132 replies to this topic

[HillsAths1]

I was going to start my discussion and discuss Vibrams, however the more I thought about it (and not wanting to alienate the VFF wearers) I thought I would aim for a wider topic and talk instead about the many fads and gimmicks that have come and (in most cases) gone.

Off the top of my head the best has to be the Powerband.

Many peoplle were shaking their heads in disbelief when they came out but many many others were certain that they were the reason for their improved performances.

What others can you think off.

The Ziggy sole on the reeboks is another that has not caught on, in the 80's Adidas used to use a fish net type material on the edge of the rubber of shoes (to dissipate the shock!) this ha also gone.

[vat]

Compression kit feels like it's mid fad.

The whole minimalist thing is an interesting animal.  Speaking even as someone who runs in Frees and VFFs, it feels borderline cultish at times - on a few occasions where I've suggested caution and patience, or even that barefoot might not work for someone, it has felt like I was swimming against the current.

Edited by vat, 29 December 2011 - 02:29 PM.

[chrisso]

Non-Newtonian Fluids

[errorfilenotfound]

A great topic.

breathe right nasal strips paid a bunch of athletes once and sparked a mini-fad.

power bands - fad thru and thru - luckily a number of prominent exposes has seen it die off a bit.

I think the whole compression thing is way overdone and is very fad-like.

Ditto the VFF thing is very fad like also. I am definitely a fan of minimalism and would be keen to see ACTUAL barefoot running rather than just a way to pay $200+ on a pair of shoes.

If you wear a camelbak for anything less than a 90minute run then you have been sucked in.

In general I think that many runners are too independent to follow the herd "too much", so the uptake of fads is probably quite low.

Edited by soyboy, 29 December 2011 - 03:03 PM.

[KiaKaha]

The TRX I think its becoming a bit fad like as well. I like them but wonder how long they will be in

[undercover brother]

running

[shortfastloud]

Hokas appear popular. A similar design was marketed by Nike about 1990.

Toe socks. Not sure why someone pays more than $2 for running socks.

And dihydrogen monoxide.

Edited by shortfastloud, 29 December 2011 - 03:12 PM.

[rohan]

core strength and stretching.

(get out there and run. your body will adapt.)

[rohan]

trail shoes.

as in I-want-to-try-running-on-trails... must-do-some-shopping-to-make-this-'possible'.

get out there and try it in whatever you have, then finesse your equipment.  just came back from a trail run in racing flats.  not ideal, but the opportunity presented itself, the flats were in the car, so you use whatever and it makes marginal difference.

[Studebaker]

soyboy, on 29 December 2011 - 03:02 PM, said:

Ditto the VFF thing is very fad like also. I am definitely a fan of minimalism and would be keen to see ACTUAL barefoot running rather than just a way to pay $200+ on a pair of shoes.

That's only in Australia (as they are much cheaper o/s), I think anyone paying $200+ on a pair of shoes is the victim of advertising/consumption.

[HillsAths1]

Just a couple of others spring to mind.

Shoe Goo (still available, but most people now happy to pay $200 and have new shoes in the new colours)
Goos, Gels and sport drinks (Interesting, times have not really dropped that much since the advent of Goos, Gels, Sports drinks, rarely do you see an elite running marathon downing Gels, IMO)
Headbands, whatever happened to them????

[KiaKaha]

We need a like button for posts lol

I agree with you Rohan core strength though pilates is dying off these days

[Leaf]

soyboy, on 29 December 2011 - 03:02 PM, said:

A great topic.

breathe right nasal strips paid a bunch of athletes once and sparked a mini-fad.

Even though I'm a sceptic there's part of me that wants to try these, just because I've seen some elites wearing them!

I'm a sucker for certain gimmicks.

[thomo]

Pre race caffeine hit. Runner's World in the 70's sprouted that one.

HillsAths1, on 29 December 2011 - 04:18 PM, said:

Headbands, whatever happened to them????

[shortfastloud]

I can't remember a single elite runner/triathlete using gels barring those who are sponsored.

My rule of thumb is avoid any products advertised in glossy magazines including in advertorials.

HillsAths1, on 29 December 2011 - 04:18 PM, said:

Just a couple of others spring to mind.

Shoe Goo (still available, but most people now happy to pay $200 and have new shoes in the new colours)
Goos, Gels and sport drinks (Interesting, times have not really dropped that much since the advent of Goos, Gels, Sports drinks, rarely do you see an elite running marathon downing Gels, IMO)
Headbands, whatever happened to them????

[russell2pi]

Show me a shoe that is NOT marketed on the basis of made-up bulldust and I'll fall over in shock.

[redbackrun]

shortfastloud, on 29 December 2011 - 03:11 PM, said:

Hokas appear popular. A similar design was marketed by Nike about 1990.

Toe socks. Not sure why someone pays more than $2 for running socks.

And dihydrogen monoxide.

I was thinking about buying the hoka one one next year. The ultra guys seem to think they are ok. I'll wait for more feedback though.

Headbands are now replaced by buffs.

[russell2pi]

bananas

[Chon]

[quote name='soyboy' timestamp='1325134973' post='702581']


If you wear a camelbak for anything less than a 90minute run then you have been sucked in.

Have to disagree with the camelbak comment- a backpack that you can easily carry water with you at anytime whether for a 50 min run or even a long walk in the heat is a great idea and I dont think it means you're being sucked into a fad!- sometimes it feels like people on here think you're weak or something if you need a drink/sustenance for relatively shorter runs- but everyone's requirements are different! (coming from someone who probably does get sucked into fads somewhat!, but hey you have to try new things out sometimes!!).

[chops]

Labour governments?

[luckysack]

rohan, on 29 December 2011 - 03:41 PM, said:

core strength and stretching.

(get out there and run. your body will adapt.)

Your kidding right?
They're here to stay buddy

[undercover brother]

ipods

[Rico]

iPod hate

[chariotlegs]

[Have to disagree with the camelbak comment- a backpack that you can easily carry water with you at anytime whether for a 50 min run or even a long walk in the heat is a great idea and I dont think it means you're being sucked into a fad!- sometimes it feels like people on here think you're weak or something if you need a drink/sustenance for relatively shorter runs- but everyone's requirements are different! (coming from someone who probably does get sucked into fads somewhat!, but hey you have to try new things out sometimes!!).
[/quote]

Totally agree with you.  

[Mick]

rohan, on 29 December 2011 - 03:45 PM, said:

trail shoes.

as in I-want-to-try-running-on-trails... must-do-some-shopping-to-make-this-'possible'.

get out there and try it in whatever you have, then finesse your equipment.  just came back from a trail run in racing flats.  not ideal, but the opportunity presented itself, the flats were in the car, so you use whatever and it makes marginal difference.

I agree that you can run anything in anything, but don't agree that trail shoes are a fad, I find they are more suited to their intended purpose than a general use shoe.

I have ASIC DS-Trainers (Track / Race), ASIC 21x0 (Road), and Brooks Cascadias (Trail) all in use at the moment, a new and old in each generally. I've use the Cascadias for interval work when its on grass and the surface is wet, and I regularly take the 21x0s for 25-50 km runs on trails. The Cascadias are also fine for road runs. If I turned up for a marathon and Cascadias were the only shoe I'd remembered to bring I wouldn't be worried at all. I run the same trails in both 21x0 and Cascadias. I find the Cascadias offer the advantage of grip, drainage, and rock protection. None of these things are going to mean you cannot complete the run in a road shoe. The grip will only matter if the trail wet, steep, or very loose, if you are on groomed fire trails you probably wont need it. You will probably only appreciate the drainage if doing creek crossing, or can't be bothered dodging big puddles and the run is reasonably long. The rock protection is something I've only been noticing lately. I've found that with the 21x0s if I land with a pointy rock in my arch it hurts, the Cascadias protect me from this. I don't feel this for the ball of my foot, perhaps it is tougher.

[Bellthorpe]

HillsAths1, on 29 December 2011 - 02:09 PM, said:

... in the 80's Adidas used to use a fish net type material on the edge of the rubber of shoes (to dissipate the shock!) this ha also gone.

Named after its inventor Bill, that was the 'Dellinger Web'. My wife still has a pair.

Mick, on 30 December 2011 - 12:05 AM, said:

I agree that you can run anything in anything, but don't agree that trail shoes are a fad, I find they are more suited to their intended purpose than a general use shoe.

He said "as in I-want-to-try-running-on-trails... must-do-some-shopping-to-make-this-'possible'. " Not an argument against trail shoes per se, but we see posts here which seem to imply that the poster can't go run a trail until getting the right shoes.

[SpecBGT]

A GPS Watch come HRM come performance monitor come session dictator come whatever they think of next that a person might or might not need when going for a run.

[SlowManiac]

What about that coloured, y-shaped tape that all the footie players and many runners seem to cover themselves in? Total gimmick.

[aDrain]

Long shorts

[undercover brother]

twitterface.
i just went for a 2km run.
i just ate a melon.
i just had a piss.
who gives a fark.

[maryclaire]

I wish injuries and niggles were just gimmicks that quickly disappear.

[Spud]

creamed rice

[KiaKaha]

Sorry UCB i think twits and faceache are here to stay

Im thinking we should start a fad or gimmick and see how it takes off. You can sell almost anything to the triathletes lol so maybe start there

[russell2pi]

Protein Bars. One product, two different wrappers: one that says "UltraSlim" and another that says "Mega-Bulk-Up 4000XT". Magic!

[Davo]

Spud, on 30 December 2011 - 10:53 AM, said:

creamed rice

I love creamed rice!

[Davo]

Okay, I'm going to stick my neck out and wait for you guys to start chopping at it.
Getting a bit more serious.......

It is my considered opinion that it is a persistant fad that says you need only to run about 35k in training to be able to run a good marathon. It is my firm belief that you need to run at least 42k on more than one occasion to be able to front up to a marathon with confidence.
Things like "do it with plenty of time to recover before the big day" should go without saying.
Few people will argue that doing 21k before a half marathon is a good idea. About two years ago someone on CR asked how to train for a 6 hour race. I think it was UCB that said simply "Run for 6 hours". I don't remember anyone disputing this. But all of a sudden the panic button starts flashing when a 42k race is mentioned and everyone says you must only do 35k in training. I say Bullsh*t!
Get out there and run 42k - or more - a few times before the big day. It's a fad that says you must run less.

Okay guys, come and get me. But you won't make me change my mind. I've proved it to myself through personal experience.

[serena]

russell2pi, on 30 December 2011 - 11:18 AM, said:

Protein Bars. One product, two different wrappers: one that says "UltraSlim" and another that says "Mega-Bulk-Up 4000XT". Magic!

LOL.

Actually perhaps "LOL" is a fad too. I predict a swing towards writing using the whole word rthr thn crrnt fad of ecomnsng by drppng vowels.

[SpecBGT]

russell2pi, on 30 December 2011 - 11:18 AM, said:

Protein Bars. One product, two different wrappers: one that says "UltraSlim" and another that says "Mega-Bulk-Up 4000XT". Magic!

Using the power of positive thinking. If you think that by eating it you will become 'ultraslim' or 'mega-bulky' then the power of the mind will make it so. Perhaps this is a fad too.

[undercover brother]

Zumba

[Action]

Davo, on 30 December 2011 - 04:07 PM, said:

...
Get out there and run 42k - or more - a few times before the big day. It's a fad that says you must run less.
...

I agree on both points - running long makes real sense and the "less is more idea" is a fad for those not willing to see where their limits are.  

There are two constants in running to the best of your ability - run as far as you can every week just short of breaking down, and train fast to run fast (again without breaking).

What is "just short of breaking down"? You can only find out by trial and error - run a lot and break sometimes.

So, I agree.

[thomo]

aDrain, on 30 December 2011 - 09:27 AM, said:

Long shorts

Guilty.

Headband and long shorts. Guilty on both counts.

[Action]

SpecBGT, on 30 December 2011 - 07:02 AM, said:

A GPS Watch ...

Nope, here to stay.  Right up there with shoes (yep, I reckon barefoot is a fad too).

[Tony123]

Marathons

[undercover brother]

5km marathons

[redbackrun]

undercover brother, on 30 December 2011 - 05:18 PM, said:

5km marathons

Yep, my sister said she ran a 7k marathon a few months ago. It was that hard that she hasn't run since.

Edit. 7k must be an ultramarathon then. I can't wait to hear her brag that she has run an ultra to her friends:)

Edited by redbackrun, 30 December 2011 - 05:57 PM.

[russell2pi]

aDrain, on 30 December 2011 - 09:27 AM, said:

Long shorts

Hmm I thought the same thing and the other day bought some short running shorts, having been meaning to do so for a long time.

Went to put them on this morning .... and thought the better of it!  I actually had to check the label and make sure I hadn't accidentally purchased a ladies' pair.

I'm hoping they'll feel less weird with a singlet instead of a T-shirt. (T-shirt weather this morning.)

[redbackrun]

Reebok pump shoes more for basketball if i can recall, you know "just like mike"

[chops]

undercover brother, on 30 December 2011 - 04:21 PM, said:

Zumba

I hope not.

[FreeDickland]

Actually perhaps "LOL" is a fad too. I predict a swing towards writing using the whole word rthr thn crrnt fad of ecomnsng by drppng vowels.

???? - surely this vowel dropping swing is a NZ economy drive - no need to print vowels when they are all pronounced the same ????

[cappy]

I'm a real sucker for all gadgets, gizmos and merchandise to do with a subject I like. But i am proud to say I haven't fallen for the compression fad (definitely a fad)

However I swear by gels for my nutrition as they're so convenient and consistently deliver for me. Bloody pricey though!

I also very very nearly bought a powerband but was so late in noticing them that the reports were already out about them being a load of tosh. I escaped huge embarassment there.