Discover the Asics Novablast 4, a high-stack, bouncy daily trainer, Cat-Camel exercise for runners, latest from Olympics & more!
#WhatsUpThisWeek?
The made-in-India new Asics Novablast 4 is a high-stack, bouncy daily trainer, know all about it in this week’s #GeekOnFeet
The Cat-Camel exercise benefits runners by improving spinal mobility, core strength, & more, know how to do it at #WoW
News from the Olympics & more at #RunSHORTS
Happy reading!
#GeeksPoll
Runners, we want to know! A 2016 RW survey found that 61% of runners listen to something while running. Do you listen to something while running? #geekspoll
#WoW - Cat-Camel Pose
The Cat-Camel exercise benefits runners by improving spinal mobility and core strength, posture, and stability during runs & also increases the range of motion.
How to do it?
Begin on all fours with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Keep your back neutral and your head aligned with your spine.
Inhale deeply, then round your back towards the ceiling as you exhale. Tuck your chin to your chest and tuck your pelvis under, resembling a stretching cat. Hold this position briefly.
Inhale and slowly arch your back, dropping your belly towards the floor. Lift your head and tailbone towards the ceiling, looking slightly upward. This should create a gentle arch on your back.
Move smoothly between the Cat and Camel poses, coordinating your movements with your breath. Repeat the sequence 8-10 times.
Focus on slow, controlled movements and avoid straining your neck or lower back.
@Geeksonfeet - Asics Novoblast 4
The Asics Novablast 4 is a high-stack, bouncy daily trainer with a unique silhouette that sets it apart from other daily trainers. The shoe uses Asics' FF Blast Plus Eco foam, which is quite firm but still provides a comfortable feel for daily runs and long-distance training. The Novablast 4 is made in India. While the shoe is comfortable for long runs and tempo runs, it's a bit heavy for speed intervals and might be too narrow for runners with wide feet. Read the full review here Link to the full review
Training Plans
In our interactions with runners across channels, we’ve realized most runners are self-trained. We get many requests for personalized training plans tailored to help runners achieve their running goals.
We are happy to announce the first beta of our training plans. Whether you're training for your first 5K or aiming for a marathon PR, we have a plan for you. We have an exciting roadmap, and we truly need your help to make this a great product. Please give it a try & share your feedback with us at connect@geeksonfeet.com
#RunSHORTS
Sifan Hassan will no longer attempt Olympic quadruple in Paris
Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan will defend her Tokyo Olympic 5000 meters and 10000 titles and take on the marathon in Paris, she said on Wednesday, dropping the 1500m from her program. Hassan, who was initially registered to compete in all four events, sent shockwaves through the sport when she attempted an unprecedented Tokyo treble three years ago. “I’m really curious what’s going to happen,” the Ethiopian-born runner told reporters. The schedule will leave her with less than 48 hours between the 10000 final and the marathon, making for an astonishingly tough assignment. Hassan has already shown she can be a lethal force in the marathon, winning on her London debut in 2023 and later that year in Chicago, where she broke the tape in the second-fastest time ever. Read more here
Emil Zápotek is the only athlete who had won gold in the 5,000, 10,000, and marathon at a single Olympic Games in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Hasan is no less. She became the first athlete in history to medal in the 1500, 5,000, and 10,000 meters at a single Olympic Games.
Mo Farah predicts Eliud Kipchoge will not win the Olympic marathon
The men’s and women’s marathons promise to be two of the most exciting events of the Paris 2024 Games, particularly given the challenging nature of the course. One among them is Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge who aims to become the first runner to win three consecutive marathon gold medals, after having consecutively won them in the Rio Olympics 2016 and the Tokyo Olympics 2020. However, his path to victory will not be easy, and four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah does not like his chances. In an interview with Olympics.com, Farah weighed in on the odds of Kipchoge winning a third Olympic marathon. “I think he could get a medal, but I think it’s going to be a new guy from Kenya or Ethiopia who wins the race,” said Farah. “I think the marathon is going to be tough, honestly.” The men’s marathon will take place on 11 August, a day before the women's marathon race. The route is an out-and-back loop featuring an elevation gain of 483m.
Read more here
Oops! San Francisco Marathon City Half Course is Shorter
The San Francisco Marathon has acknowledged a major error in its City Half marathon course, admitting it was 0.6 miles shorter than the advertised 13.1 miles.
The mistake came to light after runners noticed discrepancies between the marked course and the actual distance covered, particularly on Metson Drive, which took a shortcut and resulted in a shorter route.
While the race organizers are still investigating the incident, they have confirmed that the USATF course certifier incorrectly measured the course. Runners have expressed frustration with the error, especially those who trained to achieve personal bests. The SF Marathon is expected to release a full explanation of the error and potential solutions in the future.
Read more here. Here is the Reddit thread on this issue
Brooks Running Sees Record Profits Fueled by Ghost 16
Brooks Running is seeing record profits by the popularity of its newly released Ghost 16 shoe. This, combined with strong sales of the Glycerin 21 and Ghost Max, helped the brand achieve a 15% revenue increase year-on-year. The success is particularly pronounced in North America, where revenue grew 19%. With plans to release 10 new or updated footwear styles in the second half of the year, Brooks seems poised to maintain its momentum and continue its dominance in the running shoe market. Read more here.
#RaceCalendar
We have revamped our race calendar with everything you need to know about the race, route, experience, and much more. We have added information about major races and we need the help of the community to make it further robust. Thus we invite runners to share their experiences related to race routes and other information that will benefit runners.
This Month:
Next 6 Months:
Satara Hill Half Marathon - September 1, 2024
BMW Berlin Marathon: September 29, 2024
Wipro Bengaluru Marathon: October 6, 2024
TCS Amsterdam Marathon - October 20, 2024
Niveus Mangalore Marathon - November 10, 2024
WNC Navy Half Marathon - November 17, 2024
Ahmedabad Marathon - November 24, 2024
Search and find races using our Race Finder at geeksonfeet.com/races.
#TipOfTheWeek - Use a toothbrush to scrub away dirt
A soft-bristled toothbrush is perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach areas of your running shoes, like the grooves of the outsole and the stitching around the toe. Dip the toothbrush in a mild soap solution and gently scrub away dirt and mud. This will help keep your shoes looking their best after muddy runs during this monsoon.
Here is how to do it.
First, remove the insoles and laces. If they are particularly dirty, you can wash them separately with mild soap and water.
Prepare a mild soap solution, such as dish soap. You can also use a baking soda mixed with water for a gentle, natural cleaning option.
Dip the toothbrush in your cleaning solution and gently scrub the outsole, toe area, and any other areas that need cleaning. Pay attention to the grooves and stitching.
Rinse your shoes with clean water to remove any soap residue. Use a clean cloth to dry them thoroughly. You can also stuff them with a clean, dry towel to absorb any remaining moisture.
Things to avoid:
Don't soak your shoes: While you can use a damp cloth to wipe away dirt, avoid soaking your shoes in water as this can damage the materials and make them more susceptible to odour.
#TriviaOfTheWeek
Did you know that Shivnath Singh not only still holds the record for the fastest Indian marathon time, but also has the best finish by an Indian in an Olympic marathon? Singh was placed 11th at the 1976 Montreal Olympics with a time of 2:16:22, in what was the first participation by an Indian athlete in an Olympics marathon race. He also ran the race in the 1980 Moscow Olympics where he did not finish. He passed away in 2003. Other notable Indian marathoners include Ram Singh Yadav, who finished 78th in the 2012 London Olympics, and Thonakal Gopi, Kheta Ram, and Nitendra Singh Rawat, who all ran in the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing 25th, 26th, and 83rd respectively. Unfortunately, no Indian distance runner is qualified for the Paris Olympic marathon.
Contributors to this edition: Aditi Pandya, Karthik Nadar, and Aravind Yarra