Innholdsfortegnelse for Jan/Feb 2022 i Runner's World South Africa

BEST TIME TO RUN Winter or summer… this trail is stunning, no matter what the season. TERRAIN Coastal trail CONFIGURATION A perfect loop of 8km. There are two start points: either Sardinia Bay, or the quaint coastal village of Schoenmakerskop. Run the upper path first, a meandering jeeptrack through fynbos, and come back along the lower trail, which is a coastal path. Or the other way around – your choice. In spring, the flowers are out in full, and wildlife – including tortoises, meerkats, sea otters, whales and dolphins – is abundant. The top path climbs through green scrub and offers great ocean views, while the lower trail, close to the sea, is more rugged. At the start on the Schoenmakerskop side is the famous cannon from the 1647 wreck…

I want you to think back to the last run you crushed. It neeedn’t have been a PB, and definitely not a race. I want you to remember a normal training run, that for one reason or another, just felt like an absolute victory. Now, I want you to rewind at least 24 hours before that run. Think about what you did – the meals you ate, how much sleep you got, the music you listened to, the snacks you had. Try and write down as many of those little details as possible. The smaller the detail, the better. I often tell my athletes to do this exercise whenever they reach a training rut or plateau. They come to me with a list of big life issues as the reason…

I remain concerned about social distancing on the run. Any tips? This is easier than you may think. As you approach someone on your run, imagine you’re at a party, and this person is so boring he thinks a monotone is one too many. Now imagine he’s spotted you, and is reaching for his smartphone to show you photos of his collection of Victorian chamber pots (arranged by depth). Now swerve, for all you’re worth. Leap, if you must. Congratulations – you have passed by without incident, and learned a vital new manoeuvre for parties. I’ve bought fancy new running gear, but am afraid I’m not good enough to wear it.. If you’re going to run, running gear is a sensible sartorial choice. Unlike golf, for which there is no…

ALTR A TORIN 5 WOMEN  PRICE: R2 999 | WEIGHT: 209g A 28mm stack height is not as lofty as the maxi-cushioning trend would have it; but remember, Altra has a zero drop, which means that the cushioning flows at 28mm all the way to the forefoot. The midsole cushioning in question is new for version 5, in the form of Ego Max foam. So the Torin 5 is a little plusher and lighter than the previous version, but still suited to all day on the road, for those looking to log the long distances. The lightweight engineered mesh upper gives a secure and roomy fit, while providing lots of ventilation to keep feet cool. At the ankle, the thin mesh gives way to a much sturdier heel section, with…

DOING SOMETHING RIGHT: PRODUCING THIS SHOE FOR A QUARTER OF A CENTURY. MIZUNO WAVE RIDER 25 WOMEN PRICE: R2 499 | WEIGHT: 229g Number 25 marks a huge milestone for the Rider, and that’s not just because Mizuno has now filled a quarter of a century with models of this shoe. One long-time tester pegged this one as his favourite yet; another said it’s definitely the softest and most cushioned. Part of that is because the brand delivered on the promise it teased us with in the Rider 24: a full-length midsole layer of luxuriously soft Enerzy foam. In previous Rider midsoles, Mizuno mixed-and-matched a handful of foams – ranging from its firmer U4ic to the U4icX – both above and below the wave plate. Though comfortable underfoot, the combination…

ULTRA PLUSH BED ALERT SAUCONY TRIUMPH 19  PRICE: R3 199 | WEIGHT: 259g PWRRUN+ is present in abundance, so there’s more cushioning to provide a plush and springy ride. UPDATES INCLUDE A SNUGGER FIT WITH A TRIM NEW HEEL COUNTER, MORE BREATHABLE MESH, SOFT SUEDE DETAILING, AND ANTI SLIP LACES TO LOCK IT ALL IN. SAUCONY ENDORPHIN SHIFT 2 WOMEN PRICE: R2 799 | WEIGHT: 259g The everyday training partner to the Endorphin Speed and Pro. The difference is that the Shift doesn’t have a plate and neither does it use Saucony’s top-tier PWRRUN PBl midsole material. What it does have is a firm, high stack of PWRRUN and aggressive modern geometry, with an exaggerated rocker that contributes to its status as one of the most stable platforms for its…

UNDER ARMOUR HOVR MACHINA 2 PRICE: R3 499 | WEIGHT: 231g After the 2020 launch of the first Machina, a little less rigidity in the second version has been welcomed. The Machina 2 still has a HOVR midsole, but this version has been somewhat softened with a PEBAX propulsion plate to complement the slightly softer midsole. Those familiar with the RUSH apparel from Under Armour will be interested, and happy, to see the Machina 2 has taken this high-quality fabric technology and added it as a mineral-infused lining that absorbs energy emitted by your body & reflects it back, improving endurance. A huge plus for all UA running shoes is the fully connected aspect (there’s a chip in the midsole, collecting data as you move), meaning you can run without…

PIVOT FORGE V 1 MEN’S  PRICE: R1 999 | WEIGHT: 255g The most exciting shoe in our 2022 Shoe Buyer’s Guide is the home-grown Forge V1, from all-new South African brand Pivot – created by Saffa Roger Zeino, who’s hungry for all things running, and eager to match the quality of the best shoe brands in the world. The Forge V1 is the result, aimed at high-mileage runners in a running culture dominated by the Comrades and Two Oceans ultras. ‘Haem Float’ is the name of the comfortable cushioning system; and although testers have not been able to test it in an ultramarathon yet, the feedback is that it does indeed match the cushioned ride of the big brands. A simple midsole design with a perforated upper means the shoe…

ANN ASHWORTH, advocate, ultra-distance athlete, coach “I’m an only child, and didn’t have any siblings to play hockey or tennis with; solitary sports like swimming and running were an easy go-to, especially since my dad loved walking in the mountains and farmlands where I grew up in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. My dad was also a very keen runner, and he encouraged me to participate in and pursue the sport. I love the post-run endorphins. “I also love the ‘honesty’ of running – what you put in is what you get out. There’s no hiding from a bad run; but when you have a good run, you literally feel like the king of the world. I love that I can see daily gains and improvements through consistent training, and that I’m…

We runners know what our homework is, even as we make our excuses: “Please, miss, the dog ate my foam roller!” We know that strength and conditioning exercises will improve our form and performance, that we should stretch our calves and our hamstrings and tend to our tender ITBs. We know we should do drills and single-leg exercises, massage our quads and hamstrings. But how many of us are entirely neglecting one crucial part of our runner’s bodies? Twenty-six bones and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments work together to take the force of up to three times our body weight over, and over, and over again. And it’s time we paid them a lot more attention. NO 1 WORK YOUR CORE WE’VE LONG KNOWN the importance of a strong…

ADIDAS ULTR A BOOST 22 WOMEN PRICE: R3 599 | WEIGHT: 340g In 2021 we focused on the record-breaking adidas road shoes, for example the Adizero Adios Pro 2, being put to work by speedsters all over the globe. With the recent release of the Ultra Boost 22, we’re reminded what many from the middle of the pack are looking for. For that majority, this is a thoroughly traditional (if modern-looking) long-run shoe, with oodles of bounce and comfort that hasn’t changed from version 21 except in colourway options and a women-specific fit (this version comes with extra lugs on the outsole, for a more centred transition). That gives us a chance to look at some sustainable fabrics, now a strong part of the adidas offering. A very encouraging aspect…

PUMA VELOCIT Y NITRO 2 WOMEN PRICE R2 799 (DUE MARCH 2022) | WEIGHT: 210g Haven’t run in Puma lately? The Velocity Nitro 2 continues its reign as Puma’s flagship road-running shoe, featuring the nitrogen gas-injected midsole that has elevated the feline brand back to an honourable position as a maker of great running shoes. The foam is light, bouncy and responsive all at once, providing one of the best all-round running experiences available. The high 32mm stack includes a mini-plate in the heel, to help with stabilisation. The Puma Grip outsole toes the line by adding to the stable feel as well, and you get a really racy feeling, even deep into a longer run. Often a grippy sole means you’re sacrificing weight, but Puma has managed to keep…

SALOMON SENSE RIDE 4 PRICE: R2 599 | WEIGHT: 235g A good door-to-trail option, with a jack-of-all-trades vibe. If you’ve not done much off-road running before but are considering plucking up the courage to do so, grab yourself a pair of these; they’re a wonderful beginner-friendly pair of trail wheels. The midsole cushioning that Salomon has used (the brand calls it ‘Optivibe’) has a really good mix of softness and give, without being too spongy; which adds to the beginner-friendly motif, because the shoe was in its comfort zone when testers were plodding along rather than doing anything more ambitious – and the soft feel is perfect for that. Traction was very good, on a variety of surfaces – although it struggled in properly muddy conditions. If a 1 is…

GET YOUR DAILY DISTANCE NEW BALANCE FRESH FOAM X 8 60 V12 (DUE FEB 2022) | WEIGHT: 254g Built with Fresh Foam for comfort, but with an added medial post in the midsole for those wanting stability peace of mind to go with the comfort. SOFT INNER, HARD OUTER NE W BAL ANCE FRE SH FOAM X HIERRO (DUE APRIL 2022) | WEIGHT: 339g The signature Fresh Foam cushioning from NB is surrounded by a Vibram outsole, reinforced toe cap and thermoplastic polyurethane thread reinforcement in the stretchy upper, to make them off-road-ready. NEW BAL ANCE FRE SH FOAM X VONGO V 5 WOMEN PRICE: R2 999 (DUE APRIL 2022) | WEIGHT: 222g The Vongo V5 builds on the success of the perfectly cushioned 1080 V11, but with an innovative…

My mini-revolution continues – I’m still doing thrice-weekly yoga, planking and calf-strengthening exercises. I’ve finally embraced whole-body fitness, and I’m feeling a tad foolish that I didn’t do all this much earlier. As my body starts to feel a bit stronger, there are spin-offs. I’m feeling a little less disgruntled, more in control. It’s the constantly surprising magic of cause and effect: do this new thing to the body, and the body changes. The physical form never ceases to amaze me for its malleability, even in an old coot like myself. So there’s a jauntiness to my stride, and I’m making better choices in other areas too. I get to the checkout at the supermarket without ransacking the chocolate aisle; and for now, I’ve replaced red wine with prosecco –…

ELIUD KIPCHOGE’S history-making sub-two-hour marathon in Vienna in October 2019 is justifiably famous. But a new documentary film – Kipchoge: The Last Milestone – shows the inside story of the new Olympic champion’s build-up to that extraordinary day. With unprecedented access to the marathon world record-holder and his team (as well as Runner’s World’s Kerry McCarthy), the film follows Kipchoge from his training camp in Kenya in the months beforehand to the event itself in Vienna, and takes a personal look at the athlete, including interviews with those closest to him and details of his daily rituals; and it reveals the dynamics within his team and community. Here are 10 things we learned from watching it. 01 HIS CHILDHOOD FORMED HIS DRIVE Born the youngest of four children in Kapsisiywa…

Roger Zeino brought Vibram Five Fingers, Altra, and Ultimate Direction shoes and gear to South Africa. But while he believed in his products, a feeling was growing inside him. A particularly forceful notion that South Africa, with its uniquely strong ultra-marathon running culture, should have its own running shoe. A shoe made specifically for Saffas. Affordable, yet up to the standards of the best on the international stage. South Africa deserved it – and he knew he could create it. EXPERIENCE Coming from a shoe-production family (his father makes and distributes Buccaneers school shoes in South Africa), Zeino grew up familiar with the process of creating and selling shoes. When he began his own distribution company – taking on the arduous task of convincing overseas brands to allow him to…

SUPPORT IN A SPEEDY PACKAGE ON CLOUDFLYER PRICE: R3 299 | WEIGHT: 210g Comes with Helion-based CloudTec units for a well-cushioned ride, while a moulded heel clip, wider outsole, and stability tube located at the midfoot add extra support. WHEN ONE ROW OF CLOUDTEC ISN’T ENOUGH ON CLOUDSTRATUS PRICE: R2 999 | WEIGHT: 245g Cloudstratus features two layers of Helion-based CloudTec units, stacked on top of each other. The layers work together to absorb impact forces; and along with the Speedboard, they help the shoe bounce back quickly for a propulsive feel. ON CLOUDVENTURE WOMEN PRICE: R2 999 | WEIGHT: 309g The Cloudventure is On’s main trail offering. Now in its third iteration, the shoe comes with Helion-based CloudTec pods for a moderately cushioned ride, and the Speedboard has been…

SKECHERS GO RUN SPEED ELITE HYPER MEN PRICE: R4 299 | WEIGHT: 160g When Skechers looked to add a carbon plate to their fastest shoe, they did so with the goal of increasing rigidity without adding weight. To do it, the company designed a ‘winglet’ system using a carbon-fibre polymer that’s 40 per cent lighter than a full-length plate. Banana-shaped wings at the edges of the forefoot allow your foot to flex laterally, and then direct forces forward as you go through your stride. Everything else on this shoe is stripped to the bare minimum, including the see-through mono-mesh upper and the thin layer of Hyper Burst foam underfoot. The trade-off is durability: in only 300km, one tester wore away nearly all the foam under the lateral winglet. “This shoe…

T-ROCKETS STREETLITE R900 WEIGHT: 238g As they’ve previously tested the Yeti and the Vegan X from the T-Rockets range, the variety offered by the simple sandal is beginning to make a big impact on our testers. The StreetLite sole has a deeper foam mid-layer than the others, which has led to some sandal-running fans choosing it for longer runs. The sole remains uninterrupted by any technology, to keep it light, flexible, and allow natural foot movement. The StreetLite is good for road running as well as daily leisure use; and if you take it to the trails, the enhanced proprioception it allows your foot will give you the most interactive feel for the ground, and keep you more aware of roots and rocks.…