Tag Archives: Analysis

Episode 4: Using wearable technology to inform running shoe design

August 23, 2019PodcastAlex Leuchanka, Altra, Analysis, Art, Biomechanics, Coaching, Equipment, Gear, GPS, Heart Rate, Jacob Puzey, Malc Kent, Marathon, Nike, Pace, Peak Run Performance, Running, RunScribe, Science, Technology, The North Face, Timberland, Treadmill, VF Corp, Wearable Technologyart-science-running

We met with Alex Leuchanka, the Senior Applied Innovation Officer for VF Corp (Altra, The North Face, Timberland, Vans, etc.) to discuss the role of wearable technologies in the development of footwear.

Malc, Jacob, and Alex met at Versa MC in Calgary to discuss biomechanics and footwear development

Alex was in the area attending and presenting at two biomechanics conferences – one specifically for footwear and the other for biomechanics in general.

His presentations can be found through the links below:

Use of Wearable Sensors for Measurement of Spatiotemporal Variables During Marathon Race Poster

Use of Wearable Sensors for Measurement of Spatiotemporal Variables During Marathon Race Abstract

Exploring Kinematic Asymmetry by Means of Wearable Sensors During Marathon Race Poster

Exploring KinematicAsymmetry by Means of a Wearable Sensors During Marathon Race Abstract

Alex describes the work he does using wearable technologies to determine how the body responds to certain types of footwear, terrain, etc. Whereas in the past one had to do all of the testing in a lab, with advancements in technology he can now measure 4D movement of an individual with incredible accuracy to determine how to improve footwear development.

Jacob plans to use RunScribe sensors in training and Alex and Malc will review the data to determine which shoe models work best for him and what injury prevention protocols to follow.

Malc uses wearable technology to help runners from all over the avoid injury.

Alex uses wearable technology specifically to inform footwear development and will be working with Jacob and other VF athletes (The North Face and Altra) to gather training and racing data to hopefully create better shoes to meet their training and racing demands.

Wearable technology has been overly simplistic in the past, but RunScribe now has the ability to look at up to 35 – 40 parameters.

Recently, Alex has been comparing the Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit shoe and the Altra Escalante Racer. His posters and presentations (above) show some of his findings.

Alex suggests that the gains made by the 4% are not simply due to the carbon plate, but primarily due to the newer Pbax foam compound.

As an undergraduate and graduate student and the University of New Hampshire, Alex studied zero drop technology and how the body responds to it. In fact, his department developed a transition protocol from traditional shoes to zero drop over the course of several weeks.

Alex describes the process of shoe development and modification.

A team of developers puts the shoe together, creates prototypes, test prototypes, and gets feedback from wear testers, but to make even minor modifications comes at a great cost and generally takes time.

All of this and more in Episode 4 of the Art and Science of Running Podcast.

Intro and outro music by Dallin Puzey, GOIN 4 A WALK.

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Episode 3: GPS, Pace, Indoor Running, Treadmill Training

August 6, 2019PodcastAnalysis, Art, Coaching, Coros, Equipment, Garmin, Gear, GPS, Jacob Puzey, Malc Kent, Pace, Peak Run Performance, Polar, Runfisx, RunScribe, Science, Suunto, Tech, Technology, Timex, Treadmill, Treadmill Training, Wearable Technologyart-science-running

Have you ever run a race & noticed that your watch didn’t match the mile markers or give you the same distance as someone else who ran the race?

Which is more reliable – the treadmill or your watch’s indoor running mode?

In episode 3 of The Art and Science of Running Podcast, Malc Kent & Jacob Puzey discuss GPS, indoor running metrics, treadmill training, race course certification & other running metrics and technologies.

Listen, subscribe, rate & review the show at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Continue reading Episode 3: GPS, Pace, Indoor Running, Treadmill Training →

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Episode 2: Group Training, NN Running, Recovery, Trusting the Process

July 22, 2019PodcastAnalysis, Art, Belief, Breaking 2, Coachable, Coaching, Distance, Eluid Kipchoge, Equipment, Gear, GPS, Group, Heart Rate, Holistic, Jacob Puzey, Kenya, Kenyan Runners, Malc Kent, Marathon, NN Running, Over Analysis, Pace, Peak Run Performance, Power, Process, Recovery, Rest, Runfisx, Running, RunScribe, Science, Team, Tech, Technology, Time, Trust, Watts, Wearable Technologyart-science-running

Live from Malc’s basement in Cochrane, Alberta, co-hosts Malc Kent and Jacob Puzey discuss group training, specifically the NN Running Team, with whom Malc has been working in Kenya.

Malc originally moved to the area because a research and development center for Garmin is located in Cochrane. Malc’s wife worked as a wireless developer for Garmin and Malc did some consulting and testing work on wearable running technologies.

Over the years, Malc has worked as a consultant for a number of companies and groups.

Most recently, Malc has been working in Kaptagat, Kenya with NN Running, the training group with which marathon world record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, trains.

Coach Patrick and team physio, Marc, monitoring a team track session in rural Kenya. Photo by Malc Kent.

Malc discusses some unique features of the group that help make it so successful:

Everyone accepts the process.
Everybody does their job.
They don’t burden themselves with over analysis.
Often in training, the superstars are in the middle and not out front pushing the pace on every run.
There are no secrets.
The training is essentially the same workouts on the same days every week.
- The track workout happens on one day.
- The fartleks happen on another day.
- The long run happens at another day.

This routine helps make recovery predictable and manageable.
They just consistently do the work and consistently recover from the work.
The altitude and dirt roads help, but the group mentality is what really sets NN Running apart.
Running camps are almost military style and foster camaraderie.
When not running, the athletes are fine doing nothing.
One key to success is recovering from hard work.
The group dynamic is one of constructive interference.

Malc relates his experience as an elite climber to trusting one’s teammates or coach. The stakes in climbing are extremely high. There is no middle ground. You’re trusting your life with a person hundreds of thousands of times in one trip.

Jacob describes some of the groups of athletes with whom he has worked and how important trusting the process, trusting the training, trusting your teammates, and trusting the coach can be.

Outro music by Dallin Puzey, GOIN 4 A WALK

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