Ch-Ch-Changes (Turn and face the strange)... Pivot. A word being used a lot these days. A word in March I didn't use very often, if ever, in my vernacular. Seems to be very common in our "adapt to the day" society. One thing hasn't changed, I still love to run! I hope you do! Thanks for reading! Enjoy! |
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This picture is from a private event I put on for the athletes I coach. With most every event cancelled/postponed, I offered a 6, 12, & 24 hour loop run from my house. Dennis (pictured at right - my funny looking mug on the left) was one of two runners to finish 100-miles and thus the buckle he earned (in-hand). It was a blast!!! That said, the trails at the house are looking great! We started benchmarking (leveling) the trails. The plan is to host a Rotten Egg Event the Fall on the loop we're making. A Rotten Egg race is divided into like-ability heats. Heat 1 runs the loop and the last place person is eliminated. The other heats race with eliminations until we return to Heat 1 and eliminate our 2nd runner. Heats are run until we have 2 runners left in the heat. One last loop determines the winner. Should be a fun event! Think about joining The MR Runningpains Team of runners I coach and join in these events! As for coaching, I just finished the Arthur Lydiard Level I & II courses. I have to take the exam to gain my certification, but the principals learned from the course were more useful than any other course I've learned thus far. I'm also taking a coaching course from Physical Therapists Christopher Johnson & Joel Sattgast in which I hope to learn more about using TrainingPeaks and analyzing the data given by the platform. Learn more about my coaching below or feel free to reach out to me! Trail work is opening back up! I have to weed eat A LOT! If you're available to help, I'd love that!!!! See more details below. Keep running my friends! The trails are calling...will you answer? -Aaron Saft MR Runningpains |
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Coaching Services As a certified coach, I want to make sure each athlete not only gets the training they need, but to maintain the joy and fun that running should be! I love running, and I want to make sure each runner finds and maintains their love for the sport as well!!! I coach Middle School Aged to Adults and distances of 5k to Ultramarathon. For $100 a month, my coaching provides: Online Training Plan Using Training Peaks Premium Edition Daily Feedback & Weekly Email and Communications Flexible Schedule Changes Private Facebook Group & Facebook Live Q &A Sessions Running Form Analysis Footwear and Gear Selection Private Events/Races so even if events are cancelled, you'll have something to look forward to!
If you're interested in having a conversation, please don't hesitate to reach out by clicking the button below. I currently have spots available. | | |
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MR Runningpains Podcast Through this Podcast I hope to share not only my own knowledge, but that of other professionals across multiple fields that can help you in your running journey. The Podcast can be found on multiple platforms including iTunes, iHeart Radio, Google Play, & Spotify. I hope you'll have a listen, and if you're enjoying it, please share it with others, rate, and review it would be a huge help! Thank you for your time & your ears! My most recent Podcast (Episode 20) is on footwear. Fitting, function, and thoughts behind current trends. I hope you'll have a listen! | | |
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Using a Buff to Make an Ice Bandana |
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Shoe Review of the Month Nike Wildhorse 6 Looking through my trail lineup I was trying to fill a gap. I have plenty of options in the zero to four millimeter drop range and minimal to maximal cushion in that category to boot as well. I was looking for a slightly higher ramp with moderate cushioning. So I dropped by Foot Rx and tried on the Wildhorse (8mm offset). Thank goodness I don't care what shoes look like. Maybe I'm just getting old, but these shoes didn't look like my traditional dark colored trail runners. When I slipped them on, I was concerned that there might be too much volume in the shoe (not typical of a Nike). I was pleased to note the more rounded toe box Nike designed (not Altra or even Topo rounded, but generous enough to notice). The upper is very soft and pliable and lacing system snugs down well for a low volume foot like mine without creating a pucker in the material. So this shoe can fit low to moderately high volumed feet. The arch felt...I didn't notice it. I love it when that happens. I didn't feel it pushing up in a particular spot or missing (I have a low/medium arch). The foam felt soft (not marshmallowy) and flexible. I was pleased and made my purchase. I laced them up for my next run which would put them to the test on non-technical service roads and rocky/technical single-track. They felt great on the gravel service road. I didn't notice the newly laid gravel as I ran over it. When I took to the single track and the incline ratcheted up, the shoe flexed well and moved well with me. It wasn't until I started to traverse the roots and rocks that I noticed the inability of the soft upper to keep my foot securely in place on the platform. My foot shifted drastically from left to right as I try to dance through the roots and rocks. I could feel the outside of my foot sliding odd the insole as the upper gave way when my foot was sideways on a rock. That was a bit frustrating. Unfortunately, the next few miles would be over technical terrain. It's not that I was constantly worried about foot placement, but the shifting of my feet occurred too frequently for me to ever want to run technical terrain with these shoes again. I've used them again since and tried to tighten up the laces a bit more to see if that would help create some stability. I even ran the same trail to test them. They were a bit better, but still not up to what I would consider for a shoe to use on multiple terrains. If I'm running service road, I'll use them, but not for any trails that have uneven/technical footing. Take it as you will. I don't hate the shoe, but it seems to have a specific purpose. If you need them for that purpose, they're a very comfortable shoe! | | |
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Gear of the Month Columbia's Men's & Women's Titan Ultra II Short Sleeve Shirt The technology of the material (Omni-Freeze Zero) in this shirt amazes me! Your sweat activates the shirts cooling capabilities. The material stays cool against your skin as you sweat. It's amazing! | | |
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We help passionate outdoor people protect the places and lifestyles they love from climate change. Founded in 2007 by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, we are a community of athletes, scientists, creatives and business leaders advancing non-partisan policies that protect our world today and for future generations TECHNOLOGICAL + FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS POLITICAL WILL CULTURAL SHIFT | | |
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Join I ❤️ Pisgah(It's free) I HEART PISGAH is a coalition of over 100 organizations and businesses—and thousands of individuals—who support more protected areas for the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest. I HEART PISGAH supports strong, lasting protections for the Pisgah-Nantahala and its old-growth forests, headwaters, pristine streams, trail corridors, rare species, and recreational hubs. The U.S. Forest Service is finalizing a 30-year forest management plan for the Pisgah-Nantahala this year. Already, over 92 percent of the 22,000 public comments on the plan support protected areas in Pisgah. I HEART PISGAH works to ensure that the public's voice is heard and the most important recreation and conservation areas are permanently protected. | | |
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Conserving Carolina We protect wonderful places for nature and people! We have helped to protect more than 45,000 acres—from the waterfalls of DuPont State Forest, to the rock faces of Hickory Nut Gorge, to the farms and rivers that provide us with food and water. These places have the power to change lives. Whether you're a passionate hiker or mountain biker, a retiree looking for ways to give back to the community, or a parent who wants your child to experience the wonders of nature, we invite you to explore these special places and get involved with Conserving Carolina. Become a member, come to an event, or volunteer! | | |
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Clean Sport Collective Join in the Clean Sport Collective in pledging to keep performance enhancing drugs out of Sports! Click the button below to learn more and make your pledge. | | |
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Trail Maintenance Lot's to do and catch up on! Can you help? If so, please reach out! Others you can help: | | |
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American Trail Running Association The American Trail Running Association, ATRA, was formed in mid-1996 as a Colorado not for profit corporation to serve the mountain, ultra & trail (MUT) running community. Our mission is to represent and promote mountain, ultra & trail running. | | |
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ITRA Born in July 2013, the ITRA (International Trail Running Association) aims to give a voice to parties involved in trail running in order to promote its strong values, its diversity, the safety of races and the health of runners, as well as to further the development of trail running and ensure a constructive dialogue between the national and international bodies with an interest in the sport. | | |
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Vote for Greatest Mountain Races of All Time Vote for the Best Mountain Races of all Time!!! | | |
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Book of the Month80/20 by Matt Fitzgerald Recovery is the name of the game. Learn more about how you can get faster by training slower (like the title says). | | |
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Podcast of the Month Both Episodes 31 & 33 were fantastic! Episode 31 gets into Hydration and 33 is a very informative episode for women! Great bits of information in each! | | |
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Song of the Month Never Had it Easy by The Chicharrones Mesmerizing and rhythmic, an interesting blend of genres. Thanks John Grace for the introduction to this group. Enjoy! |
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Love this community, and happy to share what I know. Please reach out if you have any questions in any aspect of running, training, and or racing!!! Sincerely, Aaron Saft MR Runningpains | | |
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