"Nike Free Hyperfeel has fewer total shoe parts and places the foot directly on top of responsive Lunarlon foam,” says Tony Bignell, VP of Nike Footwear Innovation. “The shoe acts as extension of the foot and delivers a natural motion sensation for the runner.”
According to nike
The Nike Free Hyperfeel is created to intuitively move with the foot. It is inspired by Nike’s "Nature Amplified" design ethos — an approach focused on the body in motion and fueled by scientific data and athlete insights.
Research insights informed the precise placement of cushioning and outsole traction for a low-profile shoe that provides padding and protection only where necessary. A drop-in Lunarlon insole with flex grooves allows the foot to have direct contact with the Lunarlon cushioning. The waffle outsole is ultra-thin, allowing the foot to get closer to the ground.
Scientists in the Nike Sport Research Lab carefully studied which areas of the foot come into contact with the ground and absorb pressure, and which areas require traction. They used pressure-mapping technology and high-speed film to analyze the foot in motion.
The result is Nike Free Hyperfeel, a shoe that mimics the intricate workings of the human foot: Lunarlon foam replicates cushioned pads under the foot. The outsole protects like hardened skin on the sole. Dynamic Flywire flexes and contracts, inspired by ligaments.
"Nike Free Hyperfeel has fewer total shoe parts and places the foot directly on top of responsive Lunarlon foam,” says Tony Bignell, VP of Nike Footwear Innovation. “The shoe acts as extension of the foot and delivers a natural motion sensation for the runner.”
According to Nike:
OUTSOLE
Harking back to Nike co-founder and Oregon Track & Field coach Bill Bowerman, the Nike Free Hyperfeel is structured on a waffle outsole that is reengineered with strategically placed pistons, reflecting key pressure points. Highly durable XDR rubber is added in high-wear heel areas.
CUSHIONING
Articulated Lunarlon foam mirrors the flexible, knife-cut cushioning used in Nike Free footwear, but here it is the only intermediary layer between foot and outsole — minimal layers for maximum sensation. (An optional sockliner is included for a personalized fit.)
FIT AND SUPPORT
Nike Flyknit in the upper provides a compression fit and support where needed without unnecessary structure or weight. Nike Flywire cables lend additional support to help lock the foot down. The upper’s seamless construction significantly reduces the number of shoe components: A typical Air Pegasus running shoe is made up of 57 components. The Nike Free Hyperfeel has just seven. By knitting a one-piece upper, Nike Flyknit construction reduces Nike's typical upper waste by an average of 90 percent.
The Nike Free Hyperfeel ($175) will be at retail in the U.S., U.K. and Japan beginning Sept. 5. It can be pre-ordered at nike.com/hyperfeel.
Introducing the Nike Free Trainer 3.0 Mid Shield. The shoe features a water-resistant upper which sits atop a multi-textured traction outsole.
Press Release:
"UPPER
-Cage-like upper made of extremely pliable synthetic material delivers a custom fit with a flexible structure that moves with the foot
-Notched three-quarter length inner sleeve made of a spandex-based textile provides a sock-like fit that hugs the foot
-Polyurethane layer sits between the spandex-based textile and the lining to create a barrier to repel water
-Dynamic Fit technology is customizable through the laces and anchored under the foot for a glove-like feel
-Reflective graphic print and additional elements remain visible in low-light conditions
MIDSOLE
-Low-profile, Phylon midsole provides a resilient ride and is tough enough to double as an outsole, dramatically reducing the overall weight
-Sidewall wrap-up design cradles the heel and the midfoot to help keep the foot stable during side-to-side and diagonal movements
OUTSOLE
-Solid rubber pods with an aggressive delta-node pattern in the heel and perimeter of the forefoot for traction and durability on multiple surfaces
-DiamondFLX design enhances multidirectional flexibility and provides a lightweight, low-profile fit
-Deep flex grooves extending from heel to toe and medial to lateral sides enhance flexibility"
What do you think? I hope it comes in pink.
I love Asics because of their Gel cushioning technology but even more because of their colors and designs. Check these out:
As the lightest shoe in ASICS trail line, the GEL-FujiRacer
This is long and slightly self-indulgent - feel free not to read. A bit on the Boston Marathon, a bit on my blessings, and a bit on wonderful people.
So I finished the Boston Marathon on Monday about 8 minutes after my goal time and 54 minutes before disaster struck the area. The preceding 54 minutes had been absolutely grueling for me as a runner. I had gone hard after a goal pace, felt buoyed for a long time by my progress but eventually was overwhelmed with cramping and pain brought on by what I now understand to be insufficient training for the course type and nagging injuries. As, my pace slowed dramatically I was passed by literally 1000+ people. The last 10km of the marathon were a blur and took every ounce of my strength just to finish without succumbing to a walk - I wobbled the last 400m but got across. I was offered medical attention several times as I pressed through the recovery area while at the same time feeling totally blessed. When I finally met up with my family I had to fight back tears - of which I knew not the source. In some ways it was pride for battling through, in another it was disappointment from being so far from my goal, in another way it was just the inability to cope with anything else after pushing myself so hard for so long and finally it was pure thankfulness for having had the opportunity to experience the Boston Marathon. During the race - mostly before the cramping and pain - I remember wishing that every runner had the opportunity to run that course, in those conditions, with that support. It's a selfish experience in many ways - brought about my much personal sacrifice but also the sacrifices of families - as is the case with my family and the wonderful Karyn Crann-Hamilton.
Anyhow, after the race we quickly hustled to the subway, eventually getting out near the parking garage at the hotel Karyn and kids had stayed at the night before.
As we drove north out of Boston I kept recapping the enormous highs and lows of the race to Karyn - she knows what it's like to live with someone who runs marathons and is great at always seeming interested. As we drove, a fairly steady stream of police cars was heading south on the I-95 - we were oblivious. When we stopped in Portland for supper I turned on my phone to chat with my parents and say happy birthday to my dad - which I inevitibly forgot to do when overcome with the hundreds of messages I received about my safety and whereabouts. It was terrifying and touching all at once. As I sat in the lobby of the Olive Garden trying to reply to as many texts, tweets, posts, e-mails, and calls as possible I was brought to tears. I saw myself in those affected directly by the tragedy (one of those families is just like mine) and was overwhelmed with the love that I felt from some many.
We sat at the Olive Garden and ate (I had the tour of Italy) - the kids oblivious to the whole thing. I was still wearing my Marathon jacket which I won't take off for awhile now and a group of three women noticed it. They started chatting with me briefly and quietly about the day - such concern showing through on their faces. They said they were from the Woodstock - Florenceville area, we didn't talk about what had brought them to Portland Maine. Anyhow, upon leaving one of the women put on her on my table and whispered "put this toward your meal" and left cash behind for us to pay. I stood up to chase them down and refuse to take the money and then I didn't - I didn't know if it would be insulting and I wasn't sure if I could catch them given the state of my quads. I sat there touched and moved. I tried to get their name from their waitress but they had paid in cash with no identifying information.
On a day when someone (or more) did something so horrific, complete strangers were making warm gestures in a city two hours away toward someone who wasn't even really affected by the tragedy. This lifted my heart. Our waiter was really nice to the kids during the meal, so I immediately paid forward the cash component of this woman's kind gesture but I look forward to continually paying forward the sentiment from which it came.
Wonderful things happen in this life, sometimes they hold hands with tragedy. I'm fortunate, as are most, that this tragedy didn't directly effect me - it will however propel me to do more and be more when others are in need. Also, if you are a runner and dream of Boston - it's worthy of your dreams and sacrifices.
If you happen to be reading this and know who these women might be please send me a note as I'd like to contact them directly.
- Ryan Hamilton
You can find him on facebook here. This is where he made the post.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce says that there should be more head to head match ups in the 100m. She slams the men for backing down on matches and not racing each other often enough. We couldn't agree more. If you train so hard put it on the line and compete! The origional article can be found here:
Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, left, and Carmelita Jeter will go head-to-head in the women's 60m at the British Grand Prix. Photograph: Steven Paston/Action Images
The double Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has criticised male sprinters for avoiding head-to-head competition in the build-up to major championships. The 26-year-old, who faces the world champion, Carmelita Jeter of the United States, over 60 metres in Birmingham on Saturday afternoon, said that while female sprinters regularly face each other throughout the season, the men had a habit of shirking the big showdowns outside championships.
"I definitely think there should be a lot more clashes," said the Jamaican. "I think it would get a lot more excitement, as opposed to just the one athlete competing with himself, basically. If he's No1 or No2 or No3 [in the world] and he's competing against people who are 21, 22 or 23 down the list, there's not much there they can expect. You know what will happen."
On the launch of the Diamond League in 2010 athletics fans were promised more head-to-head clashes between top sprinters such as Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay but, with the best male sprinters tending to command bigger appearance fees than their female counterparts, such showdowns are not cheap. "True. Yes, I think that's pretty much the problem," said Fraser-Pryce. "Who wants to pay for three of the top sprinters when they can all pay for one and have the headline?"
Inequality, it seems, still reigns in the sprint world. Fraser-Pryce feels the situation has improved but even she had to shrug her shoulders when relaying the tale of her arrival at Heathrow this week when an immigration official had no idea that the woman in front of her had won three medals at the London Games, including 100m gold, and instead was more interested in asking the sprinter if she knew Oscar Pistorius.
"I definitely think we have come a far way and now it's definitely getting better," she said. "[But] it's still not at the same level it is for the men and surprisingly the men hardly race each other. You hardly find there is a clash between a particular athlete while females, they can't avoid each other.
"I don't want to say it's an ego thing," she said, "but I definitely think we should have more clashes for male athletes. I think it would do wonders for the sport as well."
Surprisingly this will be Fraser-Pryce's first ever indoor race - her training partner and former world record holder Asafa Powell has been giving her tips on how to cope with the abrupt end -and she faces a tough line-up in Murielle Ahouré of the Ivory Coast who has already run 7seconds flat this year, as well as the second fastest woman in history, Jeter. "I know Carmelita and I have been having these duels very often and it's very good to compete against each other. I think it is good for the sport when we have rivalries and we have athletes who are never afraid to run against each other."
Britain's double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah says he is not content to rest on his laurels, with his defeat over 10,000m at the last world championships in 2011 is still "nagging away" at him. "I want to defend my title and try to win the 10,000m this time," says Farah. "That race nags away. But you learn from your mistakes and I have learnt a lot from that race. It's important I come back."
The 29-year-old, who has just returned from a training camp in Kenya, will also be competing in Birmingham, a one-off race in this indoor season, when he takes on a mainly domestic field over 3,000m. With no East African presence to push him, Farah said he was not seeking to break any records
I stumbled upon this great article about the Athletic Stance. Too many coaching do not teach this properly. I even saw it on my LFL football team. The article is by Lee at Sport Speed Etc and I wanted to share it:
I am often asked how I coach the athletic stance. There are many potential stances. It all depends on the sport, position and situation. Most athletic stances are active like a tennis players. If you coach an athlete in a static stance here are some important points to remember:
First of all, I want my athletes to understand the importance of using all three of the major joints (hips, knees, ankles). If they properly load these joints, then the ability to accelerate faster out of the athletic stance is increased.
1. Hips are pushed back with the shoulder forward over the knees. This loads the posterior chain and locks the body into a stable position.
2. Knees are pushed forward in order to stretch the lower leg muscles and load the ankles for greater pre-stretch.
3. Feet are straight ahead and ankles are loaded (dorsi-flexed). This stabilizes the ankle joint and loads the lower leg musculature.
A really important aspect of coaching the stance is cuing. I will give the athletes a few cues so they understand what I want in the body positioning. Here are a few cues to use.
1. Rip the Paper Towel. If the feet are aligned properly and the knees are slightly inside so the feet can push out (see picture), then the thought of ripping the paper towel makes sense.
2. Push Hip Back. When an athlete sucks the hips under or rounds the back the loading of the posterior musculature is lost.
3. Stay Tight or Lock In. These two cues mean for the athlete to tighten up their athletic stance posture. Being loose in posture will result in a sluggish take off.
4. Play in the Tunnel. This allows the athletes to visualize staying low. When they are low, they are loaded in the key joints as compared to being too tall and unloaded.
I hope this helps you understand the coaching aspects of the athletic stance. Now put it to good use for each individual athlete, sport and situation.
Check out the Under Armour Storm running shoes. We like the looks of them and we wish we could try them out. Under Armour boasts that you can "Stand out in every condition with UA Spine Reflective Storm running shoes."
