THE BROOKS BLOG

Wow! I just read through all the comments on Jim’s recent blog post …what an amazing conversation we’re having on running. I love to see all of this passion and energy around our sport and what we care the most about at Brooks: the run.

As a career long R&D guy, this is particularly exciting to me as it gives my team more opportunity to learn, grow, and explore new methods and technologies that will ultimately allow the runner to run farther, faster, more efficiently, and healthier.

Many of you have asked about research (or lack thereof) regarding the benefits of shod vs. unshod running. One way or the other, show me the proof, right?! Well, while no one has been able to prove whether running with or without shoes causes more injury, we at Brooks have been and will continue to develop and conduct prospective and retrospective studies around running injury prevention. We’re dedicated to reducing running injury risk and have aligned ourselves with some of the top researchers and universities from around the world to help us tackle this. These types of research projects take some time, but we’re making progress and we expect to make some big strides forward this year. Be sure to stay tuned for updates and keep us posted on your thoughts, comments and suggestions!

Keep Running,

Pete

Ghost 2

Launch

The Ghost 2 and the Launch have been getting a lot of attention lately. They’ve both been winning awards and have both been highlighted in running magazines. They’re also both neutral running shoes and both have that nice sprung toe for a great kick. So what’s the difference? Quite a bit actually. Here’s an overview.

The Big Picture:

The Ghost 2 is a "go to" neutral shoe for everyday training of all distances. It’s got enough cushioning and structure to keep you supported while you’re logging the miles without holding you back or getting in your way. The Launch, on the other hand, is a lighter shoe built specifically for speed. It’s ideal for workouts that include tempo runs or intervals, or for races when you want a light shoe but don’t want to go all the way down to a racing flat.

Overlays :

• The overlays on the Ghost 2 are strategically placed for a snug, but flexible arch capture.
• The Launch’s minimal upper gives it a sock-like feel and keeps it light.

Sockliner :

• The Profile sockliner in the Ghost 2 is contoured to contribute to a nice arch fit and is made from environmentally friendly BioMoGo .
• The Launch includes our Engage sockliner, which has some contour but is especially formulated for resiliency and bounce.

• The Launch is a lower profile shoe, meaning there’s less height in the midsole. Unlike our other training shoes, there is no DRB® Accel in the Launch. This keeps you closer to the ground with consistent ground contact from heel to toe.

Weight (for men’s size 9 and women’s size 7):

• The Ghost 2 is 10.8 oz for men and 9.0 oz for women.
• The Launch comes in at 9.3 oz for men and 7.5 oz for women.

For more info on the Ghost 2 click here .

Read more about the Launch here .

Thanks to Hanson’s ODP runner Sage Canaday for this creative way to reuse your Brooks shoe boxes.

http://www.flotrack.org/videos/play/217563-brooks-shoebox-origami

"I hope runners and running fans across the country will join me this week in a long, loud salute to Brian Sell. Few American distance stars deserve it more. Ritz and Teg and Meb and Abdi and Alan and Ryan have lifted our spirits in recent years, and we needed that.

"But Sell punched us in the gut, took our breath away, and won our hearts when he achieved the Impossible Dream. In the decades to come, his story will be told, as it should be, to more young American runners than any number of sub-3:50s, sub-13:00s, and 2:06s. For this simple reason: Sell had to scrape his way to the top mile by teeth-gritting mile. You think he’s got an Alter-G in the basement? An altitude tent upstairs? Maybe, but I doubt it."

>>Read Amby Burfoot’s full post on Runner’s World here

Brooks Beast Hood to Coast Team

The Brooks Beast team won the 2009 Hood to Coast Relay this past weekend in the smoking fast time of 16:55:35 - a 5:08 mile pace for 197 miles! This was an upset victory over race favorites and multiple-time champions, BAC (Nike). The team was comprised of six Brooks Inspire Daily Members, five local Brook athletes, and one Brooks employee.

The team was third place overall in 2007, and second place in 2008. The Hood to Coast Relay is the largest relay race in the world, with over 1,000 teams of 12 runners competing. It is a highly regarded race among elite runners.

Seattle, Wash. – Patrick Rizzo placed second in the inaugural running of the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-marathon. Rizzo completed the 13.1-mile course running the fastest time by an American on Washington state soil in a time of one hour, five minutes and 34 seconds.

More than 15,000 athletes competed in the half-marathon. Elija Nyabuti, of Kenya, won the men’s race in 1:05:14. Berhane Adere, of Ethiopia won the women’s half-marathon in 1:11:19.

The Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon and half-marathon are part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll series, which includes races in Pheonix, Ariz.; Nashville, Tenn.; San Diego, Cali.; San Jose, Cali.; Virginia Beach, Virg.; Chicago, Illi.; San Antonio, Texas; and Las Vegas, Neva. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series includes scenic race courses and live music along the race routes.

Running her first steeplechase of the 2009 season, Amanda Lorenzen won the Drake Relays 3000m steeplechase. Her time of 10:06 was her fastest season opening time ever, despite the rainy and cold conditions in Des Moines this weekend. Lorenzen was 7th at the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 3000m steeplechase, and she will compete against some of the top women in the world at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, CA on May 16th. Lorenzen will have her sights set on the World Championships A Standard time of 9:40. Her PR of 9:48 was set last year at the Olympic Trials.

A post-race video interview with Amanda can be seen on Flotrack at the link below:

http://www.flotrack.org/videos/speaker/1305-amanda-lorenzen

Watch Brian Sell and five of his team members from the Hanson-Brooks Distance Project run the Boston Marathon now! See live national coverage streaming live on Universal Sports. Note: Use MSIE on PC or Safari on Mac OS X–Firefox is not happening.

Go Brian! Go Hansons!