"Do Life" by Ben Davis: Book review and Giveaway!

Do Life by Ben Davis

I just finished this book, and really wanted to get a review up before it goes on sale on 12/31/12!! And, stay tuned for your chance to win a copy when it is released next week as well!

Before reading this book, I had not heard about Ben, or his amazing journey, so I am so glad I was asked to review this book and learn more about his amazing story!

For an amazing visual summary of his journey, take a look at the video below...




As for the book, I found it equally as inspirational and moving as this video.  Now, if you are not a runner, don't think that this book isn't for you.  It really is for everyone.  Granted, Ben Davis discovered running as his key to true happiness, but the message delivered is that the key could be just about anything, as long as it is a healthy obsession to drive you forward... or as the book is titled... to drive you to truly "do life", rather than sitting back and letting it pass by.  Ben does an amazing job of truly bringing you into his shoes... even in the darkest and lowest moments, and by exposing himself at his rawest moments, carries you forward in his journey to happiness and health.  And, it was not an overnight or painless transition as Ben recounts many setbacks and challenges that are to be expected.

http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/

Now, as someone who has been on a journey to better health and happiness, I really identified with many of the stories and feelings that Ben relates in this book. Not everyone is going to have the same challenges, or even the same journey, but the basic foundation and strategies offered in this book are sound and offer some great ways to begin thinking about how to change your own life.  Again, things aren't going to be the same for everyone, and Ben notes this often in the book, but the key message remains that you can take control and live life to its fullest, and it's never too late to start.

From a runners perspective, I really enjoyed this book as well.  Besides just documenting the ups and downs of his journey, Ben also takes time to offer a lot of running advice for new runners, based on his experiences.  Included in the book are several training programs for various race distances and some great advice on training, strategies, and gear.  These are by no means in-depth programs (there are complete books on each of these areas), but there is a lot of info I wish I had known when I first started running.  So, if you are a new runner, I would highly recommend this book for the simple tips offered, combined with the inspirational story.

What is also really cool, is that Ben's journey and philosophy has been transformed into a movement as well. You can check out the Do Life Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DoLifeMovement

And from that page, here is the mission:

Mission

What is Do Life?

Do Life is a choice to take control of our lives. 

It is refusing to accept that life has to be ordinary or inconsequential.

It is identifying the areas of our lives that need improvement.

It is deciding to change.

And the key thing about Do Life is that it’s not about just one thing; if you want to become 

a better father, you become it. If you want to be a better student, you do it. If you want to run a marathon, you run until you can’t run anymore, and then you keep running. 

Do Life is a movement dedicated to achieving these things and helping others as they Do Life as well.

And so.. there you have it. Would you like a copy of the book??  It will be released on 12/31/12, and one reader will have an opportunity to get one of the first copies. Or, you can order it here.  Please note, contest is open to the U.S. and Canada only.  Winner will be drawn from all entries via Random.org after the contest closes at 10PM MST on December 31, 2012.

Enter below... good luck and thanks for reading!



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I'm a Ninja! Born 2 Run Road Performance Review and Training update

Yikes! 36 days until my first marathon!  Ok.. I'm not panicking yet, but I'm sure that will come.  From a training update perspective, I am in week 11 of a 16 week schedule that I built using the free Smart Coach app from Runner's world.  I managed to complete my first 20 miler last Friday, which felt great.  Especially since I really was stressing about it in the days leading up to it.  But, I got through and recovered fairly quickly, so I am starting to think I may just make it through my first full marathon! 

One reason I think I'll get through my first full is that I'm going to run like a Ninja!!  If you recall, in mid-October I posted a preview of the goodies sent to me by Born 2 Run to help me train and run my first marathon.  You can see that post here.  The Road Performance shoe (shown above), sports a Tabi style split toe which is really comfortable to me (I credit my Japanese ancestry), hence my Ninja shoes... (or goat shoes as my wife calls them). 

So, what follows is my comprehensive review of these shoes, as well as a review of the Strength Training program from B2R as well.  Also, stay tuned because at the end of the review is a HUGE announcement...  no.. really..  :-) 

First of all, let me talk about the strength training DVD program. The Level One program includes a wobble board (what I am standing on), plus balance poles, and a really good DVD.  I did the workouts (which includes core work), but then came up with a great idea.  I have a core workout I like to do already, so I took the wobble board to my office and used it with my standing desk.  I can go through the series of foot/leg strengthening drills while on a conference call!  This worked out really well.  The results?  I know my feet and lower legs are stronger from these exercises.  Where I notice it the most is when I run on ground that is off angle... especially side to side. That can really wear you down, but the exercises simulate those changes and have strengthened my feet so that I can handle that much better.  Also, I've noticed less fatigue in my feet after long runs.  So... I will continue to use this while working!

Now.. on to the shoes.  Quick impression?  Love them.  But first, I'll give you a few specs/features, and then explain why I'm enjoying them so much. 

Here are the highlights from the B2R website:

• All-purpose, everyday road shoe with breathable mesh upper
• Perfect for high-mileage minimalist runners, and those looking to make the transition to an appropriate natural performance shoe
• Zero-drop (the difference in mid-sole/outsole height between the heel and the forefoot is approximately 0 mm)
• Low profile 13mm Stack Height: Midsole 6mm, Outsole 3.5mm, Footbed 3.5mm
• Removable Insole for customized comfort - 3mm
• Weight:  6.9 ounce for Men’s shoe size 9
• Designed to fit men and women (shoes run true to size)
• FREE downloadable transition program with purchase
• Two pairs of split-toe socks included with each purchase

 So, for comparison purposes, the closest shoe that I own to these would be the Merrell Barefoot Road Glove.  And, its the only other pair of true "road" running shoes I own as everything else is either a huarache, or a trail shoe.   Of course the Road Gloves don't have the split toe.  From a stack height perspective, they are about the same, however I believe the Road Performance uses an EVA type rubber, so its a little more squishy compared to the Road Glove sole.  They are also very light, which I like.  And, although the upper is a breathable mesh, they actually stay warm.  I've run some long runs in sub-freezing temps (even through some snow) and have had no issues. 

 Now, the split toe is kind of an interesting feature.  As I noted earlier, very comfortable for me and I really like the feel of it when running.  It gives you that extra flexibility of toe articulation, but without the individual sleeves for each toe such as Vibram Five Fingers.  The toe box is still wide, and I can move my toes around comfortably.  And, if you are wondering about socks, each pair is shipped with two pairs of tabi toe socks, which I have found to work really well.  I have also run in these with Injinji toe socks, and that is a great combo too. 

Here is what my pair looks like after 141.35 miles of running. Wow.. that still boggles my mind...  I may have to admit to actually being a runner at some point, now that I've almost hit 800 miles for the year!  I still have a hard time grasping that... ah well, getting distracted again. 

I was a little concerned with the seemingly softer sole, but above you can see the amount of wear over these miles.  And just about all miles have been on pavement.  There is a little wearing on the outside of the mid-foot, and a little on the toes, but that is about it.  Also, after the first 20 miles in these, they felt less squishy which was good. 

I do have two areas of concerns at this point.  Above you can see that right behind my big toe, the outer material is starting to separate.  I'm not too concerned yet, as the material underneath is solid.  This may end up being more of a cosmetic issue after a few more miles

And, this is the second area of concern. On the inside of the shoe, just in front of the arch, the material is breaking down as well.  Again, placing my finger inside the shoe assures me that it isn't going all the way through, so I hope it remains that way!  Needless to say, with all the road running I've done in these, I will be wearing these for my marathon at the end of January.  

But, these cosmetic (for now) issues aside, I am very happy with the B2R Road Performance as my go to road running shoe.  Of course, my passion is trail running (after all, I am entering a road marathon simply to get a qualifying time to enter the Pikes Peak Marathon!), and B2R is working on a trail version of this shoe, but from what I understand it has not been release yet.  I would LOVE to put that shoe to the test! 

Overall, I am really excited about the work Eric Orton has put into B2R.  His running form video is one I've watched numerous times, and think about whenever I'm running.  It's on the Level One DVD, but you can watch it right here as well.

So.. there you have it.  As always, if I've neglected to cover something, or if you have questions, please leave me a comment or email me!

OK... THE BIG NEWS!!!!

On January 1st of this year, I hosted my first blog giveaway.  My blog was only a few months old, but I found a few sponsors and had a great time giving a few things away. You can see that post here.  I called it the Happy and Healthy 2012 Giveaway.  So, now that I have a year of blogging under my belt, I went back to all the great companies that provided amazing products for me to test and review over the year to thank them for their support of Barefoot Inclined, and also asked them to help me give back to my blog readers/followers with another contest for 2013.  And WOW... did they respond.  Here is a list of prizes I'll have to give away:

Bedrock Sandals
Brite Buds from Far End Gear
Custom Xeroshoes Huaraches
Vivobarefoot shoes
Earth Runner Huaraches
DIY Sandal kit from Luna Sandals
$25 Gift Certificate to Softstar Shoes
Autographed soft cover "365 Day of Pikes Peak" book from The Pikes Peak Guy

And hopefully more!

So, be sure to look for a post on 1/1/2013 and enter to win.  And thank you again for reading and following Barefoot Inclined!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Jeff
http://barefootinclined.com

Hydrapak GelBot and Honeystinger Review & Giveaway!

Even though it doesn't look like it outside, it is definitely the Christmas season!  I know, to be politically correct I should say "holiday" season, but I'm not going to be politically correct.  And hopefully, we'll see some winter weather and snow here in Colorado sometime soon. I can't believe we are into December, and even today up in the mountains, we hit 60 degrees... wrong.. just wrong. Anyway, I am certainly in a giving mood, so I'm excited to offer another few reviews, and a giveaway.

So, today I'm reviewing some fuel and hydration options, namely the Hydrapak GelBot, and a selection of products from Honey Stinger.  As my running distances continue to extend, I've been learning more about hydration and fueling techniques, as well as the myriad of products and gear out there to support it.  As with many things running, it comes down to finding what works best for you. Hang on while I give you a brief summary of my impressions of both of these companies and their products, and at the end you'll have an opportunity to win a GelBot with a sample selection of Organic Gels from Honeystinger!

So, the cool folks at Honey Stinger sent me an assortment of their products to try out.  I had heard some good things about them, but had not tried anything yet. I've tried and reviewed products from both GU and Clif (reviews here and here), but am always looking for other options. Oh, and before I forget, I did ask them about the Lance Armstrong packaging.  Yes, its being changed (for obvious and disappointing reasons), but stock will be out there for a bit until they shift over to new packaging.

So, first off, one of the things I liked about Honey Stinger is their focus on natural (and organic) ingredients.  Granted, I know that there are arguments that when you get down to sugars (as in a gel), they are basically the same chemically, but I feel better about seeing an ingredient list with organic ingredients, and a short ingredient list to boot.  So, bonus points to Honey Stinger for working a little harder to keep folks like me happier about what they use to fuel up.

First, the chews were great, but not particularly better or worse than Clif Shot Bloks, or GU Chomps... other than being organic/natural.  I did enjoy the caffeinated limeade ones the best.  But, I still find chews a bit difficult to take in while running...  still worry about inhaling a chunk!

The energy bar and protein bars were pretty tasty, and I ended up using them as a pre-run snack/breakfast... they worked well for that. But the waffles?  I REALLY enjoyed those...  what a great treat about 8 or 10 miles into a run.. I enjoyed both flavors... kind like a cookie, but not.  Easy to eat... and was easy on my stomach.  

The Honey Stinger product I liked the best however was their organic energy gels.  I tried the Fruit Smoothie, Acai Pomegranate, and Vanilla (missing from the pic because I used it before taking it!).  The flavors were great (with Vanilla as #1 for me), terrific organic ingredients, but most of all was the consistency.  Honey Stinger gels are probably the thinnest that I have tried, and that works much better for me. I have a harder time with thicker gels, especially when its well below freezing outside. AND, the thinner gel works awesomely with the GelBot from Hydrapak, which is up next!

I was first introduced to Hydrapak when I reviewed their Woolly Mammoth insulated bottle back in September here.   Hydrapak is just a great company with great products.  The GelBot certainly meets those standards as well.  Not only is the GelBot a great water bottle, it includes an additional feature that is a stroke of pure genius.

Inside the bottle is a 3.2 oz capacity chamber that attaches to the nozzle/lid.  Just the right size to hold two gel packs (depending on the size).  At the bottom of the chamber is a sliding plunger. Once filled, you attach it to the nozzle, slide it into the bottle and tighten it down.

Now, with the nozzle pushed down (closed) all you have to do is squeeze to deliver gel out of the center of the nozzle.  The pressure simply slides the plunger up to dispense gel.  Now, keep in mind, a really thick gel, and sub freezing temperatures means you may have to squeeze like crazy, and simultaneously try and suck it out like on a straw in the worlds thickest milkshake... but it will work.  If you aren't crazy about an additional workout while running, I would recommend a thin gel... like the Honey Stingers!  Anyway, if you want water, simple pull the nozzle up, like most bottles, and squeeze to dispense the water (or your fluid of choice).

I really like the ability to dispense gel in the amounts I want while on the go. Fumbling with a gel pack, and then having to down the whole thing at once is not my preference, as I'd rather spread that fueling out if I can.  Granted, this only holds two, but for this same reason, I could carry more gels using a gel flask, also available at Hydrapak.

Finally, this bottle really works well in my Nathan Elite handheld sleeve (see picture way at the top). If you want one, the 20 oz runs about $12-$14, so I think its a great value!

So, once again, thanks for hanging on through another wordy review.  I mean, you did read it right?  Or did you just jump straight here to the end for the giveaway?? :-)  No matter, lets get to the giving away! One selected winner will win a 20oz GelBot from Hydrapak, and another winner, box of assorted organic gels from Honeystinger!

Follow the instructions on each option below to earn entries.  Contest will close on Monday, December 10th, at 10PM MST.  Winners will be selected at random from all entries using random.org.   Contest limited to residents of  the U.S. and Canada only. Thanks!  


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks, good luck.. and Happy trails!!

Jeff
http://barefootinclined.com

Sticky Fingers: VFF Spyridon Review

VFF Spyridon: Crazy awesome

So, I am really excited to finally get a review up for the Spyridon's from Vibram Five Fingers that were released earlier this year.  I really like the VFF Flow's that I have (review here) and enjoy running in them, but they are better suited for beaches or less rugged trail since they are lacking some protection, and also have no tread pattern to speak of. The Spyridons seem to have a much more gecko like tread.. especially in green!

Spyridon LS

The latest Spyridon is similar to the Spyridon LS pictured above which came out first.  The Spyridon LS was the first trail-specific shoe from VFF, so when I first saw those, I was dying to try them out since I love being on the trail so much.  As you can see, the major design difference between these two trail models is the lacing system.  The LS model uses a speed lace system , versus the hook-loop strap system on the Spyridon model.  I never did get a chance to try the LS model, so I can't compare, but I can say that I really do like the fit of the Spyridon. Unlike other minimalist shoes or huaraches, VFF's are designed to hug your foot like a glove.  I like the feeling, but its not for everyon.

But, before I jump into my impressions of the shoe, I'll break down some of the details.  As you can see, the outsole is 3.5mm, and is topped inside with a 3mm Polyurethane insole for a total stack height of around 6.5mm.  The great part about this sole is the molded mesh in the midsole that works like a rock plate. It doesn't impact the flexibility or ground feel very much, but it does a great job of dispersing or spreading any nasty sharp jabs.  Not that you won't get a stinger from bad foot placement (I did a few times), this added protection provides a little more insurance for those times when attention is lacking.

The stretch mesh upper is pretty comfortable, however I ran with no socks in my first run, and I ended up with a hot spot just above the arch of my foot.  I think it may have had to do with the bit of extra fabric on some of the seams in the upper, and perhaps it wasn't folded down flat. For the most part the interior of the shoe is relatively smooth, especially along the bottom, but as you can see there are some seams like the one above, and similar ones around each toe sleeve that could potentially cause an issue over a long run.  My personal preference is to wear a light weight Injinji sock in any minimalist shoe (except for huarache sandals), so went that route with the Spyridons.   I was very happy with the pairing of the thinner Injinji's, and didn't experience any other issues from that point forward.  Also, they still smell good :-)

This is how they look after just under 50 trail miles logged.  Granted, I'm pretty good about rinsing/dusting them off after each run.  Also, I really like the green... they stand out, and I'm a big Gumby fan, so green works for me!   You can also get them in an orange/olive/black style as well.

So, how do they perform? For a minimalist trail shoe, I love them.  I ran in them for 2 (out of a 4 race series) trail races, that were over some pretty rugged, rocky and technical trails.  A lot of the trail was loose rock, large boulders at off kilter angles, and some really good up and downhills.  What I liked was that even with a 6.5mm stack height, the ground feel was good. I think a lot of that comes from the individual toes sleeves that make VFF's very flexible and responsive. And, I was able to pick my way down some technical downhills quickly (well, relatively... at least I was actually passing people!) because of the great traction provided by the aggressive tread pattern.  While I didn't take any plunges into deep water, the Spyridons shed any water from small puddles well, and combined with the Injinji's, my feet stayed warm, even during a 7 mile race with temps in the mid 20's.

And of course, I've logged a number of climbs up the Manitou Incline, plus the run back down Barr Trail (pictured above).  I've really enjoyed taking these out on the trail, and I think Vibram has filled a gap in its product line by offering a true trail ready minimalist Five Finger shoe.  I really don't have any particular complaints or concerns about the Spyridons.  I do know that VFF's are not for everyone, as getting them sized and fit to your foot properly doesn't always work, based on the shape of your foot etc.  So, I would recommend trying them on, versus just ordering online.  The Spyridon's retail for $110, but its worth keeping your eyes open for any specials or discounts out there.

VFF Lontra

Finally, I can't help but give you a peek at the VFF Lontra's that just came out.  I am as excited about these as I was for the original Spyridons. These are the first cold weather trail VFF's that should perform great in snow as well (if we ever get any). Water resistant with a micro-fleece pile interior.... awesome!

Thanks again for tuning in.  As always, please leave comments/questions/feedback below.  Welcome to December, and hopefully some snowy winter weather!

Happy trails!

Jeff
http://barefootinclined.com