Seven Summits Body – Fitness and Training

Author: Charles Miske

  • Icebug Insoles Unboxing

    I recently returned from the 2016 Winter Market, the ORShow in Salt Lake City. While there I got the opportunity to check out and test a pair of the ICEBUG Slim/Medium Insoles with Arch Flex System® Technology. Check them out on AMAZON.  Running shoe insoles with energy return zones improvement over stock insoles.

    I replaced the stock insoles in my Pearl Izumi Road N2 running shoes, which are neutral cushioning running shoes with moderately thick insoles. After this video I had the opportunity to wear them for my walk to work from the train station and back and all day in the office and I have to admit they felt really good. My feet felt fresher after a day at the office than they usually do.

    What are you looking for in running shoe insoles?

    Icebug Insoles with Arch Flex System® Technology come in different thicknesses and support levels. I selected Slim Medium because I don’t really need any support, but don’t have flat feet and intend on wearing them in running shoes.

    I could feel the triangular bubble in the middle of my instep flex and press back with each step. At first my foot was curious about it, like your tongue searching for a tiny seed, but after a while I forgot about it and just enjoyed the sensation of the floor pressing back. Did it help blood flow or anything?

    Hard to say, but like I did say above, my feet felt a lot better after a day at work, and that’s got to mean something.

    Running Shoe Insole by Icebug Video Unboxing

    [youtube https://youtu.be/w1yErvAowtc&w=640&h=360&rel=0]

    I ran my half marathon and now I’m free to mess around, experiment, and do something different, so I’ll get back to you here in a few weeks with my impressions on how these babies work and if I feel that same energy return on the fly.

    ICEBUG Slim/Medium Insoles with Arch Flex System Technology
    ICEBUG Slim/Medium Insoles with Arch Flex System Technology

  • Working with the Weather – St. George City Half Marathon

    When you need to run in conditions other than what you’re used to, what is the solution for clothing?

    The weather in Saint George Utah will be in the low-mid 30’s to start at 9 AM, possibly up to low-mid 40’s at 11:25 when I should have crossed the finish line.

    10 Day forecast for St. George Utah including January 16
    10 Day forecast for St. George Utah including January 16

     

    From Active.com:

    30-40°F

    It’s time to start taking your base layers seriously. Make sure they are non-cotton so that they wick sweat off your body—extremely important in colder temperatures when body moisture can lead to hypothermia. Also, start thinking about extremities. Try a fleece headband over your ears and fingerless running gloves for your hands. If it’s below freezing, consider lined leggings and a long-sleeve shirt paired with a running vest. Aim for two layers on top.

    Saturday, December 16 looks like it’s going to start out with an overnight low of about 32, rising slowly to 40 around 10 AM.

    Hourly forecast for St. George Utah Saturday January 16
    Hourly forecast for St. George Utah Saturday January 16

    Late Breaking Weather Advisory

    Affecting the drive down more than anything else, since we’re heading to St. George mid-day Friday.

      • Issued by MeteoAlarm

        Salt Lake City, UT

        2:59pm MST, Thu Jan 14

    … WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY…

    THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SALT LAKE CITY HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW… WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY.

    * AFFECTED AREA… THE WASATCH FRONT… WASATCH MOUNTAIN VALLEYS… GREAT SALT LAKE DESERT… WEST CENTRAL UTAH… AND THE SEVIER AND SANPETE VALLEYS.

    * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS… GENERALLY 1 TO 4 INCHES… LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

    * TIMING… DEVELOPING IN THE PRE-DAWN HOURS… WITH THE BULK OF THE SNOW DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE… BEFORE TAPERING OFF MID DAY.

    * IMPACTS… EARLY MORNING SNOWFALL WILL LIKELY CREATE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE. PLAN EXTRA TIME FOR TRAVEL FRIDAY MORNING… AND ALLOW EXTRA FOLLOWING DISTANCE.

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS. USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

    FOR WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS FROM THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION…

    Early morning in Saint George Utah
    Early morning in Saint George Utah
    Mid morning in Saint George Utah
    Mid morning in Saint George Utah

    So I’m working out my clothing selections. I’m used to running at -10F from my days in Colorado, but the whole 35F thing is kind of messing with my head. I’ll keep you in the loop as I decide what to do about it in the next couple of days.

  • Black Diamond Spot Headlamp After the Run

    I was able to run for a couple hours in the dark with my Black Diamond Spot headlamp. Here are some of my thoughts after 11 miles along the highway, residential streets, and rec path in Utah County in a pre-dawn training run.

    Black Diamond Spot Post-Run Review

    [youtube https://youtu.be/8ibS3WDEzBw&w=640&h=360&rel=0]

    Running in the dark with the new Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
    Running in the dark with the new Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

  • Under Armour Wind Stopper Tights Review

    I’ve had my Gore Windstopper tights by UnderArmour out for a handful of winter running outings. Temperatures were between 17F and 34F. It was a tad chilly at 17 and a tad warm at 34, but otherwise a good selection for winter training outside. No real fit issues. No chafing. Easy in and out for bathroom breaks. Easy to adjust the waist tie. No complaints.

    See on AMAZON HERE

    Gore Windstopper tights by Under Armour Review

    [youtube https://youtu.be/fv6AGc2OyCE&w=640&h=360&rel=0]

    Reflective fish scales on the Gore Windstopper tights by Under Armour
    Reflective fish scales on the Gore Windstopper tights by Under Armour

  • Black Diamond Spot Headlamp Unboxing Video

    Black Diamond released a new and improved Spot Headlamp, first at REI, and now at other stores. Check it out as I open the box and give it a first test on video. Stay tuned for the next video, after I use it on my pre-dawn run. Here I open the container, insert the batteries, glance at the instructions and press some buttons.

    Black Diamond Spot Headlamp Unboxing Video

    [youtube https://youtu.be/Mf3lRLjxtIY&w=640&h=360&rel=0]

    Running in the dark with the new Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
    Running in the dark with the new Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

  • Under Armour Winter Running Tights Intro

    I just got some new winter running tights with reflective panels and Gore WindPro lining for water and wind resistance. I’m hoping to be able to run in these along the Wasatch Front of Utah (Utah and Salt Lake Counties) in temperatures between 10 and 40 F. They’re compression fit, but I got them a little large since I don’t like that squeeze feeling. More in the video.

    Under Armour Winter Running Tights Video Intro

    [youtube https://youtu.be/eDTeFFX_-6g&w=640&h=360&rel=0]

    Under Armour Winter Running Tights with Gore WindPro
    Under Armour Winter Running Tights with Gore WindPro