I鈥檝e had the same pair of snowboarding boots鈥攖he Ride Cadence鈥攆or ten years. I鈥檝e loved them for their soft, fleecy liner, their stiffness that gives me control of my turns, and mostly, because of the double BOA system that provides a seriously precise fit.

When I started snowboarding over 20 years ago, I found it impossible to tie my boots tight enough, even first thing in the morning. And throughout the day, the laces would loosen, requiring me to take off my mittens and retie them. I could never get them as snug as I wanted, especially over the top of my foot.

My Ride Cadence boots fixed all that with their double BOA lace systems, one tightening the boot around my foot, and one tightening around my ankle and lower leg.

The post I Replaced the Worn-Out BOA Dials and Laces on My Snowboard Boots Myself, but Not Without Swearing聽 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

My mind and my body don鈥檛 always agree with each other. While my mind is always game for adventures like monster trail runs in the mountains, hopping into a Masters swim session, or trying for a dyno at the climbing gym, my body regularly puts the brakes on. I鈥檓 always straining something; I鈥檓 regularly in pain.

I don鈥檛 chalk it all up to the fact that I鈥檓 not 20-something any more. Since my teens, I鈥檝e needed to listen to my body and do a lot of maintenance in the form of strength training, physical therapy treatments, and mobility exercises. So much physical therapy. So many exercises.

Roughly 10 years ago, I was told I have a connective tissue disorder. My lax ligaments and tendons mean I slip out of alignment easily, which causes all sorts of issues. Instead of doing less, however, I learned I needed to do more. I need to constantly strength train, keep my activities varied, and do a lot of self-care. My body needs maintenance.

To keep from constantly booking appointments and spending money on things like deep tissue massage and dry needling, I鈥檝e found tools that let me treat issues on my own time, my own dime, and in my own space at home. While I still need to visit experts for bigger issues, I can often address small pains and strains before they become problematic.

Here are the self-care tools I rely on to keep me healthy and moving.

The post My Body Is High Maintenance. I Rely On These Five Self-Massage Tools to Keep It Healthy. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

There鈥檚 a reason I don鈥檛 believe in running streaks, as in, committing to putting on my running shoes and heading out every single day for a certain number of days or months, regardless of what it takes to keep the streak going. It just isn鈥檛 right for me and my body.

A streak means ignoring aches, pains, cravings for different physical movements, or, at times, no movement at all. I credit listening to my body and carefully heeding what it鈥檚 telling me for my longevity in terms of being able to run, practice yoga, and engage in multiple other athletic endeavors for鈥攍iterally鈥攄ecades.

Perhaps irrationally, I thought a power yoga streak, or a challenge, would be different. It鈥檚 yoga, after all. Breathing. Core strengthening. Finding stability in my joints. I figured doing 20 minutes of yoga with the help of an app on my phone on top of whatever else I鈥檇 done that day鈥攔unning, snowboarding, swimming鈥攚ould make me stronger and maybe even better at everything.

But here I was, committed to 20 minutes a day, no matter what.

Also, I鈥檇 be lying if I didn鈥檛 admit to envisioning a more ripped version of myself. A stronger version, inwardly and outwardly. A more balanced version, both in my body and in how I spend each waking moment of my days. Or maybe I was buying into those Instagram ads targeted at women of a certain age.

Anyways, I decided to switch things up.

Here’s What Happened When I Practiced Power Yoga Every Day for 21 Days

Days 1鈥�10: I Was Very Into It

For the past 25 years, I鈥檝e intermittently practiced all styles of yoga, and for the past five years, I鈥檝e practiced a 60-minute power yoga class every week or so. So I landed on power yoga for my challenge. I have hypermobile joints, so I figured focusing on strengthening might help prevent me from overstretching.

I鈥檇 never been concerned with which day of the week I unrolled my mat. Instead, I鈥檇 listened to my body and practiced yoga when it felt needed. A Monday after a big weekend of running. A Thursday when I wanted to slow down and focus on stretching and strengthening. A Sunday evening when I needed some quiet mental space.

But here I was, committed to 20 minutes a day, no matter what.

When I got in the pool a couple of days afterward, I felt like I was in someone else鈥檚 body. My shoulders and lats were so tight, I couldn鈥檛 extend into my stroke like usual.

On Days one through seven, I felt like a badass. On the fifth day, I outlasted my husband and teenage sons while snowboarding deep powder in Steamboat, Colorado. In fact, I had to beg my 16-year-old to head back out with me after lunch. Riding in powder basically requires a one-legged squat, and I single-legged the shit out of those powder runs.

Shortly after the lifts closed, I hit the gym with my phone and headphones and cranked out 20 minutes of power yoga. The twisting and balancing of my muscles felt great. The additional strengthening鈥攁nd working through my fatigue鈥攁fter a long day of activity was empowering. The soreness in new places made me feel like I was doing something good for my body. And sticking to the commitment鈥攁nd all the yoga-ness鈥攄id the same for my mind.

Snowboarding and yoga felt complementary to one another. Swimming and yoga, not so much. When I got in the pool a couple of days afterward, I felt like I was in someone else鈥檚 body. My shoulders and lats were so tight, I couldn鈥檛 extend into my stroke like usual. And I definitely couldn鈥檛 glide.

I fought my way through a slow 1,600 yards in the pool and then practiced 20 minutes of core yoga that evening, all the time thinking about all the damned I鈥檇 been doing. As I begrudgingly did another Chaturanga and recalled my clunky swim stroke from earlier in the day, I told myself: It鈥檚 okay. I鈥檓 stronger. I鈥檓 tighter in a good way.

Days 11鈥�15: I Felt Invincible…Until I Didn’t

I may do a shit ton of various outdoor activities, but I鈥檓 a runner at my core. Though I鈥檇 been sidelined from putting in as many miles as usual due to being sick (which somewhat inspired the challenge), I was surprised at my stamina when I headed out for a slow run with my dog and then, the next day, went out for four miles with a friend. We weren鈥檛 breaking any records, but I felt more cardiovascularly capable than I鈥檇 anticipated.

After both runs, I did my 20 minutes of yoga. I felt invincible.

The next day, I decided to join another friend for a run that climbs roughly 1,000 feet in one mile. I did this against my better judgment鈥擨 rarely run three days in a row. She鈥檚 faster and fitter than I am, and I鈥檝e been chasing her up mountains for 20 years. Since we usually talk nonstop, I had to keep up. Toward the end of the run, I felt a sharp twinge in my calf.

That evening, I told myself would be a useful calf stretch; I proceeded to settle into my 20 minutes. I needed to adjust some poses by bending my knees and moving with extra care, and I kept paying attention to my calf. I started to notice my hamstrings feeling more stretched out than maybe ever before, a good thing for most, but not me. I filed that away in my brain and continued with my challenge.

In the meantime, I became somewhat obsessed with a new pose: . I鈥檇 been dialing up various 20-minute power yoga options from my app, based on what I felt like (I didn鈥檛 entirely abandon listening to my body), so one night I found myself doing a class focused on arm balances. I had zero experience doing Side Crow, but was able to get some hang time and felt my upper abdominals fire up. I loved it.

I found another session a few days later that allowed me to reenact that pose again. Turns out my commitment gave me a small gift鈥攁 pose I wouldn鈥檛 have found otherwise.

By Day 15, despite focusing on newfound poses and a stronger core and stabilizing muscles, I started noticing flexibility in places I hadn鈥檛 had it before. My forward folds felt bendier (high hamstrings, behind my knees) as did my (low back). My twists were twistier. I started to worry. I鈥檓 naturally bendy and have learned that tension in my body is good for me. Too much pull on my joints tends to throw me out of alignment, most often in my hips. The stretchiness made me feel vulnerable. I felt less durable than I had been in a while.

Days 16鈥�21: I Started to Rethink Things

Winter in Colorado, for beach volleyball players, means gathering with friends in a warehouse filled with sand. I hadn鈥檛 played in months, and the niggle in my calf had gone away by the time I showed up at the volleyball gym.

Do I need more yoga? Or do I need less?

Serving the ball still hurt due to a loose shoulder I was working on strengthening, but all other movements鈥攅ven flailing across the court to dive for a ball in the sand鈥攆elt good. My mobility was there. My quickness was, too. It seemed the consistent yoga had kept all of the parts needed for volleyball鈥攕ide body, muscles in my feet鈥攅ngaged.

That night, exhausted from volleyball, I chose a restorative yoga session. I was pleased to find that I wasn鈥檛 all that sore the next day.

But a couple of days later, my right knee began to ache. I was still able to run, lift, and do my 20-minute sessions, but I started to wonder what I needed to adjust. The pain felt similar to what I鈥檇 experienced with a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and hyperextension on that same knee years prior. It had healed with a , strength training, and time.

Was it the that were aggravating my knee? Was it something in my hip, a tight gluteus medius perhaps, pulling my knee out of alignment? Or were my hips out of whack and my knee the victim? Do I need more yoga? Or do I need less?

Skate skiing in my local park on Day 20 of my yoga streak gave me my answer. As I glided around the park, my body coiling, then releasing and gliding, coiling and then gliding, it hit me: my body needs to coil more than it needs to glide. My hypermobility requires strengthening and tension as a form of glue. Too much glide, too much stretch, pulls at the glue. I realized that night, as I struggled to find comfort in my knee in , the most comforting of all poses for many, that I needed to stop my streak.

On Day 21, I decommitted. I learned what I already knew鈥攕treaks are bad for me. Adjusting each day for what I鈥檓 craving, both in mind and body, is good.

I鈥檓 back to listening.

Want more聽国产吃瓜黑料聽health stories?聽. Ready to push yourself? Enter MapMyRun鈥檚聽聽running challenge.

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Since entering the running apparel scene in 2014, Tracksmith鈥檚 aesthetic has exuded clean-cut, preppy, East-Coast vibes. Think fast track runners who put on cardigans once they鈥檙e showered at their private New England school. Yet now Tracksmith is charging into a new, dirtier, grungier realm: Trail running.

The brand has made individual pieces of trail running apparel in the past, but as of this week it’s going all-in with the . Anchored by a new trail running shoe, the line includes a long- and short-sleeve tee, shorts for men and half tights for women, a jacket, hydration vest, and a hat (the only item in the collection under $100).

Since I鈥檓 a dirty, grungy trail runner (and proud of it), I happily stepped into just about every item from the new kit, head-to-toe, for a 7-mile mountain run in the Indian Peaks above Boulder, Colorado.

Here鈥檚 how each item fared as the run unfolded.

The post I Mountain-Tested Tracksmith鈥檚 New Trail Running Shoe and Apparel. Here鈥檚 How It Fared. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Years ago, when I was 20-something, I heard comedian Jon Stewart on stage in San Francisco quip, 鈥淒o you ever shave one of your legs to make it feel like you鈥檙e in bed with someone else?鈥� All these years later, Stewart’s line came back to me to inspire a unique way to test the , which claims to be the first razor made and marketed for men’s legs.

Many male cyclists, triathletes, and swimmers shave their legs for reasons related to performance that include aerodynamics, ease of taping, and better healing of road rash. I understand that men typically use their face razor or buy (or borrow) a woman鈥檚 razor, which are all intended for shaving legs.

Most women who shave their legs do it out of habit and societal norms for appearance. I鈥檝e been shaving mine since I stole my mom鈥檚 razor when I was about 12 or 13. I鈥檝e solely used inexpensive, disposable razors designed for women. I鈥檇 never considered using one intended for men’s legs鈥robably because they didn鈥檛 exist until now.

Inspired by Jon Stewart and looking for a clear comparison, for roughly three months, I shaved one of my legs with the , and the other leg with a simple $15 Gillette Venus targeted towards women. (There are many versions of the Venus; mine is the .) The Venus may be inexpensive, but it has replaceable cartridges with four blades, and skin lubricating panels built in, making it a step up from a single-blade Daisy Razor.

Did my experiment make me feel like I was in bed with a third party, aside from my husband? Not exactly. But it did give me some interesting results.

What Makes the Bolt Performance Razor Male Leg-Hair Specific?

First, I needed to find out what makes the Bolt Razor tailored for men. A company rep told me that it鈥檚 ergonomically designed to be held by larger hands for specific use on the legs (versus the face), and for non-slip use in the shower thanks to its heavy, zinc-alloy handle. The razor, designed in Finland, also has Swedish specialty steel blades tuned sharper for the coarse leg and body hair of a man. The Bolt鈥檚 5-blade cartridge is bordered by strips made of aloe vera and vitamin E to help moisturize as you shave, which is not unique; my Gillette razor has similar strips.

The Bolt Performance Razor vs. Gillette Venus Experiment

During my 12-week experiment, my right leg became my Bolt Razor leg; my left, my Gillette Venus razor leg.

I soon found I looked forward to shaving my right leg with the Bolt Razor. I was also using the that contains aloe vera and menthol, said to exfoliate and prep the follicles for a shave. The process of shaving my right leg became more of a soothing ritual than a quick duty, and the extra time and care resulted in a smooth shave. I enjoyed the nice, weighty razor. It wasn鈥檛 too large for my female hands (Note: I wear women鈥檚 medium to large gloves). I began to like my right leg better.

My left leg suffered a bit, more because of my lack of attention. Shaving my left leg just wasn鈥檛 as fun. I regularly missed a panel of stubble somewhere. The closeness of the shave was similar between legs, maybe a little smoother on the right/Bolt Razor side, but not wildly different. I just enjoyed shaving the right leg much more, and so I didn鈥檛 tend to leave patches of unshaved hair, even around my knobby ankle bones. My left leg, it should be noted, also didn鈥檛 get the treatment of the Bolt Shave Butter, which contributed to its lack of attention.

Even when I switched to fresh blades on both razors, I didn鈥檛 perceive a significant difference in the closeness of the shave. I also didn鈥檛 note a difference in the two razors related to gender. Instead, I found that the Bolt razor delivered a significantly different shave experience due to its quality.

Simple razors work just fine. But, I discovered, a quality, weighted razor鈥攚ith a handle that feels good and solid in the hand and blades dedicated to leg hair, male or female鈥� makes for a better shave (especially when used with a nice shave butter). Cheap razors are also disposable, and I like the idea of using one razor for longer and keeping plastics out of landfills and the ocean.

A quick internet search tells me there are 鈥渇ancy鈥� razors made for women, which, no doubt, give luxurious shaves and are worth exploring. But, no surprise here: many are small and pink. I hate feeling pandered to. I鈥檓 an athlete, for God鈥檚 sake, not a fairy princess.

I’m going to keep using the Bolt Razor, male marketing be damned, for its superior shave experience. But I鈥檒l stop taking Jon Stewart’s advice and start shaving both legs the same.

The post I Shaved One Leg With a Razor Made for Male Athletes and the Other With a Women鈥檚 Model for Three Months. Here鈥檚 What I Discovered. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The best sports bras are the ones you forget about while you鈥檙e riding, running, skiing, or doing yoga. They support you without suffocating, provide coverage without constriction, and allow you to focus on the activity at hand without being irritated by seams, scratchy material, or a poor fit.

And fit is tricky, because every woman is built differently and has her own preferences about how a good sports bra should feel. For that reason, we had a team of 11 testers of various sizes, who live in diverse climates and participate in a range of activities, test over 50 of the season鈥檚 best sports bras to find the models that rose to the top.

Updated September 2025: We added a 鈥淏est for Winter Activities鈥� category and named six 鈥淩unners Up鈥� in existing categories.

The post The Best Sports Bras (Fall 2025): Tested and Reviewed appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Running terrain of the rocky-rooty-rutty variety is fun and rewarding, but no easy task. Add stream crossings, scree fields, and occasional snow patches, and it鈥檚 no surprise wild trails demand focus and athleticism at any pace, even the most leisurely. If you up the stakes by racing, then every foot strike carries even more weight.

That heightened challenge is why your shoes matter. The new HOKA Mafate 5 delivers go-long performance with reliable support over countless miles of rough ground. HOKA updated this ultrarunning fan favorite with enhanced durability, protection, and comfort for all terrain. As the first model HOKA introduced to the world in 2010, the Mafate is now better than ever, ready for demanding off-road runs and rugged ultra races.

The Shoe That Launched the Brand

Fifteen years ago, HOKA disrupted the running shoe industry with its first-ever model: the original Mafate. At a time when minimalist zero-drop shoes were all the rage, the thick midsole of the Mafate was a maximalist rebuke, upending the trail running world with its rockered shape and bucket seat鈥搇ike foot positioning. Born in the mountains, the Mafate was designed to inspire a feeling of flying, not unlike the softer glide and float of a powder ski through deep snow.

A decade and a half later, it鈥檚 hard to tread a busy trail without seeing a handful of HOKAs. Trail runners, in particular, lean into the comfort of the brand鈥檚 amped-up cushioning and stability features. Combine the midsole benefits with a secure upper, serious traction, the foot-cradling feel of HOKA鈥檚 Active Foot Frame, and the smooth-rolling MetaRocker shape, and it鈥檚 easy to understand the off-road appeal.

Today, the shoe that started it all is in its fifth iteration. After years of product development, the does everything its predecessor did, but better. It鈥檚 more durable in the midsole and upper, with a styling that pays homage to the 106-mile (UTMB) course spanning the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps. And the Mafate 5 is the first HOKA trail runner that has gaiter-compatible features. It鈥檚 ready to fly through unexpected turbulence.

Improved Durability, Support, and Traction

The Mafate 5 has been updated for long-term durability. While the Mafate has always been designed with a MetaRocker shape to encourage forward momentum, it now features all-new Rocker Integrity Technology. That translates to a curved, pliable plate made from lightweight TPU that helps the shoe hold its shape for longer while enhancing an efficient stride.

The upper has also been updated for 360-degree foot protection and durability with a molded TPU structure that encases a stretchy jacquard knit. That lightweight armor provides extra support for more precise foot placement. And if you鈥檙e heading into tricky terrain, you can quickly and securely attach a gaiter to help keep trail gunk out of your shoes (and from irritating your feet).

Credit surefootedness to a Vibram Megagrip庐 outsole that increases ground contact on everything from wet slabs to sandy trails. New to the Mafate 5, the dual-density midsole has been flip-flopped: The softer bottom layer supports a firmer upper layer, providing ample cushioning that morphs over rocks and roots while absorbing and rebounding the impact of every step.

Who Is It For?

Runners who are ready for their off-road best. Built for ultrarunners who demand durability, protection, and comfort on the most challenging terrain, the new Mafate 5 delivers unwavering trail performance and steadfast support from start to finish.

HOKA is one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands in history. Conceived in the mountains, HOKA footwear delivers an unprecedented combination of enhanced cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA pushes the innovation and design of its footwear and apparel by teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, taste makers and everyday athletes. From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its bold and unexpected approach, and its belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world. HOKA empowers a world of athletes to fly over the earth. For more information, visit or follow @HOKA. #FlyHumanFly聽聽

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It鈥檚 mid-July and stupid hot where I live in Boulder, Colorado (and in virtually every other part of the country). While I鈥檇 love to spend all day every day by a beach or in the water wearing a bikini鈥攍ike these I tested over the past six weeks鈥攖here鈥檚 reality. Aside from societal norms asking me not to wear a bikini to the post office and the impracticality of not having pockets, there鈥檚 the fiery ball in the sky threatening things like skin cancer and heat exhaustion. Since I can鈥檛 live life in a bathing suit, I鈥檝e honed in on a few practical pieces of gear to help me survive the summer swelter in other ways.

Paka Sol Hoodie

My answer to not living by a beach in the summer is to head to the mountains for a run or hike with girlfriends or my dog. I鈥檓 desperate for cooler air, big trees, and mountain lakes (that I often jump into mid-run). Even when the temperature is 65 degrees and rising quickly at the trailhead parking lot, I鈥檝e been pulling on or packing the Paka Sol Hoodie. The shirt is 30 UPF-rated and covers my arms, chest, and upper back which are usually bare and just begging for sun damage. When it鈥檚 in hoodie mode, even the sides of my face are shielded.

Aside from the sun protection, the extremely soft material鈥攁 blend of Tencel, nylon, spandex, and Royal Alpaca wool鈥攎akes me wish the weather would not reach the 90s in town so I could wear this thing all the time. When the temps do change this fall, I鈥檒l be wearing the Paka Sol Hoodie for camping, sports watching, and hanging out on cool autumn days.

Unlike most midlayers that provide similar coziness, however, the Sol hoodie is super thin, packable, lightweight, and highly breathable, making it a favorite summer piece as well. I usually run hot, but while friends are shedding their sun hoodies mid-run, I remain comfortable in the Paka Sol Hoodie until the temps climb to 70-something degrees. I like to start my mountain runs with it on, shed it for the heat of the day, and pull it back on after I鈥檝e jumped in a lake for the run back to the car.

SunBum Signature SPF 50 Tinted Sunscreen Face Stick

I am a woman who spends a lot of time being active outside, and I鈥檓 no longer a teenager, so I need to protect my skin to keep from looking like my teenage sons鈥� grandmother. I鈥檓 also someone who cares deeply for the ocean and the coral reefs I鈥檝e seen deteriorate over my lifetime鈥攄eterioration that is traced to the sunscreens we wear. There鈥檚 also proving toxic sunscreen ingredients affect freshwater eco-systems and all animal life. So it鈥檚 not just the reefs we need to worry about with our sunscreen choices, it鈥檚 all water.

I鈥檝e been on the lookout for a lightly tinted mineral sunscreen face stick that doesn鈥檛 feel sticky and gross and avoids toxic ingredients avobenzene and octinoxate. This stick from SunBum feels light and smooth, not thick and heavy. I鈥檝e sweat and swum plenty while wearing it, and it seemed to stay on just fine, with no burns to report. The tint is just enough to even out some sunspots that I swear weren鈥檛 there yesterday and I love the grab-and-go, fit-in-a-pocket size and slender shape. Plus, being a mineral (zinc oxide) sunscreen, it鈥檚 compliant with Hawaii Act 104, which banned the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing octinoxate and oxybenzone. Don鈥檛 need SPF 50? An SPF 30 clear version is also available.

Rabbit Hydration Trail Bra

Did I mention that it鈥檚 been high-90s in Boulder, and that there鈥檚 no ocean here? Since I can鈥檛 escape to the mountains every day, I sometimes have to run in the heat, even if I get up early (which I kind of don鈥檛).

To beat the heat, I鈥檝e recently been running with something that makes me look both like someone with a protrusion on her back and the smartest runner out there: a hydration bra. The Rabbit Hydration Trail Bra comes with a small (250mL) HydraPak soft flask and a dedicated stretchy pocket at mid-back. Brilliant. I can carry a little water comfortably and hands-free without wearing a pack or belt.聽 When I plan ahead, I鈥檝e been sticking the full flask in the refrigerator or freezer for a short time before shoving it in the pocket and heading out to run. This helps to keep me cool鈥攕omething you don鈥檛 get when wearing a hydration vest.

I don鈥檛 have the most flexible shoulders, but can still access the flask mid-run no problem. Returning it to the pocket requires me to slow my pace and shove, but I don鈥檛 have to stop completely. I imagine some runners will be able to do this easily, though others might have to focus and stretch harder.

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To those who don鈥檛 run, calling the act of running 鈥渇un鈥� can seem absurd. Even for those who do understand, it鈥檚 not easy to define or explain. In the most basic sense, it鈥檚 just fun to move playfully through the world鈥攔unning wherever you are鈥攚ith just a pair of shoes and your body. You feel capable. Free.

And that fun extends beyond me. I met my husband through running. I鈥檝e shared running with the people I love, my two sons, and my dog. My running friends, who I鈥檓 eternally grateful to have, are like family. Running forges those bonds. It presents events and opportunities to strengthen those connections, while also constantly introducing me to new people. It鈥檚 a part of who I am.

So it鈥檚 worth a moment to say thank you, running, for all that you鈥檝e given and continue to give me and the others who share your benefits.

You are a sport, an activity, a lifestyle, a need. You鈥檙e something I used to avoid as a high school high jumper, hiding behind the foam pits during the two-lap team warm-up. You鈥檙e something I learned to love the summer before college, making myself run on the beach in San Diego, training to walk onto my college volleyball team. You鈥檙e what I fell back on when I walked off that volleyball team the following spring after juggling volleyballs on the sidelines proved to be not all that fun.

But then I discovered that running was fun. During college, I ran on ocean bluffs and sandy beaches. I jumped into the cold Pacific to wash off the sweat and relish the post-run feeling that you can鈥檛 get from doing anything else. I craved the motion, and I loved how running made me feel.

I still do.

Now I run on trails crossing foothills and peaks of the Rocky Mountains and on the roads and paths of Boulder, Colorado. In this special town that truly values running, the culture and community that comes with running provides so much: friends, work, adventure, energy, fun.

The sense of gratitude I feel also has many layers, which made me wonder how others felt about the sport. I wanted to understand the varied benefits that runners experience, so when I started asking a simple question: 鈥淲hy are you thankful to running?鈥� The depth of emotion impressed me most. Responses ranged from the practical to the metaphysical. I collected thoughtful reflections from a diverse set of runners, each with their unique take on what the sport offers them. The next time you wallow in that push-pull cocktail of runner鈥檚 high and exhaustion, consider the collective gratitude below and perhaps take an extra moment to reflect.

Ana Wallin, 20, University of Oregon Campus Running Tour ambassador and student鈥攐n the mental clarity found in running:

鈥淩unning is a great way to clear your head. No one can really bother you when you鈥檙e running. You can just say, 鈥業鈥檓 going for a run,鈥� turn your phone off, and go as far as you want. Sometimes I go out for a mile, and then it鈥檚 so pretty out, I keep going for five. I have seen a lot more of Eugene this year than I have in the past two years combined because of running, so I鈥檓 thankful to the sport for that.鈥�

, 27, holds the South African record in the 5,000m and 10,000m, and recently raced the 5,000 at a after six weeks of training, only to wake up on race day with a head cold:

鈥淲hat I love about this sport is that no matter how prepared you think you are, it can fall apart at any moment. Or, you can have the breakthrough of your life. That risk/reward element is incredibly exciting. Yes, some days are challenging getting out of bed to do that early morning workout, and stressful because I challenge myself constantly to improve, but it鈥檚 all worth it. Even on my most adverse days, I find joy in the dusty trails with birds chirping everywhere. This simple sport that requires hard work and many miles is rewarding in a way that鈥檚 beyond comprehension. It allows me to be better than what I was the day, the month, or the year before.鈥�

, 41, on how running provides perspective and helps him use his voice and story (eight years sober, seven years running) as a podcast host (, , ):

鈥淩unning has reminded me of three things that are hard to remember at times: We are all in this together. We can accomplish great things if we do the work and trust the process. And the key to life and running: Be where your feet are.鈥�

, 35, professional runner who also works full-time and chases a 3-year-old, on the value of carving out adventure time:

鈥淢y favorite days of training are when I get hours to go explore: seeing a mountain peak in the distance and figuring out a way to its summit. There鈥檚 nothing that compares to the feelings of freedom and accomplishment you get atop a mountain peak. Not to mention self-confidence. When I can navigate stressful, technical scrambling routes and safely make it back to the car in one piece, I always feel a deep sense of achievement and pride for staying calm and making good decisions.鈥�

Jeanette Scotti, 50, elementary school librarian and everyday trail runner:

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful that running keeps me in shape for adult-league soccer and for life in general!鈥�

, 50, a three-time Hardrock 100 winner (10-time finisher) and 2012 Grand Slam of Ultrarunning winner, on her gratitude for the running community of friends she鈥檚 made over the years:

鈥淚n ultrarunning specifically, you form a special bond because you know a different kind of suffering. Running is also the way I stay connected to nature鈥攊t reminds me to stay present and focus on what鈥檚 right in front of me at all times.鈥�

Lloyd Kahn, 90, who knows resilience after recently running the grueling, rugged 7.4-mile Dipsea trail race in Marin County, California鈥攏ot to mention surfing and swimming in the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay:

鈥淩unning develops character. It really hurts in various stages. When I get down and see the finish, I鈥檓 like, 鈥楬ow am I ever going to make it to the finish line?鈥� If you go through that, you come out stronger.鈥�

, 43, ultrarunner and immigration lawyer who, through her nonprofit, Touching Land, uses hands-on experiences like running to :

鈥淚鈥檝e seen running help immigrants and refugees feel a sense of belonging in the U.S. Running provides a place where, with fellow runners, we can share tears of joy and vulnerability, a place where we celebrate green cards and PRs, but especially a place where our humanity can build our sense of community.鈥�

Aidan Reed, 28, 2024 winner of and 2025 fifth-place professional race and fifth-place USATF 10-Mile National Championships, on developing the sense of self, purpose, and community through running:

鈥淭hrough running, I鈥檝e been fortunate to meet some of the most important people in my life and travel to places I probably wouldn鈥檛 have traveled otherwise. Ultimately, running has given me an identity as I move through the world; it鈥檚 the lens through which I understand who I am.鈥�

Beth Smith, 52, private wealth adviser and mom, on balancing running with life chasing teens, clients, and PRs:

鈥淎fter a run, I either solve the world鈥檚 problems or I forget what the original problem was. Both are wins.鈥�

, 40, cultural strategist and filmmaker (including , 2025), climate advocate, and runner, on the healing, wellness, and growth in running:

鈥淚n the last five years, running has become a core part of who I am鈥攁 way to explore interconnectedness between self, culture, and place. Sometimes it鈥檚 moving meditation. Sometimes it鈥檚 processing grief. Sometimes it鈥檚 pure joy in finding the right relations [with the natural world]. Often, it鈥檚 all of the above.鈥�

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Picking the best road running shoe isn鈥檛 as simple as it used to be. As shoe technology has advanced, so have the options. With lighter, bouncier midsoles, comfort-focused uppers, bold new geometries, and embedded plates that boost efficiency and stability, there鈥檚 now a shoe for every type of run, making it harder than ever to know which one is right for you.

To help you choose the right running shoe for you, we continually test every new release with a diverse team of more than 20 runners, spanning a wide range of abilities and experience levels. Whether you鈥檙e a beginner learning to love running or a veteran chasing a new marathon PR, our road running shoe guide is here to help you find the perfect fit.

Updated October 2025: We鈥檝e selected new models in eight out of 16 categories and updated prices and availability for all the best road running shoes in the guide.

The post The Best Road Running Shoes for Training and Racing (Fall 2025) appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.