Coaching Athletics - Spring 2016

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Spring 2016, Vol. 11 No. 1

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FEATURING *Why Brittney Reese is the FUNK QUEEN of the LONG JUMP UNIVERSE *Spring Track Spikes *Spring Shoe Review *Todd Harbour Interview

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quarterly

COACHING AT H L E T I C S

Vol. 11 No. 1

Publisher’s Note

Coaching is both an art and a science.

Some of the finest coaches in our sport work at the high school level. If you visit a successful program where the coach has been around for two or three decades, you’ve met the top of the pyramid. Dealing with athletic directors, well-meaning but overzealous parents, and the many facets of a student athlete's life fine tune a coach.

Coaching clinics are not only important, they are life saving. Getting a chance to share your experiences with other coaches lets you know that you are not out of your mind. Learning how to reach out to that troubled 800 meter runner or that frustrated 400 meter runner, figuring out how to help a relay team simplify their hand-offs—those can be learned and shared.

We are evolving Coaching Athletics into a monthly title that will go digitally to 16,000 high school coaches.

We will also print limited copies for coaching clinics. Feel free to email us for sample copies and offer suggestions for articles. We plan to focus on one event and one coach per issue and to provide you with information that, as our former editor, the late James Dunaway, noted, you can use every day.

Kind regards,

Larry Eder

Group Publisher Larry Eder fortiusmedia@gmail.com 608.239.3785 Editor Emeritus James Dunaway Advertising Larry Eder larry@runningnetwork.com 608.239.3785 Adam Johnson Eder adamlawrenceeder@gmail.com 608.556.9164 Writers/Contributors Christine Johnson David Hunter Larry Eder Photographers Alex Larsen Baylor University Photorun.NET Layout/Design, Art Production Alex Larsen Proofreader Marg Sumner, Red Ink Editorial Services Editor Larry Eder 608.239.3785

Coaching Athletics Quarterly is produced, custom published, and owned by FORTIUS Media Group, LLC, PO Box 6450, San Jose, CA 95124. Publisher assumes no liability for matter printed. Publisher assumes no liability or responsibility for content of paid advertising and reserves the right to reject paid advertising. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Publisher.

Copyright ©2016 by FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any form without written permission of the Publisher. Coaching Athletics Quarterly is not related to or endorsed by any other entity or corporation with a similar name and is solely owned by FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. Publisher recommends, as with all fitness and health issues, you consult with your physician before instituting any changes in your fitness program.

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THE BATTLE FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS IAAF WORLD INDOORS: MEN’S 4X400M

by David Hunter

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Track & field is essentially an individual sport where finely tuned, driven athletes pursue individual records and honors. True enough, global championships such as these have a team component, where countries strive to accumulate an overall medal count of which they will be proud. But, in reality, national medal counts are an aggregation of the medal-worthy performances of their individual countrymen and countrywomen.

There is an exception to the usually solitary pursuit of track & field greatness. The relays. Especially the granddaddy show-closer: the 4x400m. When four individual athletes combine to create a racing quartet for their country, the relay mates—who normally warily view each other as rivals in the individual competitions—are suddenly galvanized by a common purpose: win that medal, preferably a golden one!

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And when the foursome is composed of American men racing the 4x4, there’s an additional element of bonding. Just ask any quarter miler who’s ever had a global 400 meter carry for the Red, White, and Blue. He’ll tell you: “The only medal is the gold medal.

Lose this event? The United States doesn’t lose the men’s 4x4. We own this event!”

The morning session’s concluding event was the first round of the men’s 4x400 meter relay, with the six fastest teams advancing to Sunday’s final. In these global competitions, top contenders try to find the right balance: send a little message to the other nations while not showing too much of the hand they’ll play in the final. In Heat 1, the Belgium quartet—with three Borlee brothers

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in the lineup—cruised to an easy 3:07.39 win when brother Kevin held off the Bahamas (3:07.55) and anchor Chris Brown on the final leg. In the second and final heat, Team USA took on Nigeria and Jamaica. Young Alvion Bailey led off for the Red, White, and Blue with a 46.7 to give the U.S. a slight lead as he handed off to Calvin Smith, who pushed out the U.S. advantage with a 46.1 leg.

Running third, Chris Giesting turned in the best American split of the morning—45.7—to give his teammate Patrick Feeney a comfortable lead for his anchor duty. Unchallenged, Feeney—who will long be remembered for his memorable 2015 Penn Relays “USA v. America” anchor leg, which turned back a powerful Jamaican quartet for the win the very first time Feeney donned a USA sin-

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glet—ran an effective, albeit conservative, 46.9 for a stress-free win for Team USA (3:05.41).

The animated foursome spoke freely in the mixed zone. Inspired, not pressured, is how Bailey sees the current 400 meter athletes who face the challenge and the responsibility of carrying on America’s dominating heritage in this event. “There is not necessarily any pressure.

We just want to be great,” declared today’s lead-off runner. “The history of the 4x4 of the U.S. is so big and goes so deep. And we have respect for it. I’m just trying to find my place and state my name. That is really just what I’m trying to do. There’s really no pressure, especially when we’ve got people like Calvin, Chris, and Feeney. It makes it a lot easier when you know they’ve got your back.”

Smith, the 28-year-old veteran on this morning’s U.S. 4x4 squad, shared his views on the role of this opening round and what Team USA hoped to accomplish. “We just wanted to go out there and win and [like a killer stage performer] just kind of drop the baton. That makes everybody else say, ‘Them boys really hit and run.’ I think we accomplished that today and we’ve got more to come in the finals.”

One of the larger challenges facing all 4x4 finalists is determining whether any last-minute tinkering should be implemented before Sunday’s final. Should a personnel change be considered? Should a fresh athlete from the relay pool be substituted? Should the lineup order be reshuffled? Former Notre Dame star Giesting offered his views. “We don’t know yet. We’re going to talk about it tonight after this race and see who’s healthy, who’s ready to go. And whatever four it is, I know they’re going to give it their all and bring home the gold for the USA.” Feeney, Giesting’s former teammate at South Bend, cites his USATF debut last spring at Franklin Field as solidifying his confidence for similar challenging assignments. “I know it was great that USATF had the confidence in me to anchor at Penn Relays last year. I was real nervous going into it, but I knew this was my first opportunity and I didn’t want to let them down. That helped carry me through. And then I found out I was anchor today and I was pumped again. So I knew these three guys were going to give me a lead and sort of bring it home and get us to that final tomorrow. The main thing is just getting to that final with the top time.” Mission accomplished.

Before the U.S. quartet left to rest up for Sunday’s final, the group fielded one last inquiry: Which finals team is their biggest concern? Teammates hesitated, until the seasoned Smith, perhaps hinting that self-inflicted wounds must be avoided, blurted, “The USA!” Added Feeney, “If we go out and do what we need to do, I think it’s going to be a good race for sure. But we’re going to do whatever it takes to bring home the gold.”

Can this new generation of American long sprinters add luster to the U.S. legacy in the event that American track & field considers as its very own?

This evening, we find out. Editor's note: U.S. won.

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Leading the Way...

Todd Harbour: From Student to Teacher; Baylor’s Leader Grooming Exceptional Athletes

10CA

Baylor University

Todd Harbour

by David Hunter

In sport, it’s often difficult for those who excel as athletes to make the transition from star performer to exemplary coach. While there are exceptions (e.g., NBA champion Golden State Warrior coach Steve Kerr, who has several championship rings of his own), a large number of great athletes find it very difficult once their own accomplished athletic career is concluded to turn around and suddenly successfully mold, inspire, and direct the next generation of athletes in their sport (e.g., Ted Williams and his underwhelming managerial stint with the Washington Senators; the Splendid Splinter was a woeful coach.)

Track & field is not exempt from this phenomenon. While there are exceptions (e.g., Villanova’s Marcus O’Sullivan; Alberto Salazar of Nike’s Oregon Project), a glance around our sport suggests there aren’t many top-flight athletes who have excelled on the track or in the field and who have gone on to taste great success coaching those who seek to follow in their footsteps.

Premiere miler Todd Harbour is one of those glorious exceptions. After a most impressive career—which featured his still-fastest mile ever run by a collegian, a sparkling 3:50.34 in the 1981 Oslo Bislett Games—the Baylor graduate ultimately found his way back to Waco, where he now serves as the head coach of both the men’s and women’s track & field programs at his alma mater.

Harbour’s 3:50.34 mile—the centerpiece achievement of his career unfurled under Norway’s midnight sun in the summer of 1981— was one superlative performance among many in a Dream Mile that lived up to its name. In a race won by Steve Ovett in 3:49.25, both Steve Scott (third in 3:49.68) and Harbour bettered Jim Ryun’s 13-year-old American record (3:51.1) as seven athletes finished under 3:51. “It was just crazy,” exclaims the 56-year-old Baylor coach. “It was ridiculous how fast everybody was. Both Steve Cram and Eamonn Coughlin finished behind me. It was just an incredible field.”

Harbour’s clocking, posted while he was still a collegian with remaining NCAA eligibility, was not without controversy. Initially recognized as the new all-time collegiate mile record, Harbour’s pinnacle mile later came under attack for having been achieved after the NCAA outdoor championships. Harbour still recalls clearly the call he received from his former coach.

“About 10 years [after the event], Coach

[Clyde] Hart called me and told me, ‘Todd, I’ve got some news for you. They took the record away.’ I said, ‘What?’ Coach Hart added, ‘They came back with a retroactive rule that you have to set the record [at or] before the NCAA championships.’” Harbour was puzzled. “I still had a collegiate season left [in cross country] so I was technically still a collegian. So I said, ‘You know, coach, I can’t do anything about it.’

I didn’t get involved. I didn’t write letters. I just went on with my life. I knew what I did. And they can never take that away from me,” states Harbour.

“The memory and the moment were a lot bigger than the collegiate record. God basically showed me that when I put my faith and trust in Him, I don’t have to worry about the results. He opened the door to get me in the race. I hadn’t even planned on going. The record was awesome. I wasn’t crying about it when they took it away from me.” And he adds, “But I still didn’t think it was fair.” Harbour’s “record” may be gone, but it remains true that his 3:50.34 mile is the fastest mile ever run by a collegian. Still #7 on the U.S. alltime list behind Webb, Scott, Lagat, Maree, Falcon, and Spivey, Harbour is, well, the fastest U.S. miler who never broke 3:50.

Harbour went on to ring up some successes after his tremendous ‘81 Dream Mile performance. A runnerup finish behind Steve Cram in Zurich propelled him to a #8 world ranking in 1982. But Harbor was never quite able to recapture that Oslo magic. Shortly after an unsuccessful attempt to make the 1984 U.S. Olympic team at 5000m, Harbour, supporting a wife and family, found a new pursuit in coaching.

After a successful five-year stint teaching and coaching high school track & field (and football), Harbour returned to his alma mater in 2000, heading up the cross country program and, ultimately, in 2005 succeeding Baylor head track & field coach and 400m coaching specialist Clyde Hart. Following a legend is never easy, but Harbour has harvested his own great success. The three-time NCAA runnerup in the 1500m has guided the track & field fortunes of 10 champions who’ve won NCAA titles, 193 of his athletes have earned All-American honors, and 66 individuals have captured Big 12 titles.

While Harbour, now well into his second decade of coaching the Bears, has worked with and observed numerous great athletes and personalities, three in particular stand out.

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Like many others, Harbour holds his accomplished predecessor in high regard. “He’s still coaching Sanya [Richards Ross]. He coaches Jeremy [Wariner]. I am totally amazed at the passion he has for coaching,” notes Harbour, with obvious admiration for the 81-yearold Hart. Harbour sees Hart as the pioneer who crafted a 400m race strategy around making a strong move in the third 100-meter segment of the grueling long sprint. “He trains the quarter like that. Even before Michael Johnson. He went back to an approach where he was slowing things down, teaching athletes to get out fast, getting into position on the backstretch so you can hit your 200. Because if you don’t hit the 200, you’re not going to fool Mother Nature,” laughs Hart’s successor.

“That’s what he taught Sanya. Once he got Sanya to buy into that, that’s when her times really started to drop. She coupled that with the strength work that she was doing. You have to be strong to be able to run that way.

Once you get strong, you’re able run that third 100 and bring it home.” Harbour pauses and adds, “I would call him the guru of the 400m.”

Shortly after Harbour had gotten his sea legs in Waco, Jeremy Wariner—another big personality—arrived on campus. The Baylor coach knew early on that Wariner had what it took to be something special. “Jeremy is an incredible talent, a super young man. He had a great work ethic. He wanted to be great,” explains Harbour of the 400m Olympic gold medalist. “Jeremy had a lot of God-given talent. Anybody that ever watched him run knew that. Very efficient as a runner. He was injured as a freshman. But he really blossomed as a sophomore [In 2004]. That’s when he won everything. He won outdoors, USA, and the Olympics. That was a great year for him,” understates the Baylor coach.

In recent years Harbour has been taken by former Baylor athlete and emerging sprint phenom Trayvon Bromell, a dash talent who resembles—and is often compared with—the great Carl Lewis. “He’s not as big as Carl, but, boy, he is a powerful young man when he comes out of those blocks,” states Harbour.

“He’s going to be one of our best sprinters for years, I think,” offers the Baylor coach as he explains why. “His reaction time is phenomenal. But I think what really gives him a chance to be great is that his passion is just over the top. His has this desire to be really good and to do the little things you’ve got to do to be good. He’s just so focused and so driven,” the coach notes. “He’s had some adversity in his life. He’s seen that side of it. And now he’s just in a different place.” From Harbour’s vantage point, the young sprinter who turned professional and signed with New Balance shortly after winning the 100m bronze in Beijing has not allowed his early career accomplishments to cause him to lose focus. “He’s one of those

young men that you just don’t have to worry about making a mistake that would take away from his performance. He’s in the training room a lot doing maintenance work, making sure his body is ready to go so he can stay healthy. I love to see that in an athlete.” While Harbour knows that all successful dash athletes bring a certain attitude to their events and those who would be obstacles to their sprint success, he admires Bromell’s deepseated humility. “He’s got the sprinter’s mentality,” he laughs. “But he’s so humble. That’s a good part of him. Very refreshing.” Smiling, he adds, “Trayvon’s still in Waco. He’s here training every day.”

Goal-oriented both as a world-class miler and now as a top-flight coach of a leading Division I track & field power, Harbour never stops thinking about what he needs to do to transform his alma mater’s already-great program into an even better one. “It’s all about recruiting at a high level,” declares Baylor’s Papa Bear. “The coaches I have on my staff are all great coaches. They can coach NCAA champions, even Olympic champions. So we’ve got the staff. We now have a facility second to none. Our facility, which we just moved into last December, is an unbelievable facility.”

A glance back to the past allows Harbour to be optimistic about the future. “All of us can be great. If you go back and take a look at the top 20 performances per event in Baylor history [since the 1980s]. we had well over 60–70% of the top 20 performances.”

Harbour sees the way forward. “We’ve always been consistent. We have a couple of top 4 finishes. But we’ve never been able to win it. For us, it about continuing to do the extra work recruiting,” the head coach explains. “Coaching is easy. The hard part is recruiting—spending long weekends on the road watching high schoolers. We want to be at home because we haven’t had many weekends off all year. So you have to be willing to give up those weekends ... and go back out on the road. It’s just what you have to do if you want to be great in the sport and to get those athletes who are going to allow you to compete on a high level. So that’s what I continue to counsel our coaches on. We’ve got to continue to do that to take our performance to the next level.”

Todd Harbour is not without optimism for the Baylor program in 2016. “We’ve got some outstanding young people on both sides.

Trayvon Bromell gave up his college career to run for New Balance. It’s is a big loss. But we’ll have some fun this year at the end.” And with a certain understated caution often associated with great coaches, Harbour concludes, “We’ll be very well represented at both indoor and outdoor nationals and hopefully we’ll have pretty good success as a team.”

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presents

2016

SPRING

NEUTRAL—3 MOTION STABILIZING—4 PERFORMANCE—5

SHOE REVIEW

Finding the best shoe for you has traditionally begun by assessing the characteristics of your feet and gait, and then matching them with the features and properties of a particular shoe. If you had a neutral gait, then your need for specialized shoes was reduced. However, if you rolled to the inside of your foot, called overpronation, the thinking was that you required a more heavily supported shoe. This approach was based on the science and construction-based solutions of 30 years ago. The notion of overpronation, and the thinking behind it, continued until recently. The (oversimplified) idea was that overpronation was bad and required a design solution to “correct” it. Runners who overpronated risked injury if they didn’t run in shoes that employed a structure to correct the excessive motion.

The recent minimalist movement (think: unstructured shoes, thinner/minimal midsoles, zero-drop shoes, etc.) set in motion an exploration and rethinking of these longheld tenets. Yes, the use of geometry and lighter materials have improved running shoes and their performance. But more importantly, this has resulted in a paradigm shift toward the understanding that running shoes by themselves don’t prevent overuse injuries because they can’t control overpronation. This doesn’t mean the accepted stabilizing technologies are unnecessary. They actually help resist the premature breakdown of the shoe’s structure and performance, playing a key role in the comfort of both your runs and your wallet. They just can’t stop the motion that your feet are inclined to take.

The motion of general foot types is best served, first by certain footwear properties, components, and designs, and, second by an individual runner’s preferences for fit and feel. Of the two, fit and feel trump properties, components, and designs. All feet pronate and some, depending on their movement patterns, pronate more than others. That’s why what we suggest is a starting point within the categories of running footwear styles, but it’s only a starting point. Runners are very fond of their go-to shoes, and a large percentage of runners have been guided toward a particular shoe at the suggestion of a running specialty store. That suggestion starts the learning process for what works for the runners. With all the services your local running specialty store provides, it’s a great place to start your search.

— Cregg Weinmann, Running Shoe Reviewer for the Running Network, LLC

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FORTIUS Media Group, LLC Partners

2016 Spring Shoe Review Since I ran in my first sneakers 44 years ago, the technology has changed. More brands mean better products and safer, more enjoyable running and racing. My first real running shoes, Onitsuka Tiger Cortez, were followed by adidas Interval track spikes. My brightly colored Nike waffle racers in 1975 were a revelation. Then I broke 5:00 for the mile in Brooks’ Villanova spikes. My first hour-run champs and 10,000m on the track were contested in Nike Pre Montreals. My 1976 Christmas Relays’ leg of 10.6 miles was run in New Balance racing flats. In 1978 I learned about Mizuno and ran in them for a while.

In the last couple of years as I built back up to two hours of near-daily walking, I’ve been in HOKA ONE ONE Stinsons, adidas Boost, and Brooks Beast. My first try in Skechers Go Walks were amazing—lighter than ever, yet great for my back!

I’m sure that you’ve got your own “scrapbooks” of shoe memories. We hope you’ll read our reviews, then visit your local running store and find the best shoes for your needs.

Larry Eder Publishing Director FORTIUS Media Group, LLC P.S. I’m off to the Olympic Marathon Trials next week! Read about it on the Running Network websites in the sidebar to the right.

On Cloudflyer

Saucony Hurricane ISO 2 NEW SHOE

RENOVATION

Spring 2016

Spring 2016

American Track & Field www.american-trackandfield.com Athletes Only www.atf-athlete.com Athletics-Africa www.athletics-africa.com/s/ Austin Fit www.austinfitmagazine.com California Track & Running News www.caltrack.com Club Running (RRCA) www.rrca.org/publications/ club-running Coaching Athletics www.coachingathleticsq.com Colorado Runner www.coloradorunnermag.com Footnotes (Long Island, NY) www.glirc.org Get Active! & Club Business International www.healthclubs.com Hawaii Sport www.hawaiisportmag.com Latinos Corriendo www.latinoscorriendo.com Michigan Runner www.michiganrunner.net Missouri Runner & Triathlete www.morunandtri.com New England Exchange Zone www.usatfne.org Outdoors NW www.outdoorsnw.com Out There Monthly www.outtheremonthly.com Race Packet DC www.racepacket.com RunMinnesota www.runmdra.org Running Journal, Racing South www.running.net RunOhio www.runohio.com Track & Field News www.trackandfieldnews.com Winged Foot (NYC) www.nyac.org Winged M (Portland, OR) www.themac.com Youth Runner www.youthrunner.com www.ePodismo.com (Italy) www.ePodismo.com/USA www.HalfMarathon.net www.JumpingTheGun.com www.MarathonGuide.com www.RunBlogRun.com www.issuu.com/RunDenmark www.RunJumpThrow.com www.RunningProductReviews.com www.SlowTwitch.com www.USTFCCA.org www.WomenTalkSports.com www.WorldWideRunning.com

Project Coordinator/Editor: Christine Johnson Reviewer: Cregg Weinmann Designer: Kristen Cerer Proofreader: Marg Sumner, Red Ink Editorial Services, LLC Shoe Photography: Daniel Saldaña, Cregg Weinmann Advertising Sales: FORTIUS Media Group, LLC Publishing Director: Larry Eder, 608.239.3785, fortiusmedia@gmail.com Ad Manager: Adam Johnson-Eder, 608.556.9164, adamlawrenceeder@gmail.com Legal Counsel: Perry F. Goldust This 2016 Spring Shoe Review is produced independently

by FORTIUS Media Group, LLC for its partner publications and websites. All shoes reviewed were tested by experienced, competitive runners who were matched to the biomechanical purpose of each shoe model.

adidas Ultra Boost ST

Nike Lunar Tempo 2 Motion Stabilizing

Performance

Spring 2016

Spring 2016

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080

Copyright © 2016 by FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be stored, copied, or reprinted without prior written permission of FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. Neutral Spring 2016

2016 Spring Shoe Review — 2 — FORTIUS Media Group, LLC

FORTIUS Media Group, LLC and its partner publications and websites suggest that, as with all fitness activities, you meet with a healthcare professional before beginning or changing your fitness regimen.

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NEUTRAL The running line from 361˚ continues to broaden, adding more shoes in key categories.

The Shield debuts in the Neutral category and is geared toward providing performance without breaking the bank. The upper is open mesh in the rearfoot with engineered mesh in the forefoot. Overlays at the toe and saddle shape and support the upper, and articulation at the lacing allows the shoe to conform to the midfoot and securely wrap the instep. The midsole features a new configuration of EVA and 361˚’s Qu!kfoam. The EVA makes up most of the midsole with a framework for the Qu!kfoam in the full heel and the forefoot’s center for added cushioning under the highest-pressure areas. The result is effective shock attenuation that’s durable enough to stand up to serious training. The outersole is a thin layer of rubber, well textured for grip, and segmented into nearly a dozen islands to flex as required as the foot twists and bends through the gait. The quality of the cushioning, fit, and durability at this price makes the Shield an excellent value.

361º Shield

110

$

HOKA ONE ONE Vanquish 2

170

$

HOKA ONE ONE’s acknowledged strength has been its maximum cushioning. The Vanquish 2 carries high the banner established by the Mafate and other models that launched the brand. The upper is closed mesh with 3D-printed overlays and splashy graphics. The fit is closer than some of its other models, but it’s pretty true to size. The midsole is two layers: a cradle of High Cushion EVA nestled into a High Rebound EVA cage. The 30-millimeter stack height (platform) offers protection, while the 5-millimeter geometry (the height difference between heel and toe) encourages efficiency. The outersole features thin carbon rubber at the perimeter of heel and forefoot and in a strip down the center of the forefoot. The remainder is toughened EVA. The cushioning is obvious, making the shoe great for recovery runs, but the Vanquish 2 is light for its size so it also rolls well at faster paces.

MBT is shorthand for Masai Barefoot Technology, a brand known for its foot-strengthening designs. The GT16 is the first of three new shoes by MBT developed specifically for running. The upper is a breathable mesh with no-sew, fused overlays supporting the foot with an assist from a traditional toecap and TPU heel counter. The midsole is a maximally cushioned design. But more than that, it’s adapted the MBT concept to a midsole design that features three zones: a cushy heel, a firm pivot beneath the arch, and a rockered forefoot. The outersole is thin, tough rubber that’s got good traction and durability. Where the original walking shoes and sandals were very soft in the heel and firm underfoot, the GT16’s heel is well cushioned but firmer and rocks smoothly to the toe on each stride. The result is a pretty versatile recovery shoe that can handle some serious mileage.

MBT GT16

150

$

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080

Neutral Spring 2016

150

$

Pearl Izumi N2 v3

120

$

Exhibiting some New England pragmatism, New Balance has done the inevitable, combining its best foam with its best Neutral shoe, resulting in the new Fresh Foam 1080. The upper is a closed mesh with a traditional saddle, featuring decoupled eyelets to wrap the foot effectively and securely. A smooth lining and plush ankle collar foam provide a deluxe feel against the foot. The midsole features Fresh Foam, with its lively feel and good protection. The shoe’s interior benefits from EVA Strobel board construction and a cushy polyurethane sockliner. The outersole is a full-length, hexagonal-shaped rubber compound that offers durability and good grip, while lateral flex grooves make this Fresh Foam configuration more flexible and responsive. A carbon rubber heel cap completes the deal. The sum of all this is an effective distance trainer. In fact, it’s so effective, it earned our award as the Best Shoe in the Neutral category.

Pearl Izumi’s EMotion flagship, the N2, has been a reliable performer, and Round 3 stays true to that mission. The upper is a stretchy, closed mesh, completely supported by no-sew overlays. A new foam layer in the tongue softens the feel, while its large open spaces offer good ventilation through the mesh outer layer. Though the supporting overlays have been pared back slightly, their 3D-printed placement continues to hold the foot effectively. The midsole has been known for being pretty firm, which is why it has a responsive feel—it transfers energy efficiently—and its proven design continues without change, which will be good news to its fans. The outersole continues with Round 2’s fullcontact design, which does two things: It improves the friction between the shoe and the ground, providing better traction and it offers maximum stability throughout the contact.

The lateral midfoot—not coincidentally the area of lowest wear—is the only area of the sole which is toughened foam. The result is a smooth-riding, high-mileage shoe.

2016 Spring Shoe Review — 3 — FORTIUS Media Group, LLC

“Good fit and cushioning. Impressed with the cushioning and performance. You can put them on and forget about them.”

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 8–13,14; Women 6–12 Weight: Men 11.2 oz. (size 11); Women 9.1 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“Fits well, but not super roomy. The cushy ride was what impressed. Really cushioned, but not mushy.

Always surprised by how light they are.”

Updates the Vanquish Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 5–11 Weight: Men 11.5 oz. (size 11); Women 9.2 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, perforated EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“Good fit with a pretty plush interior. The heel is nicely cushioned, but the best thing about the ride was how the foot rolls with the shoe.”

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 6–14; Women 5–13 Weight: Men 11.5 oz. (size 11); Women 9.2 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“Really pleased with the fit, and the feel was premium. Great cushioning and responsiveness. I could get used to this.”

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15,16 B,D,2E,4E; Women 5–11,12 2A,B,D,2E Weight: Men 11.3 oz. (size 11); Women 9.2 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“Comfortable, smooth fit that tempted me to go without socks. Protective but in a subtle way, not a marshmallow.”

Updates Pearl N2 v2 Sizes: Men 7–13,14; Women 5–11,12 Weight: Men 11.2 oz. (size 11); Women 9.1 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

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MOTION STABILIZING adidas Ultra Boost ST

Motion Stabilizing Spring 2016

180

$

Altra Provision 2.5

The design and engineering of adidas’ Boost material have provided a ride that has great cushioning. Now with the introduction of the Ultra Boost ST, it has a shoe with stability to match. The upper is a stretchy, engineered mesh with different “zones.” The forefoot offers the most stretch with a band-like, bunion-friendly region over the metatarsals. The midfoot features a supportive TPU saddle that cradles the foot and anchors the lacing.

The heel features the same thermoplastic heel counter and pull-on tab seen in its sibling, the Ultra Boost. The midsole is also the same: all Boost foam with bouncy, durable cushioning. The medial side is filled in beneath the arch for extra support on contact. On the medial sidewall, a thermoplastic support links the saddle to the outersole, stabilizing the ride without affecting the cushioning. The outersole is a Continental rubber compound that stretches elastically to keep the sole’s shape consistent through the gait.

Its combination of a resilient ride, good stability, and accommodating fit earned the Ultra Boost ST our award for Best Shoe in the Motion Stabilizing category.

“The stability converted this skeptic. Fit well, great cushion, and stable.”

Known for its zero-drop platform, Altra has a number of shoes over multiple categories.

The Provision 2.5 is an intermediate update—Altra’s nod to a partial overhaul. In this case it’s the upper that gets the attention, with closed mesh and no-sew overlays providing support over the toes and through the saddle and with a stitched toe bumper shaping the height of the forefoot. The midsole is A-BOUND, a resilient foam that’s deeply segmented over a full-contact bottom to stabilize the foot by conforming to the running surfaces. A taller medial sidewall hinders too much inward roll. The outersole is a tough rubber compound that’s intersected by myriad flex grooves that also add traction. If you’re looking for a zero-drop shoe to add to your rotation, the Provision 2.5’s generous fit, stability, and geometry make it worthy of your consideration.

“Great toe room and cushioning. They were protective and durable. Still getting used to the zero drop.”

120

$

ASICS GT-2000 4

The 2000 series is well known for its decades-long reputation for smooth cushioning and stability. This update, Round 4 since its numerical reset to 2000, continues to provide the expected performance. The upper is now a slightly stretchy mesh with small openings instead of the closed mesh of its predecessor. No-sew overlays make the interior a bit smoother, without giving up the shaping or needed support of the upper. A new saddle shores up the midfoot, and its medial side is composed primarily of traditional overlays to handle support duties. The midsole is still FluidRide: several layers and densities, including GEL in the lateral heel and DuoMax in the medial arch, with a topmost layer of foam next to the foot. The outersole has the usual minor changes, but the flex grooves between the rubber pods follow the same path as Round 3. The best news is that the stability, ride, and fit have been well maintained in this high-mileage training shoe.

120

$

Brooks Ravenna 7

The Ravenna is the most versatile shoe in the Brooks lineup, neatly splitting the difference between cushioning and stability. The upper features only no-sew overlays to smooth the upper more than Round 6, simplifying the design in the process. The saddle continues with the effective strap and Ghilley lace setup to snug the midfoot, and the closed mesh does a surprisingly effective job of allowing the foot to breathe. The midsole tooling is smoothed, though the sidewall shaping and compression lines deliver the same feel. The reworked outersole is sparser, with few areas of solid rubber, and the weight savings is significant—almost an ounce! The flex grooves give the shoe better flexion without compromising stability. Runners new to the Ravenna and longtime fans alike will find much to be praised in this solid shoe.

120

$

Mizuno Wave Inspire 12

The Inspire has faithful followers because it has consistently delivered the ride and stability they expect from Mizuno shoes. The upper is open minimesh, similar to several of its recent predecessors because it breathes well. A return to traditional overlays in the rearfoot better supports the foot, and they work with the sole shape to keep the foot lined up. The midsole continues with U4ic foam and sports a new heel crashpad of U4icX, a livelier compound. A PU insole and foam Strobel board work with the midsole to give the ride a plusher feel. The outersole is still carbon rubber in the heel and blown rubber in the forefoot, though fewer flex grooves on the bottom and more in the sidewall make the cushioning and flexibility more effective than before. Large runners and those who steamroll shoes will find the Inspire is brawny enough to roll right back.

120

$

2016 Spring Shoe Review — 4 — FORTIUS Media Group, LLC

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 6.5–13,14,15; Women 5–12 Weight: Men 13.1 oz. (size 11); Women 8.9 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: low- to medium-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to excessive pronation

Updates the Provision 2.0 Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 5–11,12 Weight: Men 11.4 oz. (size 11); Women 9.2 oz. (size 8) Shape: semistraight Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: low- to medium-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to excessive pronation

“Very stable, well cushioned, and for me, the ASICS fit is predictably good.”

Updates the GT-2000 3 Sizes: Men 6–14,15,16,17 B,D,2E,4E; Women 5–13 2A,B,D,2E Weight: Men 12.0 oz. (size 11); Women 9.8 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with excessive pronation

“Secure fit, nice and stable, plenty of cushion.

What more could I ask?”

Updates the Ravenna 6 Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15 D,2E; Women 5–12 B,D Weight: Men 11.7 oz. (size 11); Women 9.5 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with mild to excessive pronation

“I have worn them for over 3 months. They grip well and put up with my Clydesdale punishment.

They don’t interfere with my mechanics during running, they just keep going.”

Updates the Wave Inspire 11 Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15,16; Women 6–12 Weight: Men 12.3 oz. (size 11); Women 9.8 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with mild to excessive pronation

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MOTION STABILIZING Saucony Hurricane ISO 2

RENOVATION Spring 2016

The Hurricane has undergone more change in two generations than it has in most of the previous 16 combined. It starts with an update to the ISO fit saddle (aptly named ISO 2).

Minimesh and fused overlays complete the forefoot, and an external thermoplastic heel counter secures the foot over the sole. But it’s in the midsole where the magic begins.

A new compound that Saucony calls Everun puts a layer of blown TPU foam near the foot and a more resilient foam in the midsole. The compound’s flexibility allows better flexion with the foot’s motion and has a great feel to it. The outersole is a newly designed chevron pattern that adapts to a variety of angles, eliminating much of the stiffness experienced in many motion-controlling shoe designs. The stable ride, cushioning, and fit combine to earn the Hurricane ISO 2 our award for Best Renovation.

160

$

Skechers Forza

The Skechers GOrun line adds a new shoe designed for cushioned stability. Called the Forza, it’s Kara Goucher’s shoe of choice. The upper is a closed stretch mesh supported by no-sew overlays, and a saddle of thicker, fused film secures the foot effectively through the lacing. The midsole is a bouncy foam formulation with a 30-millimeter stack height that lends a cushy feel. A second density of foam and the full-contact geometry offer their own effective stabilizing properties. The outersole is carbon rubber from heel to midfoot, and the forefoot is primarily toughened foam with rubber in key wear areas. The fit, stability, and cushy ride make the Forza well suited to both regular training and recovery runs.

120

$

“I’ve been impressed with the Hurricane for years.

This round is like a whole other level: comfy, durable, great fit. Now I’m really impressed.”

Updates the Hurricane ISO Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15 D,2E; Women 5–12 B,D Weight: Men 11.5 oz. (size 11); Women 9.2 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, TPU Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with mild to excessive pronation

“Hadn’t tried Skechers so didn’t know what to expect. Good fit, cushion, stability. That’s a good running shoe!”

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 7–13,14; Women 6–10,11 Weight: Men 11.9 oz. (size 11); Women 9.8 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, PU Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to excessive pronation

PERFORMANCE Brooks Neuro

130

$

HOKA ONE ONE Tracer

130

$

Mizuno Wave Catalyst

110

$

The Neuro is a new Brooks shoe that’s both lightweight and adaptable, designed for maximizing fast, efficient running. The upper is a dual-layer, engineered mesh. The outer layer is a tough, gauze-like mesh supported by 3D-printed overlays while the inner layer is a light and breathable open mesh. Ghilley lace loops sandwiched between the mesh layers secure well while still adjusting to the moving foot, providing an adaptive fit. The midsole is a segmented arrangement of BioMoGO foam, with round Propulsion pods in the rearfoot and with Guidance Plates along the medial and lateral sides (taller ones medially and more uniform laterally) that flex as the foot passes over them. The 6mm geometry and flexible feel contribute to its go-fast purpose. The outersole is a collection of carbon rubber islands whose spaces allow the shoe to flex with the foot as it twists through the gait. The Neuro’s lightness and flexibility make it well suited to faster running, longer races, and speedwork.

The Tracer is a first for HOKA ONE ONE—a speedster with a traditional stack height—so expect a few double-takes when you wear them. The upper is a two-layer mesh composed of an open underlayer covered by a minimesh, with splashy graphics to identify the shoe.

Fused overlays lend a measure of support so the mesh of the upper holds its shape well.

The fit leans toward the snug side so size accordingly. The midsole is two densities, which HOKA calls Pro2Lite, and it’s a novel approach as the forefoot is quite firm while the heel is softer to manage the cushioning and spring needed by each part of the shoe. Like its HOKA siblings it features what has become a sort of midrange geometry, here 4mm of drop. The outersole is tough carbon rubber that’s thin and spaced sparingly, though sufficiently. The Tracer’s combination of light weight, springy and cushioned ride, and racerlike fit cater to faster running and racing.

Mizuno’s new Catalyst is a welcome addition to its line, slotting into the void left by the Elixir. The upper is a two-layered mesh: wide open underneath, minimesh on top.

Traditional overlays support the toe, medial rearfoot, and lace throat with the Runbird logo forming a semisaddle and no-sew overlays running the length of the lateral side.

The midsole has a substantial feel, low-slung but firm, especially in the heel, and the fan wave plate provides support and stability. The U4ic foam formulation has a responsive feel and good protection for long-distance runs. The outersole is X-10 carbon rubber in the heel and the lateral forefoot, which is great news for midfoot/forefoot strikers. Blown rubber covers the medial forefoot and toe. The combination of good stability and a light, responsive feel makes the Wave Catalyst suited to daily training, tempo runs, and even longer races.

2016 Spring Shoe Review — 5 — FORTIUS Media Group, LLC

“Really flexible. Let my foot feel free to run. Nice fit, plenty of cushion. They can really move.”

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 7–14; Women 5–12 Weight: Men 10.8 oz. (size 11); Women 8.7 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“Once again, HOKA brings a shoe that was not what I expected. Fit nice and snug, races well, but with enough underfoot for any time I want a fast feel.”

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 7–13,14; Women 5–11 Weight: Men 8.5 oz. (size 11); Women 6.9 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, perforated EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“Love running in this shoe. I get a feel of the road with adequate cushioning and a springy feel.”

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 6–11 Weight: Men 10.9 oz. (size 11); Women 8.8 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to excessive pronation

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PERFORMANCE New Balance Fresh Foam Zante 2

100

$

Now in its fifth iteration, the Gravity has been the archetype for the Newton line for almost a decade. Round 5 maintains its technological core while freshening up the appearance and materials. The upper features an engineered stretch mesh for flexibility at the toe. Over the metatarsals they’ve used a smooth, closed mesh that’s supported by streamlined no-sew overlays for a forgiving stretchy feel in the bunion window. A new tongue offers a better feel and is anchored to the eyestay to prevent it from slipping side to side. The rearfoot has a stiffer mesh, with no-sew overlays tying into the logo stripes for support in a mini saddle-like design below the lace throat. The midsole has been resculpted to improve the ride, with better flexibility and cushioning. The contours of the insole have ameliorated the uneven feeling some runners experience in the area of the action/reaction membrane and lugs. The outersole has been retooled with attention to placement: The forefoot lug unit is inset into the midsole for a better foot/ground interaction, and new texturing of the rubber provides a bit better grip. This update succeeds in improving the overall ride and feel of the shoe.

Newton Gravity V

175

$

Spring 2016

The Lunar Tempo was a descendant of the Lunar Elite and Luna Racer, and Round 2 continues that genetic link to performance. The upper is a tighly woven Flyknit with no-sew overlays to lend a touch of support, shaping the toe for a more effective fit than Round 1. Adjustments have been made to the Flywire, reducing the number from five to four, and a reshaped eyestay gives a little more material to snug the top of the foot.

The conforming upper has little structure, so your foot can settle in as is its wont, and the lightness and performance of Round 1 is untouched here. The midsole is a tough and resilient shell, with a softer cushioning layer inside. Though the Tempo’s midsole appears almost fragile, it most certainly is not, with a durability that contradicts its appearance.

The outersole is just a few squares of rubber in the highest-wear portions—three in the heel, six in the toe, three on the lateral forefoot—with toughened foam making up the remainder. The combination of these components in a shoe that’s almost racer light, but with the toughness to handle faster training, earned the Lunar Tempo 2 our award for Best Performance Shoe.

NEW SHOE

The Cloudflyer is the second shoe for which On has converted its Cloud technology to an EVA platform. The result is a Swiss-engineered delight, a well-cushioned, sturdy shoe, that’s lighter than expected. The upper is semi-open mesh over the toes with closed mesh over the tongue and saddle, extending around the heel. A no-sew toecap gives the toes plenty of room, and since it links to the bottom of the eyestay, the laces have an extra criss-cross to snug the midfoot. The midsole is two densities of EVA, softer in the forefoot, with eight of the cloudtec Clouds, and firm over the heel with four Clouds. The ride exhibits the attention to detail for which On is known, hitting the sweet spot of resilience and protection, without giving up the necessary durability. The 7mm geometry makes it more efficient, to boot. The outersole is a thin rubber layer over the heel and angled across the toes, with toughened foam under the arch. Its performance, versatility, and design earned the Cloudflyer our award for Best New Shoe.

Nike Lunar Tempo 2

Performance

110

$

On Cloudflyer

Spring 2016

160

$

Saucony Kinvara 7

110

$

The Fresh Foam Zante’s introduction last year turned more than a few heads, and ushered in some speedier profiles for the brand. Round 2 throws in a few needed tweaks and keeps rolling down the fast track. The upper continues with its adaptable stretch mesh with little structure, and no-sew overlays lend support to shape the upper. The new design of the midfoot and lace throat permits the laces to adapt independently to secure the foot, and the roomy forefoot has been maintained. The midsole is Fresh Foam—its comfortable ride is the real strength of the shoe—and the sculpting fine tunes Round 1. The outersole is a thin, full-contact, rubber layer with different-sized hexagons and texturing delivering traction. The size and positioning of the hexagons create multiple flex points in the sole and have improved the traction over its predecessor. The Zante is a light, flexible shoe that’s well suited to faster running, whether long races or tempo runs, while being durable enough for daily training.

The Kinvara has been the heavyweight of the lightweights—not in weight, but in heft.

Round 7 shows no sign of changing that, with new materials and improved performance.

The upper is a mixture of closed mesh over the vamp and rearfoot. There’s open mesh over the toes and no-sew overlays where extra support is needed without contributing much extra weight. The midsole is lightweight, but with enough underfoot for fasterpaced training, tempo runs, and long races. Round 7 steps up the performance further with the introduction of Everun—a new construction—and the introduction of a blown TPU layer that gives the shoe another level of protection to go with its snappy ride. The outersole is still sparse: a well-placed pattern of rubber chevrons on lateral rearfoot and medial forefoot, the rest toughened foam. The bottom line? The Kinvara 7 is a lightweight, tough shoe for faster running and racing that can also handle a good share of daily training for efficient runners.

2016 Spring Shoe Review — 6 — FORTIUS Media Group, LLC

“Great cushioning and flexibility. Light, fit just right, and fast.”

Updates the Fresh Foam Zante Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15,16 D,2E; Women 5–11,12 B,D Weight: Men 9.3 oz. (size 11); Women 7.4 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“The Newtons have been a favorite fast-paced shoe for me, and I was really impressed with this update. [They] fit great. Smoothest ride yet. I haven’t found a downside in performance.”

Updates the Gravity IV Sizes: Men 6–13,14,15; Women 5–12 Weight: Men 10.5 oz. (size 11); Women 8.5 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“Good fit overall. Started out as my speed day shoe, but with plenty of cushion and good traction, it ended up handling more of my training than that.”

Updates the Lunar Tempo Sizes: Men 6–13,14,15; Women 5–12 Weight: Men 7.9 oz. (size 11); Women 6.3 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

“Started as my everyday trainer, graduated to my marathon shoe. I need another pair. These are awesome.”

NEW SHOE Sizes: Men 7–14; Women 6–11 Weight: Men 10.7 oz. (size 11); Women 8.7 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to moderate pronation

“A shoe this light that fits well and works for long runs is great. This one is a real upgrade.”

Updates the Kinvara 6 Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 6–11 Weight: Men 8.7 oz. (size 11); Women 7.1 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, TPU Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

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2016 IAAF World Athletics Champs:

Why Brittney Reese Is the Funk Queen of the Long Jump Universe

by Larry Eder

One of the finest long jump competitions that I‘ve ever witnessed happened at the World Indoors. The battle among Ivana Spanovic, Janay DeLoach, Lorraine Ugen, and Brittney Reese was riveting.

After her fine clutch leap of 7.22 meters, I had to name Brittney Reese as the Funk Queen of the Long Jump Universe. Here’s why ...

Ivana Spanovic (Serbia) was on a roll. She leaped 7.00 meters and took the lead, setting a national record.

Brittney Reese responded with 6.97 meters, her longest jump since 2015. After her fine 6.89-meter leap for the USA Indoor win, and her 6.81-meter leap in February, Reese looked like the old Reese, the one who brought home two Olympic golds and three World Indoor Champs. Was she back all the way? Fans were pondering.

So was she.

Reese’s injury came in 2013, when she tore her hip labrum (the cartilage that surrounds the hip joint). Instead of repairing it in 2013, she just put her head down and competed through the season. Her series of five years of championship victories ended in 2013.

2014 was the year of surgery and recovery.

There’s something about an athlete on the top of her game. After years of finely tuned training, the grace and agility of an elite athlete make the activity, in many cases, look effortless. While that was not the case with Reese, her talent is in her amazing athleticism, both physically and psychologically, that she brings to the sport.

In 2015, it just wasn’t there. She won the U.S. champs with 6.97 meters, but blew our collective minds when she didn’t make the final in Beijing. Her timing was off. She was fouling a remarkable number of times. This viewer could sense the frustration.

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Brittney Reese

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“It took me two years just to get back to where I was. I couldn’t stay healthy last year at all and finally I had to just step back and see why I love the sport and work hard on getting really healthy” was how Reese described her frustration to the IAAF. Coming back from an injury and surgery can’t be calculated on an abacus. The time stretches, and the frustration at activities that one once found effortless ratchets skyward. Should one retire? Should one give up?

Surely, Brittney Reese had enough medals to call it a day.

But, not Reese. Not the funk queen of the long jump universe.

I have intereviewed her on several occasions. I like her upbeat manner. I respect her hard work. But most of all, I appreciate her gamespersonship.

Brittney Reese is one of the toughest competitors I’ve ever seen.

In Round 5 of the World Champs indoor, Reese leaped 7.00 meters, her longest jump in three years.

Ivana Spanovic responded with 7.07 meters, a second national record.

So, in Round Six Reese and Spanovic have their jumps. It is down to them.

How will Reese respond? Is her body ready to challenge Ivana Spanovic, the reigning European Indoor champion, who is jumping national records as if they were pieces of popcorn?

Watching Brittney Reese in good health and in competitive mode is a sight to behold.

Reese was focused before she went for her sixth and final jump. She used every centimeter on the run up and leaped in the air, landing farther than she had since 2012! Her final jump was 7.22 meters, just one centimeter off her leap in Instanbul in 2012, where she last won the World Indoor.

Her leap of 7.22 meters stunned the already-hyped crowd.

How would Spanovic respond? Could she improve on her 7.00 meters and 7.07 meters?

Spanovic leaped to 6.76 meters. Reese’s leap could no longer be challenged.

So, why do I call Brittney Reese the Funk Queen of the Long Jump Universe?

It actually comes from Matt Groening, the guy who does The Simpsons. Way back in the late 1970s, he did a poster called “Poodle with a Mohawk.” I still have it somewhere. Groening used that “funk queen” line to pay homage to one of his friends who was a fine cartoonist. (Update: In his Life Is Hell book, he named cartoonist Lynda Barry “the Funk Queen of the Galaxy.)

I’ve lifted it and now use it to pay homage to Brittney Reese, who is obviously back in shape and back in a competitive mindset. Keeping one’s head when one’s steps are just a bit off, and the competition has raised the game is what Reese did in Portland.

With seven global titles now, let’s see how she responds in Eugene and, then, Rio. And for that, we at RunBlogRun have burdened Brittney Reese with the moniker Funk Queen of the Long Jump Universe.

Yep, we worship her.

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O X Y MO R O N Hello S P E E D C U S H I O N. Introducing The Clayton. Maximal cushion. Minimal weight. So you can fly.

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