Simple Hydration Bottle Review and Giveaway

For a guy who likes to review products that are simpler, or more minimal, than the typical kit, I tend to write pretty complex, detailed reviews.  When you are looking at a shoe like the Skora FORM, which costs $200 and uses materials from all over the planet, or the Merrell Road Glove, which is part of a groundbreaking line that’s helping change the running shoe industry, detailed observations are easy to make.  This review is a little different.  It is a simple concept, a simple product, a simple pitch…making hydration, well, simple.  Even the name is simple.  It’s Simple, as in Simple Hydration.  Simple recently sent me two bottles, one to test and one to give away to a lucky follower.  Read on for my thoughts on this neat little bottle and our contest details.

New Balance Minimus Amp (MT1010) and RC5000 Previews

Every once in a while I get to see something pretty neat before it hits the market. This is one of those times. Ken is taking a close look at these right now, the shoes in the photos are his own samples in size 9, so they are too small for me. That said, he'll likely have a few comments soon and we will do some better shots with our usual annotations.  That said, these photos have been burning a hole in my pocket since I snapped them last weekend and I just thought you guys would appreciate seeing them straight away! First, its the eagerly anticipated New Balance Minimus Amp (MT1010).  Featuring the same NL-1 Minimus Last as the MT110 and the Minimus Trail, the Amp/MT1010 is actually a true, branded part of the Minimus lineup, unlike the MT110. However, the Amp is actually MORE shoe than the MT110 with a fairly rugged outsole and a bombproof rock plate.  Its pretty light, and has the wider toe box and low drop, but its not anywhere near a barefoot experience. I could see this being a GREAT ultra trail shoe, though.  Feast your eyes!

Hal Koerner Interview: Above Average Athletes

Ever been to a North Face store?  That's Hal
in the store's epic graphics on walls and displays!

As the two-time defending champ of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (2007, 2009 – the race was cancelled in 2008) and a challenger for the title in 2010, Hal Koerner is featured heavily in the new documentary “Unbreakable.” Hal has won or challenged for the podium in dozens of other top ultra marathons from 50 kilometers to 100 miles.  On February 4th he won another 100 miler, the Rocky Raccoon 100 (and found his car towed when he finished). He is the owner of Rogue Valley Runners in Ashland, Oregon and is the race director for his own 100 mile endurance race, the Pine to Palm 100.

Hal is known throughout the ultramarathon world as a positive and friendly ambassador of the sport. He is an ambassador for The North Face.  We first reached him just as he was arriving in Hawaii for H.U.R.T. 2012, and kept up contact through his busy winter racing season, so we thank him for taking the time to answer a few questions for Above Average Athletes!

Ashmei Ultimate Softshell Running Jacket Review: A great start, a great future

The Ultimate Softshell comes in black or white

Thanks to Twitter and a few common friends in the running world, I made contact with Stuart Brooke of Ashmei Running in the United Kingdom late last year. Stuart, like another running gear visionary I know, David Sypniewski of Skora, has a distinct eye for form as well as function. Given what a fan I am of Skora and their remarkable entry into the running market, this is very high praise from my desk. I immediately recognized the effort, the talent, and the execution that went into Stuart’s line of Ashmei Running apparel.

I truly appreciate the individual approach guys like David and Stuart have taken with their product. Many companies make decent looking kit with a variety of colors and features, but these guys take it to the next level, looking for ways to execute high quality gear in a way that is equally as revolutionary when it comes to looks, textures, and undeniable identity.

After making contact with Stuart, I helped him make a connection with Ken Larscheid, our recent guest contributor and owner of EliteFeet Brighton. I had a feeling that Ken would also appreciate Stuart’s line. Ken prides himself on a discriminating eye for shoes, gear and apparel, and his boutique shop reflects his ideals. Long story short, Ken and Stuart began their own dialogue and Elite Feet became the first United States retailer for Ashmei. While Ashmei was previously available online, Elite Feet would be the first actual U.S. bricks-and-mortar location to carry this new line. As the first U.S. retailer, Ken has told me that he’s gotten great online chatter about Elite Feet and has found new customers across the country.  Ashmei is just that kind of gear, it gets people talking.