The best scream, staying fresher and no zippers

I was really trying not to care about a few hundred people shuffling around the desert for a few days, but I care a lot now that Rachel Entrekin is leading the Cocodona 250 happening right now in Arizona. She is beating everyone and currently has a 30-minute lead on second place and is running at what I can only describe as, "is that responsible?" pace. I receive a weekly email summarizing happenings in women's sports that reaches from tennis to cricket to rally car and this week made me so bummed. There were multiple entries of female firsts in sport which is great, but ugh, still so many firsts are left. I felt defeated.  So, a woman winning an extremely niche race with an outsized spotlight in the ultrarunning world feels like the antidote I need. Go girl! 

SAYING IT PROUD

• The best scream on the internet this week was trainer Cherie DeVaux as she watched the horse she trains, Golden Tempo, go from last to first at the Kentucky Derby. Try not to cry! 
• This coach. Standing up for your players like this makes me want to do better at everything I do. 

ARE SUPER SHOES SUPER
I have had some questions from athletes regarding super shoes and if it would benefit them. This is from athletes ranging from 4ish hour marathoners to trail runners going for 100k and 100m runs. My short answer, try them if you are curious and it is in the budget BUT. BUT. BUT. 

• Super shoes seem to be a benefit at faster speeds and there is more potential benefit the faster you run. Seems like 9:30 pace and faster is best for super shoes to work. This study (on only 10 people) says so, it must be true! 
• If you are using them for gaining speed only, you are better off dialing in your nutrition and running a little bit more. 
• There is evidence that they can help keep you fresher and this is great for big training weeks.  
• Finding the right super shoe that works with your cadence and pace and foot may be an expensive endeavor. 
• Super shoes push you forward and change mechanics. Do not switch over and transition to all your weekly mileage on them. Try them on short runs and ease in. 
• New gear can be really motivating. Fun shorts that fit perfectly may get you out there too with a way lower price tag and no mechanical changes to your gait. 

ACCESSIBLE GEAR
North Face has started making gear specifically with accessibility in mind. Gear like sleeping bags and backpacks without zippers and bigger grips for opening and closing, look really great. Using a zipper with one hand can be almost impossible, but bonus, using a zipper with frozen hands in the cold is similar. Gear like this is great for everyone and I am excited to see what else they come up with. Right now, it looks like shoes, a tent, sleeping bag, backpack and a hat you can tighten with only one hand. 

STRENGTH
You are invited EVERY Wednesday night for Strength Training for Runners, live to your screen. Free always. Tell work you have jury duty. Hope to see you there tomorrow.