Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz-Nuun Product Review

I received Nuun product tablets and water bottle as part of being a Bibrave Pro. Learn more about becoming a Bibrave Pro(ambassador), and check out Bibrave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

Nuun Nuun Nuun, who doesn’t love Nuun? I have been a fan for a number of years, ever since I stumbled upon them at a race expo. Needless to say I was excited when we got a nice Nuun package as part of our swag bag from The Running Event(TRE). Here is what my package consisted of:

Nuun Electroyltes- helps replenish you when you sweat
Nuun Immunity- gives your immune system a boost of support
Nuun Vitamins- a anytime drink for your daily health
Nuun Performance– perfect for longer, intense workouts

** Fun Fact: The Nuun products with the colored tops have added caffeine. I learned that bit of information from the Nuun rep at TRE.

FAVORITE PRODUCT
So, what was my favorite product out of the 4, I have to go with Nuun Performance. Seeing how the majority of the time I use Nuun is when I am out of a run, I was immediately drawn to Energy Nuun Electroyltes with its added caffeine to help you get through the dreaded long runs. The Energy Nuun comes in 4 different flavors, but my favorites are Wild Berry and Cherry Limeade.(other flavors are mango orange and fresh lime) I can immediately feel a burst of energy, especially on those hot summer runs, when I take a swig of Energy Nuun. Not to mention the flavors are more intense. More importantly, I have never had any GI issues when using Nuun so you don’t have to worry about any unscheduled potty breaks in the midst of your run.

FAVORITE FLAVOR
Up until recently my favorite flavor has always been Wild Berry Energy Nuun, well that has changed. In the midst of my many Nuun conversations I have had with other runners, a new concept was discovered….HOT Nuun. I first heard it in October of this year when my friend, Chris mentioned it while we were working a booth at the Army 10 miler expo. The following month I was discussing it and several people said that their favorite flavor was Ginger Lemonade….HOT. There was that Hot concept again, not to mention I had never seen the ginger lemonade flavor. Since I had a Ginger Lemonade in my swag bag from TRE, I decided to take it with me to work one morning. My job had given all the employees mugs at some point during the year, and since I don’t drink coffee, what better way to try it out with some hot Nuun. I went to break room and filled up my mug with some hot water, returned to my desk and dropped 1 Nuun Ginger Lemonade tablet into it. It almost look like a volcano erupting as the Nuun tablet was attacked by the hot water. After the fizz subsided, I took a sip and MIND BLOWING. It was without a doubt DELICIOUS. I don’t drink coffee but, like most people, some mornings I need a little pick me up. I can totally see Ginger Lemonade “hot” Nuun as my go to. It has now become my favorite flavor of all Nuun. *I was also told Orange Citrus Nuun Immunity hot is also good, but I haven’t tried that one yet.

TRY IT FOR YOURSELF
Nuun, as a brand, speaks for itself but if I can help persuade anyone to try it for the first time…I WILL. Nuun is great and does not contain many calories. Give it a try. Do me a favor and try ginger lemonade in hot water, and let me know what you think. I look forward to reading the comments after you do.

Altra Altra, Read All About Them-Altra Escalante 1.5 Review

I received a pair of Altra Escalante 1.5 as part of being a Bibrave Pro. Learn more about becoming a Bibrave Pro(ambassador), and check out Bibrave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

I have never owned a pair of Altra running shoes, nor have I ever tried on a pair so I was intrigued when I saw we received a pair as part of our Running Event swag bag. I received a pair of Altra’s new Escalante 1.5 in gray and yellow. Having never owned a pair, I was anxious to hear about what the Altra representatives had to say at The Running Event when we walked around. If you read my previous post about TRE Influencer’s Day, you know that I mentioned that the Altra booth was the most passionate about their product and now I can understand why.

1.5 UPGRADES FROM 1.0
* updated the knit with 360 degree reflectivity
* increased breathability
* tongue stay
* new color pattern
* sleeker heel cup

BENEFITS
* Footshape Toe Box – to be honest, this was one of the things that kept me from considering Altra running shoes in the past. I thought they looked funny, which had to do with the footshape toe box; however, now I know the reason for it. This shape gives your toes more space and gives the big toe space for a more powerful toe-off. In addition, this shape also helps reduce over pronation and enhances stability for an all-around better feel.

* ZeroDrop- each and every Altra shoe is built on a zerodrop platform that puts the heel and forefoot an equal distance from the ground. This particular natural foundation helps aid in optimal alignment, cultivate better form and encourage low impact landing

TEST RUNS
Enough of all the technical stuff, I know what you really want to know is how did they perform. The first test run was actually the day after we received them. I chose to take them out on our BIBRAVE pro group run through downtown Austin. I immediately felt a difference when I slipped them on, almost the same feeling as when you slip gloves on your hands. I am sure my feet were confused too, because with the footshape toe box, my toes all of a sudden had more room to breathe. I didn’t know if I would like the zero drop, but it was surprisingly comfortable once I began to run. They were light and fast as I pounded that Austin, Texas pavement with my fellow Bibrave Pros. I could feel the extra power I was getting when I pushed off, thanks to my big toe having that extra space to flex. I finished my first one impressed.
I took them out on a few other runs and the performance I was impressed with on the first run, held up. I rarely run on a dreadmill, but I had to use one and I chose to run in Altra for it. No change, they still felt light and I didn’t feel in discomfort, even after the miles started to add up.

RECOMMENDATION
If you are a zerodrop shoe lover, I will definitely recommend you giving the Altras a chance. Even, if you aren’t used to zerodrop(like myself), these shoes feel comfortable enough that you just might change your mind. I plan to keep adding on the miles, and throw in some double digit mileage just to see how they will hold up at half marathon distance and beyond.

Incre-dible-Incrediwear Product Review

Disclaimer: I received a Icrediwear socks and tights as part of being a Bibrave Pro. Learn more about becoming a Bibrave Pro(ambassador), and check out Bibrave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!”

I will be honest, I had never heard of Incrediwear prior to The Running Event but any company that makes quality running socks, I am in favor of. As part of our TRE swag bag we received 3 pair of socks and a pair of tights. Before I get started on my review, I just want to say the Incrediwear representatives were exceptional. I had requested size large but received size medium in my bag. When we walked through the running event, I informed them that I received the wrong size and they gave me the right size on the spot. Then even told me to keep the smaller pair.

TECHNOLOGY

So how does incrediwear work? To start with, incrediwear does not need compression to work. How so you may ask? Incrediwear uses technology that incorporates semiconductor elements within its fabric, which when it is stimulated by body heat, releases negative ions. Those negative ions activate molecular vibrations that increase blood flow and speed. Increasing circulation helps bring more oxygen and nutrients to the target area, which optimizes the body’s natural healing process and accelerates recovery. A few benefits of increased blood circulation is reduced swelling, reduced fatigue and accelerated recovery.

PRODUCT(SOCKS & TIGHTS)

From the moment I put on the socks, I felt comfort. They kind of gave my feet a big hug but I it didn’t feel like compression at all. I have tried a few other brands of socks and have been quite fawn of one in particular, but I will say the incrediwear socks are as comfy if not more comfortable than my usual brand. I wore the socks on a few runs and the performance was exceptional. My feet were not tired or numb at the end of runs, like they are sometimes with other brands. Not only were they good for running but I also wore a pair to work on casual day and I could really tell the difference. I almost wanted to lose my shoes and walk around the office in my socks, but that wouldn’t be very professional. Lol

What can I say about the tights…they are the most comfortable tights I have ever tried. First off, they are true to size. A lot of tights I tried previously say they were a certain size but just didn’t fit that way. How would they perform in the cold? I took the tights out for a spin on a couple of our 30 degree mornings, and I give them an A. My legs and bottom half were kept comfortable and warm. Some tights you have to wear another garment over to stay comfortable but the incrediwear tights performed well on their own.

GOOD ENOUGH FOR AN OLYMPIAN

While at The Running Event, I was fortunate enough to meet one of Incrediwear’s ambassadors, Manteo Mitchell. Who is he? If you recall back to 2012 London Olympics, you might remember a athlete running the 4x400m relay that broke his leg in the middle of the race but still finished. Well, that was Manteo. He explained to us that after that occurred, he was connected to Incrediwear brand by chance. He credits incrediwear for helping him recovery from this inquiry and he has been loyal ever since. It was cool to meet an Olympian and even get a pic. I later found out that Manteo is actually from my home state.

RECCOMENDATION
Don’t walk, run and try incrediwear products. I can vouch for the socks and tights, and I am sure the rest of their products are just as good. Experience the compression alternative with Incrediwear.

Knocked Around, But Not Out-Knockaround Premium Polarized Shades Review

“Disclaimer: I received Knockaround Premium Polarized Shades as part of being a Bibrave Pro. Learn more about becoming a Bibrave Pro(ambassador), and check out Bibrave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

Can anyone truly have enough pairs of good shades? I believe no, so when given the opportunity to test Knockaround Premium Polarized Shades, I jumped at the chance. I honestly had never heard of Knockaround before, but I was willing to give them a chance.

HISTORY

Knockaround was founded in 2005 by Adam “Ace” Moyer. These shades have been featured in a number of media outlets, like: GQ, Hypebeast, US Weekly, Cosmopolitan, and the Today Show. Everyday more and more people are seen sporting a pair of Knockaround sunglasses, even celebrities like: Snoop Dogg, Natalie Portman, Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Alba, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashton Kutcher. Hey, if they are good enough for Snoop, I can certainly rock em. Lol

Packaging

The shades arrived in a nice little clear plastic branded box, inside are the shades and nice cloth pouch.

Durability

How would these beauty hold up? Turns out they held up pretty well. I wore them on several runs and I never had any trouble with them bouncing during the running motion. I dropped them purposely a few times just to see if they would break, not even a scratch.

Style

Style is an understatement when it comes to Knockaround Premium Polarized shades. They have tons and tons of color combinations, from colored frames to color lenses. There is bound to be a color combination that fits the bill, if not, Knockaround gives you the option of customizing your own pair.

Price

What would you expect to pay for a pair of stylish sunglasses? $50? $100. Nope, Knockaround Shades run about $15. Yes, only $15! You can get you several pair and coordinate with your running gear or outfits.

Recommendation

This is a no brainer, I hands down would recommend Knockaround Premium Polarized Shades to anyone asking. From the style to the price, you can’t go wrong with Knockarounds.

Ready for yours? Use Code: BIBRAVEKNOCKS to get 20% off.

Mic Drop-Race Review of the Final Rock and Roll Raleigh Half Marathon

“Disclaimer: I received free entry to Rock and Roll Raleigh Half Marathon race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro(ambassador), and check out BibRave.comto review find and write race reviews!”

Before I get into my review of the race, I wanted to share some thoughts about this race as it’s time has come to an end. Being a native North Carolinian, I was pumped when the Rock and Roll Marathon Series brought a race to Raleigh in 2014. I told myself I would run this race every year it was here, it is only right. You can imagine the heartbreak when I learned that after this year, Rock and Roll Series would not be returning to Raleigh. You may ask, why would a popular race pull out of a beautiful city after only 4 years.. A few different factors played a part in the decision.

1. Participation dropped. The inaugural year in 2014, I remember talking to a police officer at the expo and he told me there were over 15,000 runners expected, from every state and several countries.This year there were only about 6,000. The inaugural year they had both half and full marathon distances, but through the years the marathon became less possible and it was dropped completely off this year’s schedule. This year only had half marathon, 10k, and half marathon relay(latter two were added this year)

2. Businesses complained every year. Some local businesses, along with several churches in the downtown area would complain every year about the road closures. I guess it didn’t help that the races were on Sundays and always appear to happen around Easter time.

3. Runners Complained. If you have ever visited Raleigh, NC you know that it is not the flattest place. There are hills on top of hills on top of hills, but don’t runners enjoy a challenge? Apparently not. The first year there were unfortunately 2 runner deaths on the course and numerous complaints about the marathon route. The next couple years they changed the route but the participation never fully recovered. They later added a 5k on Saturday to start a remix challenge weekend

I, like many people of the local running community, are sad to see the race go. For a lot of them, this race was their first half or full marathon. Bittersweet indeed. Now for the final review of Rock and Roll Raleigh.

EXPO
I decided to make my trip to the expo on my way home from work on the first day it opened. I got there around 5:30 and it was a pretty quick process to get my bibs and shirts. (part of it was probably because it was the first day and a lot of out of towners hadn’t arrived). I had already told myself that since this was the last year, I wanted to buy something to commemorate it’s final year. For the inaugural race, I bought a hat, that I still wear during runs so that was my first choice. They had hats, but sadly he hats did not have the year listed on them, only “Rock and Roll Raleigh Marathon & Half”. I got one anyway. I also purchased one of their 13.1 shirts that listed all the males or females that were running the half marathon. I thought that was cool idea, it who doesn’t like to see their name in print? As far as vendors, it was pretty light for an expo. The venue was huge but the vendors only took up about a quarter of the space. The vendors they did have were of quality, so you could still find some nice things.

Raceday #1
It was a remix challenge weekend and an extra medal was up for grabs, so you know I had to accept the challenge. Up first was a 5k on Saturday morning. It was a little chilly and rainy for a spring morning but we can’t control the weather. The 5k took place on Dorothea Dix campus, so both spectators and runners had to catch shuttles to the location. Having ran on this campus numerous times, I knew we would be in for some hills. I fought through the hills to a 19th overall finish and 2nd in my age group. Local news station even got me crossing the finish line. I had several people tell me they saw me on the 6 o’clock news.

Raceday #2
Finally it was time to toe the line for the RnR Raleigh half marathon for the last time. I wasn’t sure how I would feel at the start knowing that this would be the last opportunity for anyone to run the Rock and Roll series in NC. The weather was in the mid 30s, which in my opinion is perfect for a race. I was also eager to see this new course they had been advertising “supposedly” with less hills. Before I knew it, the horn sounded and we were off. Running through all the government buildings of downtown, running past the huge globe of the science museum and past numerous local establishments. After mile 2, I began to realize something…..THEY LIED ABOUT THE HILLS. There were just as many hills, if not more, than previous years. The whole race you felt like you were either going uphill or downhill, and I noticed the hills starting to get the best of some runners. I managed to keep a steady, I knew a PR on this course was not going to be in reach. Throughout the race, I noticed friends from my running family lined up and screaming their support. When I hit the mile 13 marker, I knew this journey was almost complete….BUT not before an uphill to the finish line. Smh. My finish time was 1:48:13 2 races, 3 medals and years of memories

Final Thoughts
If it was still an option, I would recommend everyone running it at least once. Yes, it is a challenging course but everyone should enjoy a little challenge. I will definitely miss this April race, and glad I was able to participate in it every year it was here. I can only hope, another race can step in and fill the void the Rock and Roll Series is leaving. Now I just have to wait for all my results to hit Athlinks. Join athlinks if you aren’t already a member, all race stats in one place. http://www.athlinks.com Rock On!

Athlinks-Runner’s stats at your fingertips

Disclaimer: I am promoting Athlinks as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out Bibrave.com to review, find and write race reviews.

Let’s talk Athlinks! Never heard of it? Well you are in luck because I am about to school you to game. I was introduced to Athlinks about 2 years ago but one of my Instagram friends. She advised me to go sign up and guaranteed I would love it, and she wasn’t wrong. Athlinks takes the headache out of having to record/remember so many things, on top of some other cool features I love. Let’s explore shall we…

Race Results

You ever find yourself wondering, “I wonder what my time was when I ran my first 5k”? Athlinks has got you covered. Athlinks saves the results of EVERY race you have ever run, so you can go into your profile and scroll through to find that time you were seeking. Athlinks doesn’t automatically save results to your profile, but what it does is save those results in their database. Once you login to your profile, you will be notified that you have “unclaimed” results. You simply have to scroll through the unclaimed results that Athlinks believe are yours(I have yet to have them pull results that weren’t mine) and “confirm” them. Once you have confirmed the results, they are saved into your profile for you to view whenever you want. Not only does it pull your time, but it also tells you were you placed in numerous categories for the event. So instead of having to go back to the race website to research past results, you can pull up your Athlinks profile and quickly see that you were top 10 men in your age group for XYZ Half Marathon.

Friends/Rivals

Let’s face it, it just isn’t as fun if you can’t bring your friends along. So another great feature is your ability to find and follow all your running friends. After doing a quick search, you can find and follow your buddy. Your friend will be notified via email that they have a new follower, and will be able to return that follow with a click of a button. I love the ability to go in and check to see how my friends did on a race that you knew they had been training so hard for.

Respect the Rivalry
It may not be as intense as UNC/Dook or Michigan/Ohio State, but all of us have a competitive bone. It may be a small bone but deep down sometimes we just want to see how we match up with some of our friends. Thanks to Athlinks, you get to experience that with the “Rivals” feature. When you are following fellow runners and you happen to run the same race, they become your rivals. Athlinks has a separate “rivals” tab that you can go to and see how you stacked up against your friends in the same race. Athlinks lists your rivals and underneath them it shows your record against them in races. So if you and Cami ran the same race 2 times and both times you had a better result, it would show (2-0). This has got to be my 2nd favorite feature behind the lifetime statistics features. Periodically I go into my rivals tab to see how I am holding up. I have one friend I’ve never beaten, I’m 0-13. He always finishes in the top 10 overall in every race he does, so I don’t have high hopes of getting that elusive “1” on my side. Lol

Upcoming Races

Feature #3, Athlinks allows you to look up all your upcoming races. If you already know your race calendar, you can search and pull up those races in Athlinks. Not only that, but you can add yourself to the “starting line” of that race so when your friends view your profile they can see what races you are already signed up for. This also allows you to see if any of your friends are signed up for the same race, because it will show your friends pictures below the race and label it “Also running”.

Lifetime Statistics

This feature is my favorite. Athlinks keeps all your PRs for all distances in one separate area, so you can visit this tab and not only see your fastest half marathon or marathons, but it also lists other non-traditional distances like; your fastest 4 miles, 8k and mile. Along with the time it shows you what race you accomplished this PR, as well as the date of that race.

That’s it! Everything you could possible need, is at your fingertips with Athlinks. So what are you waiting for, if you haven’t signed up…DO IT NOW at www.athlinks.com.

Lastly, I am always looking for new rivals so feel free to follow me at: https://www.athlinks.com/athletes/253266080

When it’s Cold Outside

Brrrrr, training in the winter months can be exciting but can also be harmful if you don’t take the necessary precautions. My first race of 2018 is fast approaching, as I will be taking on the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K in Charlotte, NC, followed by Rock and Roll Raleigh. I , for one, love the winter training because it gives you the opportunity to test out a good amount of gadgets.

I am going to walk you through some of the things you need to consider before heading out the door for a run during the winter months.

Know the temperature/Know your body

Please do more than just look out the window before heading out on a run. There are so many things you can use these days to find out the weather; watch the news, check your phone and even some gps watches give you the temperatures outside at your location. Nothing worse than stepping outside thinking it is warmer than it actually is and your body going into temporary shock when that cold air hits you the first time.

What I mean by know your body is, only you know how your body will before in cold weather and what you need to assist. Personally, I can still wear shorts on my runs, up until the temperature hits freezing (32 degrees). I will usually rock shorts, with some type of thermal long sleeve top. Once that temp deeps below freezing, then I bring out the compression pants, gloves and infrared hood.

Invest in an Infrared Hood

You definitely need to invest in something that will keep your head warm during these cold runs. I purchased an Under Armour Infrared Hood about 2 years ago and there is nothing like in during my long runs. It covers everything from your head to your neck, minus the eyes. 95% of the time after my runs, I am still sweating underneath it. Another big plus is its versatility; since it’s not attached to a jacket, you can wear it with anything. BUFF also makes some fantastic hats and balaclava that are stylish as much as they are warm.

Handwarmers

You know those little pouches you can buy in Target/WalMart, etc that you shake and they get warm?? Well you should buy a little supply of those to use during your long runs. Even if you are wearing gloves, those digits and toes still can get that cold sting after you have been out there a while. Take those pouches, shake em up, and put one in each of your gloves. Bye bye, stingy fingers. Ready for a gamechanger??? Put one in each shoe, as well, and keep those toes toasty in the frigid temps. The pouches last a few hours so they should last the duration of your long run.

Don’t Try to be a Superhero

If it’s icy outside, it is probably a good idea for you to NOT try and run outside that day. One false step on a patch of ice, while put your training on the shelf for a period of time and none of us want that. Full disclosure, I say that but I seldom follow my own advice. I DESPISE the dreadmill, so it will take some very bad ice to keep me from running outside. So far in all my ice adventures, I have fared pretty well, minus a slight slip here or there. If you are a hard head like me, and are determined to run in on ice, go head and invest in some spikes to help your gripe. Running shoes are not built to handle ice, so don’t expect too much help from them during your attempted “ice skating” adventure.

Year #2 With My BibRave Family

I am beyond excited to be continuing into 2018 with one of the best running communities out there as a Bibrave Pro. 2017 was my first year, and I can’t say enough about how much fun it was so continuing into 2018 was a no-brainer for me.

If you following me on Instagram or twitter, you have seen me post throughout this year about cool products I have received or read a product review on this blog; well, all of that was due to being a Bibrave Pro. As a pro you are able to receive products, promote and review them for the masses. Throughout the year 2017 I was fortunate enough to review great products from companies like XX2i, Under Armor, 5k Crate, EagleCreek, and Aftershokz to name a few.

Not only do you get to review product, but you also have opportunity to run tons of great races around the country. It is the perfect way to get in some runcations, and I was able to visit/run in a race in Kansas City for the first time ever(Hospital Hill). If the products and races isn’t enough, you are a part of one of the best running communities I have ever seen. Everyone is super supportive of each other, and always willing to help.

So here’s to a great 2018 with the Bibrave community.

Ride Responsibility-Mizuno Wave Rider 21 Review

I was super excited to be given the opportunity to test out the new Mizuno Wave Rider 21s. I actually was fortunate enough to test the Rider 20s last year, so was interested to see what updates Mizuno has made.

COLORS
The new 21s come in 4 different colors for men; black, delta blue-silver, classic blue-black and quiet shade-silver. I received the blue-black color, which I prefer of the others. Running shoes should always be bright, and cause people to take notice when they see you running. I have never been a fan of black running shoes, they seem so boring. If I had to choose another color, I guess it would have been the silver color.

Features
Dynamotion Fit: creates an upper that moves with your foot seamlessly
Mizuno Wave: Wave sets the standard for running shoe technologies
X10 Outsole: Durable carbon rubber that allows for longer wear
Intercool: cool and dry. Offers great breathability. Ventilation system reduces heat and humidity build-up inside the shoe during a run

Design
With the Wave Rider 21, you receive a totally redesigned wave technology for a softer cushion and enhanced responsive feel. The new dynamotion fit features a triple zone engineered mesh for breathability, movement, and hold.

Wear
Enough of all the technically specifications, etc, what you really want to know is how do they feel/perform. All the technology in the world is out the window, if a shoe doesn’t feel good and perform well. I will tell you, right out of the box these Mizuno Wave Rider 21s were ready to roll. When I first slipped them on, the level of comfort was immediate. My feet felt snug in the shoe, even before I tied them up. The shoe was well manufactured and solid, with the right flexibility in the appropriate places.

TEST RUN #1
Surface: Road
The first day I received them, I took them out on a quick 3 mile run in order to test the feel. Although the run was short, I could feel the breathability and cushion on each of my foot strikes. I ran on a road since that is where the majority of my races take place, and the 21s handled the asphalt like a champ. I never had an issue with road work on the Rider 20s, so I wasn’t expected anything less for the 21s. The shoes are sneaky light. My pace on the 3 miles was sub 9, but it certainly didn’t feel that way when I was running. Sneaky fast shoes are the best.

TEST RUN #2
Surface: Trail
For my second test run, I took the Mizuno Wave Rider 21s on a 8 mile trail run to see how they could handle a different type of terrain. These Wave Rider 21s didn’t even bat an eye, as they successfully navigated through the dirt, rocks, etc of the trails. I feel in love with the foot strike of these shoes, it almost felt like they had springs in them. I finished the 8 miles and my feet still felt fresh, I didn’t experience any foot soreness whatsoever.

RECCOMENDATION
This is a no-brainer, if you are already a Mizuno fan, get this! The Wave Rider typically puts out a good product, the 20s were good but the 21s are Great. If you are not currently a fan of Mizuno, I would suggest you giving these a try. They are the same price point($120) as the majority of running shoes out there. Enjoy the ride.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mizuno. The opinions and text are all mine.

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COLORS

The new 21s come in 4 different colors for men; black, delta blue-silver, classic blue-black and quiet shade-silver. I received the blue-black color, which I prefer of the others. Running shoes should always be bright, and cause people to take notice when they see you running. I have never been a fan of black running shoes, they seem so boring. If I had to choose another color, I guess it would have been the silver color.

Features

Dynamotion Fit: creates an upper that moves with your foot seamlessly

Mizuno Wave: Wave sets the standard for running shoe technologies

X10 Outsole: Durable carbon rubber that allows for longer wear

Intercool: cool and dry. Offers great breathability. Ventilation system reduces heat and humidity build-up inside the shoe during a run

Design

With the Wave Rider 21, you receive a totally redesigned wave technology for a softer cushion and enhanced responsive feel. The new dynamotion fit features a triple zone engineered mesh for breathability, movement, and hold.

Wear

Enough of all the technically specifications, etc, what you really want to know is how do they feel/perform. All the technology in the world is out the window, if a shoe doesn’t feel good and perform well. I will tell you, right out of the box these Mizuno Wave Rider 21s were ready to roll. When I first slipped them on, the level of comfort was immediate. My feet felt snug in the shoe, even before I tied them up. The shoe was well manufactured and solid, with the right flexibility in the appropriate places.

TEST RUN #1

Surface: Road

The first day I received them, I took them out on a quick 3 mile run in order to test the feel. Although the run was short, I could feel the breathability and cushion on each of my foot strikes. I ran on a road since that is where the majority of my races take place, and the 21s handled the asphalt like a champ. I never had an issue with road work on the Rider 20s, so I wasn’t expected anything less for the 21s. The shoes are sneaky light. My pace on the 3 miles was sub 9, but it certainly didn’t feel that way when I was running. Sneaky fast shoes are the best.

TEST RUN #2

Surface: Trail

For my second test run, I took the Mizuno Wave Rider 21s on a 8 mile trail run to see how they could handle a different type of terrain. These Wave Rider 21s didn’t even bat an eye, as they successfully navigated through the dirt, rocks, etc of the trails. I feel in love with the foot strike of these shoes, it almost felt like they had springs in them. I finished the 8 miles and my feet still felt fresh, I didn’t experience any foot soreness whatsoever.

RECCOMENDATION

This is a no-brainer, if you are already a Mizuno fan, get this! The Wave Rider typically puts out a good product, the 20s were good but the 21s are Great. If you are not currently a fan of Mizuno, I would suggest you giving these a try. They are the same price point($120) as the majority of running shoes out there. Enjoy the ride.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mizuno. The opinions and text are all mine.

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COLORS
The new 21s come in 4 different colors for men; black, delta blue-silver, classic blue-black and quiet shade-silver. I received the blue-black color, which I prefer of the others. Running shoes should always be bright, and cause people to take notice when they see you running. I have never been a fan of black running shoes, they seem so boring. If I had to choose another color, I guess it would have been the silver color.

Features
Dynamotion Fit: creates an upper that moves with your foot seamlessly
Mizuno Wave: Wave sets the standard for running shoe technologies
X10 Outsole: Durable carbon rubber that allows for longer wear
Intercool: cool and dry. Offers great breathability. Ventilation system reduces heat and humidity build-up inside the shoe during a run

Design
With the Wave Rider 21, you receive a totally redesigned wave technology for a softer cushion and enhanced responsive feel. The new dynamotion fit features a triple zone engineered mesh for breathability, movement, and hold.

Wear
Enough of all the technically specifications, etc, what you really want to know is how do they feel/perform. All the technology in the world is out the window, if a shoe doesn’t feel good and perform well. I will tell you, right out of the box these Mizuno Wave Rider 21s were ready to roll. When I first slipped them on, the level of comfort was immediate. My feet felt snug in the shoe, even before I tied them up. The shoe was well manufactured and solid, with the right flexibility in the appropriate places.

TEST RUN #1
Surface: Road
The first day I received them, I took them out on a quick 3 mile run in order to test the feel. Although the run was short, I could feel the breathability and cushion on each of my foot strikes. I ran on a road since that is where the majority of my races take place, and the 21s handled the asphalt like a champ. I never had an issue with road work on the Rider 20s, so I wasn’t expected anything less for the 21s. The shoes are sneaky light. My pace on the 3 miles was sub 9, but it certainly didn’t feel that way when I was running. Sneaky fast shoes are the best.

TEST RUN #2
Surface: Trail
For my second test run, I took the Mizuno Wave Rider 21s on a 8 mile trail run to see how they could handle a different type of terrain. These Wave Rider 21s didn’t even bat an eye, as they successfully navigated through the dirt, rocks, etc of the trails. I feel in love with the foot strike of these shoes, it almost felt like they had springs in them. I finished the 8 miles and my feet still felt fresh, I didn’t experience any foot soreness whatsoever.

RECCOMENDATION
This is a no-brainer, if you are already a Mizuno fan, get this! The Wave Rider typically puts out a good product, the 20s were good but the 21s are Great. If you are not currently a fan of Mizuno, I would suggest you giving these a try. They are the same price point($120) as the majority of running shoes out there. Enjoy the ride.