Better late than never - welcome to my newsletter 'Never not [thinking about] running.' A newsletter about running and mental health. In today's newsletter you’ll find one of those lists. So if you’re interested in discovering new stuff concerning running you are in the right spot. Maybe you even want to subscribe to this wonderful newsletter? I guarantee you that I would be very happy. Promise.
I'm a big fan of lists. Whenever I need specific products and search for them online, I almost always end up stuck on some list or another. “The 10 fastest shoes for a 10k race”. “The 10 best gels that don't stick to your hands”. I click on those faster than John Wayne once drew his Colt. However, there's often an issue with these lists. Most of the time, they're found on some big websites that only pick up what's currently en vogue.
You rarely find out what makes the product special or how users are getting along with it, or why they love it so much. That's why today, there's a list of running products that I've discovered over the course of the year, and furthermore, I'd appreciate it if you could post your recommendations in the comments. That would be great, so that we all can discover new and great stuff. By the way a recommendation for running gloves would be hiiighly appreciated.
As a little bonus, these products also come in video form and there is one extra product mentioned in it.
Let’s start.
Petzl Nao RL Headlamp (130 Euros)*
I've mentioned before that I often do my runs in the dark. Almost 30 percent of them were in the dark this year, and the number keeps increasing. Therefore, a good lamp is crucial in these cases. Just yesterday, I was on the trails. I didn't really know the route, so a bright headlamp was essential. A headlamp because, in this case, I want flexibility in directing the light compared to a waist lamp. I want to be able to turn my head and see what's there. For the past few years, the Petzl Iko Core* has been my favorite. So light that you hardly feel it on your head and definitely bright enough to find your way in the dark. However, this year, the Petzl Nao RL joined my gear (Disclaimer: I received the lamp for testing purposes for free - I'm not obligated to anything) and I've taken this lamp especially on tours where I needed absolute reliability. It's very bright, has a good battery that can be charged via USB-C, and has a taillight on the battery part - something I missed with the Iko Core. It's heavier than the Iko Core, but still so light that you forget about it after a short time. An absolute workhorse.
Coros Pace 3 (250 Euros)*
Speaking of trail running yesterday. A great help was my relatively new Coros Pace 3, which now has a fairly rudimentary navigation mode. Since I knew the area reasonably well, that was sufficient for my run. I quickly found my way, and the navigation is really good even without extensive materials. Regarding the Coros Pace 3, I had the predecessor and wasn't sure if an upgrade was worth it. In hindsight, I'm glad I invested. It's not a major upgrade, but the watch is definitely better and faster. Despite its compact size, the display is easy to read, the battery lasts a really long long time, and the features are not far behind those of larger and more expensive watches. If you need new data on health values like heart rate variability, you won't find it on the Pace 3, but I use my Oura Ring for that anyway. So - I can only recommend the watch. In terms of value for money, there's nothing better.Thermalrunner Insulated Jacket (220 Euros)
The Janji Thermalrunner Insulated Jacket also served me well yesterday. At temperatures around freezing point, I tend to shiver and only warm up after 10-20 minutes of running. With the new jacket, I don't get cold at all. Whereas before, I used to layer 32 merino stories, it's much more relaxed now. For the first time, I'm not freezing in winter. A fantastic investment. Regarding the color, I might suggest checking what you prefer. I chose the dark version because the alternative colors seemed a bit too bright for me. In hindsight, I regret it a bit because now I look a bit like a retiree. Well - who cares. Main thing: warm.
Hoka Mach X (180 Euros)*
Up until this year, I wasn't a fan of carbon or similar shoes. That changed with the Hoka Mach X. Before that, I ran in the Hoka Mach 5. Super light, super direct, super responsive. A shoe for daily training but also for competitions. When the X version came out, I thought, "Well, it's worth a try." The first runs were disappointing because they felt different from the Mach 5. Slightly heavier and didn't feel quite as responsive. But after a few weeks of getting used to them, the shoes really kicked in. A shoe that retains energy well at higher speeds and perhaps not as firm as other super shoes. In fact, I never had any issues with my movement using the Hoka Mach X. The first pair has almost 700km on them, and these days, I've just ordered my second pair.David Miller Photography Calendar (24 Pounds)
Besides running clothes, there are, of course, other beautiful things that runners appreciate. I'm a big fan of David Miller, who has taken wonderful, emotional, and expressive photos at various trail runs. The best ones have landed in his 2024 calendar. Nice for gifting or hanging in your own room.Run100 (18 Euros)*
book "Runhundred" about his experiences at the Western States 100 Race is on my table. I've read the first few pages, and I believe the rest won't disappoint either if you already know Chris's . The man is a great inspiration because he often just does things, which I find very likable.
That's it - as I said, feel free to write your discoveries of the year in the comments!
Housekeeping
Booked in 57k. Had a crap miles run on Monday. Easy one on wednesday. Had a fantastic run on snow and ice in hilly terrain on Thursday and added a very demanding longrun on Saturday. All in all very happy with the week. How was yours?
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The end:
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Good list! Personally, I love everything rabbit does, although they’re difficult to find in Europe. As for gloves recommendations: Outdoor Research’s Flurry Sensor glove for warmth (Raynaud’s sufferer here) and Ultimate Direction’s Ultra Flip glove for when I’m running in the rain.