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Man In Black

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1 to 10 of 17 reviews.Page: 1 2

High5 Energy Source

Posted: 23/02/10

'Excellent. Top drawer effectiveness and tastes good!'

Strengths:
Fast acting
Thirst quenching
Taste
Really seems to make a difference (e.g. on the 17 mile run I did Sunday, compared to water the weeek before)
No tummy problems

Weaknesses:
None I can think of, especially when I compare it to other drinks.
I suppose the scoop size/dosage is a little awkward for accuracy for those trying to get it exactly right but it doesn't bother me.

Overall:
I am definitely going to buy another tub of this (on line).

Performance		100%
Convenience		80%
Taste		100%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

90%

Adidas Swoop II

Posted: 30/01/10

'Brilliant. Straight from the box they fitted like a glove. Excellent grip, light enough to race XC.'

Strengths:
Grip
Light
comfortable
secure lacing
Tough construction
Good on mud,stony tracks, grass, snow and icy pavements!
good value

Weaknesses:
None I can think of

Overall:
Top drawer.

Fit		100%
Responsiveness		80%
Comfort		100%
Grip		100%
Durability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

97%

X-Socks Running Short

Posted: 15/11/07

'ORDINARY'

Strengths:
Lightweight and functional. Did the job. No problems or discomfort

Weaknesses:
Maybe this is just me, but I didn't notice any of the technology.

Overall:
These socks are perfectly satisfactory, but in my view are just that...Satisfactory.

Performance		60%
Comfort		60%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

53%

1000 Mile Original

Posted: 15/11/07

'NOT GREAT'

Strengths:
Initially comfortable

Weaknesses:
The dual layers bunch up, which seemed to get much worse the more I ran in them and washed them.
Got very painful blister on arch of one foot. No matter how much pulling and stretching I did with them, it was still a problem.
I did get through several pairs as I had bought several pairs at once and they all ended up being uncomfortable

Overall:
Not for me.

Performance		40%
Comfort		20%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

33%

Hilly Twinskin Socklet

Posted: 15/11/07

'DID THE BIZ'

Strengths:
Snug fit and nice feel to them. No problems on very long runs and the double skin doesn't get bunched up (which I have suffered from with 1000 mile to my cost).

Weaknesses:
They do seem to show signs of wear a little earlier than I had expected, but maybe that's my running shoes/foot strike...?

Overall:
I'll be buying them again

Performance		100%
Comfort		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

80%

Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes

Posted: 08/08/07

'AMAZING ENDURANCE AND FOCUS ON SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE GOALS...'

Strengths:
Vivid and sometimes funny accounts of his progression to racing truly unbelievable distances.
Really brought to life the tremendous distances and murderous terrian/heat/cold he had to face at each challenge

Weaknesses:
At times I found his style of self-portrayal as the complete hero to everyone he encounters (friends, family, the pizza delivery boy, other athletes, military personnel, pin up mags etc etc) a little tiresome.

Overall:
On balance it was a good read. It DID get irritating at times, but if you can put up with what I've said already, you'll still get something from this book.

Readability		40%
Usefulness		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

67%

Inov-8 Mudroc 290

Posted: 26/01/07

'LIGHT, GREAT GRIP, COPE WITH ANYTHING'

Strengths:
Excellent for XC whatever the conditions. Thick mud, long grass, stony tracks, bogs, streams, rocks, hills, snow...Mine have seen it all and have been brilliant.
Rugged and lightweight, they have a tough upper and studs that I reckon would see you run up the side of my house! (err sorry - minor exaggeration there).
Lacing system comfortable and effetive for keeping them on your feet at the critical bog-slurping moments. Long enough laces to be able to tie decent securing knots/bows.

Reasonably priced too.

Weaknesses:
Ugliest pair of shoes in the shop. (But who cares?)

Only problem I ever had was that in the first few runs, the rather stiff heel area gave me a very sore blister on one heel. Once softened up, this problem dissappeared.

Overall:
Whatever off road running you are up to, these will do the job and won't fall to pieces.
Personally I found them more durable than NB RX Terrain (soles fell off) and much more comfortable and grippy than several pairs of spikes I have owned

Performance		100%
Comfort		60%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

87%

Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas

Posted: 26/01/07

'EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR PREPARATION COVERED'

Strengths:
Good background information on every aspect of the build up. Plenty of detail, but yet well-written enough to be accessible.
Access to a wide range of schedules.

Weaknesses:
Nothing

Overall:
If marathons are your focus - this book is the one to get

Readability		60%
Usefulness		80%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

80%

Asics GT-2120

Posted: 23/12/06
Updated: 02/01/07

'NO PROBLEMS - I REALLY LIKE 'EM'

Strengths:
Noticeably lighter than previos incarnations of this excellent series.

Felt comfortable straight away.
I have not (yet) found any problems with blisters or sore spots and have tried them several times.

[Update 02/01/07] After further speed sessions and several longer runs I like them even more. Absolutely no issues with comfort.

Weaknesses:
Some may find it a bit firm compared to earlier models (I am happy with the level of cushioning possibly as I am not very heavy - just under or about 10 stone).

Overall:
I've been running in the 2000 series for the last 6 pairs and have liked all of them.
The 2120s seem to have maintained excellent support whilst becoming more lightweight. They are a snug fit and personally I felt at home in them immediately.
From the other comments here I would guess there might be an issue with the overlays causing blisters for certain foot size/shapes which luckilly doesn't seem to affect me. We are all different after all!

I will definitely do most of my FLM training in these (will be marathon #4 for me using Asics 200s series shoes)

By the way - As with all makes - shop around. They are £80-£85 full price. Web prices can shave over £20 off this. My rating on value assumes you pick them up at about £60.

[Update 02/01/07] Perfect shoe for me.
My plan is to train in 2120s and then race in my DS Trainers. Sorted.

Performance		100%
Comfort		100%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

87%

Lucozade Sport Body Fuel

Posted: 10/11/06

'NOT THE NICEST, BUT SEEMS TO WORK'

Strengths:
They give it out FREE at FLM so you may as well get used to it first and let them provide you with as much as you want (assuming you do FLM obviously!)

I find it drinkable and it does not upset my tummy even after 20 miles or more. I've used it on countless very long runs and FLM.

It does seem to keep you going and I found it worked well to have it at some points, whilst returning to plain water at other stations.

I'll say it again... If you are doing London it seems to me sensible to get used to it during training. If it then seems not to suit your tum, then you've got time to switch brands before the big day. BUT you will then have to buy, bring, carry your own for the whole 26 miles. Unless of course you are an elite athlete with your personal drink labeled up at the drinks stops!!

Weaknesses:
Tastes very sweet and quite sickly and leaves me with a kind of gooey aftertaste not long after. As if a quick swig of water would be nice.

Some other drinks nicer to swallow.

Overall:
Worth it probably if the Race give it out (e.g. FLM), does seem to work.
Have to add that I am now running more using gels and water rather than drinking this (or any other brand).

Palatability		40%
Performance		60%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

47%

See entire review section


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