Products | Complete Runner

To Gu or Not to Gu?

May 29, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Gu Energy Gel

Gels should be an important part of your training and race day nutrition strategy. Taken right before a race as well as during longer races, gels will fuel your body with a boost of energy to help you perform your best.

When considering gels we often hear the following questions:

What kind of gel should I get?

The gel you use may depend on your performance level as well as how your body responds to supplements. Gu and Hammer brands are very technical with their gels engineered to offer what is scientifically proven to help your body perform its best. However, some technical brands can have filler additives such as maltodextrin, which is most often found in processed foods. On the flip side, gels such as Huma and Stinger offer an all-natural formula which energizes your body as nature intended and is argued to sit better with your stomach. For example, the Stinger Gel is honey based and Huma boasts of ingredients such as sea salt and chia.

Should I get gel or chews?

Gels and chews offer the same desired results but gels are thought to absorb faster into the body while chews may be more convenient to take during an event and offer a more specific portion control than a pouch of gel.

The question is really not “to Gu or not to Gu?”, but rather “what kind of gel or chew is best for me?” Depending on what you are looking to accomplish the knowledgeable staff at Complete Runner will be sure to help you determine your race day nutrition plan to make sure you perform your best!

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: energy gel, nutrition, organic nutrition

Sandals Don’t Have to Hurt Your Feet

May 29, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Teva barracuda Sandal

It isn’t surprising that sandal wear increases as the temperature increases. It may be surprising, however, that the number of planter fasciitis cases also increase during this time from the lack of support that sandals offer.

Most sandals offer convenience and a relaxed feel but a rather nominal arch support at best. Imagine the potential harm you are doing to your feet when you walk around in cheap sandals all summer long, especially when you put them on right after your race to get out of your running shoes. In the same way that you should have your feet fitted to determine the best pair of shoes for your feet, you should do the same for sandals especially if you wear them a lot in the summer.

Complete Runner offers the most respected brands in sandals like Teva (Barracuda shown), Chaco, and Sole that are sure to give you awesome comfort and arch support your feet need. They also come in a wide variety of styles, since we don’t like that “one type fits all” approach.

Whether you are walking around town, on vacation, or after a summer race, be sure to keep your feet protected from planter fasciitis with quality sandals with arch support.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: chaco, sandals, sole, Teva

The Purpose of Running Tech Wear

April 30, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

New Balance Icefil

Have you ever stopped to consider that the clothes you wear while running should perform a purpose more than just covering your body?

Your shoes perform a purpose, and your feet will tell you what that is rather quickly if your current shoes are old or if the shoes you have aren’t the right fit for your feet.

Your shirt, shorts, and socks are no different if you really think about it. They should help you to perform your best, and if they don’t they are doing nothing more than covering your body.

You may notice the “good” runners get this, as you see them wearing their singlet at the races. At this level a tenth of a second can be the difference between first and second place, so there is no room for error.

But most of you are never going to win a race, and your goal may be to improve your time or maybe just to finish a race. Whatever your goal may be, the proper tech wear will help you to achieve it.

The technology of running apparel has increased dramatically over the years, now offering benefits such as SPF protection from the sun, lightweight and breathable to keep you cool, wicking to more the sweat off your skin, and even anti-odor. Compared to the person who runs in their favorite cotton shirt and old basketball shorts, the runner who has the running tech wear will be more comfortable and less likely to overheat, meaning he or she will be able to perform their best.

Stop by Complete Runner to check out the new spring and summer tech wear and start taking advantage of the performance it brings to your training and races.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: Apparel, tech wear

Use Resistance to Improve Your Speed and Endurance

April 29, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Kinetic Bands

Has the cooler spring caused you to get started running later than normal this year and you are trying to catch up? Or are you trying to take your speed up to the next level?

Kinetic Bands by Myosource are a good tool to help you improve your speed and endurance. These have been popular with track teams for quite some time and road runners are starting to pick up on the benefits.

Kinetic Bands are easy to strap on your thighs and offer resistance to your legs. Just walk a few steps with them on and you will definitely understand how they work!

Consider using them on your off days for cross training or on your speed days by doing sprints or track style workouts. You have to work a lot harder with the Kinetic Bands on your legs, and take them off and you feel like you are flying.

The kit offers a nice carrying bag and bands two bands of different resistance levels.

Check out the video below to see how they can be used in training.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: kinetic bands

When You Want to Run in More Than a Sports Bra, But Not Much More

March 28, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Brooks Racerback Flint MI

If you are looking for a cute, super light-weight breathable tank to wear in the summer when it is scorching hot outside, look no further than the Brooks Women’s D’lite Micro Mesh Racerback.

An online review describes it as a “light, breezy, barely-there tank to wear over my sports bra when I don’t want to completely expose my belly”.

This tank is as fashionable and functional as they come, and has to be experienced to fully appreciate. Check out the Brooks Micro Mesh Racerback the next time you stop in Complete Runner.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: Apparel, Brooks, racerback

What Are the Best Running Shoes?

March 28, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Best Running Shoes

With dozens of running shoes to choose from we often get asked the question, “What are the best running shoes?” We like to tell people a simple concept that the best running shoes are the shoes that best fit your feet.

Because your feet are different than my feet, how can I suggest that my running shoes are superior to yours? My shoes fit my feet best, and your shoes fit your feet best, so we have both found the best shoes for our feet even though they aren’t the same.

Let’s say you go to the dealer because you are in need of a new vehicle. You tell the salesperson you need to buy the best vehicle. After asking you a few questions, it is determined that you need a truck to haul supplies for your job, but you drive a lot and are on a tight budget so a small truck would be best.

At the same time your uncle comes into the same dealer and says he needs the best vehicle, and he ends up driving away in a new Cadillac.

You were both looking for the best vehicle, and you both got the best vehicles that met your needs, functionality, and budget. Totally different vehicles for totally different reasons.

Nobody has feet exactly like yours, so the shoes that fit you right may not be the same shoes that fit your friend. This is important to understand because a friend may recommend a shoe to you and just because the shoe works for your friend doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to work for your feet.

An expert fitting and gait analysis will determine what shoes are best for your feet. Not only will this maximize your performance, but also help you reduce injuries associated with having bad shoes.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: best running shoes, shoes

It’s Time to Fly and Run Easier With Hoka One One Shoes

February 28, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Hoka One One Flint Michigan

Running is hard work.

Whether you are training for your first 5K or your 30^th Crim, you need to put your body through consistent and grueling training to get where you want to be.

Somewhere in the process the constant pounding of our feet on the pavement and trails can take a toll on our knees, body, and feet causing fatigue and injury. These challenges can quickly become obstacles in reaching our goals, and are quite often difficult to overcome.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a shoe that was designed to alleviate these problems?

Well, there is. Say hello to the Hoka One One.

This is a shoe like nothing you’ve ever seen before, and needs to be experienced first-hand to fully understand and appreciate how they can change your running experience for the good.

The Hoka One One website states:

“With the goal of designing shoes for optimal performance, comfort, efficiency and fun, Hoka One One has pioneered a new philosophy in running by merging aspects of minimalism and maximalism.”

This shoe is minimalistic in nature with its low heal drop and super light-weight. However, it also has a super thick midsole to absorb the pounding for a comfortable run, and has a much larger outsole area to improve stability and traction. It is hard to fully understand how a shoe can offer minimalism, comfort, and stability at the same time but that is the magic of the Hoka One One.

The shoes also have adaptive tuning technology where you can take a drill from your garage and drill out part of the midsole to better adapt to your pronation or supination.

We are seeing a lot of people who couldn’t run in the past due to knee pain or weight issues now able to run with the Hoka One One shoes, and this excites us!

Do you know anyone who could potentially benefit from the comfort and performance these shoes offer? Bring that person with you into Complete Runner to experience the Hoka One One first hand from one of the few retailers in the state to offer them.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: Hoka One One, shoes

Bike Le Tour de France Route in Your Basement

February 20, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Tour De France Indoor Bike

What if we told you that you could ride each stage of Le Tour de France Route from the comfort of your home? Don’t get us wrong, the course is tough, but you don’t have to take a plane to France to experience the course.

Pro-Form’s Tour De France indoor cycling bike is unlike anything you have ever seen, offering an outside riding experience from the comfort of your home. Whether you want to ride your favorite local route or the bike route of your next triathlon the bike’s iFit® Technology powered by Google Maps™ downloads your route to the bike allowing you to experience every hill as if you were actually riding it, minus the pot holes. How about that for a training ride?

The bike allows for a 20% incline and decline, convenient handlebar shifters that mimic your road bike, as well as an individualized wind resistance based on your height and weight. The bike also has a built-in power meter that displays your watts and RPM’s on the console to perfect your training performance.

The Tour de France indoor cycling bike really can change the way you train. Stop by Complete Runner and test out the bike for yourself.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: Equipment, Pro Form, Tour De France Indoor Cycling Bike

The Right Equipment Makes All the Difference

January 30, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Running Treadmill

Imagine the following…

You love photography and especially love taking pictures of your kids. You experiment with different lighting to see what shots turn out the best. You even buy cute (and sometimes expensive) outfits for your kids to wear as they pose for you behind the homemade backdrop you learned how to make online. Then, you pull out your disposable camera and start clicking away.

I don’t think so.

If this was true, you would more than likely have a decent digital camera. Since you love capturing memories and have taken the time to learn skills and techniques having a good camera can make an amateur photographer feel like a pro. Just because you have a good camera doesn’t mean you automatically turn awesome, but once you learn how to use more features you will start to see improvements in your shots.

In the same way if you are a serious runner you know the importance of having a good pair of running shoes that are fit for your feet. A pair of $19 shoes from the department store aren’t made to meet the needs of a runner.

The right equipment can make the difference.

A lot of people have negative perceptions of treadmills, sometimes referring to them as dreadmills. This may have been true in the past when the technology wasn’t there, with the increase in technology treadmills today can act as your coach and personal trainer, allowing you to precisely control your workouts to get the maximum results.

For example, the heart rate monitor can be set on a treadmill to gauge your workout and ensure you stay in the fat burning zone to lose weight. Some can even be set up to do interval training.

It is actually common to hear of athletes getting ahead of the game in the winter when the weather is crappy outside because they have conducted very structured workout programs on their treadmill. Why hibernate over the winter when you can get ahead?

Complete Runner has a wide variety of professional-grade treadmills and ellipticals in the store for you to try out. You won’t find our equipment at your local department store, since our exercise equipment is specifically build for serious runners and athletes.

For more information on treadmills and ellipticals come and see us at the store, and also check out The Runner’s Guide to Buying a Treadmill and E Glide Elliptical Offers Great Winter Running Workouts.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: elliptical, Equipment, treadmill

The Guide to Buying Track Spikes

January 29, 2013 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Track Night at Complete Runner

With the high school track and field season right around the corner now is a good time to start thinking about getting your racing spikes and shoes. This may be a little intimidating for first time track athletes and parents so we’ve put together a few tips to make the spike buying process easy and pain free.

Why Do I Need Spikes?

Spikes are meant to help athletes perform their best on the track. They are super light-weight and give you that extra boost that could be the difference between second and first place.

What Kind of Spikes Do I Need?

Shoe companies usually have three types of spikes based on your running events: sprint, mid-distance, and long-distance. The sprint can be anywhere from 100 meters to 400 meters, and the mid-distance can cover 800 meters to 5000 meters, making it a good all-around spike for the athlete who does a little bit of everything.

Do Spikes Fit Differently Than Running Shoes?

We like to have about a thumb length of room in our running shoes, but we want a snug fit in our spikes so you may need a half or full size smaller than your running shoes. We will make sure to custom fit your spikes to make sure you have the right size for your feet.

Should I Only Wear Spikes to Race?

Since spikes are very light and have little cushion they are meant to be used only for racing. This is not to say you can’t use them for a hard track workout but this should be the exception. Make sure you have a new pair of running shoes for your daily training runs and keep the spikes for the meets when you really need them.

How Much do Track Spikes Cost?

Just like running shoes spikes come in a variety of brands and performance levels. Some will cost less than running shoes and some about the same. Most brands have entry level spikes that are a good value for first time runners as well as a higher end model with the latest technology that running veterans will be sure to want to perform their best.

What About Changing the Spikes?

After a while your spikes will wear down and you will want to replace them. When you buy new spikes most of the shoes include a wrench and some of the higher end shoes also come with a spike pouch. We have a variety of spikes of all different lengths as well.

What Now?

We invite you to stop by Complete Runner to check out our new Nike, New Balance, Saucony, Brooks and Puma spikes and let us help you find the right track spikes for your feet this season.

If you are a track team or coach we have team nights to help the whole team learn more about spikes and get custom fitted. We’ll provide the refreshments and group discounts. Just call us at (810) 233-8851.

Filed Under: Products, Tips Tagged With: racing spikes, shoes, track and field