RunnerDude Shoe Review: New Balance 880v7

If you've read any of my shoe reviews or posts about my own running shoes, then you know I have

pretty persnickety feet. With my job as a running coach and fitness trainer, I put in a lot of miles each week and I'm on my feet most of the day. It takes its toll. So, when I find a shoe that works for me, I love to share.

Omega Sports our local running store here in Greensboro, asked me to review the New Balance 880v7, I was excited, but a bit skeptical too. Not really in the shoe itself, but whether it would work for my finicky feet.

The first thing I noticed when I tried on 880v7s was the cushion. My feet need a lot of cushion in the forefoot and heel. That's often a hard combination to find. The 880v7 has achieved it.

The things most notable for me about the  880v7 include:

• Roomy toe box
• Lightweight feel for a cushioned shoe
• Stable platform with an ample amount of surface area to make contact with the ground
• Breathable mesh upper which appears to be seamless adding to comfort
• Great for both short and long runs

I don't have a wide foot, but many runners will like that the 880v7 comes in wide and extra wide sizes. While not a lightweight shoe (coming in around 11oz), it doesn't feel like an 11oz shoe. I was really surprised when I saw the listed weight of the shoe. Not sure how they made 11oz feel lighter, but they did.

This neutral daily trainer worked well for me on both uneven hard city sidewalks and smooth blacktop greenway. These shoes will handle most any distance. The New Balance 880v7 does have a higher heel-to-toe drop of 10mm, so if you're looking for a lower drop shoe, this may not be for you. It's slightly lower than the traditional 12mm drop, but frankly the shoe didn't have the feel of a higher traditional running shoe.

All-in-all this is a great daily trainer for short and longer distances. Highly recommend you give it a try if you're looking for a neutral, cushioned trainer with a roomy toe box. In Greensboro? Give it a test drive at Omega Sports.

New Balance Sponsors Reach the Beach Relay Series!

Global athletic leader New Balance is proud to announce an official multi-year partnership with the Reach the Beach Relay organization. As part of the partnership New Balance will serve as the title sponsor of the new "Reach the Beach Relay Series," which includes the 12 year-old 200-mile New Hampshire-based fall relay (taking place this weekend) as well as the new, 191-mile Massachusetts-based spring relay event that will kick-off this May 2011, traversing from Mount Wachusett to Horseneck Beach State Reservation. 2010 represents New Balance's fourth year sponsoring the Reach the Beach Relay event and the tenth time New Balance has sent associates to compete in the race."

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The Reach the Beach Relay draws people from all over the country to come together for two days, focused on having a great time running," said Daniel Green, integrated marketing associate for New Balance. "It is a unique event in that it engages both novice and veteran runners alike in an experience that is physically challenging and socially rewarding. As a brand founded on running we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring such a positive experience to even more runners two times a year with the new Reach the Beach Relay Series."

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In addition to adding another Reach The Beach event to its sponsorship calendar, New Balance has enhanced its presence at the upcoming fall 2010 Reach the Beach Relay event to include more corporate participants and additional activation efforts. The company will send a total of 7 teams to participate in the race, including 3 teams of New Balance corporate associates, 1 team of New Balance Boston track club members, and 1 International team from Germany, composed of NB Germany associates, retailers, and media. The final two teams are composed of key New Balance running specialty retail partners including Fleet Feet, Naperville Running Company, Start Line, The Running Place, Running Zone, and Performance Running Outfitters. Each New Balance van will be adorned with corporate branding and offer race participants a unique way to engage with the brand.

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For the 2010 fall race New Balance will host an expanded "New Balance Tent Village" at Bear Brook State Park, offer a robust assortment of official RTB race merchandise, and have a booth at the race start and finish showcasing their Fall 2010 gear."

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The relationship between the Reach the Beach Relay organization and New Balance has been a strong collaboration born of mutual passion for the running community and a shared desire to create an exceptional race experience for participants," said Rich Mazzola, Reach the Beach co-race director and founder. "We are thrilled to partner with them for the new Reach the Beach Relay Series and be able to reach even more runners with their innovative products."

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RUNNERDUDE/NEW BALANCE CONTEST

Win a Free Pair of the New Balance 759!

In honor of the new Reach the Beach Relay Series and New Balance's sponsorship of the series, RunnerDude and New Balance are giving you, the readers, a chance to win a free pair of New Balance 759s, the top shoe New Balance is recommending for the race! To check out a RunnerDude review of the New Balance 759, [click here].

To enter, simply email RunnerDude at runnerdudeblog@yahoo.com. Be sure to put NB759 in the subject line and put your full name in the body copy of the email. The deadline to enter is September 30th. The winner will be posted on the blog on October 1st.

Each email entry will be assigned a number in the order that it's received. The True Random Number Generator will be used to determine the winner.

If you've run the New Hampshire Reach the Beach Rely before, I'd love to hear from you!

Enter for a Chance to Win a Free Pair of New Balance 759s!

Yesterday I shared my review of New Balance's new neutral trainer—the 759. If you haven't had a chance to read the review, be sure to do so and then check out my video review below. If you're a neutral runner who needs a little cushion, then this shoe may be just what you're looking for. This post isn't to talk about the shoe's great performance though. Instead, it's to announce a new RunnerDude Contest in which New Balance will provide the winner with a free pair of New Balance 759s!!

All you have to do is email me at runnerdudeblog@yahoo.com by midnight on 7/3/2010. Put "NB759 Contest" in the Subject line of the email and then be sure to put your full name in the body of the email. Each entry will be assigned a number in the order that the emails are received. The True Random Number Generator at Random.org will be used to select the winning number and the winner will be announced on the blog on July 4th! So don't delay, email RunnerDude your entry and tell your running buddies!

New Balance Adds New Neutral Trainer to Their Line!

Back in April, New Balance announced that it would be adding a new neutral trainer to it's NBx line—the 759. They described the shoe as a neutral trainer built to provide runners with a lightweight, cushioned ride. I'm a neutral runner who needs a little cushion, so I was all ears. It's hard to find a good lightweight shoe that's also cushioned. The announcement said the shoes would be available in stores in July 2010. I figured I'd just wait and check them out in July.

So, when New Balance asked me if I wanted to review a pair, I was quite beside myself, and of course said, "Yes! Send em on!"

The New Balance press release for the 759 says that they're designed for the dedicated and fitness runner and features N-ergy technology to provide impact absorption and maximum cushioning for a responsive ride, ensuring runner’s feet feel as fresh at the end of the run as they did at the beginning. It goes on to say that the minimalist upper design offers a breathable mesh for optimal airflow and flexibility while a Stability Web ensures lightweight midfoot support. The 759’s modern construction and design make it the go-to trainer for new and experienced runners alike seeking cushioning and durability for the ultimate running experience.

Sounds all really good, but what I really want to know with a shoe, is how does it feel to me, how does it hold up, is the shoe worth the expense, and would I opt to buy a second pair. I think that's what most runners what to know. Many non-runners will tell me, "well at least you picked a cheap sport." I guess compared to $100+ greens fees and $3000 bikes, running is relatively cheap, but when you buy a pair of shoes about every 6 months or less, and they each cost around $100 bucks, it can start to make a dent in the ole wallet. So, as a dedicated runner, I want quality, comfort, and durability—QCD.

The 759s have passed the QCD test. I've been running in the 759s for about 3 weeks now and I've put in at least 12 runs in them varying in distance from 3 to 9 miles. Let me break down my QDC experience.

Quality: The upper is very breathable and durable. I took a tumble on one of my runs when my toe snagged an uneven portion of the road where some resurfacing was being done. My knee, palm, and pinkie finger looked like I'd been attacked by a mad bull, but my shoes looked great. Not even a scratch on them!

Comfort: The shoes really deliver in this department. I usually need a little extra cushioning in the fore foot, but shoes that usually provide this tend to be heavy. Not the 759s. They're not the lightest shoes I've run in, but they did provide that needed cushion and still were on the lighter side (11 oz.). Actually I was surprised they were 11oz. They felt lighter. I also had plenty of room in the toebox and I love the longer shoe laces. I hate it when there's not enough string to tie a lock lace and double knot.

Durability: Lightweight shoes tend to use a lighter less durable tread for the sole that doesn't last very long. The tread on the 759s, however seems to be very durable. After 12 runs (mainly on blacktop and cement), mine show hardly any wear at all. But, this durable sole doesn't seem to be adding much extra weight to the shoe. A definite plus in my book.

Style: I know, I know, "style" isn't a part of the QCD, but it's often a consideration for many runners. Personally, no matter what the color, once I find a shoe that works for me, I'll buy it in neon pink if that's the only color it comes in, but I do like it when there are some options to choose from. The 759 comes in three color choices for men and two color choices for women. Also, in October 2010, there will be an additional color option—gray/bronze. This darker version is actually the shoe that I tested. At first, I thought maybe the shoes I received were a trail version of the 759. I contacted New Balance and was told that in fact what I received is definitely the road shoe, but just a new color option that will be available in October. I really like road shoes in darker colors, but usually the darker colors are only available in trail versions. The darker version of the 759 road shoe is a pretty cool idea.

My experience with New Balance's new 759 has been awesome. If you're a neutral runner and you like a lightweight shoe with some cushion, I'd definitely recommend giving the NB 759s a try. I had such a good experience with this shoe that it definitely deserves 5 dudes out of 5 dudes on the RunnerDude Rating Scale.

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It's almost July, so you may already be able to find the 759 in your local running store, but if not, you can order them on the New Balance Website. I just received news that if you live in Greensboro, NC, you can get the men's 759 at Off'n Running Sports and the women's should be there soon!

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Note: Although New Balance sent me a pair of the 759s and asked me to test and review the shoes, I was in no way urged to write a positive reveiw, nor was I paid or compensated in any other way for writing the reveiw. My review is purely based on my own personal experience using the product.

A Peek Into the Life of a Racer—James Carney

Recently, I had a chance to interview one of the Team New Balance runners—James Carney. James grew up just south of Pittsburgh, PA, but he now lives and trains in Boulder, CO. James is a 2008 US 20K Champion and a 2008 US Half Marathon Champion. His 5K PR is 13:37; his 10K PR is 27:43 and his Half PR is 1:02:21. Read on to learn a little more about James.

RD: How long have you been running?
James: I have been running now for about 17 years.

RD: What got you into running?
James: I grew up as a wrestler. I used running to condition for wrestling and I turned out to be a better runner than wrestler.

RD: What do you enjoy most about running?
James: I enjoy the solitude of it and pushing myself to the absolute limit.

RD: Your occupation is listed as “Athlete.” What's a typical day like for you as a professional athlete?
James: I train twice a day everyday except Sundays. I usually wake up and grab a quick bite of 200-300 calories and hydrate myself and then take an hour and go for about a 9 mile run followed by drills and strides. After that session, I usually head to the gym for strength training for approximately 45 min then get something for lunch followed by a nap. I get up and have about 2 hours of free time to catch up on errands and emails before knocking out another 9-mile run. If I have a track workout or long run things change a little.

RD: I see your event distances are the 5000m, 10000m and the Half Marathon. Which is your favorite? Why? Is there a distance you’d like to compete in, but haven’t yet?
James: I like the half-marathon distance because its about the maximum distance you can muscle without fuel becoming a problem. Maybe someday I'll jump in a steeple chase.

RD: Of the many running icons past and present, who do you consider role models and/or inspiration for your own running?
James: I have a lot of inspirations including Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Peter Elliot, Dick Beardsley, Bronislow Malinowski, and Rob Decastella. Today I draw motivation from guys like Ryan Hall, Chris Solinsky, and Matt Tegankamp.

RD: How important is food to your training? What are your favorite training foods?
James: I eat whatever I want and have no regimented diet. I do like Digiornos Pizza as my night-before-the-race meal. As a pre-race meal, I like Cliff bars, Lucky Charms or Frosted Flakes. For a post-race meal, I like fish-n-chips and a Bass.

RD: Are you a lone runner or do you run with some buddies? What do you like about each?
James: I am by myself for most of my runs. Lately, I have been jumping in a lot of workouts with Brent Vaughn.

RD: What’s your biggest running accomplishment?
James: Winning a couple National Title on the roads was big for my career and taught me how to win races.

RD: Do you have a favorite running shoe? Why?
James: Most of my training I do is in the New Balance 905. Its a great neutral lightweight trainer.

RD: If you were speaking to a group of non-runners or runner wannabes and trying to encourage them to run, what would you say?
James: First and foremost, enjoy the ride. Be patient, consistent, and run with controlled aggression. Running is a microcosm of life. What you put in is what you get out. If you work and work at running, you with reap the harvest and get a lot out of your efforts.

Check out this video clip of James stretching before a 20-miler. I kind of like his approach. LOL!

James Carney's Warm-Up from CoachJayJohnson on Vimeo.

New Balance Signs Olympian and American Record Holder Jenny Barringer

Global athletic leader New Balance announced today the signing of Olympian and American record holder Jenny Barringer to a multi-year endorsement contract. Barringer, who just graduated from the University of Colorado in December, owns the American record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 9:12.50. She has proven that she is one of the best athletes in the world, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team, two world teams, and is a seven-time All-American and 12-time All-Big 12 honoree. Jenny also won four NCAA titles and two national steeplechase titles.

“I’m thrilled to join the New Balance family and am eager to represent a brand that I find both inspiring and authentic,” said Barringer. “Given their quality products, support of charitable programs, and commitment to domestic manufacturing, I feel that New Balance and I are a great fit. I’m particularly excited to work with the Girls on the Run® organization, encouraging young girls to respect themselves and develop a healthy lifestyle through running.”

“Jenny’s accomplishments as an athlete make her a great brand ambassador for New Balance,” says Tom Carleo, GM of running at New Balance. “But it is her sincere passion and energy to give back to the community through organizations like Girls on the Run® that inspires the entire company and make her such a natural member of the New Balance family.”

Barringer competed for the U.S. in the in the 2008 Beijing Olmypic Games. She has proven her incredible versatility and that she isn’t just a steeplechaser, essentially rewriting the collegiate record book, setting records in almost every event in which she competes. Jenny owns the collegiate record in the indoor mile (4:25.91), indoor 3000m (8:42.03), and the 5000m (15:01.70) as well as the outdoor 1500m (3:59.90), steeplechase (9:12.50), and 5000m (15:05.25). She has the rare ability to compete on an international level at a number of different events.

For the past four years Barringer has been coached by Mark Wetmore who is currently in his 12th coaching season at the University of Colorado. Barringer will continue to train with Wetmore and live in Boulder, CO with her fiancé, Jason Simpson.

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. New Balance employs more than 4,000 people around the globe, and in 2008 reported worldwide sales of $1.64 billion. For more information please visit www.newbalance.com.

Re-posted with permission from Emily Titelman—Dan Klores Communications

And the Winner Is....

The lucky winner of the New Balance 905 Drawing was Kelly Ridgway from California! She was the 168th entry and that was the lucky number drawn by the True Random Number Generator.

There was a great response to the contest! I'd like to send a genuine thanks to each and every participant and for those that helped to spread the word about the contest! I'd also like to thank New Balance for providing such an awesome prize! New Balance Rocks!!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next RunnerDude Contest coming in December!

Another Feet on Head Sighting!?

Ever go for a run to and all you can think about is your hurtin feet? Then maybe you can relate to this cool new video clip!