims of the attack. You can support the hospital’s efforts with a donation to the Marathon Program, which supports the hospital's areas of greatest need, or their Emergency and Trauma fund, which helps kids and families get the emergency treatment they need when faced with tragedy.
  • American Red Cross Thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors, there is currently enough blood on the shelves to meet victim needs. The Red Cross also has the financial resources it needs to support this event right now. But they are asking those who want to help to make an appointment to give blood in the coming weeks and months. They can do that by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.
2. VOLUNTEER Instead of entering a race, volunteer at a race as an act of gratitude to the Boston Marathon volunteers who became first-responders after the explosions at the finish line. 3. HONOR A TRUE CHAMPION Medals4Mettle (M4M) is a non-profit organization that facilitates the gifting of marathon, half marathon, and triathlon finishers’ medals to people fighting debilitating illnesses who might not be able to run a race, but are in a race of their own just to continue to live their life. Medals4Mettle will accept donations of Boston Marathon finishers' medals from this year, or past years. They will then place Medals4Mettle ribbons on them and award them to the courageous victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon and the first responders that raced to help them. To donate, please send medals to their Boston Area chapters listed on their chapter page. 4. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF You can’t help others if you aren’t helping yourself. The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 is providing immediate crisis counseling to people affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. For additional tips on healthy coping after traumatic events, click here. 5. BOSTON MARATHON TIP HOTLINE People should call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) and select prompt #3, if they have any information, visual images and/or details regarding the explosions along the Boston Marathon route or elsewhere. No piece of information or detail is too small. 6. KEEP RUNNING The Independent Running Retailers Association is connecting stores around the country to support those affected by the events at the Boston Marathon.  Run specialty stores across the U.S. will be hosting simultaneous “Runners For Boston” fun runs on Monday, April 22nd at 6:30pm. On the run, participants are encouraged to wear past/present Boston Marathon gear, the iconic blue & yellow, or the “Runners for Boston” t-shirt graphic. The stores are covering the costs of the shirts and all the proceeds will go towards The One Fund Boston to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013. Use the Saucony.com dealer locator to find a Run Specialty retailer near you and call them to find out if they are participating.]]> BostonMemorialFBCover

1. DONATE
  • The One Fund Boston Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, Inc. to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.To contribute to The One Fund Boston, click here. To send a check by mail: One Fund Boston, Inc. 800 Boylston Street #99009 Boston, MA 02199
  • Boston Children's Hospital Boston Children's Hospital continues to care for the young victims of the attack. You can support the hospital’s efforts with a donation to the Marathon Program, which supports the hospital's areas of greatest need, or their Emergency and Trauma fund, which helps kids and families get the emergency treatment they need when faced with tragedy.
  • American Red Cross Thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors, there is currently enough blood on the shelves to meet victim needs. The Red Cross also has the financial resources it needs to support this event right now. But they are asking those who want to help to make an appointment to give blood in the coming weeks and months. They can do that by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.
2. VOLUNTEER Instead of entering a race, volunteer at a race as an act of gratitude to the Boston Marathon volunteers who became first-responders after the explosions at the finish line. 3. HONOR A TRUE CHAMPION Medals4Mettle (M4M) is a non-profit organization that facilitates the gifting of marathon, half marathon, and triathlon finishers’ medals to people fighting debilitating illnesses who might not be able to run a race, but are in a race of their own just to continue to live their life. Medals4Mettle will accept donations of Boston Marathon finishers' medals from this year, or past years. They will then place Medals4Mettle ribbons on them and award them to the courageous victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon and the first responders that raced to help them. To donate, please send medals to their Boston Area chapters listed on their chapter page. 4. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF You can’t help others if you aren’t helping yourself. The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 is providing immediate crisis counseling to people affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. For additional tips on healthy coping after traumatic events, click here. 5. BOSTON MARATHON TIP HOTLINE People should call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) and select prompt #3, if they have any information, visual images and/or details regarding the explosions along the Boston Marathon route or elsewhere. No piece of information or detail is too small. 6. KEEP RUNNING The Independent Running Retailers Association is connecting stores around the country to support those affected by the events at the Boston Marathon.  Run specialty stores across the U.S. will be hosting simultaneous “Runners For Boston” fun runs on Monday, April 22nd at 6:30pm. On the run, participants are encouraged to wear past/present Boston Marathon gear, the iconic blue & yellow, or the “Runners for Boston” t-shirt graphic. The stores are covering the costs of the shirts and all the proceeds will go towards The One Fund Boston to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013. Use the Saucony.com dealer locator to find a Run Specialty retailer near you and call them to find out if they are participating.]]> http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/6-ways-boston/feed/ 0 The New Running Boom http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/running-boom/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=running-boom http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/running-boom/#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:41:25 +0000 Sharon Barbano http://blog.saucony.com/?p=535 crowd

Decades after its initial surge in the 1970’s more people than ever are hitting the pavement, trails and treadmills. A review of the surveys and reports on the running industry reinforce what many are calling a second running boom.  In 2011, there were a record 14 million road race finishers in the U.S., a 170% increase compared to twenty years earlier. That was the eighth consecutive year that a new U.S. finisher high was set. Get this: Running participation continues to increase year after year at a rate greater than the national population. At the recent 2013 Running USA Conference, I had the opportunity to present my take on the driving forces behind our sport’s powerful growth. Put simply, Americans are finding that running is an inexpensive, easily-accessed, social activity to help them stay healthy and find their sense of strong—individually and as a community. Recession-Resistant According to participation numbers and running shoe sales, the economic downturn is not hurting our running lives. Despite a slow economy, running participation continues to grow: It’s inexpensive, can be done anywhere at anytime, and no gym membership fees are required. A good pair of shoes is all that’s needed. According to Running USA researcher Ryan Lamppa, running “gives you something to control—you can’t control the stock market or the economy, but you can control your health.” Sense of Belonging The loneliness of the long distance runner is a thing of the past. Though the Running USA 2013 National Runner Survey reports that 55% of runners prefer to run alone, 33% responded that they’d be more likely to run if they had someone to do it with. Enter the explosion of running groups and clubs fueled especially by women who value the camaraderie, community and sense of nurturing a group of running friends can offer.  Running groups, either organized by your local YMCA or run specialty store, are also a great source to share training information, stay motivated and push yourself a little more than you would running alone. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter also provide a community platform for runners to share their experiences. The Saucony Find Your Strong Project (#FindYourStrong) is a socially-driven initiative that invites runners to share their personal strong story—mental, physical, spiritual and emotional—while connecting with others who share the similar passion of running. This initiative, a collaboration between Saucony and runners, focuses the community around a purpose: that runners want to contribute to and be involved with finding their strong through running. Event Focused In a world built for the masses, we all want to feel like an individual. Though today’s races engage thousands of participants, event directors are doing a great job of making every runner who participates feel special. In the past, the Saturday morning 10K was about the race—how fast and where in the pack you would finish. Today, the start and finish lines have taken a back seat to the amazing amenities surrounding the race, including concerts, food, t-shirts and medals. And let’s not forget the panache factor: Just by completing an event, today’s runner can be a super hero to their family, friends and coworkers. Women-Powered Women are making a tremendous impact on the sport, now surpassing male participation 56% to 44%, according to the Running USA 2013 National Runner Survey.  With more than 7 million female U.S. road race finishers in 2011, women-only events continue to surge. Training programs, both charity and non-charity alike, have also contributed to the growth of women in running. And the convenience factor of running is appealing to women: It’s a quick and efficient workout that allows them to meet the demands of taking care of family, work and home. Charity-Driven Today’s events allow people to be a part of something bigger, especially charity runs. There is no doubt that charitable running has had a huge impact on the sport. Exercising for a good cause continues to grow in popularity and in the sums it raises for charity, according to the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council. What other forces do you believe are driving the growth of running?]]> crowd

Decades after its initial surge in the 1970’s more people than ever are hitting the pavement, trails and treadmills. A review of the surveys and reports on the running industry reinforce what many are calling a second running boom.  In 2011, there were a record 14 million road race finishers in the U.S., a 170% increase compared to twenty years earlier. That was the eighth consecutive year that a new U.S. finisher high was set. Get this: Running participation continues to increase year after year at a rate greater than the national population. At the recent 2013 Running USA Conference, I had the opportunity to present my take on the driving forces behind our sport’s powerful growth. Put simply, Americans are finding that running is an inexpensive, easily-accessed, social activity to help them stay healthy and find their sense of strong—individually and as a community. Recession-Resistant According to participation numbers and running shoe sales, the economic downturn is not hurting our running lives. Despite a slow economy, running participation continues to grow: It’s inexpensive, can be done anywhere at anytime, and no gym membership fees are required. A good pair of shoes is all that’s needed. According to Running USA researcher Ryan Lamppa, running “gives you something to control—you can’t control the stock market or the economy, but you can control your health.” Sense of Belonging The loneliness of the long distance runner is a thing of the past. Though the Running USA 2013 National Runner Survey reports that 55% of runners prefer to run alone, 33% responded that they’d be more likely to run if they had someone to do it with. Enter the explosion of running groups and clubs fueled especially by women who value the camaraderie, community and sense of nurturing a group of running friends can offer.  Running groups, either organized by your local YMCA or run specialty store, are also a great source to share training information, stay motivated and push yourself a little more than you would running alone. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter also provide a community platform for runners to share their experiences. The Saucony Find Your Strong Project (#FindYourStrong) is a socially-driven initiative that invites runners to share their personal strong story—mental, physical, spiritual and emotional—while connecting with others who share the similar passion of running. This initiative, a collaboration between Saucony and runners, focuses the community around a purpose: that runners want to contribute to and be involved with finding their strong through running. Event Focused In a world built for the masses, we all want to feel like an individual. Though today’s races engage thousands of participants, event directors are doing a great job of making every runner who participates feel special. In the past, the Saturday morning 10K was about the race—how fast and where in the pack you would finish. Today, the start and finish lines have taken a back seat to the amazing amenities surrounding the race, including concerts, food, t-shirts and medals. And let’s not forget the panache factor: Just by completing an event, today’s runner can be a super hero to their family, friends and coworkers. Women-Powered Women are making a tremendous impact on the sport, now surpassing male participation 56% to 44%, according to the Running USA 2013 National Runner Survey.  With more than 7 million female U.S. road race finishers in 2011, women-only events continue to surge. Training programs, both charity and non-charity alike, have also contributed to the growth of women in running. And the convenience factor of running is appealing to women: It’s a quick and efficient workout that allows them to meet the demands of taking care of family, work and home. Charity-Driven Today’s events allow people to be a part of something bigger, especially charity runs. There is no doubt that charitable running has had a huge impact on the sport. Exercising for a good cause continues to grow in popularity and in the sums it raises for charity, according to the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council. What other forces do you believe are driving the growth of running?]]> http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/running-boom/feed/ 0 Marathon of Giving http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/marathon-giving/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=marathon-giving http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/marathon-giving/#comments Fri, 30 Nov 2012 03:43:26 +0000 Saucony http://blog.saucony.com/?p=392 › Continue Reading]]> Here’s the full list of prizes in our Marathon of Giving sweepstakes.

Echelon 3

Day 1, 11/30: Any Saucony footwear of your choice – Find the perfect running shoes for your feet.


CamelBak Hydrobak Hydration Pack & Princeton Tec headlamp

Day 2, 12/1: CamelBak Hydrobak Hydration Pack & Princeton Tec headlamp: Stay hydrated for long distance runs with a 50 fl oz. camelback.  Run safe and see the path ahead with the Princeton Tec LED headlamp.

Sonic HDX ViziPro jacket

Day 3, 12/2: Saucony Sonic HDX ViziPro jacket – Run safe in the dark with the Sonic HDX ViZiPRO Jacket. It’s wind-and water-resistant, and features a flashing, rechargable LED Piping on the left front and across the back for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.

Saucony Triumph 10

Day 4, 12/3: Saucony Triumph 10 – The latest edition in the Triumph series, the new Triumph 10. Reduced the weight by a full half ounce without sacrificing cushioning for the neutral runner. PowerGrid midsole technology distributes force and transmits energy back into the runner’s stride with maximum efficiency and minimal impact.

Saucony duffle bag

Day 5, 12/4: Saucony duffle bag- Store your favorite footwear and apparel to and from your workout with a waterproof duffle bag.

$100 spa finder gift certificate

Day 6, 12/5: $100 spa finder gift certificate -  A massage is just what every runner needs to prepare their body for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training. Spa Finder gift certificates are accepted at over 20,000 spas around the country.

Saucony Siberius Tights & Hoody

Day 7, 12/6: Saucony Siberius Tights & Hoody – Keep warm and train hard this winter.  The new Siberius fabric is brushed and plush on the inside providing superior warmth in the cold. Plus, it features a color-changing temperature gauge to keep you prepared for the extremes!

Saucony Kinvara 3

Day 8, 12/7: Saucony Kinvara 3 – So much technology, so little shoe. We’ve redesigned the look of our most popular shoe, but kept the fit, feel and ride consistent with its predecessor. For the neutral runner.

Mile 22 bag $150 gift card

Day 9, 12/8: Mile 22 bag $150 gift card – Don’t know what to do with all your race memorabilia?  Make them into a bag and carry your achievements with you!

Saucony Amp Pro2 Top & Tights

Day 10, 12/9: Compression gear – AmPro2 tight or capri, long or short sleeve shirt, arm warmers- OXYGEN POWERED PERFORMANCE – the Saucony AMP PRO2 Performance wear is made with revolutionary Celliant® fabric that increases oxygen in the body to give you more energy with a compression fit

Moji Massager

Day 11, 12/10: Moji Massagers – Use one of these easily portable massagers pre or post run to relieve your muscles and speed up recovery.

Gloves, hat, arm warmers + ear warmer speakers

Day 12, 12/11: Cold weather accessories – gloves, hat, arm warmers + ear warmer speakers. Keep your head, arms and ears warm in chilly conditions. Built-in stereo headphones and detachable cord let you enjoy favorite tunes while keeping your ears toasty.

Garmin Forerunner 410 Fitness GPS Watch

Day 13, 12/12: Garmin Forerunner 410 Fitness GPS Watch- If you’re ready to take your training to the next level, Forerunner 410 can get you there. This advanced sport watch is GPS-enabled and accurately records your time, pace, distance, heart rate, elevation and more.

Saucony Xodus 3.0 GTX

Day 14, 12/13: Saucony Xodus 3.0 GTX® – features a waterproof breathable Gore-Tex® upper and an exclusive Vibram outsole providing great traction and protection.

Saucony Originals of your choice

Day 15, 12/14: Saucony Originals of your choice – Looking to stand out, but not show off? Originals offer unmatched comfort and classic, not-trying-too-hard style. Each pair coming with two different lace color options.

$100 iTunes gift card

Day 16, 12/15: $100 iTunes gift card – What’s better than music while you run?  $100 iTunes gift card can help pump any runner up for their runs.

Runner's World athletes palate book, Runner's World & Running Times year subscriptions, calendar

Day 17, 12/16: Runner’s World “athelete’s palate” cookbook, Runner’s World & Running Times 1 year subscriptions + calendar.  Live, eat and breathe everything running with the ultimate runners cookbook and running magazine subscriptions.

Saucony backpack & $30 Road ID Gift card

Day 18, 12/17: Saucony backpack & $30 Road ID Gift card – Ideal for packing your gear and staying organized, the Saucony Rambler Backpack features an interior laptop pocket.  In the event of an accident, if you can’t speak for yourself, your Road ID will. It’s not just a piece of gear, it’s peace of mind.

Oakley running sunglasses

Day 19, 12/18: Oakley Running Sunglasses – Block the sun and wind with these shades designed especially for a secure fit during running.

Kinvara apparel collection jacket and long sleeve

Day 20, 12/19: Kinvara apparel collection – inspired by our famous Kinvara shoe. The perfect solution for running on a cold and windy day, the NMD Jacket is windproof and features DryLete on the back and arms.  The Long sleeve has super light moisture wicking fabric perfect for layering in cold weather.

Saucony Guide 6

Day 21, 12/20: Guide 6 – Saucony’s go-to training shoe for runners seeking lightweight stability.

Bosu Ball trainer & foam roller

Day 22, 12/21: Bosu Ball Trainer & Foam Roller – The total training system includes the Bosu ball that trains balance, enhances flexibility and delivers cardio workouts and comes with a 4-in-1 DVD set (including the Total Body, Calorie Combustion, Long & Lean, and Absolute Abs).

Any Saucony apparel of your choice

Day 23, 12/22: Saucony Apparel of your choice - Find the perfect piece of running apparel to fit your needs this winter.

$100 Amex gift card for race registrations

Day 24, 12/23: $100 Amex gift card for race registrations

Saucony Cortana 2

Day 25, 12/24: Cortana 2- The encore edition of Saucony’s award winning premium lightweight trainer.  Plush cushioning with a just a touch of guidance.  It is the most technologically advanced Saucony running shoe.

iPod touch

Day 26, 12/25: iPod touch – Get pumped up for any run with the thin lightweight 32GB iPod touch with the new Apple earpods.

]]> http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/marathon-giving/feed/ 23 Welcome to the Saucony Blog http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/saucony-blog/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=saucony-blog http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/saucony-blog/#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:48:51 +0000 Sharon Barbano http://blog.saucony.com/?p=302 Welcome To The Saucony Blog - Starting Line

On an evening run, a centipede stopped to stretch under a tree where a skunk was resting. The skunk asked the centipede, “Dude, with all those legs, how do you know which one to move next?” The centipede froze in his tracks. He started thinking. He didn’t know which leg to move so he couldn’t move any.  He cried to the skunk, “Help! I’m stuck!” The skunk sniffed, “You’re stuck because you’re thinking too much. Focus on something else, and you’ll run again.” Just then, the centipede looked out to the horizon and saw the moon rising. “How beautiful!” he thought as he continued running through the cool evening grass. “Don’t overthink it.” Without a doubt, that’s the best running advice I’ve ever heard. And ironically, it was told to me by one of the deepest thinkers in the sport, Dr. Jack Daniels, named the world’s greatest coach by Runner’s World magazine. If you think about it (but not too much), thinking is a good thing, yet an excess can lead anyone to a grinding halt− including runners. After all, the beauty of running is in its simplicity. Let’s not complicate it. That brings me to the second best running advice I’ve ever heard. It comes from the late, great Dr. George Sheehan, physician and running author who once said, “running is an experiment of one,” reflecting on the need for runners to learn from their own personal experience. What works for you may not work at all for me.  Ultimately, all the advice in the world won’t change the fact that in the end, only you know what’s right for you. Sticking with the “rule of three,” there’s one more bit of advice I’d like to share: Find Your Strong. With the thousands of messages we’ve received from runners everywhere, that thought seems to especially resonate with the running community. You see, even though we may each have our individual motivations to run, one thing’s for sure: Together, we’re passionately united over our love for running. That shared inspiration is where strong is definitely discovered. With the launch of the Saucony Blog, our goal is to share the best advice from runners everywhere in a simple, personal and inspirational voice.  In this first edition, guest blogger Dorothy Beal of Mileposts echoes Dr. Daniels advice−“don’t overthink it”−encouraging us instead to focus on the moment, one mile at a time. Triathlete Hall of Famer Karen Smyers shares her “experiment of one” to help you decide on the pool, lake or ocean for your next swim session. In Flip My Workout, Saucony athlete and 2012 Olympian Molly Huddle inspires us to “find our strong” by taking on her favorite 5K workout. And there’s more: Our team of bloggers is second to none, including Dr. Jack Daniels and the RunSmart Project; Mike Silva of Foundation Performance; Spencer White, Head of the Saucony Human Performance and Innovation Lab; and Dr. Randy Accetta, Director of Coaching for the Road Runner’s Club of America, among others. And while we may have some of the most awesome contributors in the sport, none are as experienced in you … than you. We invite you to join us in this journey. We’re here to start the conversation; you take it from here to anywhere. Together, we hope to build a training table of community thought, a never-ending journey where “strong” is found personally and collectively, on every run, through every mile, on every day. Welcome to the Saucony Blog!  ]]> Welcome To The Saucony Blog - Starting Line

On an evening run, a centipede stopped to stretch under a tree where a skunk was resting. The skunk asked the centipede, “Dude, with all those legs, how do you know which one to move next?” The centipede froze in his tracks. He started thinking. He didn’t know which leg to move so he couldn’t move any.  He cried to the skunk, “Help! I’m stuck!” The skunk sniffed, “You’re stuck because you’re thinking too much. Focus on something else, and you’ll run again.” Just then, the centipede looked out to the horizon and saw the moon rising. “How beautiful!” he thought as he continued running through the cool evening grass. “Don’t overthink it.” Without a doubt, that’s the best running advice I’ve ever heard. And ironically, it was told to me by one of the deepest thinkers in the sport, Dr. Jack Daniels, named the world’s greatest coach by Runner’s World magazine. If you think about it (but not too much), thinking is a good thing, yet an excess can lead anyone to a grinding halt− including runners. After all, the beauty of running is in its simplicity. Let’s not complicate it. That brings me to the second best running advice I’ve ever heard. It comes from the late, great Dr. George Sheehan, physician and running author who once said, “running is an experiment of one,” reflecting on the need for runners to learn from their own personal experience. What works for you may not work at all for me.  Ultimately, all the advice in the world won’t change the fact that in the end, only you know what’s right for you. Sticking with the “rule of three,” there’s one more bit of advice I’d like to share: Find Your Strong. With the thousands of messages we’ve received from runners everywhere, that thought seems to especially resonate with the running community. You see, even though we may each have our individual motivations to run, one thing’s for sure: Together, we’re passionately united over our love for running. That shared inspiration is where strong is definitely discovered. With the launch of the Saucony Blog, our goal is to share the best advice from runners everywhere in a simple, personal and inspirational voice.  In this first edition, guest blogger Dorothy Beal of Mileposts echoes Dr. Daniels advice−“don’t overthink it”−encouraging us instead to focus on the moment, one mile at a time. Triathlete Hall of Famer Karen Smyers shares her “experiment of one” to help you decide on the pool, lake or ocean for your next swim session. In Flip My Workout, Saucony athlete and 2012 Olympian Molly Huddle inspires us to “find our strong” by taking on her favorite 5K workout. And there’s more: Our team of bloggers is second to none, including Dr. Jack Daniels and the RunSmart Project; Mike Silva of Foundation Performance; Spencer White, Head of the Saucony Human Performance and Innovation Lab; and Dr. Randy Accetta, Director of Coaching for the Road Runner’s Club of America, among others. And while we may have some of the most awesome contributors in the sport, none are as experienced in you … than you. We invite you to join us in this journey. We’re here to start the conversation; you take it from here to anywhere. Together, we hope to build a training table of community thought, a never-ending journey where “strong” is found personally and collectively, on every run, through every mile, on every day. Welcome to the Saucony Blog!  ]]> http://blog.saucony.com/sauc-talk/saucony-blog/feed/ 13 Do We Have Quality Running Talent in the U.S.? http://blog.saucony.com/inspiration/quality-running-talent-u-s/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=quality-running-talent-u-s http://blog.saucony.com/inspiration/quality-running-talent-u-s/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:59:15 +0000 Jack Daniels, PhD http://blog.saucony.com/?p=138 › Continue Reading]]> Do we have the talent necessary to be among the best in distance running?  I believe we do have the talent, but we are not identifying it, so our best runners never take up the sport of running.  In a sense, we do very well with those in our country who decide to be runners, but a very small percentage of our youth ever consider being runners.

A major factor holding us back in producing more quality distance runners is the lack of Physical Education programs in our school systems.  If all our youth were exposed to regular physical activity throughout their early school years, some would find that they can run well and may even enjoy doing it.  Others would be spotted by qualified teachers, as potential runners.  As it is now, many of our better runners started running in hopes of getting in shape for another sport, or often because they got cut from another sport, so decided to give running a try.

It really boils down to the fact that a very small percentage of distance runners in this country take up the sport because they want to be a runner, and when you don’t have many doing something because that is what they want to do, you end up with a few stars, but not many.

Learning to run is like learning to read or write; you need to practice to do it well and few of our youth practice running.  Certainly very few get a shot at it in their early school years, with so few Physical Education classes offered, and when more free time is spent learning how to operate the latest electronic device than is spent on how to get a human body from point A to point B with ease.  Encouraging good health and fitness must become a more important part of everyone’s life and in doing so we will find many more champions in lots of sports.

A great advantage that running has over many other sports is that to run doesn’t take nearly as much skill, as does swimming, for example.  Sure, there are some aspects of running that can be worked on to make it a little less stressful, but most of our youth can run without being taught how.  I guess I would have to say that the sport of running may be the simplest sport of all, so to be great at it just requires a little time spent doing it.  We have the talent to compete with anyone, so let’s get after it.

]]> http://blog.saucony.com/inspiration/quality-running-talent-u-s/feed/ 0