Thursday, January 11, 2007

Some New Gear for the New Year


Gear07
Mmm...gear


I got nice presents this past Christmas but I went out to get a few for myself too. A runner's got to get his own gear right? For awhile there I had several pairs of Montrail's Leona Divides, bought a bunch after I found out they were discontinuing the line. But while I hoarded a few pairs I kept an eye out for a possible replacement and was quite happy with Vasque's Velocity. An even better shoe for my needs. These beauty's I picked up on a Christmas sale at REI. They only had one pair left and it was just my size. Coincidence? I think not. They run like a dream too. The only drawback is the weight. I don't mind though, I want the cushioning and support. Love the treads out on the trail and I appreciate the cushioning. I'm have to run 6.5 miles of road before I can taste the trails of Marin.

Then I sucked it up and bought Apple's new iShuffle. I buy all my music from iTunes and have to implement a tedious, time and hard drive space wasting work around to have the music available to my Rio player. No more, after two years I've had it. If you didn't know, iTunes music only plays in Apple players. It's quite nice, my headphones weigh more than this thing. The main drawback is the metal edges. Once I clipped it to the waistband of my shorts and the metal clip cut my side. The built in clip could have a stronger grip. Otherwise I've had no problems. Battery life is only 12 hours but that's only a factor at 100 mile races.

And lastly I got a Buff. Advertised as a multi-sport accessory. It's head wear that you can reconfigure; bandana, headband, backlava, beanie and few others. I wear bandanas/handkerchiefs in my long runs and this product seems like a step up.

Had to keep the shopping down this year but at least with the running, sport stuffthey get used and used well.

15 comments:

  1. That's some nice new gear. I love my i-pod, but I am not sure I could use the thing for 12 hours even if I wanted to. I also noticed that it bothers me to wear it when others are around. I feel a certain obligation to be able to hear and speak if need be. I am going to wear it for as long as possible in the 24 hour race coming up in March.

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  2. Anonymous11:24 AM

    You're the only person I know for whom a 12-hour battery life would be a limiting factor.

    They're small, carry two. :)

    Jan

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  3. Nice Gear Rick... I still have that sanso mp3 actually it has been good for and fits right in my running belt or water bottle holder small sucker...I love the SONY HeadSets they wrap around the ear and never move...

    Been procrastinating on my shoes cuz I have 2 new pairs i been using, they are OK but I know I Need to go to the running store and get my feet measured for a proper fit...

    Take care and RUN Strong

    Bob

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice Gear Rick... I still have that sanso mp3 actually it has been good for and fits right in my running belt or water bottle holder small sucker...I love the SONY HeadSets they wrap around the ear and never move...

    Been procrastinating on my shoes cuz I have 2 new pairs i been using, they are OK but I know I Need to go to the running store and get my feet measured for a proper fit...

    Take care and RUN Strong

    Bob

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice Gear Rick... I still have that sanso mp3 actually it has been good for and fits right in my running belt or water bottle holder small sucker...I love the SONY HeadSets they wrap around the ear and never move...

    Been procrastinating on my shoes cuz I have 2 new pairs i been using, they are OK but I know I Need to go to the running store and get my feet measured for a proper fit...

    Take care and RUN Strong

    Bob

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice Gear Rick... I still have that sanso mp3 actually it has been good for and fits right in my running belt or water bottle holder small sucker...I love the SONY HeadSets they wrap around the ear and never move...

    Been procrastinating on my shoes cuz I have 2 new pairs i been using, they are OK but I know I Need to go to the running store and get my feet measured for a proper fit...

    Take care and RUN Strong

    Bob

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice Gear Rick... I still have that sanso mp3 actually it has been good for and fits right in my running belt or water bottle holder small sucker...I love the SONY HeadSets they wrap around the ear and never move...

    Been procrastinating on my shoes cuz I have 2 new pairs i been using, they are OK but I know I Need to go to the running store and get my feet measured for a proper fit...

    Take care and RUN Strong

    Bob

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice Gear Rick... I still have that sanso mp3 actually it has been good for and fits right in my running belt or water bottle holder small sucker...I love the SONY HeadSets they wrap around the ear and never move...

    Been procrastinating on my shoes cuz I have 2 new pairs i been using, they are OK but I know I Need to go to the running store and get my feet measured for a proper fit...

    Take care and RUN Strong

    Bob

    ReplyDelete
  9. ahhh that's just wonderful.... U lagger site

    umm feel free Rick to delete a few--LOLOL

    ReplyDelete
  10. 9 Comments! Oh it's just Bob posting multiples for extra credit:)

    You know Rob, I'm the same way, if I'm in conversation with people I don't use my music. I find it to be a barrier in meeting/talking with people. At the Firetrails 50 when I wanted an easy first half, I used no music and chatted with people. On the second half when I wanted to get serious and didn't want any conversation, I put the music on and plugged away. I also don't like having music at the night sections of 100's. I can zone out and miss a marker.

    Jan, not a bad idea. They're cheap enough.

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  11. Nice gear, Rick!

    I am liking the Vasque Velocity shoes, too. This is my first pair, and with the handful of runs I have taken in them, they have performed really well for me. Stable, comfortable, great fit and grip. I am pretty happy so far.

    Jean

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  12. Those shoes look awfully clean! ; )

    I saw a few pairs of LD's at Ross last weekend for $39.99...of course none in my size. I'm surprised there are any still floating around.

    Enjoy your new gear! : )

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  13. Steve I suppose you could wear them anywhere but they are trail shoes. Those treads are meant to help keep you on the trail.

    Sarah, yes you got me. I shot them while they were still brand new. Although they're still pretty clean. Haven't had any rain yet to create some mud.

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  14. Anonymous12:29 PM

    Hi Rick:

    Ive been reading your blog for a bit, this is my first comment/question: where'd you buy the Buff? Ive been looking for something like that for ages...I was going to break down and try and make one!

    Thanks for your blog,
    Nicole

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  15. Hi Nicole,
    I bought my Buff at Rei, about $20. Problem with REI they only have two styles. Red with the pattern like I go and a plain black one. There's this place in Canada that I'm thinking of buying from, slightly cheaper with lots of styles, some for colder weather. You can find more retailers by googling. Buy A Buff.com

    I don't see why you couldn't make one thoug. One thing about the Buff is that it is seamless, suppose to keep chafing down but is that really a problem? If I had sewing skills I'd make one.

    ReplyDelete