I recently received an email that stated thus
Speedo® wants you to take the Keep Going Swim After Swim Challenge and test our long lasting Endurance®+ swimwear!
Well as I'm doing plenty of swimming a the moment, I thought I'd give this a bash. So, I said yes and waited with baited breath for my package.
Following on from receiving my package from Speedo, I've been swimming exclusively in my new Endurance+ jammers. I believe I've racked up about 12 hours of swimming in that time.
The challenge posed a series of points that need addressing, the first point is
Endurance+ fabric is longer lasting with 20 times more fade resistance than conventional elastane swimwear, with improved snag resistance. Did you find the swimwear to be more resilient?
Over the challenge the shorts have been in out of the pool, chucked in the spin drier, crumpled up in my kit bag and put through the wash. Over the period the shorts have kept their shape and form with no loss of the elastic around the waist and legs, and neither has the material snagged in any way over the test.
Endurance+ fabric is 100% chlorine resistant and contains no elastane, so it will not degrade in chlorinated water. Did you find the fabric retained its colour / quality compared to your normal swimwear?
These shorts have not lost any colour over the challenge, the striking blue colour is as vibrant now as it was when I received them.
Endurance+ fabric is quick drying as it has a lower level of moisture absorption. Did your Speedo Endurance+ swimsuit dry quicker than your normal swimsuit?
As the gym I use has a spin drier, the length of drying time really isn't identifiable. But the Speedo shorts expel more moisture during the spin and are noticeably drier when I unpack my kit at the end of the day.
All said and done, I really like these shorts, they hold their shape and are very comfortable. At the end of the swim, the shorts have neither risen up my legs not rolled down on my waist.
Yes these are a great pair of shorts, if I could sneak in a subtle outboard motor they'd be perfect
Those awfully nice chaps at New Balance have sent me another pair of shoes to test and review (surely two pairs of shoes means I'm a sponsored athlete)
The Minimus range of shoes are designed to be a mid point between traditional running shoes and bare foot running. And obviously being trail shoes these are designed for going off road.
This is what New Balance has to say about the shoes
The Minimus was designed not to chase trends, but rather to satisfy individuals looking to achieve a closer-to-barefoot running experience, by encouraging a more natural foot position and foot-strike. The minimalist approach to footwear sheds not only weight, but also convention, in pursuit of a truly minimalist feel.
The original Minimus shoe features a 4mm heel-to-toe drop, ideal for those looking to transition to a mid-foot strike, or pursue a more minimal experience with less material between your feet and the ground.
An entirely different approach to trail running, the Minimus 10 Trail takes the versatile durability of a Vibram® outsole and combines it with a fitted, minimalist upper for a closer-to-barefoot experience.
The price of the shoes on the website is £74.99, but shopping around it looks like you can pick them up for between £65-£70
This is what I have to say about the shoes
Now, 'they' say that you shouldn't try something for the first time during a race. But what do 'they' know. I decided to give these shoes a test at one of the West Glamorgan Cross Country series races. I don't do enough off-road running, as I prefer the regularity of being able to plan my route by hitting the tarmac, and minimal cushioning is a new experience for me. So all in all whole smorgasbord of newness.
My first impressions were that these were a striking looking shoes and the additional Vibrams branding was very prominent. As soon as I put the shoes on I could feel how light they felt, really didn't feel like I had a pair of running shoes on. Comfy too.
I'd run at Margam Park before and knew that it could get very muddy in parts, so I knew the shoes were in for a testing time. Has to be said that it was a horribly cold day, too cold for running for my liking (but I'm pretty sure this was no fault of the shoes).
As soon as we hit the first corner the mud was apparent, and the shoes held their own and I had no problems keeping my feet.
Now, if I'd read the pre-race information I would have seen that most of this race is on trail path, and when I say trail path, I mean trail path with horrible pointy stones. So when I wasn't off-road I did find myself having to find the path of least resistance.
Obviously the minimal nature of the shoes meant that they didn't give me much protection on these stones. But I am very much aware this is a limitation on my planning on the run as opposed to any short-comings of the shoes.
In summary I found these a great shoe to run in, however the design of the shoes meant that if you are unsure of the terrain the minimal nature of the shoe might cause some issues.
But my introduction to minimal running was a reasonable success and I think I should look further into it.
The nice people at New Balance have sent me a pair of shoes to review. Now, I'm not sure does that mean I am now a sponsored athlete? (if so I'm gonna have to put a link somewhere on this blog)
I've got to lay my cards on the table, I've been wearing New Balance shoes for the last few years and they are my shoes of choice. I'm not saying I'm some kind of fan boy, but yes I do like them
The retail price for these shoes is £84.99, but with a little bit of shopping around you can get them for about £70
This is what New Balance have to say about them
The New Balance 880v2, the second edition of the popular 880 running shoe, is built on the ACTEVA® LITE midsole with groundbreaking T-Beam® to provide a lightweight, supportive, and well-cushioned ride. Perfect for a runner with a neutral gait, this comfortable trainer is packed with premium features but still weighs in at only 11 ounces.
Type: Cushioning
Weight: 311 grams (11 oz)
Features
Synthetic/mesh upper provides lightweight comfort and support
Blown rubber outsole is extremely flexible, light, and helps provide cushioning
Abzorb® Strobel Board runs full length of shoe to maximize shock absorption and comfort
And this is what I have to say
The first thing I noticed is that the shoes come in pairs, which is handy because so do my feet!
I find the shoes to be very appealing to look at, obviously I'm not going to wear them to a high society function, but they are suitable for purpose. A subtle use of red and blue on a mesh of grey, very understated.
I usually run with elastic laces, but for the purposes of this road test I ran in laces supplied. I was pleased to find out that the laces gripped well and that stayed tied for the whole run (one of the reasons I use elastic laces is to stop them undoing during races).
I chose to run on a route that I run quite regularly, which meant I'd be able to make a comparison. The shoes initially felt nice and light compared to my current shoe, and I was running at a good speed (for me).
Now I know that when you run, sometime you have good runs and sometimes they are bad. But whilst running in these shoes I was averaging a speed of 5 minute kilometres compared to my usual Z2 running speed of 5:30ish. I'd be very surprised if this gain was purely down to the shoe but I can only assume that they contributed.
The day I ran was in November, so obviously it was cold and wet. I didn't experience any issues with regards to slipping on steep sections or going around corners. But my feet did feel a bit colder once I'd finished the run.
So to the crux of the matter, would I buy these shoes? And the unequivocal answer is yes.
Keep up the good work New Balance, and if you can find out who stole my 1080 Chilli Peppers I'd be eternally grateful
