Gear Review

Gear Review: Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 5 Set

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So, last week my wife bought me this backpack as our anniversary present and I took it out for a 19 miler yesterday in the blazing sunshine.

So firstly, what does Salomon say about there pack?

From Salomon Website: This ultra form-fitting hydration pack for intense trail running comes in two sizes for the most precise fit possible. Sensifit construction reduces abrasion, ultra breathable stretch material to comfortably and securely hold bladder and essential items in the most demanding conditions

More often than not you read a description and think “sounds good but really?”, well this is pretty much spot on.

So what’s it like?

In this photo you can see the various pockets on the Salomon
You can see in this picture the main compartment, as well as the side (rear) pockets. In the bottom left hand side (of the photo) is the 4D pole holder strap
This is the bladder that comes with the backpack, the Hydrapak 1.5 litre replaces the Source bladder on the older versions of the S-Lab 5. Next to it is the insulated sleeve that the bladder sits in.
Also on the newer version is the wider clips for securing the back on the body, these have been made more substantial to prevent snapping, although I still take the pack off with kid gloves because they still feel like they could snap at any point
The included saftey blanket and pocket to store it in (the second velcro chest pocket was also found in here)
Detail of the empty saftey blanket pocket also showing the Hydrapak inside
The two pockets which fit to the left hand strap and can be swapped out as and when
The Hydrapak insulated hose doesn’t actually come with the pack, the older version came with an insulated Source hose but this came with a normal (all be it shorter) hose, this I purchased as an addtion.
Just an example of the size of the pocket, the packet is designed for fast and light running, so you can’t get that much in it. I managed to fit a super light first aid kit and a lightweight jacket
The Sensifit logo, and this thing does indeed fit like a glove
There aren’t a lot of photos on the various websites showing in detail what the water bottle/chest pockets can hold. I used both these for my run, 625ml Camelbak Podium Chill bottles, they fit fine and are easy to get in and out.

What’s it like to run in?

Simple really, I will never run in a normal rucksack again!! This is the future, gone are shoulder straps and waist belts, gone is having to constantly adjust  the straps, gone is not being able to breath properly due to no give, this solves all the issues.

I have tried a number of small light backpacks, the Haglofs Stamina 5, the Olmo 5, Inov8 12 litre and the OMM 15 litre. Being an average sized guy (96cm chest, 85 cm waist/38inch, 33inch) I have had trouble finding a backpack that fits comfortably, so was sceptical of the Salomon until trying it on. The thing fits like a glove and more importantly flexes with your body, so you never feel constricted when running.

From never wearing it to running 19 miles I haven’t got one sore point, at no point did I have to stop and adjust it, even as the water in the hydration bladder drained it still sat snug to the back.

I did find with the two podium bottles in the chest pockets forced me to adapt my running style, as the bottom of the pocket would hit my biceps as I ran, but I think this is partially me being on the upper limit of the M/L sizing.

What could be improved?

Not a great deal really and its more personal opinion, I would like some more pockets on the front. Maybe combine the front fastening points into one mesh clip with pockets on it. Also there doesn’t seem to be anyway to add more modular items, such as a front pack.

Should I buy one?

If you are looking for a fast and light hydration pack which fits snug, then yes, if you have ever used a hydration pack and suffered from the straps not fitting quite right, a waist strap and chest strap that put pressure on your breathing then this is the one for you.

Its fairly pricey at ÂŁ120 rrp, but you can find it cheaper. One thing to be sure of is the sizing, it comes in XS/S and M/L, I have the M/L and I don’t think it would fit someone much bigger than me.

See the Salomon website for more detail (note they only have images of the older version)

Salomon.co.uk

On a side note, they now do a 12litre version 🙂

Training Updates

The week of the Denbies 10 mile

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Firstly, I am a bit late in posting this week. I try to keep to logging things on the Sunday but with the Denbies and the general duties of fatherhood the day ran away with me.

So, the week of the Denbies was a pretty sedate one, Tuesday was a 5 mile run around the block. Wednesday I was unable to run so Thursday I did an 8 mile and Friday was a 3 mile run tapering into the Sunday, the day of the Denbies

Being a 10am start and not too far away we were able to have a reasonable start, Gareth picking me up about 8am (I had already been up 2 hours to help with feeding the boys). I was actually feeling quite nervous about this run, which surprised me as it was set to be fairly straightforward. A couple of people from work had said that they would be there and I think that little bit of pressure to not be at the back of the field was playing on my mind.

Upon arriving we were marshalled into a parking space, we then headed to race control to get our numbers. The race is organised by Events to Live and from first impressions they were putting on a good show, they had a small shop there with running gear on sale with some heavily discounted Gore Jackets and other items (Gareth caving in and getting a jacket, I stayed strong!!). Race numbers acquired we hung around until the 10am start.

Race kicked off to a 1.5 mile uphill along a road, this levelled out and we continued along another road, finally getting to the North Downs Way at about mile 4-5ish. I think this must have carried on for a few miles then back to the road. The route was an out and back, heading out from race start then looping around and back onto the same road we had run up at the start, except now a downhill.

The Denbies route, a fair amount of hill and a lot of road

Despite the excellent organisation, friendly marshalls and nice views I wouldn’t do the race again. Simple reason is there was just too much road running and not enough trail.

In addition to the runs this week I have got myself a new treat, a Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 5, I haven’t used it yet but will give a review next update.

Total Distance Run: 26.54 Miles, Average Pace: 08:49/mi, Total Time: 03:54:09

 

Training Updates

Some sunny runs, but still mud…. Training 07/05/2012 – 13/05/2012

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Finally a bit of sunshine to make running more enjoyable. This week consisted of two runs on the Tuesday and one on the Thursday, with a long run on the Saturday.

Tuesday morning was a particularly enjoyable run, in that I managed to get back some of the pace that had seemed to have left me recently. averaging 08:18 /mi over 5.08 miles. After work it was an easy paced 6 mile run.

Thursday morning I managed to shave more time off my average pace and ran a 08:05 /mi for 4.3miles, so it seems that along with good weather comes speed.

Saturday was a 14 mile run across the North Downs, and despite the beautiful weather the mud was every present. I took my camera with me on this run so as they say “A picture paints a thousand words”.

As you can see from the photo, it was going to be a lovely day
I see hills…
Photos don’t ever do justice to the incline on the hills, but hopefully this gets across how steep it was
We managed to avoid this muddy bog to exit the field, but there was plenty of ones we couldn’t avoid
Is that mud on Gareths leg, or just a loss of control?
Boggy ground, muddy and wet feet
And the trail goes on
Although the photo doesn’t show it clearly, we were checking the map….not that we were lost or anything.
Photos don’t do justice to how steep a downhill this is, Gareth makes it look easy. For my part it was more of a slip, shit, ouch
Muddy hands after falling on my arse
Running in the sun
Mud on my trainers, mud on my socks, mud on my feet
Training Updates

And the runs have been wet……..

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Its all in the title really, what a horrible week to have to motivate yourself to get outside and go for a run, but run I did.

Tuesday was a test run for the new trainers, two laps around Lloyd park and the ground was just a bog from start to finish. Pacing wise, it was fairly slow and I am not sure if this is the terrain, a sign of too much training or the change from Km to Miles on my Garmin (more on this later)

Wednesday a shorter road run at just over 4.5 miles, Thursday was a 5 miler. Again pace wise these runs were slower than past runs and being on the road for each of them the weather conditions would have been less likely to have an impact.

Saturdays run was a route planned by Gareth, with the promise of it having lots of hills and being a bit muddy. Getting to Reigate hill for 07:30 the rain had already started to come down, and continued to do so for the two and a half hours we were out there. The route profile shows the amount of up and down that we had to work through:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What the profile can’t convey is the mud. I have done a few adventure runs such as the Grim or the The Major, all pegged as muddy and tough courses. Saturdays run was up there with those in terms of mud, barring the waist deep mud pools of the Grim I would say that overall it was worse!

This whole pace thing is starting concern me somewhat, I was expecting for my shorter runs to get faster not the other way around. I am not certain what the cause is, when I have been starting off on a run my legs are feeling heavy and sore and its taking a while to ease into the run and increase any sort of pace. I haven’t been stretching as much as I should do following a run and on my rest days and this is something I have started to really concentrate on now.

I have also purchased a new book (thanks Rory for the tip) which I am going to read through. When I bought it I thought it was just your normal run of the mill running book which I could read and perhaps take some tips from, however what I got was a lot more.

This book is EVERYTHING, 921 pages of the science of running, nutrition, training plans, excercises, technical info on shoes, the bodies muscle make-up and more! Its going to be some reading, but I won’t need to buy another running magazine because I am guessing that the information contained in the book is the origin for a lot of the training plans or nutrition advice you see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I plan to post some of the things I read in this book and give my own take on them, seeing how I improve, what works and what doesn’t however if you want to read the whole thing, its sale on Amazon for ÂŁ15.00: Lore of Running, by Tim Noakes MD

Total Distance: 31.95 Miles,  Average Pace: 10:17/mi, Total Time: 05:28:44

Gear Review

Gear Review: New Balance MT110, first impressions

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So I have had these trainers for a couple of days, today being the first outdoor test (it is a sunny day so thought I would take the opportunity).

First Impressions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firstly, I quite like the colours (que ginger/orange shoe jokes), the black, orange and blue works well. The synthetic material on the upper works well, with an inner mesh which lets the feet breath and water drain away.  Putting the shoe on (size 8) the fit is snug, similar to the New Balance Minimus Trail, the shoe is designed to be worn with or without socks although even with there is a reasonable gap for my toes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underneath is the real reason I bought these shoes, the sole. With a 4mm drop heel to toe and a slightly increased stack height over the Minimus these shoes are designed to give a bit more cushioning for the long runs, while still keeping the feel of a minimalist/barefoot transition shoe.  The tread is a vast improvement over the Minimus, proper lugs which  should give good grip on the trail, made of a sticky rubber to give traction on wet rock. A toe plate on the front protects against hitting your foot on roots or rocks (something which after Offa’s Orror I will be thankful for)

On the run:

For my test it was a short  3 mile run around Lloyd Park, on the road heading up to the park the first thing I noticed was the increased cushioning from the slightly increased stack height. Upon transferring to grass the grip started to come into its own, and with the park still being sodden from the rain I was able to give them a test on proper mud, and even they draining ability from running through what effectively was a marsh!

I did notice a bit of a roll inwards when I was running, something which I didn’t get from the Minimus. I am hoping this is just the EVA sole bedding in and will go after a few runs, also the laces will have to go and I will replace them with Lock Laces sooner rather than later.

I should get a better feel for them as the week goes on and the real test will be the long run on Saturday, however they do seem to be keepers and I will probably get a second pair.