No, we’re not gonna do the normal lotto bashing deal of quibbling over who should get in automatically or why folks from Oregon should be banned. That’s the kinda stuff that RDs or race boards should steer in whatever way they feel will best foster the sort of race they want to put on. It’s their race, after all. What we want to start a dialog on is whether ultramarathon lotteries should be coordinated and, if so, how?

While we’d be thinking about our friends as well as elites in both lotteries this weekend, we’ve got to give credit to Trail Runner Magazine contributing editor Garett Graubins for sparking our thoughts of lottery coordination when he threw the following our way at the tail end of 2009.

I wish all races could coordinate their lottery efforts so that we don’t need to play this waiting and “If-Then” game while trying to set our racing schedules (i.e. “If I don’t get win the Hardrock 100 lottery, then I will do the Leadville Trail 100 again …”). Here’s an idea we should start promoting: what if the Big 100s all held their entry lotteries on the same exact weekend in early December? Think about it — it could be the Super Bowl Saturday and Sunday of the off-season: Western, Hardrock, Wasatch, Massanutten, etc.” Maybe even Miwok 100K and Way Too Cool! And let ultrasignup.com run the entire shabang! Wouldn’t it be great to know in December which races you’re running the following summer?!?!

Garett recently followed up his initial thoughts by adding:

In the case of Hardrock, I think the race itself is barely 20 weeks, give or take, after the lottery and I’m sure a lot of Hardrockers would love to have more time to get their climbing legs into shape for the Big Show … That’s certainly become a race where everybody wants to bring their A Game, and 20 weeks is just barely cutting it.

A Super Bowl Sunday of lotteries would be an incredible mid-winter boost to the sport. And, with technology nowadays, imagine if streaming video could be transitioned from the gym in Auburn, CA, to Silverton, to Salt Lake City, to Virginia, and to Leadville!

While it may seem absurd to think that “competing” ultras could have a coordinated lottery system, medical residency programs cooperate in matching up with applicants. If best in the world medical education programs (and the attendant life and death medical care!) can check their egos at the door to make for a better system, one would hope that a few ultra race directors could do the same.

Would it be hard to work out the initial logistics in the Ultralottery? Yup, it sure would be. Many questions would need to be answered. Which races would be included? Which order should the race lotteries by held? Do entrants rank the race lotteries they enter and get preferential treatment based on that? Would entry stuffing (entering every race or nearly every race in the lottery) be combated and, if so, how?

With the discussion topic laid out, we wish good luck to all the folks in one or both lotteries this weekend! We hope we’ve provided you with something to write about while you stare nervously at your computer screens on Saturday.

Related posts:

1. Western States 100 Lottery – Change Is A’Comin (A Draft Proposal)
2. Quick Hardrock Update – UPDATED 2/4 12:30 PM
3. I Don’t Need More Ultra Schwag!

Huntsville State Park will play host to the 18th annual Rocky Raccoon 100 (and 50) Mile Trail Run this weekend. Built for speed and comfort, the course consists of single track and jeep roads with minimal elevation gain. A vast majority of the course rides on a bed of pine needles and dirt. Most of the single track is covered with roots (so, watch your step). Both the 50 and 100 mile events are run on a loop course, with the 100-miler being five (5) 20-mile loops, and the 50-miler being three (3) 16.67 mile loops. The 100 and 50 mile courses are virtually the same, with the exception of a shortcut taken by the 50-milers from Dam Road back to Dam Road.

If you are looking for a 100-mile race in which to finish sub-24 hours, this could be it. Since its inception, approximately 70% of starters have finished, and of those finishing, nearly half have done so in less than 24 hours, earning the coveted “Sub-24 Hour” belt buckle. The 100-mile cutoff is 30 hours. The course record in the 100-mile event has held up since 1996 (Eric Clifton in 13:16:02), despite Jorge Pacheco’s run at it in 2006 (13:16:56).  Jenn Shelton holds the women’s course record (14:57:18 in 2007). This year’s event certainly does not fall short on talented entrants. Jamie Donaldson, Connie Gardner, Jenny Chow and Anita Ortiz highlight the women’s side of things. On the men’s side, Greg Crowther, brothers Nick & Jamil Coury, and Jimmy Dean Freeman are just a few potential champs.

California should provide a little warmth for those suffering in the cold.  How about a Pacific Coast Trail Runs event, the Woodside Trail Run (50k, 35k, 17k and 10k) in Huddart County Park, Woodside, California. The 50k has 4,530 feet of elevation gain/loss. Runners can expect to “experience the towering redwoods, lush ferns, and beautiful trails through Huddart Park, King’s Mountain, Bear Gulch, and Wunderlich Park.” Or maybe the Jed Smith Ultra Classic (30k, 50k & 50M), a very fast, flat loop course (half dirt trails, half paved roads0 that has seen some of the fastest 50K and 50 mile times in recent history.

There are plenty of other options to choose from this weekend, including the John Dick Memorial 50k, the Orcas Island 50k [iRunFar's Bryon Powell will be running the Orcas Island 25], the Uwharrie Mountain Run, and the White Rock Classic 50k. Take your pick, but make sure to stay warm and cozy.

Related posts:

1. This Week In Running (Week of 12/5 & 12/6)
2. This Week In Running (Week of 6/20 & 6/21)
3. This Week In Running (Week of 2/7 & 2/8)

Jackets

Technical jackets have been around for awhile, so it’s hard for a manufacturer to come up with something completely new. That said, we were really impressed at the small refinements companies are making to run-worthy jackets. Here are some of the highlights.

Salomon Shift Midlayer Hoody ($110)
If we were to have only looked at Salomon’s Swift Midlayer Hoody in their catalog and read the description – “Warm, very soft but breathable mid layer for training in cold weather. Hood, chest pocket and 3/4 length zipper. Fitted.” – we would have skipped over it, but this jacket is chock full o’ features. Highlights include (1) vented pits, (2) fold out mittens that button into the cuffs, (3) a huge rear stash pocket, (4) a watch window in the sleeve, (5) a strap that buttons across the open half-zip to give the jacket structure when it’s vented, (6) a close-fitting, wind-tight hood and (7) for the ladies (or long haired men), a ponytail hole in the hood. Trail runners, if you’ve not checked out Salomon’s trail running clothes, it’s about time.

The North Face Stormy Trail + Momentum Ninja Full
The North Face’s Stormy Trail is a hoodless waterproof jacket. The jacket’s waterproof membrane and taped seams keep you dry from the outside, while front and rear shoulder venting as well as membrane improvements keep you drier on the inside. The North Face claims that the fabric is 25% more breathable than its previous jackets.

Another cool jacket from The North Face is the Momentum Ninja Full. As the name would suggest, this jacket features a “ninja hood” that covers the neck, mouth, and most of the face. Yes, you can still wear this on the run as the jacket has a mouth vent.

GoLite Dakota Windshirt ($80)
GoLite has always made great ultralight windshirts and the new Dakota Windshirt is no exception. This 4 ounce (mens) windshirt is semi-fitted, meaning it’s a bit longer than a minimal wind jacket, but doesn’t require a pull cord at the bottom. With the sleeker fit, the inclusion of stretchy Minerale fabric in the Dakota Windshirt underarm and side panels insures you have a full range of motion. The strategic use of Cocona’s Minerale will also cut down on stink while simultaneously increasing the jacket’s breathability and moisture wicking. The jacket is made of 88% Tier 1 (that is, post-consumer waste) recycled polyester. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, you could go with the Dakota Windvest next fall.

New Balance NBx Wind Blocker Jacket ($130)
For fall 2010, New Balance is focusing on protectionism and intelligent design. No, NB isn’t retrofitting 1920’s thinking into its apparel, rather it has added some protective elements and become more detail oriented in its designs. What does that mean in the NBx Wind Blocker Jacket? On the Protectionism front, the jacket features front and back reflectivity (pops of reflective in the logo and reflective piping), “hi-viz” fold out arm gussets (think florescent cuffs), and an In Case of Emergency Tag. As for Intelligent Design, we would like to point out the music-friendly internal pocket with wire guide and exit valve and, more important, nose wipe patches on the sleeves! Going back to the basics, the jacket is made from Thermal Wind Block that blocks both wind and water to make your winter runs more comfortable.

Technical Baselayers

Moeben Tech Wear
A few years ago Moeben catapulted arm sleeves into the consciousness of American trail runners. Now, Moeben is launching a full line of technical athletic clothing under the banner of Tech Wear. There will be both a line of UV 50 sun protection clothing and an eco-friendly line that uses recycled poly, organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. When all is said and done, Moeben will be making run and bike shorts, mini-dresses, shirts, tank tops, capris, full-length pants and leg sleeves in addition to its flagship arm sleeves. The line will be available from both Roadrunner Sports and ZombieRunner. We should also point out that Moeben will be donating a portion of its revenue on all sales from February 1 through April 30 to Doctors Without Borders’ relief effort in Haiti.

Socks

SmartWool PhD Graduated Compression Socks ($38-40)
Sure, there are many compression socks and leg sleeves on the market today, but have you seen any other natural fiber compression socks? The two weights – Ultra Light and Light (right) – are both more than 60% wool and offer 20-30 mmHG graduated compression rating. Being SmartWool PhD socks, you’ll also get the moisture, temperature, and odor control you’ve come to love. These over-the-calf socks that feature high density cushioning zones in the heel and forefoot will reach the market in July.

Drymax Socks ($16 for the Hot Weather sock and ~$26 for the Maximum Protection Trail)
Over the past few years, the trail running community and the ultrarunning community, in particular, have gotten to know and love Drymax socks.

At OR, we learned that one of our favorite socks was being updated. Version 4.2 of the Drymax Hot Weather Running sock (left) will be lighter and more breathable due to the addition of thin mesh stripes to the top of the foot.

Drymax will also be adding a Maximum Protection Trail Running sock (right) that combines the best attributes of its Trail Running and Maximum Protection models. This new sock will add the water repelling PTFE (think Teflon) repelling properties of the Maximum Protection sock to the protective aspects of the Trail Running sock.

Both the revised Hot Weather Running sock Maximum Protection Trail Running sock will be released in early spring 2010. However, Andy Jones-Wilkins and Jamie Donaldson were already ready sporting the Maximum Protection Trail Running socks at last weekend’s Ghost Town 38.5 mile trail race.

Compression Garments

Salomon Exo Calf ($60)
Long available in Europe, we’ve been reassured that Salomon will finally be bringing the Exo Calf – the company’s compression leg sleeve – Stateside in February 2010. If you read Bryon’s recap of his run at the 2009 Leadville 100 or account of Kilian Jornet’s record-breaking run of the Tahoe Rim Trail, you’ve already seen Salomon’s Exo Calf on iRunFar.

Saucony Compression Suit ($200ish)
We ain’t got no details or images for Saucony’s forthcoming full-body compression suit. This suit is meant for recovery and can be slept in. Sounds like something that will make the stage race circuit once released.

Gloves

Mountain Hardwear Momentum Running Glove ($35)
Ok, so we’ve been wearing these sweet gloves for a couple months now. Mountain Hardwear’s Momentum Running Gloves are the best mild weather running gloves we’ve ever worn. They fit well, provide a moderate amount of warmth, and incorporate an impossibly soft fabric on the thumb and forefinger for on-the-go nose wipes.

Components/Features

We weren’t going to include the following tidbits, but they represent ideas that could lead to some of the coolest stuff over the next few years. We won’t dwell on them, but wanted to put them on your radar screen.

Polartec Power Shield Pro
Power Shield Pro is the latest innovation from the purveyors of warmth over at Polartec. Power Shield Pro is a highly-water resistant, breathable fabric aimed at very active users, such as trail runners. The fabric will be featured in the sweet Kishtwar jacket The North Face introduced at OR and will undoubtedly be featured in many products in the near future. We look forward to putting some of them to the test. In the mean time, check out a short video and other reviews found on the Polartec blog, Just a Zipper.

GoLite Shoulder Reinforcement
We saw GoLite incorporate shoulder reinforcement in its forthcoming Wind River Softshell. We’d love for GoLite or another manufacture to introduce a hint of reinforcement in the shoulders of an ultralight shirt.

Kid’s Zipper from The North Face
The North Face is introducing an oddly noteworthy zipper in its new, ultra-cute (we swear, it was) kids wear. What’s neat about the zipper is that it can be started when the skinny part of the zipperhead is at a higher than usual angle to the zipperhead. We nod in agreement that this would be useful to parents trying to put a fleece jacket on a squirming 2 year old. We think it would be darn near as useful when a trail runner tries to zip his or her rainshell when a 40 degree downpour hits in the pitch dark at my 80 of a 100 miler.

Comments/Questions
So what do you think of some of these new products? Think you’ll try any when they are released? If you want to know more details about any of the products mentioned above, please ask. We’ll do our best to get you more information.

Related posts:

1. Find Flexible Warmth with Transition Running Apparel
2. Trail Running Shoe Highlights from ORWM ‘10
3. Trail Running Gear Highlights from ORWM ‘10

Brooks Cascadia 5 ($100 – already on the market)
With the Brooks Cascadia 5, it turns out that Brooks made more substantial upgrades to the Cascadia than we originally thought. Already on the market, the Cascadia 5 adds a forefoot pivot to stop “forefoot inversion”… which we understand to be the outward rolling of the forefoot. There are also two layers of water resistant DWR over the entire shoe to help keep your dry. In addition, Brooks added more drainage in the arch.

The full color set of the Brooks Cascadia 5.

New Balance MT 101/WT 101 (~$75 – October 2010)
Y’all might be familiar with New Balance’s MT 100 and WT 100 that debuted last year. Well, New Balance will be tweaking the basic design this year based on feedback from its outdoor ambassadors. The result will be the MT 101 and WT 101. The MT/WT 101 feature a less dense rock plate that will make the shoe slightly more flexible. On the other hand, the outside of the upper has been reinforced in the forefoot to reduce blowout by high mileage users. New Balance has also updated the tongue by adding a second layer of fabric for a touch more cushioning. Trust us when we say the tongue is still minimal.

The biggest update in the MT 101/WT 101 might go unnoticed by most users, but will be huge for some. You see, the reason you’ve never seen a review of the MT 100 on iRunFar is that we were dumb and didn’t carry any socks on our first run in the shoes. As a result the dense foam in the Achilles notch flayed our skin. Even New Balance employees will admit to getting cut through socks in the MT 100. Fortunately, New Balance has updated its manufacturing process to correct this problem.

The New Balance MT 101 and WT 101 in three of the four forthcoming colors.

Vibram FiveFingers Trek Sport ($100 – Fall 2010)
Vibram continues to expand its highly popular FiveFingers line to meet the needs of runners. The Vibram FiveFingers Trek Sport will combine the more aggressive outsole of the KSO Trek with and light upper similar to the KSO. While the upper will be light, Vibram has added a bit of TPU on the top of each toe as is found on the forthcoming Bikila model we discussed after last summer’s OR show. The FiveFingers Trek Sport will also feature reflective detailing, an achilles notch to make it more run-worthy, and a removable heel strap. Vibram will sell separate heel straps as replacements for worn out straps and so the runner can customize the look of her or his FiveFingers.

Forthcoming Vibram FiveFingers: Trek Sport (left) & Bikila (right).

La Sportiva Crossover GTX (Price N/A due to uncertain GORE-TEX cost noted above – Fall 2010)
When you’re pondering the onset of winter this autumn, you’d be wise to consider the La Sportiva Crossover GTX. At its core, this shoe is a GORE-TEX version of La Sportiva’s popular Crosslite. On top of that, add a breathable ankle-height integrated gaiter to keep out debris and you could have one heck of a 3-season shoe. Heck, with the lightweight integrated gaiter (it’s not overly substantial), it would be worth checking this out under some summer conditions, as well.

It looks like the Crosslite with a gaiter... it must be the La Sportiva Crossover GTX!

Vasque Mindbender GTX (Price N/A due to uncertain GORE-TEX cost noted above – Mid-July 2010)
You might not even know about Vasque Mindbender yet, but it was the shoe Krissy Moehl wore when she won last summer’s Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. This summer, Vasque will release a GORE-TEX version to add weather protection to its stable trail shoe. What caught our eye about this shoe is its floating tongue that is unique in a GORE-TEX shoe. Rather than including a gusseted tongue that holds the laminate membrane, Vasque and W.L. Gore worked together to separate these components for a more comfortable fit. Now, the laces attach to a mudguard that contains the GORE-TEX laminate, while the tongue is completely free to move around under the weather-proof mudguard.

If you look closely, you'll notice the floating tongue is depressed, but the GORE-TEX cover is still attached to the Vasque Minderbender's laces.

Salomon S-Lab3 XT Wings ($160 – July 2010)
We received a big time education in Salomon’s shoes this OR, including many new and recently updated models. However, we’re pointing out a decidedly niche product, the S-Lab3 XT Wings. Why? Because we absolutely adore the foot hugging lightness of being embodied in the S-Lab2 and can’t wait to try the S-Lab3. You may ask, what’s the S-Lab3 got going for it? Primarily a light weight (11.3 oz.) for a full-feature trail running shoe and a foot hugging minimal upper. In fact, the S-Lab3 is about as close to a one piece upper as we’d want in a dedicated trail running shoe. The only additions to the S-Lab3’s upper are some very light rubber overlays for support, the lightweight tongue/lace/mudguard assembly, and a minimal toe cap.

The Salomon S-Lab3 XT Wings look like something Kilian Jornet might wear.

Shoe Buzz
Speaking of lighter, more minimalist shoes, the trend in that direction is alive and well. We’ve heard of or ever seen models from three major trail running companies that would add a shoe lighter than any current trail running model in each company’s lineup… with the possible exception of cross country racing flats.

Comments/Questions
So what do you think of these new shoes? Think you’ll try any when they are released? If you want to know more details about any of the products mentioned above, please ask. We’ll do our best to get you more information.

Related posts:

1. Trail Running Apparel Highlights from ORWM ‘10
2. Trail Running Gear Highlights from ORWM ‘10
3. Prescription for the Trails? A Shoe Cocktail!

Headlamps

Petzl Core Battery ($40 for the battery, $85-110 for a full setup with headlamp and charging kit)
You are likely familiar with Petzl’s line of Tikka and Zipka headlamps that just very recently received significant improvements in brightness and other attributes with the Tikka2 and Zipka2 lines. Well, Petzl doesn’t rest on its laurels. They’ve announced a rechargeable battery system that they are calling “Core.” The Core easily retrofits onto existing Petzl Tikka2 and Zipka2 headlamps. Not only that, but the entire Tikka2 and Zipka2 lines will continue taking standard batteries, which means that if your Core battery runs out during a longer than expected fastpacking outing, you can scavenge some from other electronics you may have with you.

Whether you want longer battery life for that fastpack or maximum output for a two hour predawn run, you can program the battery to fine tune the lamp’s brightness to best meet your needs. All you will need to do is download a program to your computer (PC or Mac) and tweak the settings.

The battery is programmed and charged via a simple USB to micro USB cable without the need to remove the battery from the lamp housing. For charging, not only can you plug the USB into your computer, but also USB AC charging bricks such as those for the iPhone or iPods. If you need a AC charging brick or a car USB charger, you’ll be able to purchase the pair along with a spare USB cable and a set off international adapters for $25.

The Core will cost $40 and be available in August. Kits with a Petzl headlamp, Core battery, and USB charging kit will also be available. The Tikka2 Core Kit will retail for $85 and the Tikka XP2 Core kit will run $110.

Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp ($40)
Princeton Tec launched the Remix, a hybrid LED headlamp, last fall and has already updated its maximum output. The Remix includes three small Ultrabright LEDs and one sunglass-worthy Maxbright LED. While all four LEDs can’t run at the same time, the triplet LEDs and Maxbright LED operate in high and low modes, giving the user four total settings. On the highest setting, the Remix will throw 70 lumens for 28 hours with a reach of 45 meters. The smaller LEDs will put out 30 lumens (28 meter reach) for 61 hours, while offering 200 hours of burn time on the lowest setting. The LEDs are mounted in Princeton Tec’s “asymmetrical single arm bracket”… in other words, you can full rotate the light housing, which is attached on one side only.

The Remix and the three AAA batteries that power it should weight in at 83 grams. If you want to pick up the Remix, you’ll have to choose between three models, as you can choose a version with white, red, or green Ultrabright LEDs.

Hydration

Nathan XC Race Series
($70 for the X-Ceed and $80 for the X-Treme)
The hydration experts at Nathan Sports introduced the XC Race Series at the previous OR show, but we neglected to mention it. The XC Race Series packs all feature the X-Factor Harness, a mesh strap design that crisscrosses the front of your torso. This design allows your arms a full range of motion. The X-Factor Harness can be cinched on the go using the bottom straps or more permanently adjusted with the velcro shoulder straps. The packs also have a front pocket with mesh storage and a tube clip to keep the tube from flapping around. Models include the large 900 cubic inch capacity X-Treme (pictured right) and the racey 24 cubic inch X-Ceed.

It’s worth noting that Nathan has discontinued the HPL #063 and #759.

CamelBak Podium Ice (MSRP $20, but can be found for less)
We’re as surprised as you are that we’re mentioning a water bottle as a highlight of OR. That said, CamelBak’s Podium Ice bottle is worth noting. First, as part of the Podium series, the 21-ounce bottle includes CamelBak’s Jet Valve, an automatic flow valve akin to Ultimate Direction’s Kicker Valve. What’s new in the Podium Ice is the use of Zero-Loft aerogel insulation that is supposed to keep water cool four times longer than a standard water bottle.* Anecdotally, we’ve observed that the less well insulated Podium Chill keeps water cool for a noticeably longer period of time than a standard bottle. We’ve yet to try running with a Podium bottle as it doesn’t fit well in our stock of handheld carriers, but the CamelBak Quick Grip handheld sleeve solves that problem. The Podium Ice itself adds about a third to the weight of a water bottle at 120 grams vs about 90 grams for a standard bottle.

*[Test was the time it took 32F water to get to 70F when put into a 90F environment. Water in the Podium Ice took 3 hours to reach 70F.]

Trekking Poles

Two quick notes from the wonderful world of trekking poles.

Leki will be introducing SpeedLock, an external locking mechanism in five models this year, including a women-specific model.

Then there’s Dynafit. Until OR, we only thought of them as a high-end ski binding company. Well, it turns out they make sick poles, too. We’re not sure when Dynafit introduced its Safety Snap locking mechanism in poles, but it feels very sturdy. More impressive are the external notches that allow for both quick setting of the poles at 2.5 centimeter (~1 inch) increments and provide additional stability. Who says you can’t use ski poles while running. We know we’d love to try a pair!

GPS Watches

Timex Ironman Global Trainer Bodylink System (aka Ironman GPS) ($250-$300)
It’s about time! While we love our Garmin Forerunner 305 (not so much with the 310 XT), Timex’s addition to the wrist top GPS market means Garmin finally has some real competition and that can only be a good thing for us trail runners. If you pick up the Timex Ironman Global Trainer Bodylink system (don’t try saying the product name, as it will leave you out of breath), you’ll also get access to the TrainingPeaks online training log for free. Hopefully, this will also press Garmin to improve its Garmin Connect online software. Timex’s GPS training system will be out in September 2010.

Snowshoes

Easton VO2 Comp Snowshoes ($300)
We’re still getting to know snowshoes, but Easton’s VO2 Comp would have caught our eye before we’d ever floated over 3 feet of Sierra powder. Have no doubts, this is a snowshoe designed for racing. With this racing shoe, there’s no need to rip off the binding, as Easton offers this as a direct mount shoe. You’ll be kept aloft by carbon fiber decking stretched over a high grade aluminum frame. These asymmetrical shoes weigh in at 1.2 pounds apiece. We’re not quite sure how the VOs Comp’s coolest feature – a two piece articulated crampon – will actually perform.

Comments/Questions
So what do you think of these new products? Think you’ll try any when they are released? If you want to know more details about any of the products mentioned above, please ask. We’ll do our best to get you more information.

Related posts:

1. Trail Running Shoe Highlights from ORWM ‘10
2. Trail Running Apparel Highlights from ORWM ‘10
3. Trail Running Gear Guide

We hope you enjoy both interviews with Tony.

Related posts:

1. Video Interviews with Anton Krupicka and Duncan Callahan
2. Flatland Ultra’s iRunFar Interview
3. Snowshoe Running Basics: The Why and How

Below, I review SmartWool Glove Liners, Brooks Pulse Lite Gloves, Loki Liner Gloves, Burton Polartec Power Stretch Gloves and 180s Ultralite CRG.

SmartWool Glove Liners ($18)
SmartWool Glove Liners are great, go-to, quality, no-frills, wool liners for wearing on their own or layering under wind-proof gloves on really bitter days. Breathable SmartWool fibers regulate temperature, plus give you all the benefits of wool—my favorite being they keep you warm even when they’re sweaty and they smell much fresher than many of my other gloves.

Brooks Pulse Lite Glove ($18 for updated version with retractable MP3 thumb pad, $10 for basic version)
The Brooks Pulse Lite Gloves are lightweight waffle-weave gloves that feature a retractable thumb pad to answer your phone or change your tunes while on the go, and grip pads on the thumb and forefinger to operate your watch without removing your gloves. Articulated fingers and good breathability with quick drying capabilities keep you comfortable on cool mornings in warmer climates and mild winter days elsewhere. They have a substantial ribbed wrist cuff to provide a snug fit. But for those of us with skinny wrists, it’s a bit of a bother—yes, I speak from personal experience. Granted, this is an issue of personal preference, and with a $10 price tag for the basic version, they are definitely worth it for a lightweight running glove.

Loki Liner Gloves ($19)
Loki Liner Gloves are good basic, yet sleek liners for those who prefer polyester to wool. They are super soft, have a bit of grip on the palm, making them comfy with poles and fit well. (I could have said like a glove, but chose to spare you.) My only complaint is the location of the decorative white ribbed strip on the forefinger—it just isn’t pleasant for wiping my nose. And yes, I farmer blow, but I finish with a quick forefinger wipe. However, I like the liners enough that I switch to a thumb wipe when I wear them. They’re also a great weight for high intensity activities in cold climates–they were all I needed skinning up the mountain on a recent sunny 20 degree day.

Burton Polartec Power Stretch Glove ($20)
Burton’s Polartec Power Stretch Gloves fall under the two-for-one category. No Burton snowboards has not started making running clothes, but these spring-boarding gloves do make for rather sweet winter running gloves. They are definitely made for cold running days and kept my hands warm, even in heavy wet snow. They have sticky rubber palms, so they don’t get holes when you do knuckle dragging snowboard tricks in the park, but the grip also ensures running poles won’t slip and allows you to operate your watch while staying warm. (Plus, you can pretend you are Spiderman—add some Spidey Underoos and you’re set!) While they may not be the most traditional choice, if you are a boarder and a runner definitely grab a pair—they run snug, so size up or try on for size. Go, Spidey, go!

180s Ultralite CRG ($25, aka convertible running glove/mitten)
180s Ultralite CRG’s offer truly amazing warmth and comfort for being, well, so ultralite. There is no bulk, even with the wind and waterproof mitten hood tucked away in the cuff when not in use—handy feature! The index finger and thumb have Tec Touch 2.0 fabric pads capable of operating most requisite MP3 players or phones so you don’t have to expose even a finger tip to the cold. The thumb and hand back have soft terry fabric for full-on nose wiping and the palms are mesh for nice heat and moisture management. A patch on the mitten hood features no-slip grip material so you won’t drop your running or skiing poles, and there’s reflective detailing for those of you striding it out in the cold and the dark. I first tested these on a fairly chilly day and was certain they wouldn’t offer enough warmth, but I was wrong. As soon as my blood got pumping, my hands warmed up and were comfortable without being too hot or sweaty.

Call for Comments
What are your favorite winter running gloves? Do you go with $3 gloves from the garden center or convenience store or do you go with something made specifically for the task at hand? Anyone living in a cold enough climate for two hand layers? If so, tell us about your set up!

Help Support iRunFar
Consider purchasing your next pair of gloves via these links to Amazon.com or Backcountry.com . If you do, a small percentage of your purchase will go to supporting iRunFar.com.

[Disclosure: The items reviewed above were provided by their respective companies for testing. Also, links above to Amazon.com and Backcountry.com are part of an affiliate program that helps support iRunFar.com.]

Related posts:

1. Trail Running Apparel Highlights from ORWM ‘10
2. Find Flexible Warmth with Transition Running Apparel
3. Smith, Julbo & Rudy Project Sunglasses Reviewed

I set out to find pieces that would provide warmth without bulk, be appropriate for various high-intensity winter workouts and maybe even function as a shoulder season piece—I’m all about good investments. The following five are absolute winners that use your body heat to keep you warm, are slim fitting and can be worn 3 to 4 seasons out of the year, depending where you run. They are the GoLite Black Mountain Thermal Wind Jacket, the Mountain Hardwear Transition Jacket, the Patagonia Traverse Jacket, the Outdoor Research Vert Pants and The North Face’s Windstopper® Hybrid Tight.

GoLite Black Mountain Thermal Wind Jacket ($150 – 13 oz.)
The GoLite Black Mountain Thermal Wind Jacket is the jacket to grab for seriously cold days when you want to stay warm and look good, too. Windproof chest and shoulders keep out biting breezes while a wicking fabric back panel lets out the sweat so you stay warm and dry. I wore this on a sub-zero run, with just a zip-T underneath and was completely comfortable. Bonus features like an auto-locking zipper with full length draft flap, side zip pockets, some reflective and a media pocket with internal cord routing mean you have nothing to worry about but the miles of trail before you.

Mountain Hardwear Transition Jacket ($160 – 13 oz.)
It’s crazy that something as thin as the Mountain Hardwear Transition Jacket can keep you so warm, but it does! While you may be a touch chilly waiting for a tardy buddy at your favorite trail head, as soon as you start generating any BTU’s at all (even with a few jumping jacks), the Transition Jacket keeps you toasty. This windproof yet breathable piece is downright sleek, especially when compared to its distant MH zip shirt cousin from 2003 or so, thanks to thinner fabric, inset stretch panels and a fabric finish that repels light moisture. I’ve worn this running, skiing and winter hiking with great results. Smart details abound with a hood, internal media pocket, rear zip pocket, full length draft flap, wrist cuff with thumb holds, taped flat-lock seams and reflective accents.

Patagonia Traverse Jacket ($99 – 9.9 oz.)
If you are looking for a four-season jacket at a great price, the Patagonia Traverse Jacket is it. The Traverse was my summer wind breaker, fall running jacket over a base layer and winter high-intensity coat in conjunction with a base layer and a vest. The durable water repellent finish keeps you dry when the clouds are spitting drizzle, while a full zip with wind flap and elastic banded cuffs keep the wind out and warmth in. A drawcord at the waist and hem ensure a comfortable fit and the slight drop tail keeps your tush dry in inclement weather. Zippered pockets, a bicep pocket with interior cord pass through and reflective graphics mean all the necessities fit in an indispensable lightweight package.

Outdoor Research Vert Pants ($99 – 12.9 oz.)
Running, skiing with long johns underneath, camping, thrown over shorts on the way to an early morning yoga class, the Outdoor Research Vert Pants do it all. They are lightweight, durable, provide gentle stretch, wick sweat away and scoff at seasonal frizzle. An elastic waist with drawcord makes for a slim fit and zippered pockets safely stash your keys and a couple bucks for a post workout chai.

The North Face Windstopper® Hybrid Tight ($125 – 13.2 oz.)
When you wake up in the dark for your daily run, but the 5-degree reading on the thermometer makes you want to crawl under the covers, pull on these The North Face’s Winstopper Hybrid Tights and get your ass out the door. Windproof, moisture shedding, front panels protect you from whatever Mother Nature throws in your face, and breathable back fabric leaves your sweat behind. These beefy tights are finished off with a drawstring elastic waist, two hand pockets, calf zips with elastic grip cuffs, the requisite reflective bits and flat-lock seams.

Call for Comments
What are your favorite pieces of running apparel as you make the transition from autumn to winter, through winter, and then the transition back to spring? Do you take the “I can just put another shirt on” approach as iRunFar’s Runner-in-Chief, Bryon Powell, did for many winters? Is there a jacket you’d drive 100 miles back to a trailhead to retrieve? How about a pair of running pants that you’ve had since President Bush – the first one – was in office?

Help Support iRunFar
Looking to pick up a new outer layer before the next cold front rolls through? Consider purchasing it via these links to Amazon.com or Backcountry.com. If you do, a small percentage of your purchase will go to supporting iRunFar.com.

[Disclosure: The items reviewed above were provided by their respective companies for testing. Also, links above to Amazon.com and Backcountry.com are part of an affiliate program that helps support iRunFar.com.]

Related posts:

1. Trail Running Apparel Highlights from ORWM ‘10
2. Women’s Après-Run Apparel Roundup
3. Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2009: Lighting, Apparel and More

In addition, we’ll seize this opportunity to call for you comments – good, bad, and ugly – regarding any aspect of the new website. We’d love to know what you think of the new layout, color scheme, navigation, fonts, etc. If something looks broken anywhere on the site, please let us know! Feel free to leave your feedback in a comment or, if you would prefer to share your thoughts more privately, you can contact us directly.

The Highlights

• Change of Address: iRunFar is now at www.iRunFar.com! Don’t worry, almost any link, subscription, and bookmark you have to iRunFar should work exactly as it always has. Please note, if you bookmarked or subscribed to iRunFar before August 2008, you should update the address or subscription. [If you've yet to subscribe to iRunFar, you can do so via RSS or via email.] Why are we making this change? Well, we wish iRunFar had always been at iRunFar.com. However, when we moved from our blogspot address a few years back, our web host required a subdomain. Hence, iRunFar has been found at blog.irunfar.com. No more!
• Better Layout: In contemplating a new design for iRunFar, we began our search with sexy, magazine-like themes that had huge images and sliding content features. After we eventually chose one of the simpler magazine themes, we kept stripping unnecessary features until we arrived at the simple design you see today. While simple, we think the new homepage layout allows for easy access to much more of your favorite content than the old homepage did.
• Better Navigation: Our favorite part of the new iRunFar is its easy navigation. The same options remain in the upper righthand corner, but now there are dropdown menus in the upper left, dropdown category and archive options in the sidebar, and a way to get to the homepage from any footer just by clicking on “home.”
• More Control: Not only did we change our address and design, but we changed our website platform. You may not have known it, but we’ve had a (heavily customized) Blogger-based website until now. The current iRunFar is based on a “self-hosted” WordPress installation. What this means is that we have much greater ability to control the look of iRunFar, to make features available to iRunFar readers, and to tweak things behind the scenes to make iRunFar.com load more quickly. Regarding speed, we’ve honestly spent countess hours trying to make the new iRunFar as zippy as possible. Please let us know if you have problems with page load time (or if you think the load speed is great).
• More Mobile: No, we’re not planning to move iRF again any time soon. (Trust us, once was enough!) Rather, there’s now an automatic mobile version of iRunFar.com. Want to read iRunFar far while you’re on the go? Just pull up iRunFar.com on your as you normally would and – presto! – there’s iRF content that’s optimized for the smaller screen of your web-enabled mobile device.
• No More Adsense: For a long time… actually for nearly all of iRunFar’s existence, there’s been a small, text Adsense ad at the bottom of every page. Most folks probably never noticed it, but we did. We originally installed Adsense as a traffic-metering device and kept it installed even after installing more sophisticated traffic monitors, because it was our only complete measure of iRunFar’s traffic. With the new website, it was time to say enough is enough. Good bye Adsense, you won’t be missed.

Call for Comments
Here we’ll reiterate our call for comments! Please share your thoughts on any aspect of the new iRunFar.com! We’ll be updating the current version with ideas we already have in mind and will certainly make more changes based on what iRunFar readers have to say.

With that in mind, please share your thoughts on:

• Layout;
• Navigation;
• Aesthetics;
• Readability;
• Anything that confuses you;
• Anything you think works really well (someone might suggest otherwise and it could be removed);
• Things you miss from the old iRunFar;
• Things you’d like to see added to the navigation menus, to the main portion of the homepage (what categories should the small boxes be?), to the sidebar, or to the footer; or
• Anything thing else that comes to mind, big or small.

If you much preferred the old version, let us know that, too. Of course, if you prefer the new version, we wouldn’t mind a little reassurance!

Related posts:

1. iRunFar Online Coaching
2. iRunFar Goes Fulltime!
3. iRunFar Reader Survey (And Contest!)

Snowshoe Racing
By Adam W. Chase

Just because there is snow on the same trails that you run and ride in the summer doesn’t mean you should shun them in the winter. Snowshoe running and racing will help you keep up your fitness and even altitude training while throwing in some zip into the chill and darkness of winter. Jump into a 5K, 10K, or 15K event and feel your muscles burn as you push your anaerobic threshold and experience the thrill of joining a diverse collection of athletes and recreational types who enjoy one of the fastest growing winter sport at a rapid pace.

Snowshoe racing is now commonplace throughout the US and Canada, with races throughout the winter. Most events are fun for the whole family and many are held at winter resorts that offer convenience and some fast-paced action. You can take your pick among courses that vary in packed versus untracked snow, hilly versus flat terrain, short versus long, looped versus point-to-point, and some races even segregate the men’s and women’s fields into separate (but equal) tracks. For a comprehensive schedule, go to the United States Snowshoe Association’s calendar. [You can also check out Snowshoe Magazine's calendar, for a more international schedule.]

Those familiar with swimming in a pack or cycling in a peloton will appreciate the fact that the frontrunners in a snowshoe race must do considerably more work than the rest of the group following in the leader’s tracks. Like road cycling races, snowshoe races on untracked snow end up being highly strategic events. Competitors must work together to form a breakaway pack or suffer the consequences of running in a pack until a final sprint for the finish.

Those entering their first snowshoe race should go into the event with a healthy fitness base, preferably gained from running, triathlon, cycling, or Nordic skiing, all complementary sports that train many of the muscles that are worked when snowshoeing. In addition to a healthy endurance background, preparation for snowshoe racing should include some sport-specific resistance training that works the hip flexors, which are taxed when you step up with a snow-covered snowshoe as you stride, and adductors and abductors, which help support the wider stance required for snowshoe running.

Of course, the best pre-race snowshoe training is to simply get out and snowshoe. Beyond the benefits of sport-specific training, another reason to train on your snowshoes in certain areas in the US and Canada is because you will most likely be doing so at a high elevation. For example, in Colorado most of the races are held higher than 8,500 feet, where it comes as quite a shock to racers’ cardiopulmonary systems if they don’t train that high. Getting into the high country on your snowshoes in the weeks before a race will assist in dealing with the race altitude.

All photos courtesy of Jon Loether/Atlas Snow-Shoe Co.

Proper race attire will help make the experience more enjoyable. One thing that most neosnowphytes neglect when they suit up for snowshoe running is the fact that snowshoeing kicks up a lot of snow. You will actually be flinging snow at yourself from behind as you run, causing what some in the sport call “wet butt syndrome.” While Gore-Tex diapers won’t be necessary, layering with a breathable microfiber shell, an insulating fleece mid layer, thermal tights, and a wicking base layer should do the trick for temperature control and moisture management.

Keep in mind that snowshoe running stokes your oven to burn more calories than almost any other sport. Although you may be shivering as you line up for the race, you will soon be an inferno, so be careful not to overdress. You don’t need to wear waterproof boots when you race on snowshoes. However, using running shoes with a waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex can help keep your feet drier. Wool socks should help keep your feet warm, even when wet, which will often be the case due to melting snow or splashing slush. Because of the flying snow, you should keep your pockets zipped shut and wear some eye protection, especially if it is a sunny day. Wear a hat that you can pull down to cover your ears and, if it is cold, a pair of mittens rather than gloves will keep your digits warmer.

The equipment requirements for snowshoe racing are relatively basic. If you don’t own snowshoes and want to try those designed for running, consider renting or borrowing a pair for your first race. Many races feature free demos, so be sure to check out race literature and contact the race organizer to reserve a pair. Ski poles are not recommended, unless the racecourse goes through untracked snow and you have some difficulty with balance.

Related posts:

1. Snowshoe Running – Fun or Flop?
2. Snowshoe Running Basics: The Why and How
3. GPS and Trail Racing = Cheating?