n+1

As you can see, there have been some significant changes to my blog. I've changed the layout, the name and I'm changing the direction.

Until now this blog has been focused on running and triathlon. Recently I decided to diversify the direction so that instead of just running, the blog will also discuss architecture, sustainability, technology and n+1.

n+1 is the range of topics I hope to discuss in this space where n is equal to the range of topics I have already covered. In other words, it's a way of saying that I'm not going to limit what I will write about just because I haven't covered it before.

Running will still be a major theme of n+1 as it's something I enjoy and something that holds a lot of value. The difference is that now it won't be the only thing.

Cycling Awareness and public Art

A friend of mine from grad school passed the following on to me and it sounds like something a lot of us cycling-minded types might be into. Give it a read and, if you can, give them a little support or pass along the information to other cycling/triathlon nuts.

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Two of my friends in Brooklyn have invented this great accessory for bicycles that creates a sort of trail/path/public artwork from the routes that your bicycle takes. They call it Contrail. They have started a Kickstart page in order to raise the funds to get their product into production. As of this writing, they have a little under $3,600 left to raise and just 9 days to do it, or they will not receive any of the $6,400 that's already been pleged to them. I'm writing to you because I think many of you may be interested in purchasing this product at some point in the future, or at least may be eager to support a device that not only would help distinguish high-traveled bike lanes, but would be a useful and necessary tool in group rides. In fact, they plan on donating most of their first batch to charities and non-profit organizations for just that purpose!



In the inventors' words:

Contrail is a public art project that celebrates shared spaces, helps make bicycling safer and more fun. Contrail attaches to your bicycles and, as you ride, the device leaves a colorful chalk trail behind you. Contrail uses washable, non-toxic chalking fluid made from eco-friendly pigments. Like a jet’s contrail, the lines on the road will fade with time and rain.

If they get the $10,000 goal, their funds will go to:

$5,700 A down payment on the tooling to make the housing and the gears.

$2,800 To pay for the first 2000 pieces, half of which will be donated to non-profits.

$1,000 To visit the factory in order to ensure that everything is built to our standards.

$1,500 To help coordinate and promote our first non-profit partnership event.



Please visit their site to get a better idea of the design and how it works. If you feel compelled, consider donating at least $5. More would help of course, but the price of a Happy Meal could make these two creative minds VERY happy!

http://www.bikecontrail.com/

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pepin/contrail-bicycle-community-tool


Please also pass this along to anyone you may think would be interested in supporting. Blog, tweet, post, whatever. Time's running out!

Shoefree Running

Since I started running seriously (for me) eight years ago I have off and on tried my hand, or rather my feet, at barefoot running. I can't say for sure what first prompted it, it may have been a suggestion in one of the many running books I owned to do sprints barefoot. Or it may have been a nostalgic novelty of my childhood summers when the only time I wore shoes was when I went into a store.

In either case during my preparation for the 2004 NYC Marathon I would occasionally find myself stepping out for a run unshod. As I was living in Boston at the time, running the streets and sidewalks sans-soles was not terribly appealing since the sidewalks often had glass or other less pleasnat material on them. In fact, it was a disgusting idea. So I would trot over to a nearby track and do laps on the grass. The onset of cold weather followed by an extended break from running after the mearathon meant I didn't pick it up again for some time.

At graduate school running was my great escape and I would slip back into barefoot running whenever it rained. A lap around campus on wet concrete and grass was both more exhilirating and relaxing than any other escape I could conceive.

When I moved to Boulder I continue my shoeless jaunts in the rain, though these were fewer in Boulder's dry climate. They were also still almost always quite short, largely because I was self-conscious about it. It attracted odd looks, even in Boulder.

Lately, though, I've been doing it more. In part because I started running in Vibrams and in part because I miss the sensation of the earth/grass/road on my feet. I enjoy feeling more connected to the environment around me and the sensation of nimble-footedness that you cannot get in any pair of running shoes. And really, isn't enjoying it what it's all about?

New Challenge: Leadman

The Leadman. Five events. Two hundred and eighty-two point four miles spread over five events in Leadville Colorado. Starting elevation, 10,000+ feet above sea level.

7/2/11 Leadville Marathon, 26.2 miles reaching an elevation over 13,000 feet.

7/16/11 Leadville Silver Rush 50-miler. I have a choice here, 50 miles of mountain biking or 50 miles of trail running. Oh joy.

8/13/11 Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race. Low point 9,200 feet; High point 12,424 feet.

8/14/11 LT100 10k. The next morning after the LT 100 MtB Race I've got to get up and run a 10k. It will be my last run before...

8/20/11 Leadville Trail 100-mile Run.  The original Race Across the Sky. The type of race that when you sign up for it, you ask yourself "What the heck is wrong with me?" and I'll be doing it just one week after doing a 100 mile mountain bike race.

What the heck is wrong with me?