SportScience™ News & Events

Running Down a Dream: Athletes Set to Compete for a Spot on the US Olympic Team

2008-06-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

The USA Track and Field Olympic Trials are only three days away and excitement is growing among track fans across the country. The trials in Eugene, Oregon will determine which superb American athletes get a chance to compete in Beijing.

Yesterday I previewed some of the competitors in the mens and womens 1500 meter races. Here are some runners to watch in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races.

Mens 5000 meters

Bernard Lagat will return for the 5000 meters (he's also running the 1500) and attempt to repeat his double victory at the world championships. These men will battle Bernard for a spot on the 5000 meter team.

Matt Tegenkamp - Tegenkamp finished fourth in the 5000 meters at the 2007 World Championships. His 2006 personal record of 3:04:90 is the fourth fastest US 5000 meters ever.

Chris Solinsky - Solinsky joins his former University of Wisconsin teammate Tegenkamp in the 5000. Solinsky was NCAA Cross Country Champion in his sophomore, junior, and senior years and won the 5000 meters at the 2005 and 2006 NCAA track championships. Solinsky's 5000 meter PR (personal record) is 13:12:24.

Adam Goucher - Despite being one of the older competitors, Goucher's determination can not be underestimated. He finished 3rd in the 5000 at the 2007 USA championship, won both the 4k and 12k races at the 2000 US Cross Country Championships, and has a 5000 meter PR of 13:10:00.

Womens 5000 meters

Shalane Flanagan - Flanagan enters the trials as the fastest American ever at 3000, 5000 and 10,000 meters. In 2007 she ran 8:33:25, 14:44:80, and 30:34:49 respectively for these distances. Flanagan is a 2004 olympian and a two time US 5,000 meter champion.

Jen Rhines - A 2004 olympian in the marathon, Rhines was second in the 2007 US 5000 meter championships. After winning NCAA cross country, indoor, and outdoor track titles in 1994-5 at Villanova, Rhines has had a stellar career. She comes to the trials off a 2007 season with PRs in the 1500, 3000, and 10,000 meters.

Lauren Fleshman - Fleshman ran a PR of 14:58:48 to win the 5,000 meters at the Reebok Grand Prix. After an amazing career as a 14 time all American at Stanford, Fleshman has become a professional and will challenge for a spot in Beijing.

Mens 10,000 meters

Probably the premier distance race of the trials, the mens 10,000 meters features a loaded field including Abdi Abdirahman, Dathan Ritzenhein, Meb Keflezighi, and many other stars.

Abdi Abdirahman - Abdi has had an amazing career since coming to the US from Somalia. Abdirahman is a three time US 10,000 meter champion with a 27:22 PR in 2006.

Dathan Ritzenhein - Despite being plagued by injury Ritz has had success running from his college days at the University of Colorado to international competition. Ritz was the 2003 NCAA cross country champion, the 2005 US 12k cross country champion, and the second place finisher in this years US Marathon Trials. Ritz competed in the 10,000 at the 20004 olympics and has a PR of 27:35.

Meb Keflezighi - Famous for his silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Meb was already a household name in the running community. Meb moved to the US from Eretria and became a US citizen in 1998. Since then he has been a three time US 10,000 meter champion, won the 12 time US Cross Country Championship twice, won the US 15k championship four times, and holds the American Record in the 10,000 meters - 27:13:98.

Womens 10,000 Meters

Kara Goucher - Goucher will try to challenge Shalane Flanagan in this event. In 2007Goucher was the bronze medalist at the world championships and placed second in the 10,000 at the US championships. Goucher won the NCAA 3,000 and 5,0000 meters running for the University of Colorado. She is married to 5,000 competitor Adam Goucher.

Amy Yoder-Begley - Yoder Begley was a 15 time All American in cross country and track at the University of Arkansas. She won the US 10K road championships in 2004 and finished second in 2005.

These are some of the favored athletes, but there are no guarantees in track. So watch America's amazing athletes compete in Track Town, USA later this week and look out for a Sport Science report after the trials.

Sport Science Catches Olympic Fever

2008-06-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

The USA Track and Field Olympic Trials are less than a week away and Sport Science will be there. This year the trials are in Eugene, Oregon - known as track town USA for its avid fans and storied history. Track and field legends including Steve Prefontaine, Kenny Moore and Alberto Salazar competed at Hayward Field before becoming olympians. This year a talented group of runners will compete from June 27 to July 6 for the chance to represent the USA in Beijing. Here are some of the athletes to watch at the trials.

Mens 1500 meters

Bernard Lagat - After his amazing 1500/5000 meter double gold medal performance at the 2007 World Championships, Lagat is the favorite coming into the trials. Lagat was the 2004 olympic silver medalist and holds the US indoor mile record. Bernard came to the US from Kenya in 1996 and recently became an American citizen.

Alan Webb - Internationally recognized for his high school achievements - he broke Jim Ryun's national high school mile record - after some ups and downs Webb has emerged as a world class professional. In 2007 Webb set the American record in the mile and ran the fastest times in the world in the mile and 1500 meters. Look for Webb to make up for a disappointing performance at last year's World Championships.

Leonel Manzano - As a middle distance runner for the University of Texas Manzano was the 2007 1500 meter NCAA champion. At the USA Championships he outkicked Lagat to finish second behind Alan Webb. Manzano has run 3:35 for 1500 meters.

Chris Lukezic - A former 5 time All-American Georgetown University runner, Lukezic won the 2006 NCAA Indoor 1500 meter championship and ran his 3:33 1500 meter PR in Rome in 2006.

Womens 1500 meters

Shannon Rowbury - Rowbury won the 1500 meters at the 2008 Addidas Track Classic in 4:01:06 - the fastest time in the world this year.

Christin Wurth-Thomas - A former standout at the University of Arkansas, Wurth-Thomas finished 2nd in the 1500 at the 2007 US Outdoor Championships.

Erin Donahue - Donahue ran 4:05:55 the fastest time in the US in 2007 and was third at the Outdoor Championships.

Check in later this week for runners to watch in the 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter races and catch the olympic fever.

Sport Science Partners with Back on My Feet

2008-04-05T14:13:00.001-07:00

Sport Science has formed a new partnership with Back on My Feet. Back on My Feet is a Philadelphia based non-profit that helps the homeless increase self esteem and move towards self sufficiency through running.

Back on My Feet started seven months ago. Runner Anne Mahlum passed by a homeless shelter everyday on her run and started to talk with the men on the corner. One day she came up with the idea of starting a running group for the homeless, and after a few calls to the shelter BOMF was born. From that first shelter, the program has expanded to four different shelters. The daily runs are open to all shelter residents who have been clean and sober for 30 days prior to joining. Each group is led by trained staff and volunteers who help members progress toward their running goals. Members receive new shoes and running clothes and group members run together three times a week. The first run included nine shelter residents. Now there are 54 homeless members and over 250 volunteers in the program.

The group provides many benefits for the homeless. We can't predict whether it will end homelessness but as Mahlum says, " Do we need homes? Yes. We need jobs? Yes. But imagine if you didn't have anyone in your life who said 'I'm really proud of you'. Back on My Feet does just that."

Back on My Feet is now selling Sport Science shirts on its website www.backonmyfeet.org and 100% of the profits go back to the group. Sport Science will also be providing Back on My feet merchandise at retail stores.

Join Sport Science and Race to Stop the Silence

2008-04-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

On April 13, 2008, Stop the Silence is having its fifth annual Race to Stop the Silence in Washington DC. The race and 5K pledge walk raise money to fight child sexual abuse. Last year about 1,000 people participated, and Sport Science is proud to provide official race t-shirts for this year's race.

Stop the Silence started in 2002 when multiple groups joined forces to overcome child sexual abuse. Today Stop the Silence uses media advocacy to increase awarness, trains community leaders, publishes a Bench Book to guide members of the judicial system, and works with public organizations.

The 10K race and 5K walk start at 8:30 AM in Anacostia Park. Online registration closes on April 9th so go to http://www.stopcsa.org/RACE/race.cfm for more information and register today.

Sports Science Welcomes Brandi Fitzgerald

2008-04-05T13:07:00.002-07:00

I'm excited to announce that Sport Science has hired a new Director of Web Marketing - Brandi Fitzgerald. Brandi is the president and founding partner of Trax Athletic -http://www.traxathletic.com/ - our partner for product fulfillment services and a Sport Science online retailer. Brandi brings her web knowledge, creative vision and determination to the table to spearhead the Sport Science Internet Movement by exposing our brand to the six billion potential customers the web has to offer.

Brandi is a Florida native who now calls Philadelphia home. She enjoys taking pictures, being outdoors, and doing things that move her. She counts the minutes until the next episode of LOST and has a serious weakness for chocolate covered frozen bananas.

Brandi became a fan of Sport Science products all because of a race t-shirt she got from Coach Bubba's 4 Miler in Durham, NC back in February 2007! I guess we owe one to Bubba. Thanks Bubba.

Brandi is a wonderful addition to the Sport Science family, not only for her internet prowess and knowledge of athletic gear, but also because she strives to improve the community. In June, Brandi will be outfitted by Sport Science in the AIDS Lifecycle 2008, a 545 mile cycling event that spans the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles in seven days. Learn more about the race at http://www.aidslifecycle.org/. Keep checking in for an update on Brandi with pictures and how you can support the cause.

Sport Science Partners with Back on My Feet

2008-04-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Sport Science Fans,

Sport Science recently formed an exciting partnership with Back on My Feet. Back on My Feet is a Philadelphia based non-profit that helps the homeless increase self-esteem and move towards self-sufficiency thorugh running.

Tune in to CNN's Larry King Live tonight at 9 est/ 10 pst and American Morning or CNN Newsroom tomorrow to watch broadcasts on Back on My Feet. Keep checking in here for a full story and updates about this innovative program.

The 24/8 Challenge is Over but the Tour Rolls On

2008-01-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

Fresh off their record setting California ski marathon Pietro Simonetti and the 24/8 team are touring the country. The tour will include speaking appearences at outdoor retailer stores with video and slides of the ski marathon. The team will continue to raise money for two athletes to go to the 2010 para-olympics. Sport Sciene shirts and other gear will be on sale at all tour stops. The team's goal is $10,000, but Pietro noted, they often receive money for their charitable causes long after the event and they work to raise as much as possible.
After touring the US the team will head to Europe in May. The tour schedule has not been set yet, but keep checking in here and at the Across the Atlas website -http://www.acrosstheatlas.com/ for updates. These guys move fast so go see them while you can and support the cause.

Ruminations, Reflections, Raves: Anita Fromm

2008-01-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Sport Science Fans,

If you read this blog last month then you recall Anita Fromm's amazing attempt at the Double Badwater (over 270 miles). Since I posted her race report, I've thought a lot about her unbelievable determination. A single marathon is hard to fathom for many, but it's basically a warm up for Anita. As a distance runner, I'm also astounded that Anita's life includes more than running alone. Running well over 2 (not to mention 10) times the marathon distance on a regular basis would seem to require all your waking (and many of your sleeping) hours worth of training, but Anita is a married special education teacher. She has also directed several races.

In the last post I accidentally omitted that she was the 4th female and 15th overall finisher in the 2007 TrailRunner Trophy Series. http://www.trailrunnermag.com/ultra_points.php Congratulations on a fabulous year Anita! Sport Science is proud to support all your athletic endeavors.

28-4 Team Triumphs!

2008-01-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

They did it! The 28-4 team finished their ski marathon early Sunday morning setting a new record for skiing all the ski resorts in California. The group skied all 28 California resorts in 4 days, 10 hours, and 7 minutes. A big congratulations from everyone at Sport Science! Great job guys!

For more about the marathon and to purchase a 28-4 ski marathon Sport Science shirt to support the para-Olympic dreams of two athletes go to: http://web.mac.com/psimonetti1/iWeb/28in4/28in4.html

Sport Science at the Outdoor Retailer 2008 Winter Expo

2008-01-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

Sport Science will be an exhibitor at the 2008 Outdoor Retailer Winter Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 23-26. The expo currently has 894 registered retailer exhibitors. Sport Science will be among these companies displaying the latest technology in outdoor/athletic wear and gear. Sports Science's t-shirt vending machine was a fabulous success at the Summer Expo, and we will be adding some more surprises to this season's show. If you are in the area come out to booth 12039, and keep checking the blog for updates on the show.

28-4 Ski Marathon Update - 27 Resorts Down One to Go!

2008-01-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

That's right Sport Science Fans, Pietro Simonetti and the 28-4 team have skied 27 California ski resorts since January 1 and are on pace for the record. The problems they've overcome include bad weather, time pressure, lack of sleep, and road closures. Despite these obstacles this awesome team has persevered and are enjoying the journey. Pietro's blog on the 28-4 website has incredible pictures and details that capture the emotion of this historic run. Check it out at http://web.mac.com/psimonetti1/iWeb/28in4/Live/Live.html

Need Help With Your New Year's Resolution?

2007-12-23T21:53:00.000-08:00

Hopefully this training tip can help.

Many things keep us from being as active as we might like, but injury shouldn't be one of them. Sport Science is smarter clothing, and this year, we can try to train smarter while we wear it. That's where today's tip comes in.

Most athletes understand the importance of stretching, but they often overlook the benefits of massage. However, many massages are expensive and not designed for athletes. A great alternative is a foam roller. Rolling on a foam roller after excercise stimulates blood flow to the muscles and helps relieve muscle tension. This can aid in recovery and prevent injury. Foam rollers are inexpensive and easy to use - a perfect gift.

Have a happy and healthy new year!

28-4 California Ski Marathon - Skiing for the Record Books and a Cause

2007-12-22T21:14:00.000-08:00

Adventurer Pietro Simonetti and his team are back with a new challenge. Between January 1st and 5th, the team will attempt to be the first to ski all 28 ski resorts in California in just four days. In 2002, Simonetti led a group that skied all the resorts in Colorado in under four days. Imagine how incredible this is when you are tired and sore from a few hours or single day skiing at one resort. Try skiing multiple mountains from sunrise into the night, day after day.

This doesn't deter the skiing team who are committed to the cause. The California challenge will raise money for two disabled athletes to compete in the 2010 Vancouver para-olympics. In order to raise extra money for charity, the ski team is selling Sport Science t-shirts, that we have donated in support of this incredible feat. We are proud to be a part of this wonderful event.

Keep checking in for more details and pictures from the 28-4 Ski Marathon.

For more details and to order a ski marathon shirt go to http://www.acrosstheatlas.com/

Pushing the Limits of Possibility: Anita Fromm's Badwater 2007

2007-12-22T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Sport Science Fans,

I hope you are all having a happy holiday season. This blog entry was sent in from Anita Fromm. Fromm is a Sport Science sponsored ultra runner who has been involved in ultra running as a competitor and race director for many years. Her most recent challenge was an attempt at a double Badwater Race.

The Badwater Ultramarathon is one of the hardest races in the world. The 135 mile race runs from Badwater, California, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, through Death Valley and ends above Lone Pine, CA on Mt. Whitney. The temperature often tops 120 degrees and the race has a 60 hour time limit. Many runners aim to complete the grueling race in 48 hours or less to earn a Badwater belt buckle.

If this already sounds crazy imagine trying to run the race, climb Mount Whitney, and run back to Badwater. This was Fromm's goal. Here, in its entirety, is her incredible race report. Watch the blog for photos soon.

The race started out unusually cool and cloudy at the start. I had the 8 am start, (Badwater is staggered into a 6 am, 8 am and 10 am start due to traffic and parking limitations) and it was barely 100 degrees. Nothing compared to my 2004 crossing, where temperatures soared to over 130 degrees.

I decided to make the most of the cooler temperatures, and ran the first 42 miles (where the tiny village of Stovepipe Wells and the second checkpoint is) under 9 hours, compared to running this segment in over 10 1/2 hours the last time. Despite the radiant heat of the pavement reaching 134 degrees, it didn't feel that bad. There was cloud cover too. Everyone was running hard and fast this year. The runner from Brazil (who went on to win the race in 22 hours and 55 minutes!) and his crew passed me doing 8 minute miles 37 miles into the race. They looked like "Team Orkin Men", all dressed up in matching running gear.

Next was the 19 mile climb to the top of Townes Pass, which tops out at nearly 5000 feet in elevation after 42 miles at or below sea level. I love this part of the race. It was here in 2002 during my first Badwater 135 that I met "Badwater Ben Jones," a local doctor, (who still makes house calls) who over the years has become somewhat of a legend in the area. It was here, in 2002, when I was in last place, that this kindly old man, with soft blue eyes, drove up to my crew and I in his old Dodge Raider, and said convincingly, "Why everyone who makes it to this point finishes." And convince me he did, all the way to the finish, which took nearly 55 hours. We remain friends to this day.

I am a good climber, and I fueled plenty earlier on, knowing that it is a tough section, no matter how good you are. I knew I wouldn't feel like eating going up this tough climb, and my strategy paid off. I felt great, all things considered. All the runners were in high spirits. My crew was fantastic! Over half of them had crewed me before at Badwater, or at other ultra-marathons. Personalities meshed, and they got the job done.

A good climber I am. A good downhill runner I am not. The bone jarring 13 mile descent into the Panamint Valley really wreaked havoc on my body, especially my stomach. I spent about 2 hours puking my guts out at the bottom of Townes Pass. The pack rats and coyotes were well fed that night, by me and several other runners who apparently used the same strategy I did of, " go out like an idiot and pay for it later."

After the puke-fest, I dragged my sorry butt off the side of the road, and slowly crept out of the valley, up to Father Crowley's Point. It was in this area that my father was a tungsten miner,(after a brief stint in the army) and dragged my mother out with him from the verdant pastures of the Pennsylvania farmland where they grew up. I can only imagine her shock, not to mention the fact that she was about 8 months pregnant with me. When I tell people this, they often ask me if Death Valley feels familiar, and honestly, it does.

The stretch from Father Crowley's to the end of highway 190, ( where you turn right into Lone Pine) is a blurr. This stretch always gets to me. It's long, monotonous, a kind of "no-man's land" of endless desert. You leapfrog lots of other runners, and it is easy to lose track of where you stand in the pack. The blinking stop sign at the end of highway 190 never seems to get any closer. In the three times I have run this race, I have never been able to not cuss during this section. I cuss the road, the wind, the traffic, and that stupid stop-sign! I even create new cuss words. But as soon as I get to it, I am all smiles. So is my crew!

One thing that made this stretch a bit more tolerable this year was the beautiful cloud formations that formed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and covered Mt. Whitney. There was this hole in the clouds, with the sun beaming through this hole onto the verdant pastures of Lone Pine. The air smelled sweet and grassy from the farms that dotted the landscape. It was amazingly beautiful. We had a spectacular light show, but one that proved to be deceptive later on.

The final 12 mile climb up the Portal Road to the finish took me about 4 hours. Despite it being nighttime in tiny Lone Pine, the town was filled with excitement. My crew took turns pacing me, as I was so tired I almost missed a turn. More than once I took a 90 second nap alongside the road. As we climbed in altitude, the stars seemed to grow bigger and bigger. Shooting starts streaked across the pitch black sky, as if to celebrate and welcome us home. The clouds which concerned me earlier seemed to had dissipated. I crossed the finish line in 42 hours, 53 minutes and 8 seconds, placing me 10th woman. A PR of nearly 3 hours from the last time I ran it in 2004. It was to be a bittersweet victory.

After a 3 hour rest in Lone Pine, we headed back up the Portal Road to the trailhead of Mt. Whitney, where the official Badwater 135 race ends. I didn't like the late 9 am start, but the sky was clear. My husband and two other men hiked up the trail with me. Despite some nasty chapped lips,( this made eating difficult) and just having run 135 miles, I felt really good. We all laughed and talked, told some off-colored jokes, and enjoyed the wide variety of flowers and trees that greeted us along the switchbacks. Higher and higher we climbed, and so did the clouds that seemed to come out of nowhere. I tried to ignore them, but I had a bad feeling, a really bad feeling that mountain climbers aren't supposed to have.We climbed as fast as we could. Despite carrying heavy packs with my gear, so that I didn't have to be burdened with it, my crew climbed fast too. We even ran parts of the trail, at over 11,000 feet. We found ourselves surrounded by bizarre rock formations, with huge fissures caused by all sorts of weather extremes and lightening strikes.

Up, up, up we went, until we could finally see the top of Mt. Whitney , less than two miles from us, her summit of 14,495 feet rapidly being covered with ominous looking clouds. Thunder boomed in the not-so-far distance, and lightening appeared overhead. Then all hell broke loose.

My crew of three brave men and I were trapped against a wall of giant granite spires. It began to hail, and what started out as small benign hail became marble sized hail that bit. We struggled to cover ourselves with what ever we could...trash bags, camping mats, backpacks, but the hail was relentless. And the lightening.........I felt terrible. These men had families, and here they were helping me on some silly,mindless, self-centered obsessive goal. What had I gotten us into?! For a few moments, the hail seemed to subside. Maybe this was one of those freak mountain storms that I had encountered training in the mountains of Colorado. I stepped out of our makeshift trash bag shelter. I could still see the summit! I could see the summit house too! Then the thunder boomed, the lightening flashed, and this haggard looking man in a bright yellow jacket came running down the trail.

"How was it? Did you reach the summit?" I eagerly asked him.

"NO! Are you crazy? The trails a sheet of ice. You aren't thinking about summiting are you?" he asked. His face was ashen, and he appeared quite shaken.

"It's less than two miles, isn't it?" I persisted.

"Listen lady, if you decide to go on, tell me. I will tell search and rescue when I get down, and it will be them who get you off this mountain."

"What about the summit house? Couldn't we stay there?"

He gave me a look, and without saying a word , continued down the trail.

I felt ashamed for even considering trying to summit given that all my crew had families who depended on them. Stupid and selfish could also describe how I felt, soon to be replaced by resignation, that this just wasn't going to happen, followed by extreme disappointment , anger, and sadness. Never in my life had I experienced so many emotional extremes inside of a few hours.

But Death Valley is a land of extremes. It is Mt. Whitney who decides who reaches her summit, and this was not to be my day. As my beloved crew and I headed back down the trail, I gave Mt. Whitney one more glance. This time her summit was blurred not by clouds, but from a barrage of tears. I had failed. Despite giving everything I had, I failed. And the mountain didn't care. My husband Tim stayed back with me, as I slowly crept down the mountain. I dislike running and climbing downhill, and now I really didn't like it. I told my other two men that it was OK if they went ahead a bit. I knew what was coming, and so did Tim. I cried for nearly four miles, something I hadn't done during a race in years. I prided myself on becoming faster and emotionally stronger over the years, and now all I felt was humiliated. Yeah, I knew there were starving children in Africa, homeless people, global warming, and all sorts of problems facing the world that were more urgent and important than my little self-imposed defeat, but this was MY defeat, and it was important and valid to me.

Tim patiently and stoically listened to my post-defeat rant, and lovingly comforted me all the way down the mountain, and all the way back to New Mexico, where he is stationed with the United States Air Force. He demonstrated a huge amount of strength, and I am glad someone of his caliber is on our side. And even before I reached the bottom of Mt. Whitney, I knew I would attempt another double crossing again.

It's only failure if you give up.

Sam's Corner - Training Tips for your Whatevering

2007-11-26T08:01:00.000-08:00

Hi Sport Science fans,

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. As winter approaches and the cold weather sets in, I thought it would be a good time to start providing some training tips to keep you active. So here's the first tip.

A great training tool for any athletic event is a training log. A log is easy to keep and provides valuable insight into your past, present, and future training. Running specialty stores sell pre-made running, biking etc. logs, but you can make one yourself from an ordinary notebook. You can customize your log with whatever information you choose. Some standard info includes:

Date

Time of activity: how long you bike, ran, swam etc.

Distance: how far, how many repeats etc.

Conditions: weather can really effect your workout - your normal 8 minute mile could be 9 minutes in the mud or 90 degree heat. Was your course hilly? What intensity level did you set on the stationary bike? etc.

How you felt: Did you glide through your workout?, Did your legs feel sluggish? - This information is important because it helps you gauge how your body responds to different workouts and learn what works best for you.

Race info: times and recaps of competition

Shoe miles: for optimal performance you should change your shoes every 300-500 miles. Some athletes record the miles on their shoes to keep track and change them before their legs start to hurt.

Week Training Information: miles, kilometers, laps you ran, swam, biked, ellipticaled etc. this week.

Remember all of this information is optional. You can pick and choose and add anything else you like. Training logs can help you achieve a higher level of fitness and avoid injury, but often they are simply a great motivator to stay active.

Enjoy your whatevering!

Sport Science Welcomes Dan Jones

2007-11-13T10:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Sport Sciences fans,

I'm pleased to announce that Sport Science has hired a new Director of Marketing - Dan Jones. Dan comes to Sport Science from Dallas Athletics, where he was event director. He has been involved in athletics and apparel for over twenty years.

Dan is a Nebraska native and cornhuskers fan who now lives in Texas. He enjoys spending time with his family and staying active by competing in races. Dan runs races between the 5k and half marathon distance and has also competed in several triathlons. In fact, Dan represented Sport Science at the Running Event's 5k race this past weekend in Austin. I'll let you know how he did and hopefully get a few pictures up soon.

Dan recently told us how he feels about Sport Science, "I am excited about joining the Sport Science crew. It has been my experience that it is the best Performance Wear product offered in the market place. Everybody that has used the product loves it." We agree Dan, and we are happy you decided to help us spread the word.

US Ultrarunning Team Competes at IAU 24 - Hour World Challenge

2007-11-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

Scott Eppelman of the US Ultrarunning Team sent in a report on the 2007 International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) 24- Hour World Challenge co-written with Roy Pirrung. Sport Science is a proud sponsor of the American Ultrarunner team. Enjoy Scott and Roy's description of this amazing event.

This year's race was held in Drummondville, QC, Canada, about seventy-five miles east of Montreal. The course was a loop slightly longer than two kilometers, which crossed the St. Francois River twice. The start time was unusual, 2:00 in the afternoon. Race day conditions were warm and humid. There were two or three cooling showers during the first few hours, but these were brief, and followed by a return to a steamy environment.

Phil McCarthy from New York City stole the show, following up his 'coming out party' at the 2006 Ultracentric 24 hour with a fourth place overall finish. He withstood a gut wrenching challenge in the final hour of the race to maintain his position.

Our men's team came painfully close to earning a spot on the podium, as we held onto third place until the last fifteen minutes of the race, when the Germans grabbed the Bronze. Making matters worse was the fact that this was not known until after the awards ceremony announcement that we had taken third. The final, partial laps had not yet been added!

Many thanks to Robert Tavernini, race director of the Ultracentric ultras in Grapevine, TX, for financial support of the U. S. team through his race, which is the national championship again in 2007. Also, team members were outfitted in great looking uniforms sponsored by Injinji Footwear and Sport Science.

We are looking forward to the 2008 competition, in a location yet to be determined. Here are U. S. team results:

Phil McCarthy, NY, 248.613 km, 4th overall
Scott Eppelman, TX, 220.910 km
Alex Swenson, WA, 199.801 km
Carolyn Smith, WI, 195.720 km, 14th female
Rebecca Johnson, CO, 191.406 km
Deb Horn, OH, 184.909 km
John Geesler, NY, 181.3 km
Laura Nelson, TX, 177.3 km
Connie Gardner, OH, 114.2 km
Pam Reed, AZ, 43.9 km

Sport Science to Appear at The Running Event 2007

2007-11-06T12:26:00.001-08:00

From November 11-14, Sport Science will be in Austin, Texas at the Running Event retailer conference and expo. The event will feature over 100 retailers and keynote speakers including top American distance runner Bob Kennedy. Companies from across the country will be on hand to show off the latest in athletic wear technology and we look forward to displaying our great Sport Science gear. The event also includes a 5k road race where athletics retailers will hit the streets to decide the age old question - Who is the fastest retailer? Sport Science fans know our products will wow the expo crowd, the big question is - can Neal beat those other retailers in a road race?

Radcliff and Lel Win Somber NYC Marathon

2007-11-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

Ryan Shay, 28, collapsed 5.5 miles into Saturday's Mens' Marathon Olympic Trials race and died despite immediate medical attention. His coach and fellow runners described Shay's incredible work ethic and will to win. All were shocked by his still unexplained death.

One day after this tragic death thousands ran in the New York City Marathon on Sunday. Before the race, runners observed a moment of silence in Shay's honor. 39,085 competitors ran in the race and 34,000 finished. The race included runners of all abilities - from winner Martin Lel's 2 hour 9 minute finish to times over 5 hours.

The elite men and women ran competitive races with Britain's Paula Radcliff beating Grete Wami with under a half mile to go and Lel of Kenya outsprinting Morrocan Abderrahim Goumri for the win. Radcliff, who had a baby in January, ran an impressive race. She led from the start and held off Wami's strong challenge in the final miles.

After the race, Radcliff and the entire running community, had Shay's death on their minds. Race director Mary Wittenberg described the race as a way to aid in the grieving process. "We needed something of a healing day and I think that's what we got."

Once again, this year's New York City Marathon was a symbol of the enduring spirit of runners around the world.

For more see :
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/sports/othersports/05shay.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

American Distance Running is Back

2007-11-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

The USA Mens Marathon Olympic Trials were held today in New York City. Runners from across the country who had achieved the 2 hour 22 minute qualifying standard came to the city for a chance to win a place on the olympic team. In the end, youth won out over experience as 25 year old Ryan Hall broke away from the field at 16 miles and didn't look back. Hall won in a blistering time of 2 hours 9 minutes 2 seconds. Dathan Ritzenhein, 24, finished second in 2:11:07. Brian Sell was third in 2:11:47. These three runners will represent the USA at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Although pre race favorites, including Athens silver medalist Meb Keflezighi and former world record holder Khalid Khanochi, did not make the team, the impressive times and intense competition on display today bode well for the team in Beijing.

Keep checking the Sport Science Blog for more updates on our amazing distance running stars.

Yankees Managers Come and Go...

2007-11-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

...but the New York City Marathon is a constant. Over the last 35 years, the race has grown into one of the largest races in the world. Last year more than 38,000 runners ran through the five boroughs, making it one of the largest races in the world.

On Sunday, November 4th, thousands of runners will take to the streets. Many runners rely on their Sport Science shirts to keep them dry and prevent chafing during the 26.2 mile challenge. Over two million spectators cheer on the runners and create an unparlled race experience. So from Sport Science to all fans and participants in New York - Good luck and enjoy the race!

Sports Science and Road Runners Club of America Team Up to Get Kids Running

2007-11-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

On October 25th - 27th, Sport Science teamed up with the Road Runners Club of America at the Marine Corps Marathon Expo. RRCA sponsors kids running clubs that promote an active lifestyle for kids across the country To raise money for the clubs, the Road Runners introduced their 2008 calendar and sold it in a package deal with Sport Science t-shirts. Expo visitors could purchase the calendar and a shirt - a $39 value - for only $25. Based on the positive response to this offer the deal will continue at other races. Join Sport Science and make a smart impact on kids in your community.

That's What I'm Talkin' About

2007-09-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

Smart clothing has finally broken through to the big time. Last week, the Washington Post Health Section included an article on functional clothing - clothes that you can wear to the gym and to work. The article discussed the attributes of smart performance apparel that we've been touting for years. Clothing that's dressy enough for the office or a casual meal, and also has the wicking properties to stay dry after working out at the gym. Since the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations "call for some sort of physical activity pretty much every day", these clothes are now a hot commodity.

Vicky and Howard - the articles authors - tried to find clothes that their counterpart would wear and prove that being active and being stylish doesn't require carrying a lot of extra clothing. Howard replaced his sweats with wicking shirts and jackets, and Vicki found heavy duty shoes and synthetic tops and bottoms that were work appropriate. This multi function clothing is the kind of smarter clothing we have always made. Sport Science fans know we have always been riding the wave of the future; it's nice to see stylish, active clothing finally get the recognition it

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2007/09/21/AR2007092101817.html

The 28th Annual Eldorado Springs Cure

2007-09-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

On August 9th, runners from across Colorado and around the world came to Eldorado Springs to run the 28th annual Eldorado Springs Cure four mile race. The runners came for more than a competitive race on a beautiful course; one hundred percent of the proceeds from the race go to Colorado cancer research and treatment. Thanks to the generosity of volunteers, all the money raised is used to fund specific requests from local hospitals including requests for diagnostic machines and other new technology. As part of its mission to bring a focused, smarter impact to the community along with smarter clothing, Sport Science donated shirts that were sold at the race to raise extra money for the cause.

The race, which is extremely popular race with both elites and weekend warriors, is a qualifier for the Bolder Boulder 10K. This year Boulder, Colorado resident Eric Griffiths won the race in 20:27 and Nanae Kuwashiro won the women's race in 22:38. Dogs, strollers, and costumed runners are all welcome on the course, and the the fun continues after the race when everyone can enjoy a dip in the 150 year old Eldorado Springs pool. Many participants receive prizes and all runners leave with the greatest prize - knowing that they have helped in the search for a cure.

Sport Science at the Army Ten-Miler Expo

2007-09-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

On October 5th and 6th, Sport Science will be at the Army Ten-Miler race expo in Arlington, Virginia. The Army Ten-Miler is the largest ten mile race in America and the free pre race expo kicks off the event. Sport Science will be among 50 exhibitors and speakers including hometown masters record holder Alisa Harvey, former world champion and olympian Abdi Bile, and a video conference with olympian and motiatational speaker Jeff Galloway. Runners will also be able to sign up for a free video conference with family members serving in Iraq.

The 23rd annual race feaures a beautiful course with views of the monuments and a team competition with 650 military and civilian teams. Its a great way to start the fall racing season and support the troops, so come join Sport Science at the Army Ten-Miler.