There are basically two schools of thought when assembling a kit for an ultramarathon: comprehensive preparation and more weight, or as minimalist as possible. For first-time ultra-distance runners, the decision can be a little confounding.
It was around around mile 23 of the Vermont 50 that I thought about the duck. I’d read in On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee that the common green-headed mallard stores as much as a third of its carcass weight in fat for fuel and insulation so it can fly continuously for hundreds of miles.
In the marathon origin story, Pheidippides runs from Marathon to Athens to deliver a message of victory and then promptly dies. We’ve come a long way since 490 BC, and today most people run marathons to compete, challenge themselves physically or raise money for charity — and they rarely kick the bucket at the end.
In the age of smartphones and tablets, sports companies have scrambled to embrace technology as a new vehicle for pushing the limits of athletic performance. Even so, the Adidas Boost Running Shoe ($150) hopes to prove that re-thinking existing footwear construction still offers plenty of game-changing potential.
Nike likes its innovations. Case in point, the DWR Chambray Vapour Jacket (~$80).
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for some new casual kicks for the summer, the Nike Rosche Run has you covered. They’re lightweight and breathable for logging those warm weather miles, but cushioned and protective to keep you straight and sturdy — equally important for pounding the pavement or kicking back a few at a standing room only beer garden.
CamelBak Elixir electrolyte tablets turns your water into a refreshing drink infused with electrolytes, vitamins and minerals your body needs during exercise. Essentially you’re turning your once water-carrying CamelBak into a portable sports drink fountain.