Going Back

I’m going back to Urique.


I’m traveling for a couple days just to get there, down and away from the craziness. Time is going to stretch, my mind is going to slowly come to rest and my lungs will fill with the dry scents of the Sierra.



I found something in the Copper Canyons, but I’m not quite sure what it is.


Even before, even when the town was just a misty rendering my mind had made from a legend, I was drawn to it. And I’m not the only one. My story is the story of a lot of Mas Locos. Like Mike Miller says, it seems we all read a book, then got an unexplainable feeling and were compelled to seek the White Horse, the Running People and the Barrancas del Cobre. We ended up lining together with people we’d never met before and reached transcendence, somewhere along a dusty, thousand-year-old footpath across the canyons. On the way, it seems we all gained something and shared it ever since in a tight bond, but no one can really put words on exactly what it is.


We know it has to do with a Great Connection. We’re aware that it’s related to the inspiration of one man, a dream that he somehow bestowed upon us without a word. We feel the presence of a kinship between ourselves, and with the Raramuri, even when only shy glances are ever exchanged. We understand there’s great meaning in the gesture of leaving our world and joining another one to peacefully celebrate through the ancient, simple and joyful act of running.


Sitting under the porch at Entre Amigos, one of the first mornings of my first trip to the Canyons, soaking sunrays and sipping coffee with Keith, I was trying to verbalize how I felt about being there, about the place, about how it made me feel, but I was only sputtering nonsensical babble. Keith just smiled and said “You know, this place, it does things to you”.


It took some time for me to fully understand what he meant.


Now a year later, I’m spending jittery days packing my bags, knowing I will be down in the Barrancas once again, for the third time. I’m antsy about simple things, like crossing the gate at Entre Amigos, knowing that Micah won’t be there smiling, happy to catch up on how things have been for each other. I’m also sad that my friend Keith won’t be there this time either to share morning conversations under the trees. I think of the work ahead, hoping it will make the White Horse smile. I face the fact that I am still mourning.


I’m going back to the Land of the Raramuri. This time, not as much an eager stranger but more as one of the Running People. I’m going back to celebrate life, as tough as it may be sometimes. I’m going back to honor my friend’s dream, which has become my own. I’m going back to the family of Mas Locos, to our friends all over the Canyons, to the dry and rough, but beautiful nature, to a simpler expression of everything.


I’m going back home.

Review: EC3D B-Hot Compression Gear

• Type : Compression / performance
• Use : Cold weather / winter running
• Price : Pants - $150, Socks $65

Introduction
Ever since I became aware of compression gear, I had a hit-and-miss experience. Convinced at first that I had found a little edge that would allow me to push my running just a bit farther, I soon realized that the promise was greater than the results I was getting. I tried compression calf sleeves that did little more than give me a high-tech road runner look. I squeezed my sorry butt in running pants so tight that I was afraid they would rip open if I sat down. I felt dumb to have spent my money on expensive stuff that was not much else than snake oil.

Still, I knew there was some good to compression, and that some of the gear I got, I really loved. My Adidas Tech Fit t-shirt, that completely eliminates chaffing issues. My Sugeoi recovery socks. But aside from those, I thought I was pretty much done with compression. Then I met an EC3D Sports rep at a running show.

She told me how the company had started in the medical field, creating compression fabrics for people suffering from various ailments, with tangible results. She explained the science and research involved in genuine compression gear, and demonstrated why most of the running stuff I had tried before failed to provide any benefit. She actually taught me so much that I decided to create a separate article (coming soon) on the science of compression. But this is a review, so let's get back to it.

First impression
She suggested I give EC3D compression gear a serious try. She measured my feet, my calves, my thighs and my waist and selected correct sizes for a pair of running pants, a pair of recovery pants, two pairs of full-lenght compression socks, and a kit of compression crew socks, performance calf sleeves and recovery calf sleeves. Since these are way too much for a single review, I split them into categories. This article is about the B-Hot line of compression gear, made from merino wool mixed with elastane. I tested the running tight and the full-lenght socks.

Trail test
I started wearing the B-Hot tight right about when things got close to the freezing point, late last fall. I had suspected the merino wool would keep me warm, but would provide little protection against the wind. I was very surprised to not only keep warm in cold, damp, windy conditions, but also very pleased about the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric. The seemless construction and the obvious quality of the weaving make the B-Hot very sturdy and comfortable, even for running long distances. Even when winter settled in, I managed to go out for long runs wearing only my tights in weather as cold as -10C (XF) and always felt warm. When things got seriously cold, I wore the B-Hot compression socks that cover my lower leg up to the knee under my full-lenght Windstopper winter pants.

Analysis
Surprisingly, even though the tights and socks provide a high level of compression, I didn't feel my movements were impaired at all. Compression stitches along the whole inside lenght create specific pressure that limits muscle oscillation and improves blood flow, two things I started to notice some benefits from after several kilometers of running. In short, this gear really shines on runs from 15-20k to ultra distances by reducing fatigue and helping with posture. The tight I reviewed was a prototype and it became rapidly quite obvious that the stitching in the crotch area could use some improvement for a better fit. The final version now features a new pattern that corrects the issue by weaving the compression pattern in an outward curve, all the way up to the waist.

Conclusion
The EC3D B-Hot line has quickly become among my favorite cold weather running gear. It provides serious compression for tangible results on long distances, without limiting my range of movement. It also keeps me toasty in cold weather, even in strong winds, thanks to its mix of merino wool, elastane and thermal polypropylene. It wicks moisture away from my legs, keeping dry and warm even after several hours out. And after hundreds of kilometers of running, they still look and feel as new as the first time I wore them.

High points

• Certainly among my best winter running gear
• Excellent mix of synthetic fibers and merino wool
• Medical-grade compression that doesn't hinder range of movement
• Keeps you warm and dry even over long distances
• Sweatshop-proof - 100% made in Canada
• Competitive pricing

Low points

• A bit tricky to pull on and take off
• Limited US retail distribution

The equipment for this personal review was supplied by EC3D Sports free of charge, without any conditions.

Review: Knuckle Lights

• Type : Safety / Lighting
• Use : Night running
• Price : $39.99

Introduction
Running at night is often part of ultra events and requires some getting used to. One of the issues I have with low-light and night running is that my headlamp seems to render my vision bi-dimensional, making me loose the sense of depth.

Experienced ultra runners recommended two ways to diminish this effect; by placing the headlamp lower on my body (say at the waist) or by using handheld lights to complement the headlamp, thus creating ground shadows that bring back a perception of depth. Knuckle Lights are a solution of the second type, with the benefit of not hindering your hands. A great idea.

First impression
Out of the box, the Knuckle Lights look sturdy and sleek. You just pop in the included AA batteries, adjust the silicon strap and they're ready to go. You get to choose between 3 settings: "High Beam", "Low Beam" and "Blink". And at 45 lumens each, they promise plenty of power to light up your way.

Road test
I took the Knuckle Lights on a first run on a damp day that turned out pretty rainy as I went. After about 10-12km, one of the lights went out. Puzzled, I shook it. Nothing happened. I hit it a little harder, thinking maybe it would shake the batteries and re-create contact. It worked. But a couple minutes later, the light went out again. I can't say I was very happy.

Things didn't get better; the second light went out, too. I stopped somewhere dry to eat a little bit and I opened both lights, trying to figure out what had happened. I popped out the batteries, and put them back in again. After a little bit of fiddling, both lamps looked back to normal. Not 2km later, they were both out again. After I had been back home for a while, I decided to open them again to see if something looked wrong. Nothing. Both lamps were working just fine. I wasn't quite sure what to think. 

I wore the lights on another shorter run, an early-morning commute. The behavior repeated. The lights both went out after some minutes of running. No amount of shaking made them light up again.

I decided to give the Knuckle Lights one last try today. Winter 10km run, temperature below freezing. One of the lights didn't work even inside the house, so I left it behind. The second one looked fine, but about 3km in, it shut off again. As I write this, I've been back from the run for about 2 hours, and the light now works just fine.

Analysis
Well, either I've been handed a pair of serious lemons (funny, they're actually yellow) or Knuckle Lights isn't a real running product. The lights seem good to work in and around the house, but no serious runner would want to rely on a piece of gear that dies off before they've even warmed up. My best explanation for what goes wrong; I suspect these weren't tested in very damp conditions, and certainly not in the cold.

Conclusion
I couldn't recommend Knuckle Lights to anyone because they don't perform well enough in real running situations to be taken seriously. Although the concept is a good idea, you cannot possibly think you'll replace your sturdy, reliable headlamp with a pair of fancy, flimsy flashlights.

High points

• A really good idea
• The lamps look sturdy and sleek

Low points

• Unreliable
• Completely stopped working every time I ran with them
• Were likely never tested in the cold

The equipment for this personal review was supplied by Knuckle Lights free of charge, without any conditions.

Jack’s Journey

I call him Jack, and he’s my friend. It’s strange, because his name isn’t really Jack and we don’t really know each other. He appeared into my life as a Facebook runner, a tall guy with a big smile on his face. He would always have something nice to say to encourage others, or a thought to share. I didn’t know at the time, but Jack has a secret.

His real name is Jacques, but that’s not the punchline of this story. And although what I am about to reveal is amazing in itself, it’s still not the secret I discovered.

In 2009, Jack went to the doctor. He wasn’t feeling well and he was preoccupied, because there was a strong history of heart disease, diabetes and early death in his family. In order to perform his diagnosis, the doctor had to weigh him, but he couldn’t. His scale maxed out at 365 pounds. So he sent Jack to a slaughterhouse, where they had industrial-grade equipment for shipping pallets.

Jack weighted 415 pounds.

He laughed it off. Big bones. But no amounts of jokes or scoffing could push away a thought born in his head, squeezing back into his car on that fateful day. He was going to die.

***

As I sat in the conference room tonight, just before Jack’s presentation, I couldn’t help but look around me. There were all sorts of people. Some obviously in great shape, others not so much. And a couple round shadows, keeping to themselves, staying as far back as humanly possible, trying to blend in with the walls or the furniture.

The presentation didn’t start with trumpets of triumph; it started with thanks. A heartfelt video, a stream of pictures from people who inspired him along the way. Jack didn’t even stay on-stage for it, because he says it makes him too emotional. People in the room started wiping tears, already.

This wasn’t an easy place to hide your emotions. And when I think back, this was actually the place to express them. Because emotions are what set Jack on his formidable adventure towards health. Deep wounds had made him build a steel armour, and the passage of years had made him forget himself completely. He had to travel back from an almost complete oblivion.

And that’s precisely what he did. Step by step.

Almost 3 years and 223 pounds later, Jack tells the tale of the transformation of a body, but also a discovery of himself, complete with his goofiness, his shortcomings, his honesty and his reacquired dreams. Through stories of his reconstruction, and among pictures of his 5k’s, half marathons and IronMan, one phrase struck me the most.

“Life is a gift and it deserves to be treated with great care”.

As he completed his amazing story, he turned to the crowd. Naming several individuals and making them stand up, he celebrated their achievements. Pointing to others, he shared the inspiration he received from them. And that’s when I discovered Jack’s secret.

Out of the furthest corners of the rooms, the round shadows came out of hiding. Emerging from their own oblivion and maybe mustering the courage for the very first time, they came forward and spoke out, about their difficulties, their fear and some even about their shame. And in the midst of the people Jack had gathered, tonight, they found ears, hearts and encouraging words.

***

It’s not the indisputable fact that he has the heart of a true champion, and not even because he accomplished such an amazing metamorphosis that Jacques Aubin is an extraordinary person. It’s because somewhere along his journey, among his own hurdles and demons, Jack discovered how to inspire others.

Let's Run To The Moon!

Over the Holidays, my friends at Tribesports have reviewed a number of interesting challenges their members created and selected some for us to share. The one for runners is simply awesome; we'll run to the moon!

Back in August, triber Nick B was saddened by the loss of the great astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, and decided to create a challenge in his honor.


So he invited the Tribesports running community as a whole to run the 384,000 km journey from here to the moon. I jumped in, of course, and I'm inviting all my readers to do the same :)

To join me in this challenge:

1. Create a Tribesports profile. It's 100% free.

2. Join the tribes that you like (the one I created is "Ultra Runners - North America")

3. Take the challenge (It's actually called "One giant leap for mankind, one small step for Tribesports").

4. Start logging your mileage :)


Nick B promised that, when we all reach the moon, we're going to Mars next!

So suit up and let's run to the moon! Who's with me?