I run to help others. I estimate that over the last six years, my fundraising-running teammates and I have raised over $120,000 for people who need a little help and support. And I’ve met many great friends along the way. I’m privileged and grateful to be able to run, and it makes me feel good to use running as a vehicle for giving back to the community.
There’s nothing like doing races and pushingyourself to reach your goal. Whether it’s to complete the race or achieve a new personal best, everyone is out there together working towards their own goal.
By: Kari Tkach
Running the half marathon at the 2017 Manitoba Marathon really made me happy and in many ways, it was like coming home. I’ve lived in Winnipeg all my life, and running your hometown race really is something special. Five years prior, on June 17, 2012, I ran my first ever 21K right here at the Manitoba Marathon. After finishing the race with a time of 2:16, I lost focus on racing.
While I kept active doing crossfit, boot camps, and team sports like hockey and soccer, I still ran every now and again. I even joined a few 5km fun runs with friends, and the relay at the Manitoba Marathon a few times, so I guess you could say that I couldn’t completely give up running.
When my boyfriend suggested racing together this year, I was hesitant at first. It had been a while since I trained for distance running, but I also figured it was the challenge I was looking for. While we don’t train together, we share our runs with each other and talk about what went well, what didn’t and what our goals are. We support each other when it comes to finding time to get our runs in and also in the nutritional part of running which I’m learning is a big part of this.
Over a six week time frame, we entered three half marathons, a little ambitious maybe, but again it’s part of that challenge. The first race went well and I bested my 2012 time and finished in 2:11, three weeks later my race wasn’t so great. During the three weeks leading up to race day, I struggled with training during and on on race day I finished feeling defeated and humbled with a time of 2:21.
To be fair, that race was just want I needed to make me refocus my training. For the following three weeks I followed my plan diligently and going into Sunday’s race I felt strong, confident and ready to reach my goal to finish around 2:10.
The cool and wet weather for this year’s Manitoba Marathon was the ideal race day for me. All things considered (like a late start of 7:15, five minutes past the half marathon start time of 7:10am) the race itself went smooth. My pace felt strong. I normally walk while taking water breaks thinking, “What’s a few extra seconds added on?” But this time, I ran while attempting to drink water. I felt a sense of urgency or maybe it was a sense that I needed to catch up because of that late start time.
I love the community support for this race every street I turned down there were people cheering me on. Even in the cool rainy weather people were out with their signs and noise makers supporting the runners. It was uplifting and it gave me the momentum I needed, when I needed it most.
Running into Investors Group Field I heard the announcer say my name and in that moment I felt such pride and excitement. Regardless of my time, I was finishing the race stronger than my last. My time? At 2:07:28 it was a new personal best. I left the race feeling ecstatic that I accomplished my goal. But also excited for the next one, which will be in September, where I’ll be aiming for my next PB.
Leslie Sexton’s second place finish at the Toronto Waterfront 10K in June marked a welcome culmination and beginning.
The race closed a long and tedious road back from a sprained ankle that kept Leslie away from racing for six months. The 34:47 finish also marked the beginning of a road back to Leslie’s goals of a personal best at the marathon and of representing Canada on the world stage.
Leslie reports, “I did a 6×1.5K workout the week before on the bike path in London and was able to hit a 3:30/km pace. I figured I would hit about 35 minutes, so I was really happy with the final time.”
“There’s still work to do at this point, but with some more shorter races I think I’ll be ready to get into a marathon build,” Leslie adds. “Part way through, I’ll think about targeting that PB pace and taking a shot at 2:33.”
It’s too early for firm commitments, but Leslie hopes to join the elite Canadian contingent at October’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM). The race has a special attraction as one where, “I’ve had great results in the past and have always enjoyed because I love racing on home soil.” STWM is where Leslie set her current PB in 2015.
Leslie is used to monk-like patience and acceptance of suffering, welcoming it as part of her training philosophy. She’s a self proclaimed “grinder,” which she defines as “someone who is consistent and puts in the work to get better.”
Regardless of natural talent, the ultimate goal is progress. Leslie says, “I wouldn’t say that I don’t have talent, but I wasn’t a runner who went to the US on scholarship or was the best in the province. It’s always been about making progress and being a bit better each year.”
That philosophy can be put into practice in different ways, but for Leslie the grind is about high volume, including many days with multiple runs. “I just like running and training hard so why would I want to do it only once?” Leslie tells me over the phone.
Following university, Leslie began gradually increasing her volume, which resulted in a significant jump in fitness over time.
Like a true monastic, Leslie finds that pushing through suffering enhances the ecstasy that comes with vocational devotion. Leslie says, “It’s a nice feeling when you can handle the mileage. Sometimes you can be tired and sore so when you get in that zone and still run well it feels great.”
Self-induced suffering is one thing, but involuntary suffering took getting used to. Leslie’s injury was the result of a freak accident and each stage of recovery entailed a different agony. First, it was getting around the house on crutches. Then it was constant flare-up while running. In the midst of winter, turning to the bike trainer for cardio was especially mind numbing and Leslie admits that her neglect of cross training may have delayed recovery somewhat.
Eventually, a new sports doctor nailed down the exercises that Leslie needed for recovery and she poured herself into the new regiment with the same devotion she always gave running. Once conditions improved outside, getting on the bike became easier and could be coupled with running on alternate days.
Post injury, the underlying grinder philosophy helps Leslie remain stoic about the fact that she’s currently chasing times that are far from her best. “I don’t bring ego into it. I don’t care if a sixteen year old beats me. I learned early on how important it is to enjoy the process above everything else,” Leslie says, adding that she brings the same outlook to her coaching.
It’s love of that process that Leslie hopes to never lose. “I’m not looking to be the best ever, but I definitely want to see how far I can push myself as I get older. I want to know how fast I can be at 45,” Leslie explains. “There are so many choices in running and I want to run as long as I can.”
With many of us kicking off training for fall races, we rounded up three looks for all of the strong women out there to add to your running wardrobe. Think of it as a practical indulgence you don’t have to feel guilty about; you’re using it as you push yourself to meet your healthy goals, after all.
By Karen Kwan
Whether you gravitate toward neutrals, brights or perhaps you’ve spent all of your running budget on a destination race and need a budget-friendly option, we’ve got you covered.
Crisp Neutrals
Flattering cap sleeves make this top standout from your typical tshirt or tank. Adidas Women’s Stella McCartney Run Climalite T-shirt, $83.99.
A grey sports bra you can wear with any of your running outfits. Nike Pro Classic Padded Bra, $48.
Sheer panels add interest to solid white tights. GapFit Blackout gFast mesh panel capris, $64.95.
Pale runners that won’t look out of place at your favourite post-long run brunch spot. New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz, $119.99.
Bold and bright
Subtly patterned mesh in a flirty cropped shape. Saucony Kick It Up Top, $40.
Designed with range of motion in mind. Under Armour Amour Mid Sports Bra, $29.99.
Mesh inserts so you can stay cool on those hot summer days. Lolë Trace Short, $60.
Sport these for your summertime trail runs. Salomon Sense Pro Max W, $180.
Pocketbook-friendly picks
Loose fit tanks are a staple for any summer running wardrobe. JoeFresh Dip Dye Mesh Active Tank, $19.
Support “the girls” well from A to C cups) with this Old Navy Go-Dry Racerback High Support Sports Bra, $34.94.
Reflective detailing to help make sure you’re seen by drivers when you’re running before sunrise to beat the heat. Hyba Mesh Shorts, $44.90.
Lightweight with a cushioniing midsole. Skechers Go Run 600, $90.
Karen Kwan is a regular iRun fashion and travel contributor, and you’ll find her running fashion posts every Friday on Instagram. She contributes to a number of publications and you can also follow her travel and running adventures at Health & Swellness.
Race: Pride & Remembrance 5K
Date: June 24, 2017
Location: Toronto, ON
At their absolute best, Toronto’s Pride Weekend and running are two institutions that celebrate love like no other. If you put them both together, you have the potential for a love—and confetti!—explosion.
There are many ways to evaluate a race. Is the course manageable, safe, and properly measured? Are race operations smooth? Are the important amenities available during the race? What about the swag?
In each of these respects, the Toronto Pride & Remembrance 5K is a great race, but there’s so much more reason for running.
Beyond the “objective” categories, for me the races where I’ve been filled with the most joy and eager to come back are those that celebrate and connect you to something bigger, both in and beyond yourself. These races are about more than just the tangibles of running and athletics.
They’re so damn enjoyable that performance becomes secondary, or at least not the sole criterion by which we measure an experience. They connect you to the community in a way that makes it more than a race.
Because it’s nestled within the festivities of Toronto’s Pride Weekend, the Pride 5K feeds off the colourful vibrancy and energy that comes with Pride every year. As you make your way to the start line at Church and Wellesley, rainbow flags are already flying, music is already pumping, and the streets have already been closed off to traffic.
Never be afraid to run your world. Join us in #Toronto for the annual @Pride_Run today. Let’s celebrate ❤️???? #PrideRunTO #RunYourWorld pic.twitter.com/RKmuM2TI5S
— SauconyCanada (@SauconyCanada) June 24, 2017
Rather than a starting gun or horn fired off by some elected official who probably didn’t want to be there, the world’s oldest performing drag queen Michelle DuBarry counted us down and a confetti cannon signaled the start of the race. Of course you can’t run without a warmup set to “I Will Survive” and partly led by Premier Kathleen Wynne. How could you not be loving this?
With a small out and back course, including two laps of Queen’s Park, you were never far from a cheering station and once you made your way back to the start/finish, where confetti was still flowing, revellers had poured in and Church Street was really alive. Each kilometre was a reminder that running and the city in which we run are communities we can be immensely proud to be a part of and ones we can be actively involved in making better as runners and citizens.
By the finish line, you were far too drowned in positivity to worry about whether or not you’d run your absolute best race. The costumes, tunes, and messages of inclusivity reminded you that running can be about joy and sharing in the gift of movement. It’s not all about personal bests and beating yourself up over your shortcomings, customary and sometimes necessary as that can be for runners. For the moment, we were all too busy exchanging hugs for any of that to feel more than trivial.
Thanks to @Pride_Run for all you do & making a last-minute reg perfect. #PrideRunTO pic.twitter.com/hioJY0Hz7a
— Dani Couture (@danicouture) June 24, 2017
Officially, runners raced in support of Fife House, the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, Casey House, and the Pride and Remembrance Foundation (more info on the race’s beneficiaries). Running through the heart of Toronto’s Church/Wellesley Village, historically home to the city’s LGBTQ community, you knew exactly who you were running for, those who were there that day and the needlessly many who weren’t here to celebrate this weekend.
To run on this day really meant something. This race was about a community of runners of varying backgrounds and motivations lifting one another up and hopefully extending that love beyond our sport.
Olympic dreams can take root and blossom just about anywhere, including an apartment above a 24 hour McDonald’s and a liquor store in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood. That’s where Rachel Cliff (@Dangerous_Cliff), newly crowned Canadian 10K champion and World Championships qualifier, calls home along with husband and fellow athlete Chris Winter.
“Vancouver is such a great place for distance runners to train,” Rachel says, and recent results seem to support her argument. When Ms. Cliff took the Canadian 10K title at last month’s Ottawa Race Weekend, fellow Vancouverite Natasha Wodak followed just behind to rank as the second Canadian woman and on the following day Dayna Pidhoresky conquered the blistering heat to be the top Canadian woman in the marathon.
The density of distance runners, including elites, in the Vancouver area makes for lots of opportunities to train together and build a camaraderie in which athletes can support one another on their way to their best results.
“Tuesday nights at the UBC track are always busy with multiple groups, coaches, and athletes doing their big workout of the week,” Rachel says. “A lot of distance runners, including me, also live in Kitsilano so there’s no shortage of company for off day runs, even if someone trains with a different coach.” Now that husband Chris has retired from elite competition, he’s one of those companions. The pair also trade knowledge around physio, mental preparation, and nutrition.
Rachel, who trains with the BC Endurance Project, came into Ottawa knowing, “I was fit and ready to compete, possibly for the title, but also knew that I was by no means the favourite.” She stuck to a plan of going out with the top Canadians and making her move around the 5K mark provided she was feeling good. “I felt really strong until the last 2K, where the heat caught up with me,” Rachel recalls. “I wouldn’t say I thought the wheels would come off, but being alone for that long is never fun!”
Rachel followed Ottawa with a 32:07 in the 10,000m at the Portland Track Festival two weeks later, finishing second behind American legend Shalane Flanagan and meeting the standard for the 2017 World Championships in London.
The results were not the first spectacular performances Rachel has posted, but did require her to deal with the additional obstacle of maintaining focus in the aftermath of disappointment.
Prior to the 2016 Rio Olympics, Rachel had just missed the standard for the 10,000m by 6.45 seconds. She would subsequently meet the 5,000m standard, but was not selected for a spot on Canada’s Olympic squad. The latter proved much more devastating. In Rachel’s view, “In the 10,000m, I had no one to blame but myself for missing the time, and while that was hard, I could only dwell on it for so long. In the 5,000m, I felt the one major thing standing between me and competing at the games was my country – the one I’d dreamed about competing for as a little kid – and that was much tougher to process, as I felt let down by the system that I felt should have been supporting me.”
Rachel admits to having contemplated quitting in the aftermath of the experience, but allowing herself some time to reflect reminded Rachel that her love for the sport was stronger than that disappointment. She still experienced Rio while accompanying Chris, who competed in the 3,000m Steeplechase, and was glad she attended, however difficult viewing the Women’s 5,000m was. Rio was followed by a two and a half week family trip to Ireland where Rachel, “…drank lots of Irish beer, ate just about whatever I felt like, saw lots of cool historic sites, had quality time with my family, and was finally able to process what happened.”
“It’s been important for me to try and let the 2016 decision go,” Rachel says. “I felt that in July 2016 I was fit and ready to compete at the Olympics and deserved that chance, but the selection committee clearly felt differently.”
Time away from training isn’t always a bad thing. It often allows a runner to be away from something they love long enough to realize how much they would miss it if they walked away. Perhaps the richness that it brought to your life begins to deplete and you realize that you’d be silly to let it go. Rachel found herself eventually itching to come back stronger and put Rio behind her by switching focus from making national teams to things she felt she could control such as running personal bests and continuing to compete at an elite level. So she came back with renewed passion and “…a whole new appreciation of how much a single note to say ‘I’m thinking of you’ can mean to someone going through a tough time.”
With recent performances indicating that her best days are not behind her, Rachel has not ruled out Tokyo 2020 depending on how the coming years unfold, but it’s her future beyond 2020 that has far more clarity. “Even when I’m done competing I hope to still be a runner,” Rachel concludes. “What I like most about this sport is the challenge of pushing yourself to the next level and testing to see what you can achieve.”
It was a great morning in Toronto last Saturday at the Waterfront 10K. This was the first time I’ve been at a Canada Running Series event with lululemon acting as a sponsor, and boy, their influence shined. First of all, the weather was terrific and that always helps. But second of all, you could feel the energy on the course, on the sidelines, in the cheers. There were cool things all over the 10K event: a cycle class, a drum line—at one point I ran past a DJ playing Nas.
Of course, all of this wouldn’t mean much if the race wasn’t any good, but the race was terrific. The field was studded with Olympians and racing was Krista DuChene, Natasha Wodak, Reid Coolsaet, Eric Gillis and probably more. Timed by Sportstats, the race had anything you’d need for serious running, hence folks like Longboat Roadrunners were in the house. Photos for the event are free, from Marathon-Photos, and afterwards, a volunteer gave me a beautiful donut. Hell, I told ’em I had two kids and imagine that? They let me take two. Usually I can’t even get a second banana.
Anyway, later walking home, I saw the streets of Toronto studded with people still in their race bibs. People smiling. People wearing their medals. It was a good look for the city, a good look for running, and a day where the community really flexed well. I didn’t take any pictures so I can’t post them here—and, as a funny aside, I saw Natasha (who won) and Lanni Marchant right at the finish line and I was talking to them for a second until this guy said, “Ben, you’re foaming at the mouth.”
It was pretty hot out there and I love racing, I love running hard—I didn’t want to stop for even one second to drink water. I’m 43-years-old and have two children but Ed Whitlock never stopped racing. Never stopped giving it his all. Do we grow old because we stop racing or do we stop racing because we get old? Either way, I don’t want to stop. I want to keep pushing. Keep taking photographs with spit all over my face. Why not? The times don’t really matter. It’s the effort that counts.
Who else raced this weekend? And who ran the Manitoba Marathon? Who’s running Pride this weekend and who’s looking forward to other events this summer? Share your pictures and share your stories. And keep getting out there and racing. Keep showing up at the start and crossing new finish lines. Push yourself. For no other reason than that you can.
We only get old when we stop fighting.
Before last weekend, I had never been to Winnipeg or anywhere in Manitoba. Bu when the good people at the Manitoba Marathon wanted someone from iRun to cover their event, with Canada 150, it just seemed like the right time to visit the Prairies.
Although Winnipeg might not be among your top running destinations, as I discovered, the city and this event is definitely worth the trek. Here’s a run down on what you need to know and why you need to run in Winnipeg.
Warm and Welcoming
Friendly Manitoba, is the province’s tag line and the folks in Winnipeg take that to heart. Runners in general are a friendly and welcoming group, but in Winnipeg, everyone you meet is that way. Imagine race day in a city where only runners live and that’s what Manitoba’s race weekend is like. You can’t run (or walk) past people on the street without saying hello. From the bartenders to the retailers enga
Score Your BQ
Yes, this marathon is a Boston Qualifier. Manitoba is one of the Prairie provinces, and while Winnipeg residents will tell you it’s not as flat as Saskatchewan, if you live anywhere but Saskatoon, you’ll find it’s a flat and fast course. Plus as a mid-sided event with some 14,000 runners it’s not as overwhelming as larger city races which can be a bonus for some who prefer less of a crowd.
All in the Family
After running 39 years on Father’s Day, the Manitoba Marathon has become family tradition. Along with many dads, daughters and sons, more then 4,000 runners participate in the 2.6 mile SuperRun. The race begins shortly after the half marathon and finishes with all the excitement of the marathon, inside the Investors Group stadium, home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Beer Mile
If you run the half marathon like I did, you’ll get a chance to grab a quick brew, then continue running! The course weaves through some of the city’s most picturesque neighbourhoods, and for several years a couple of homeowners have offered beer to runners so you won’t have to wait until you cross the finish line to celebrate. In a way, getting that taste is just what’s needed to get you to raising your celebratory brew that much faster.
Finish in a CFL Stadium
There are few races that finish inside a stadium. For the first time this year, runners finished their race inside the Winnipeg Blue Bomber’s Stadium. Crossing the finish line at any race feels like a victory but this makes that feeling a little more sweet. Plus the path you need to walk to get to your bagels and bananas takes you out onto the field. I’m not a football fan, but you definitely don’t have to be to have the appreciation of being on the same playing field as pro athletes. Needless to say, it’s a pretty cool experience.
Don’t Forget The Post Race
Winnipeg’s food scene is rich with diversity and constantly evolving. In fact, many of the city’s best chefs are locals who trained at culinary institutes around the globe then returned to their hometown and became restaurant owners. From tapas at Segovia to French-inspired cooking at the Peasant Cookery, locals are enjoying a taste of global fare without ever leaving home. Along with the thriving food scene, the city is also home to a growing number of craft breweries. All the more to enjoy at your post-race celebration!
(All photos courtesy of Heather Gardner/Tribe Fitness)
Ragnar is, like, so hot right now. It’s not just a race. It’s an adventure and an experience that builds (and perhaps also tests) friendships and stretches boundaries.
A group of 12 women ranging three decades in age got together for their first Ragnar recently, putting in a combined 300+ km over 24 hours from Coburg to Niagara and managing to rank as the top all women’s team. Some had known each other for years as members of Toronto run crew Tribe Fitness, while some only made acquaintance as the race began.
For those aspiring to their first Ragnar, the group shares the following lessons.
Don’t think too much…
If your first thought is how difficult it’s going to be to run long distances on little sleep while sharing a van with sweaty and cranky runners, you may not be inclined to hop on board. Instead, Andrea Salin advises, “You never know when or if the opportunity will come again so you need to just jump in then maybe freak out a bit later.”
Recruit those who owe you a favour…
While many Ragnar teams just rotate drivers between then, Anna Kobb says, “…having a designated driver was really nice. In the case of the ‘A team’ van, that driver was my husband, who took a break from driving to run with me for the night leg and to run the final leg with me. I absolutely could not have kept up the intense effort, grinding it out up to Niagara Falls without him.”
Know your strengths…
Team member Damara Nickerson says, “We all have different strengths and interests when it comes to running, so were able to split up the different legs to suit our abilities and preferences. We had so much more fun cheering each other on, knowing we were each playing to our strengths.”
And your weaknesses…
You may love the people you’ll be running with, but you’ve never spent days with them in a van. Kat Peterson says to voice your concerns and needs before your driver turns the key. Kat says, “If you know you’re going to need a nap between midnight and three or you’ll get cranky, tell your van. If you know you need to eat pizza after each leg, tell your van. If you know you can’t stand the smell of pizza in a van, suggest you make a pizza stop instead of getting take out.”
Don’t walk around acting like your sweat don’t stink…
Kat adds that no one likes a smelly runner, so change your damn clothes. This will also prevent you from learning what Angela Valdes did the hard way. “I would definitely pack more non-running clothes and bring a warm sleeping bag! We spent a few hours after our nighttime legs trying to get some sleep on the cold cement floor of the Burlington Central Arena. All I had was a bunch of sweaty clothes to lay on the ground,” Angela recalls with horror. Teammate Alyssa Cheung adds that, “…sitting in a cramped van after running is so much comfier in sweatpants and sandals.”
Running during the night and day is…night and day…
Alyssa remembers her latest leg at 1:30 a.m., finding herself, “…getting startled by my own shadow, footsteps and rustling of the leaves. I think I ran faster than I usually would because I didn’t want to find out the boogeyman was real and living in Oakville.”*
Teammate Kim Bergerson says she, “…just felt completely depleted the whole time. Add to this a wall of wind of 30km/h and you’ve got one hell of a race.” The experience reminded Kim how vital the mental game is in running and that, “The body will go where the mind goes, and knowing that Heather was waiting for me at the finish line just kept me going!”
You might actually enjoy it…
Despite the fatigue, cramped conditions, and vans reeking of pizza, it’s pretty unanimous that the experience made for closer, stronger friendships that will likely last beyond the Ragnar van. Amber Renton admits she was a bit nervous, but in the end, “…had so much fun I’m pretty sure I drove my family crazy talking about it for weeks afterwards. I’d do it again in a heartbeat and I’m fortunate for the new friendships I’ve gained!”
Courtney Lundrigan, who put out the initial call on Twitter to form a team, says that despite the challenges of planning this race while still dealing with life’s other obligations, “Ragnar made me fall in love with running all over again, and I have such a renewed love for my running community. “
Kim Agostino found herself amazed at, “…the transformation of our small group of extremely different women, some meeting for the first time, into the supportive, determined and encouraging team we became.”
The team effort and moral support always evens to bring individual runners to their best. As the group came together to complete the final 200 meters together, Allison MIceli felt the moment summarizes, “The vulnerability, grit, determination, emotion, ambition and sheer commitment from each and every one of them allowed us to all give this 110% on the course, along with tirelessly supporting one another when we were not running.”
*It has not been confirmed whether or not the boogeyman lives in Oakville.
For bonus reading, check out team member Heather Gardner’s blog 5 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE MY FIRST RAGNAR RELAY
Reebok is a company not immediately associated with running. In the 80s, the brand, part of the Adidas Group since 2005, was heavily into aerobics and older folks will remember their famous Olympic advertising campaign starring Dan and Dave, decathletes who were supposed to go head-to-head in the 1992 Olympics. (Dan never qualified but the clips, which aired in heavy rotation, are still an iconic part of the sports advertising canon).
Fast forward to 2017 and the brand—now based outside of running-rich Boston, where New Balance and Saucony also call home—is investing steeply into running, with the Floatride Run out this season and available at the Running Room, and as many as ten new shoe lines expected this year. Does the running world really need another new sneaker? And with so many shoes already out there, what can the Floatride do that other shoes haven’t already done? Curious about the next iteration both of this company and this new sneaker, iRun GM Ben Kaplan spoke with Dan Hobson, the VP of Innovation from Reebok’s Global head office.
iRun: It’s interesting to see you guys move into running, which feels like, to me, an already crowded field.
Hobson: We, as Reebok, we love running and this is our re-commitment to our heritage. J.W. Foster, in 1894, before the company was set up, built his own running shoes to go faster at his track club in England and our history and spirit is in running. This shoe launch marks us getting back to running, which is what we love.
iRun: But how can you do another shoe launch? Isn’t it yet that anything that can be done has been done?
Hobson: That’s a good question, but we really don’t think so or we wouldn’t have bothered and what we made—the Floatride, is a result of us talking directly with runners. We’re re-thinking what a running shoe can be and translating the current problems runners have with more modern materials. Look, I’ll be frank: between ourselves, and plenty of other companies, if you want a traditional running shoe, there’s plenty of options. The way innovation works is you’ll have a certain material that comes in and the evolution of that continues on that path until a new thing is introduced.
iRun: And you’re introducing something new today?
Hobson: Yeah, we really are. We’re at the tail end of traditional EVAs, foams in particular are coming into play, and there will be another revolution with rapid prototyping.
iRun: Keep going.
Hobson: The Floatride 1 is the next big step forward in materials, as far as foams go. It’s unlike any foam and it’s what we’ve been working on for two and a half years. You’ll see it in our curring shoe and coming down in iterations of that, down that path, and you’ll see some really high-performance racing shoes come out and some other products, less in the performance space. We’re looking at running as not just being for one runner.
iRun: So do you see it like there’s a gap in the running shoe market that Reebok stands to fill?
Hobson: We didn’t look at the market. We started with the runners and said, ‘What do you want?’ And we looked at different types of runners and said, ‘Imagine what the possibilites could be with the ultimate running shoe.’ It was connecting with runners, less about, ‘Hey, there’s a space in the market where we can be.’ It was: what do runners want? What do I want to run in?
iRun: OK, so, what do we want?
Hobson: To feel in the zone. The word we got from people was to be “floating,” that came from runners. I run, but I never said “floating,” but that was what we heard and so it became about: how can we help runners feel like they’re in that place? We want to get them there quicker, and we had our new foam and we knew we can deliver to the consumer—to the runner—the experience that they want of loving to run.
iRun: What is this crazy foam?
Hobson: There’s one place in the world that can manufacture it and get the material to turn into the foam. The material has been around, it’s just difficult to work with and convert with the polymer to make it applicable. Think about it like this: there are different classes of plastics and this is the highest end of super polyamers and super plastics. We start with the best materials, and you get different properties. With the better foam, you use less of the material, so the walls of each cell are thinner and more consistent. The Floatride maintains a resilient consistency across the material and delivers it at half the weight of a normal foam.
iRun: Less weight, quicker sneaker, that makes sense. Can you talk a little bit about the development?
Hobson: When we were building up run, we were building a racing shoe. The whole thing with Float foam would be “cushioning without compromise,” you want a racing flat to be light and thin and to reduce traction down to the barest pieces, but if we could take a material with full cushioning and make it light, you start getting to interesting places. Energy resiliency is something we’ve been working on.
iRun: It’s just hard to imagine there’s still foams out there that haven’t been discovered yet after so many years of so many new innovations and so many new shoes.
Hobson: The way we discovered it actually is that we were working on a space boot for a company in Massachusetts that makes space suits and they were looking to make their gear lighter, something compatible with their pressurized suit. The boots they use now are 4-pounds each, like old flight boots, and the astronauts didn’t want those clunky things, they wanted a running shoe. So we used the Float foam in the boot and holy crap—it was amazing. That was the same time we were talking to runners and, you know, it was a once in a lifetime project.
iRun: And you’re a Reebok lifer and this shoe is your personal mission, right? You’ve been with Reebok since 1999?
Hobson: Yeah, I started as an apprentice and have been here ever since. I mean, the company went through heavy changes. It was owned by Paul Fireman and bought by Adidas in 2006, and there were different ideas on how you run a company. I lived through that and I think, as far as running goes, we were much broader in the early 2000s and did a lot of different things with performance and running shoes. We were spread pretty thin and lost our way a little bit, but Adidas came in and focussed on fitness and running and I feel like the re-commitment really began three years ago.
iRun: That’s where the journey to create Floatride began?
Hobson: Yeah, we restructured the way the group was set up with the running business unit and there was a conscious effort to reconnect with runners. It was myself and the GM of Running, Scott Daley. It was a big group of people and the people on our team are all runners and we craved the authenticity of a product we weren’t creating. Reebok is running. We really are a running company. We didn’t want to make a gimmicky product. We wanted to make a real running product that we’d want to wear.
iRun: And you feel like you did that?
Hobson: Put it on your foot and see what you think. We love it.
This is part one of a two-part story. Up next, Ben Kaplan takes the Floatride for a ride.
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