The Veterans Day 5k Recap

  Most non-marathon races happen on a Saturday.  But since it was Veterans Day weekend the Veterans Day 5k was not on the typical Columbia weekend run and I got to enjoy my sleep.  And I forgot to look at the race calendar to see what would be happening on that Saturday, so there’s that, too.

  I ran in the inaugural USC Veterans Day 5k last year, and one of the much faster runners inadvertently changed the course and everyone followed their lead, including me.  It made for an interesting time while crossing Assembly Street with traffic coming at us both ways.  (see last year's race by clicking on the video.)

  This year, the course route significantly changed, and it would start and end in different spots.  The route started by the Long Street Theatre, went around the Horseshoe perimeter, made a couple of turns, and ended at 920 Lady Street. 

  Sunday afternoon, I headed out very relaxed and ready to go.  Packet pick-up started at 11:30 AM, and would go on for the next two and a half hours.  I arrived at one of the UofSC parking lots and dropped my stuff off at the library around 1 PM.  I hung out and talked with some of the college kids working, to which one of them asked me about the race.  It seemed that she got stuck in traffic during the Tunnel to Towers 5k the other month and didn’t want to have that happen again. I assured her that the race wouldn’t linger past her work schedule, and that the end was off campus so she would have no issues.

  After a little bit, I go outside and walk up for my packet pick-up.  I see quite a few Team RWB shirts surfing among the crowd which was amazing because I do not recall anyone talking about it on the local RWB Facebook page.  Of course, my RWB shirt was in the wash because someone spilled a drink on my stuff and my Columbia Running Club jersey was nowhere to be found.  Instead, and thankfully because of the slightly cooler weather, I would wear my cotton Columbia Running Club t-shirt for the race, so at least I would represent one of the two organizations out there.

Me and the Prez

  As I mingle among some of the participants, I spot Bob Caslen, the President of the University of South Carolina and retired Army three star general and he was ready to run.  Cocky was out there, too, and it was hard to figure out which one of the two ended up in more picture taking opportunities for social media.  #uofsc #cocky #gococks #goarmy #toomanyhashtags.

  Eventually, we all make our way to the starting line.  According to raceroster.com, 388 people signed up for the race, but I believe there were over 400 out on the course.  The national anthem is sung and once the buzzer goes, we are off. 

  I follow the crowd before me, and everyone makes a right after passing the Long Street Theatre.  I have my Halo 3 theme music going in my Aftershokz, GoPro in my hand, and I’m weaving around strollers and walkers.  I’m enjoying myself as I get close to the gate blocking vehicle traffic on Greene Street.

  And then several of us hear a woman say we were going the wrong way.

Turn Around, You're Going the Wrong Way!

  I could see a long crowd of runners still going forward, but those of us from the back only had the minimal amount of turnaround distance to do.  I feel this certain energy coursing through my veins and I somehow sprint back onto the correct route, and sprinting at the beginning definitely goes against what I used to tell my Soldiers when I was still in the Army.

  I got back on track and there are very few people in front of me.  Eventually, I pass enough people that for a brief quarter-mile I am one of the top ten runners of the race.  Technicalities and mishaps aside, I took that in stride and ran a little faster.  It wouldn’t last.  Slowly, and one by one, the fast pack of runners catch up and surpass me.

"You better run up that hill!"

  We make it to Bull Street, one of two uphills in the race, and this one is THE dozy.  It’s steep and it has four Marine drill instructors “encouraging” us get up that hill.  They were very animated. And vocal.  I run up the hill past all four, and about 50 feet past the final one, I slow down to a walk.  I can hear the last drill instructor behind me yelling that I should not be walking and that I needed to keep running.  At this point, I’m near the apex the hill, and I spot two volunteers to which I tell them as I start running again, “if I wasn’t retired, I might have been intimidated by them,” meaning the Marines.  They laughed.

  I hit the water stops along the route and one of them was on Assembly Street, the other not-as-steep uphill.  After cresting the hill, I run by what looks like at least three platoons of Army drill sergeant candidates, who were out there actually encouraging us with signs, dancing, and clapping. 

  The route had us running in front of the state capitol grounds, and a squad of UofSC cheerleaders followed suit with the Army by cheering us on.  A couple of turns later, I made it onto Lady Street. 

  Lady Street felt weird.  I am so used to driving on it, that I never really get to take in how downtown Columbia looks like a normal metropolitan area, and I do not mean that in a bad way.  This time, I’m running down it and soaking in the building architecture.

  Eventually, the finish line is within eyesight and the crowd within earshot.  I sprint from the final traffic light and pass Cocky.  That bird is everywhere.  More cheerleaders line the finish line, motivating people as they approach.  I finish with one of my slowest times ever, but it was worth it. 

  I did not stay for the after-party or the awards ceremony because I had some sick kiddos to get back home to, but those who finished (and had the proper ID) got a free beer and sliders from Carolina Western Pub.  The race packet included a performance shirt and an FN America baseball cap.  I’ll take a hat in a race packet any day. 

Cocky and the president crossing the finish line

  Other than the initial hiccup at the beginning of the course, it was good; the crowd and atmosphere were in happy spirits, and any chance to support raising money for the Fisher House is a-okay in my book.

 

The video for the race is below, check it out.

 

The On Cloudstratus Review: A Week of Testing

Anyone who has known me for the past two years or so will know I love trying and wearing On’s running shoes.  Earlier this year, On released the Cloudswift, their first shoe made with their own Helion superfoam and now On has made their second new release shoe available, the On Cloudstratus. 

Cloudtec pockets in action

  When you look at the Cloudstratus from the side, the double layer of Cloudtec pockets look like they are designed specifically for heel striking runners like myself.  However, if you were to watch any of On’s videos, you’ll notice that every one of their model athletes are mid-foot strikers.  So these shoes are good for either type.  The Cloudstratus’ pockets will provide support and comfort no matter how you run. 

 The Cloudstratus combines features from other models of On’s shoes and makes them its own.  The Cloudstratus is also the first shoe to have a dual layer of Cloudtec pockets.  When I first heard about On doubling the Cloudtec pockets, I immediately thought of the razor business where shaving companies would add layers of blades “for the closest shave ever.”  It did sound a little gimmicky, but the thought of having two layers of Cloudtec pockets beneath my feet sounded great with comfort and cushioning.

  So on 20 June, I ordered a pair of the On Cloudstratus.

  I have worn these shoes every day since I received them in the mail.  I’ve done several runs and even a four mile race in the Cloudstratus.  I wore them every day at work, and considering I work in a seven story building and I have to be on my feet for the majority of the day, I think I broke them in for my running.

The Cloudstratus is built for medium to long runs on road-like surfaces. Besides the double layer of Cloudtec pockets made with On’s Helion superfoam, the Cloudstratus also has a speedboard built in it, uses a modified version of the On Cloudflyer’s star lacing pattern system, features an asymmetric front and back, has a ribbed insole, and oen of the more breatheable uppers I’ve seen for a running shoe.

  In an unusual move for On, the Cloudstratus has an 8mm drop. I’m used to On shoes having a 6mm drop, with the Cloudswift going with a 7mm drop instead.  I don’t think one or two millimeters will matter, but eventually they add up, so hopefully On doesn’t go any higher on the drop distance.

  The Cloudstratus is the heaviest of all the On shoes I own.  I don’t have a weight for the Cloudace shoes that I tested when I did a demo run with Fleet Feet, but my US men’s size 10 Cloudstratus shoes weigh 11.7 ounces or 337 grams each.  My Cloudswift are in second in terms of weight with each shoe weighing 10.75 ounces.  Compared to my Cloudflyer at 9.5 ounces and my On Cloud at 8.6 ounces, it would seem the Helion feature allows for more substance to be added, thus increasing the weight of the shoe.

  Back to the dual layer pockets, On’s Helion foam is supposed to be light, yet durable.  I can easily say that the Cloudtec pockets are doing their job with collapsing and bouncing back.  But on my second run, I did notice little cracks or creases forming on the underside of my shoes. I fully intend on keeping an eye on that area to see if anything happens. Also, I already sent a message to On’s customer service along with the picture you see here. 

  The On Cloudstratus has a speedboard built into it, just like the Cloudswift and most other models from On. The speedboard acts very similarly to the spring board found in the Nike Vaporfly 4%, but the Cloudstratus is less expensive and a good alternative for that.  The speedboard is supposed to help propel you forward so you use less energy with each push off the foot.  It may be the hype, but I did feel a little more spring in my step when I sprinted in these shoes.

  On made the front and back in an asymmetric pattern so that the shoe would be more fit to the foot and to keep the foot more stable as you run.  The star lacing pattern that I love on the On Cloudflyer makes its return here, but in that aforementioned asymmetric design.

The back of the asymmetric shoes have a hardened ridge that helps keep the ankle and back of the foot upright and where it needs to be. 

The insole has a special ribbing where the arch of the heel meets the shoe.  On touts that this feature helps with proprioception, the act of improving sensory feedback and aiding the body in know where it is in space.  All I know is that I feel better with the ribbing there because it grips my sock and keeps my feet from sliding about.

As for the actual running, here is how they went. 

  The initial test run felt great.  The back part of the shoes cushioned my feet so well, I thought these shoes were better than the Cloudflyer.  The front felt alright; it was still cushioned, but not as much as the back.  That was a 2 mile run. 

  The second run I did, I ran a little faster, and had a sprint session towards the end.  This was also a 2 mile run.  The back area still felt great, but this time the front felt a little more cushioned.  Maybe it’s because I kept breaking in my shoes by wearing them to work and walking around all, but the front was a lot better the second time around.  The sprinting felt a little faster, too, and either that’s me believing the speedboard helped or the speedboard actually helping. I did notice the creases at this point, though.

  The third run I did was a slow 1 miler in order to get my dog ready for an upcoming 5k race at the end of July.  I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary with the shoes while I was running at a much slower pace.

The fourth and final run I did the Born in the USA 4 Miler.  This race had hills, people as slow-down obstacles, a few water stops, and a downhill sprint.  I started a steady pace, but would have to slow down and then speed up as I passed groups of people.  I stopped during the water breaks, mostly because of the humidity.  But after trudging up the hills and enjoying the downhills, I finished the race and I can easily say that the Cloudstratus performed better than expected.  I did look at the bottoms of my shoes afterwards and the cracks are a little bigger than before.  Again, this is something I need to have On address.  So far, they don’t look like they are hampering my performance, but still it’s something I am going to keep a close eye on.

The Cloudswift with a hole

One other issue that is a concern for me isn’t from the Cloudstratus, but from the Cloudswift.  I bought the Cloudswift three months ago, and a UK Youtuber, Chris Ford of “Fordy Runs” noticed that his pair developed a few holes in the heel area.  Several people commented on his video and in other social media platforms.  I took a look at my shoes and saw the holes forming on the inside of my shoes as well.  This is something I’m not used to.  My old On Clouds and my Cloudflyer never developed fabric tears like my Cloudswift.

  I don’t like to paint the shoes in a negative light because overall they are doing their job well and they feel great. They provide a lot of cushioning, perhaps even more than the Cloudflyer.  My only concern right now are the creases that formed on the Cloudstratus, but I will have several updates in the upcoming months regarding this. 

The On Cloudstratus: A First Look

I got the On Cloudstratus because it looked like a good alternative to the Cloudflyer, my favorite running shoe from On.  The Cloudstratus features a dual layer of Cloudtec pockets and has a composite make-up of Helion superfoam mixed with another type of foam that On likes to use.

  I will have a more in depth article on the On Cloudstratus after I run in the shoes more, but in the mean time, go ahead and check out my video above to see and hear more about the latest offering from On.

The On Cloudstratus has been released!

On Cloudstratus crushing it

On 20 June, On released their latest shoe, the On Cloudstratus. It is a running shoe that has a double layer of Cloudtec pockets, contains On’s latest superfoam called Helion, and incorporates elements from other On shoes such as the star lace pattern from the On Cloudflyer and the asymmetric upper that I’ve seen on the On Cloud shoes.

On Cloudflyer's star pattern lacing system

  I’ve been a fan of On and their shoes for almost two years now. I’ve owned several of their shoes and did reviews of them on YouTube. I even bought a pair of their limited edition On Cloud Edge last year, which is now known as the Cloud Terry, and I still wear them to this day because of their comfort and durability.

a hole formed on my Cloudswift...

  But recently, On has had an issue come up with this year’s shoe models that have gotten several groups and fans a little upset: the heel interior’s fabric will rub and form a hole when your heel will come in contact with the shoe. A hole may even form on the top of the shoe at the heel area. This all sounds like the fabric has friction problems. My On Cloud Edge has this issue, but it’s from me wearing them almost every day for everything.  My On Cloudswift are only three months old and they have formed a hole in the inside. Nowhere near as big as Chris Ford’s On Cloudswift.  This is definitely an issue that On needs to address, but I honestly don’t think it will be fixed until they release next year’s models of running shoes.

...and on the other shoe as well

  In the meantime, I did debate on getting the On Cloudstratus. While the hole was a concern, personally it was mostly a cosmetic one, even though no one can see it unless I take the shoes off. Also, On has never disappointed me when it comes to the durability and comfort of their shoes.  As a fan of On, I can overlook the shoes’ ability to collect rocks and burrs because I know about it and can adjust my running habits (and routes) accordingly. 

  And I’m hoping the On Cloudstratus is another good substitute for the On Cloudace, arguably the best cushioned On shoe.  The On Cloudflyer is a very good alternative to the Cloudace and I want to find out if the Cloudstratus will rank there as well. I’m still a fan of On and their shoes, but I don’t want to blindly follow them and buy everything they have (and praise all that they do without checking and testing it out beforehand). I’ll have something on it shortly after the shoes arrive in a few days.

  In the meantime, check out my review on the Cloudswift and Cloudflyer running shoes.

The Splash and Dash Adventure Race Recap

Splash and Dash Adventure Race - Bridging parts together

 The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission recently held the Splash and Dash Adventure Race on 18 May. Originally scheduled for September, Hurricane Florence upended any activities planned that week. Thus the ICRC postponed the event with the aspirations that it would happen in the Spring. 

  I became aware of the Splash and Dash Adventure Race in April. I eyeballed the South Carolina Governor’s Cup race which would take place the same day, but I could not pass up doing a three part event with my wife.  The ICRC advertised the Splash and Dash as a two mile trail run, a four mile bicycle trek, and a one mile kayak paddle in Saluda Shoals Park.

These trees were spared by any bad weather

 It definitely sounded different than running a 5k or a half marathon, but still offered cardio exercise through the entire duration. It also meant I work together with my wife.  Teams could be two or three people, with “early” pricing being 25 dollars per person before the fifth of May, and regular registration costing 35 dollars per person afterwards until the day of the event.

  Our only preparation involved bringing our own bicycles, preferably mountain type, and helmets for the race. The ICRC would provide the watercraft, paddles, and life preservers.  I ran several races in Saluda Shoals Park before, so hearing this would be a trail race, I got excited because it meant I could wear my On Cloudventure shoes again.  Both of our bicycles are hybrids, so lowering the tire pressure a little, should set us for the race.

  Saturday morning, while pretty much every runner headed downtown to take part in a fantastic race Amanda and I joined just over a dozen others in our little adventure.  We parked on the east side of the park and picked up our packets.  We then proceeded to move our bicycles to the transition station about 100 feet or so away.  Amanda is the triathlete of the family, so she tried to prepare her bicycle on the bike bar as she normally would, but someone built the bar too high, so she positioned her bicycle underneath facing outward for easy transition. I followed suit, but noticed most others did not.

Taking Off

  We head back to the start line and listen to the overall scheme of events, the safety brief for the course, and how the ICRC had to adjust the course due to recent rising water levels from Lake Murray, thus modifying the run route, adding half a mile to the bike trek, and preventing us from paddling a mile on the river. Instead, we would paddle a canoe through a set of obstacles in Saluda Shoals’ pond. When the announcer tells everyone that she will count down from “ten” and that’s when we would start, people start going when she gets to “seven” (anxiousness, I suppose), so she released all of us then started the official clock.

The 1 mile turn-around

  The crowd starts running, but Amanda can only walk and we trail behind. However, never count out a walker, especially one who can clocked in a 12 to 13 minute mile pace during our 5k and 10k races.  We start down the road, but the course transitions into a trail route for almost the entire trek. Once we hit grass and dirt, I felt relieved that I wore my Cloudventure for this. The two mile course ended up being a mile out and back because the river swelled up and consumed a part of the return route from the original plan.  So as Amanda and I hit two-thirds of the first mile, we see a dad-son team run past us.  About two minutes later, we see the rest of the pack coming at us.  We do make it to the one-mile mark and turn around, and scoot back. Along the way, we cross the paved road a few times, and see a team on bicycles as we finish up the first leg of the race.

Had to walk up this hill. It was too steep

  We make our way back and get to the bicycle transition station. Our bikes sit alone, but once we reach the area, Amanda and I quickly pop on our helmets and pedal off. The bicycle portion consisted of part road biking and part trail riding. Before the race, I set our bikes’ tire pressure to 65 psi because I wasn’t sure of the terrain we would traverse, and I think 60-65 psi overall was a good choice. 

  We take off and follow the white arrows to a path. We weave in and around on the trail before we hit a couple of hills. I didn’t think Saluda Shoals could pack in such elevation spikes and dips along the trail, but I was wrong. In fact, a few times I hopped off my Cannondale and walked up steep inclines, with one time for a decline.  Part way through the trek, Amanda and I got lost. That sounds crazy, especially since at that point we rode on a paved trail, but somehow we missed signs for crossing the road. Instead, Amanda and I veer right and pedal up to the main entrance.  After wildly looking around, we circle the Environmental Center’s parking lot. Thanks to a friendly patron, we head back and retrace our steps. Once we neared the Broad River Road, we see an event volunteer and cones along the road. We ask him where to go, and Amanda and I made it back on course.

Wrong turn! Wrong turn!

Paddling is harder than it looks

  Once we finished the second leg, we reach the pond. They had a two person canoe ready for us and informed us we had to maneuver three obstacles. I’m not the best seafarer, but I can at least navigate a one-person kayak. A two person canoe is a different story. I take the front and try to steer the canoe, but it was more comical than anything else.  According to Strava, we paddled the course in 3 minutes and 18 seconds. Not bad for a very amateur uncoordinated person.

  We finish up by cycling back to the finish line, which was about 300 meters away. While we were the last to cross, and our time was 1:17 and some seconds, the ICRC awarded Amanda and me for our efforts. We each received a glass with the “Splash and Dash Adventure Race” logo on it and we each received a certificate to redeem for either for a one hour canoe rental or a two hour tube rental. Combine that with the t-shirt we got, and the Adventure race definitely seemed like a good deal.

 

The spoils of the race