Paragoners,
We’ve moved! Please check out our new blog here to read the latest post on the Brooklyn Half. We value your feedback–comment on our new site what you think of it. Keep in mind it’s still a work in progress for the next week or so. With your input and support, it can be its best yet. Thanks and happy running!
Good luck to all Brooklyn Half Runners 🙂
-Your Paragon Sports Team
Just because we live in a cement jungle, doesn’t mean green stuff doesn’t exist–we promise. There are plenty of trails to explore an hour or more from NYC, but if you’re looking for a closer-to-home adventure, we’ve got you covered. Check out our map below with 6 of our recommended spots to put in some nature miles.
The trails from easiest to most difficult:
Forest Park, Queens: 30-45 minutes from Midtown. Embrace the rolling hills in this nature-filled oasis between Queens and Brooklyn. Three main trails range from 1-3 miles long on the Eastern side of the park.
Central Park, Manhattan: In Midtown. Conquer the hills of our city on the 1.5 mile Reservoir Path or one of two Bridle Path loops at 1.66 and 2.5 miles around. These are great to tack onto a run close to home for a taste of greenery.
Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, New York: 60 minutes from Midtown. The entire trail runs 26 miles (from Yonkers to Croton Dam), and you’ll run through towns with plenty of places to stop for snacks or park a car. Not super technical, it follows a rail and lets you cover a lot of ground without pounding pavement.
Inwood Hills Park, Bronx: 35-40 minutes from Midtown. For a true in-city trail, this 2 mile loop starts out on paved paths near ball fields. After a few stairs, you’re in a leafy wonderland. Easily add onto your run by exploring the Riverside Path along the Hudson.
Van Cortlandt, Bronx: 60 minutes from Midtown. NYC’s third largest park, it dedicates a 1.25 mile and a 3 mile path to runners, along with hiking trails to journey.
Palisades Interstate Park, New Jersey: 90 minutes from Midtown. Put in a long run starting in the city, running the bridge and entering the trails or start near the Englewood Cliffs boat basin to park and run. There are multiple trails, including an 11-miler, that are accessible from here and they include hills, stairs, a boulder field and some challenging ascents.
If you want a group to run trails with, join the Paragon Trail Run 5k or 10k featuring Salomon at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 in Van Cortlandt Park! We will have two vans for up to 25 people to get a round-trip ride from Paragon Sports in Union Square at 8:15 a.m. RSVP to ocheng@paragonsports.com. You’re welcome to meet us there to run the workout, as well. **Bag check, post-run coffee and sweets will be available.
Only a few weeks away from Yoga Journal Live! in New York, we wanted to share a chat we had with a yoga brand called ALO. Marketing Manager Amanda Porter gives us an inside look to the brand, why they practice and what they do for you–the yogi’s wearing the clothes both on the mat and on the street. Part of the athleisure movement, ALO makes clothing for function and fashion that you won’t want to take off!
How ALO Got Started
“ALO Yoga was created to align with the owners’ healthy lifestyle, and to be equal parts performance and fashion so that yogis could also wear it to and from practice and beyond into everyday life,” says Amanda. On top of satisfying real yogi needs, ALO’s owners also care about their environmental impact, and strive for green-conscious yoga products.
ALO’S Mission
Speaking of green-minded, ALO stands for Air Land and Ocean to represent their environmentally conscious goals. At their location in California, you’ll find a solar-powered design studio, a paper-free warehouse and electric car charging station in the parking lot. Like the environment, workers are also treated well with a 100% no sweat shop policy. Since the beginning, ALO Yoga has been making clothing in the U.S. and internationally in a no-sweatshop, humane, sustainable way. “We treat our people the way we want to be treated,” Amanda says. “Doing things the right way has never been up for debate.”
Behind the Product
All ALO products are tested by yogis and are fit multiple times before reaching production. “That means no downward-dog peep show, no camel toe, no peek-a-boob bras. Ever,” says Amanda. They will tell you they literally sweat the small stuff so you can focus solely on your yoga practice.
Top Products
So, what are these products? A popular ALO product currently is the Airbrush Legging, a classic yoga legging with ultimate performance fabric to sculpt inner and outer thighs while lifting the booty. Zero outer seams slim the thighs and a new waistband is engineered to flatter your stomach. “It’s like wearing real-life retouching,” Amanda says. “Who doesn’t want an airbrushed version of themselves?” Next up is the patent-pending Goddess Ribbed Legging, which is both the favorite in the office and with ALO yogis. It features similar booty-lifting, thigh-sculpting qualities and extended legs to fit over your feet if you need a little extra grip or coverage in class. It’s similar to leg warmers, but built in!
What’s New?
Two new versions of the classic patent-pending Goddess Ribbed Legging are launching.
Inside ALO
As we mentioned, ALO employees practice what they believe and sell–and they practice right in their own office together. “You’d think it’s Game Over for the day’s productivity after a good flow and savasana, but we all get back to work with clearer, chiller heads,” Amanda says. The group yoga lets employees get to know each other in a more real, human way. Partnering up for handstands on each other’s side-by-side, sweaty mats gets them laughing with each other quickly. And ALO hosts some of the best L.A. yoga instructors to teach employees multiple times a week, so everyone gets a chance to stretch and strengthen at the on-site studio. Besides at-work yoga, Amanda says her the best part of ALO is the people. “They care about yoga, making sure our yogis look and feel great and on-trend, and the environment, and are all-around inspiring humans outside of work as well,” she says. “We’re all excited to see each other every day, which is pretty special.”
Yogi Tip for Runners
Amanda was kind enough to share a tip for us runners! Here’s her trick for tight hammies: Forward fold to really work into hamstrings. If you tighten your quad muscles, you’ll be able to draw your hips forward, creating length and a deeper hamstring stretch.
It’s already 2015, and we may not be the Jetsons, but we have technology that beats any futuristic cartoon world. Ok–a hovercraft would be awesome, but that’s besides the point. Today we’ll share some of the coolest sport and lifestyle watches on the market, as well as get an inside look from our own, tech guru Sam Wunderlich, on the Garmin Vivoactive.
Garmin Vivoactive
The Connect IQ platform, built around their own programming language, is very cool to watch develop.
-Sam W.
What you get:
Tech Talk with Sam on his Garmin Vivoactive
Sam has had his fair share of tech watches, including the Suunto 3, Fitbit, Polar 5, TomTom1, and just purchased the Garmin Vivoactive last week. He’s already pleased with it and is enjoying the process of learning all the possible capabilities of the new lifestyle piece.
P: What made you choose the Garmin Vivoactive?
S: It has a great app, Garmin Connect, which tracks sleep, workouts, calories burned, and I can log my food via MyFitnessPal seamlessly. It’s very customizable to fit your desires. I like how it integrated notifications into an already great GPS company.
P: What are some key features that stand out from other watches?
S: It has basically all the key features in a watch that anyone knows about. The only thing missing is the integrated heart rate that Apple and FitBit are known for, but this device is easy to use an HR strap with. Plus, I don’t really care about my HR during the middle of the day, only specific workouts. On the software side, the GPS speed and distance for running and cycling, the accelerometers for indoor workouts, the daily step counters and sleep patterns, and swim and golf settings are great. And, apps can be written to expand the feature set endlessly!
P: When are you using it, or planning to use it, most?
S: Indoor workouts in the gym and running outside, tracking general health and fitness through daily logs.
P: So far, what has been the most useful feature?
S: I really enjoy the app. It’s very customizable and is a great place to summarize whatever you like to see about your activity. The watch has so many features that it’s almost a necessity to get the full potential out of it.
P: Tell me about connecting your phone to the watch.
S: It took about 5 minutes to connect and could not have been easier. I have used many “smart” watches over the years, and this is by far the best. There’s no elaborate setup, and the app is much easier to install than previous software downloads–no wires, no dongles. It just works and with more and better info than ever before.
P: Any last comments?
S: It’s a great Jack-of-all-Trades watch. There are better watches for runners, triathletes, hikers, golfers, swimmers, etc. but this watch does a great job of giving you all the general features for all these watches, plus a few more.
Here are a few other watches tech lovers are grabbing up for their fitness needs:
Garmin Fenix 3
This watch does everything for extreme sports, an ABC watch with 30-50 hours battery life.
– Tech Specialist Mark V.
The features:
Fitbit surge
For those who hate HR straps, this one’s right on your wrist. – Mark V.
The technology:
Polar V800
What’s unique is when you swim it actually gives you an accurate HR reading in the water.
– Tech Guru Robin B.
Why to buy:
Timex IRONMAN One GPS+
You can send and receive texts right from the watch via Bluetooth. No phone required.
– Mark V.
What’s Good:
Another Tuesday rolls around and, lately, it seems the rain, sleet or snow arrives just for us. Run clubbers have toughed it out through this winter admiringly well. So, for some of us, rain isn’t an issue on a run. Some of us actually love rain runs!
For the rest of us, we have a few suggestions before Spring really dumps rain on us. And, there’s a few things you should know about rain shells before making the investment. Paragon Running Specialist Shameth, aka Shay, Diaz has the details.
There’s a time and place for waterproof jackets. Shay says longer runs and slower runs under a moderate to heavy rain require a waterproof shell. Keeping the rain out for the duration of the run is what matters, though he warns not to over-layer. This leads to sweating a lot, dehydrating and eventually getting cold.
If you’re the speedy type or are just out for a quick jaunt, water resistant shells are the way to go. These are light enough not to weigh you down and more breathable for the higher intensity of your run.
What do you look for in a quality rain shell?
Great question. Shay says to look for breathable materials or vents, sealed or taped seams and zippers, lightweight design, visibility like 3M reflectivity or bright colors, and a cinched hood. Your water resistant shell should last about an hour in light rain, while waterproof jackets can keep you dry on longer runs or a heavy rain.
What’s on the market?
There are so many great brands making quality rain shells, so you have fashionable options, as well as functional. Thank the Athleisure movement happening in the sporting goods industry now. Check out some of Shay’s suggestions for running-specific rain shells below!
SHOP The North Face Stormy Trail Jacket: http://bit.ly/1LZrzE5
SHOP Nike Rain Runner Jacket: http://bit.ly/1Cbfy6E 
SHOP Gore X-Running 2.0 Jacket: http://bit.ly/1N9haTp 
SHOP Gore Air Gore-tex Jacket: http://bit.ly/19QL7d2 
SHOP Craft Focus Jacket: http://bit.ly/1LZsvZc 
SHOP Nike Trail Kiger Jacket: http://bit.ly/1GVL1Lg 
SHOP Brooks Infinity Jacket: http://bit.ly/1BMDcD9
If you’re still scratching your head about which jacket is right for you, stop in and say ‘Hi’ to our women associates in the running and performance department on the first floor and Shay and other associates on the lower level where men’s running clothing lives.
It’s officially spring, and we’re all itching to get into the latest and greatest running shoes. Our specialists put together a list of both fashionable and functional new running shoes on the market. Check them out below and let us know what you think!
Nike Zoom Elite 7
What we love…
A lower offset promotes a mid/forefoot gait and the forefoot Zoom Air unit is plush and responsive.
adidas Supernova Glide Boost 7
What we love…
The Continental Rubber outsole is super durable and provides great grip on the roads, even when it gets slick.
Nike Free Flyknit 4.0
What we love…
The sock-like fit of the upper lets you run free of distraction and weight.
Nike Flyknit Air Max
What we love…
The comfort of Flyknit paired with such a large pocket of Zoom Air takes it over the top.
adidas Ultra Boost
What we love…
Boost is a new take on cushioning by providing more energy return than other foams on the market. It combines soft comfort and responsive energy.
Asics GEL-Nimbus 17
What we love…
GEL in the forefoot adds to this shoe’s already loved plush ride, and just in time for the runners switching focus to forefoot-strides.
Brooks Launch 2
What we love…
Transitioning from soft to hard upon impact, the DNA Gel provides cushion and a good return for a quick road race.
New Balance Fresh Foam Boracay
What we love…
Let the low offset and continual cushion take you far while you fly through your run.
Asics GEL-Kayano 21
What we love…
The latest FluidRide guidance system has less seams so there’s nothing in the way of your run.
Saucony Zealot ISO
What we love…
With this shoe, you can get maximum cushioning without the weight, which isn’t a common pairing, but we love it.
Paragoners,
Last night’s Newton Sponsored Run was amazing–am I right? About 40 runners took the sunny streets in flashy Newton running shoes, renewed by the warmer weather. Once we hit the West Side Highway, the wind started to cool us off and provided a great training tool as we kept pace for our recovery run.
The highlight of the night, of course, was getting to try some new kicks for free! Comments on the run included how stylish and bright the shoes were, how different they felt and the bouncy, cushioned effect the midsole had.
“Everyone that tried them last night loved the shoes and was happy about the comfort they provided,” says Newton Tech Rep Tori Simons about getting runners’ reactions.
Before the run, Tori schooled us on what makes a Newton shoe different from other running shoes. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Newton recognizes and boasts about the unusual feeling of the shoes, and it’s like no other.
“Newton running shoes have extra cushion in all the right places to help you run more comfortably,” Tori says.
The most noticeable difference is the midfoot area, where lugs and extra cushioning are present. Most of us might be used to a heel-heavy cushioned shoe, or even a more minimal shoe, so let’s review some of the innovative qualities of the various styles we wore last night:
“The event last night was great! We love doing a Paragon sponsored run for the public,” says Tori. “It’s great that the staff runs as well and has the opportunity to experience the shoes.”
We definitely are thankful for the opportunity to experience new and different running products. It helps expand our knowledge to share with our run club, helping us all become better runners!
Thank you all for joining us at Paragon last night and for coming out for some St. Patty’s Day celebrations post-run. See you next time!
-Your Paragon Pacers
Let’s say HI to Jose Velez and Nirvana Macdonald, NYC Half Marathoners and Paragon Runners. Jose started running as part of a bigger goal to change his life, while Nirvana has 8 years of running under her belt and brought her knowledge to Paragon Sports as a Running Specialist in November. Both have a passion for running, and both you’ll find at our Tuesday night runs with huge smiles as they run.
Meet Jose Velez
“In 2010, I decided to change my life,” he says.
As part of his plan for better overall well-being, Jose made fitness fun with obstacle course challenges, mud runs, powerlifting and running. The NYRR 4-Mile Run As One was his first race, and first time running 4 miles. Since then, he’s run half marathons, 10k’s, 5k’s and his first 26.2 miles for the Chicago Marathon 2014. Basically, he’s a running rockstar.
“Running gives me balance,” he says. It pushes him in ways lifting weights can’t. Exposing himself to the heat, cold, wind and rain is something he can’t recreate in the gym.
Running gives him balance mentally, as well. By tuning into his breathing and foot cadence, he blocks out the NYC noise and finds relaxation.
Jose began running with Paragon Run Club during his Chicago Marathon training in March 2014, and hasn’t stopped since.
“The variety of the workouts coupled with the knowledge from the pacers has been an integral part of my training program,” he says, and don’t forget to mention the fun, supportive group of runners at the workouts too. That means you, Paragoners!
His NYC Half training has included Tuesday night runs, of course, and runs through Central Park and the Bronx, where the hills are beast and you have to be even more beast to climb them.
“I’ve put in the miles with an emphasis on working with negative splits,” he says.
Getting progressively faster on a run helps him manage hilly terrain like Central Park, which is where a good portion of the NYC Half takes place. It will also help him speed up on the back end of the race, where the course flattens out.
Most excited to run through Times Square, Jose can already imagine the adrenaline rush of running through the crowds cheering on the racers.
“I’ll definitely soak in all the energy and use that to my advantage,” he says.
Sunday’s race is just another stepping stone to his bigger goal of running the NYC Marathon later this year. Help him hit his 2:15-2:30 goal by getting out and cheering him on at the NYC Half this weekend!
Meet Nirvana Macdonald
Nirvana has ran many races, and this isn’t her first NYC Half Marathon, so we asked her a few questions about the upcoming race.
Q: What do you want runners to know about this race?
A: The NYC Half Marathon is an amazing race. I did it last year for the first time and was taken aback at how many people come out to cheer. You almost feel like a rock star!
Q: Tell us some insider information for this race course.
A: The course is a little hilly in Central Park, but once you’re out it’s pretty flat. Watch out for the West Side wind. The best part is running through Times Square and finishing up downtown.
Having the Freedom Towers to look down on as you cross the finish line–the rush and pure runner’s high is amazing.
Q: What’s your mindset going into this race?
A: I’m always nervous before a race, and I think that is pretty normal. The fear in me brings out my strength on the course.
Q: Do you have a goal time?
A: I’m hoping for 1:50, but I haven’t been as consistent with my training this winter, so this is going to be a “take what the clock says and improve on that” type of race.
At the end of the day, for me, really, it’s all about the run and running my city.
Q: Tell us more about your training.
A: I usually do three runs during the week, either speed or hills, with a long run on the Sundays. I incorporate spinning, swimming, weight lifting and hot yoga into my training. A balance of cross training truly helps with my overall well-being and helps with my running.
Q: Do you have race-day must-haves?
A: My 2XU Thermal compression tights, UA Compression Cold Gear mock, Garmin Forerunner 620 and SmartWool socks, Mizuno Inspire sneakers. All of these are products work best for me, and I love them!
Q: How did you start running?
A: I started running 8 years ago and only wanted to do a 5k. Here I am with several 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, marathons, triathlons and duathlons under my belt. It all starts.
Q: What’s your part at Paragon Sports?
A: I started in November 2014 as a Running Specialist, thanks to my friend Vivian for her recommendation. I started participating in Tuesday night runs and have found a new home among some great people who share the same passion for running as I do.
Freezing temperatures and MORE snow made for a great #winterwarrior contest week, and you all really came through! If you don’t already know, Paragon hosted a week-long contest encouraging you to get out into the elements and share your fitness activities with us via a social media hashtag, #winterwarrior
Thank you to ALL participants for your terrific and game-on submissions proving that you are all #winterwarriors. Though it wasn’t the easiest to pick the best, the results based on “favorites” are in!
Now presenting Paragon’s Winter Warriors of 2015…
1st Place
2nd Place
Runner Up
Stay tuned for future sweepstakes and thanks again for sharing your #winterwarrior posts. Stay warm out there!
#paragonruns
Socks, sleeves, tights, shorts–you name it, it’s compression these days. Though it’s not for everyone, compression isn’t just used for medical reasons anymore. Athletes are using it after hard workouts to recover, during long runs to improve circulation, and to move more efficiently.
Runners, read on because we are on our feet for long periods of time and compression might be the answer. It’s not completely understood exactly how soreness can be alleviated, but many runners and athletes swear by their compression gear. Here’s a few reasons why:
“Keeping oxygenated blood flowing to the muscles is important for performance,” Paragon Running Specialist and avid runner Brian McGregor says. “The more oxygen the cells have, the better they will function.”
During exercise, lactic acid is produced as a waste product, and if it’s not removed it can contribute to soreness and decreased ability to perform, Brian explains.
When is it best to use compression? It really depends on the type of workout. During a long run (I’m looking at you marathoners and ultra marathoners) compression can improve circulation. This keeps the blood from pooling at your feet, and can even help prevent lightheadedness related to blood flow. If you’re taking on the track for a speed workout, you might want to grab your compression gear, too. The tight hold of the compression helps reduce muscle vibration, which improves efficiency and can reduce delayed soreness.
“As a runner, I have so much shock and vibration going through my leg muscles as I pound the pavement with 3-5 times my body weight while running,” says Brian.
At one point, compression was seen as white granny socks that went up to the knee. Now, it’s even in your running shorts. Your quads and hamstrings are large muscle groups that get used every step of your run. If you take about 2,000 steps in a mile, a 7 mile run uses these muscles about 14,000 times! Over time, this use and many vibrations add up and fatigue muscles. 2-in-1 shorts allow you to still wear your favorite running shorts with the benefits of compression on these key muscle groups.
Though compression shorts or tights are common, graduated compression is another option. Compared to constant compression, graduated features the strongest compression near the ankle and decreases up the leg. The idea behind it is to aid in pushing the blood back up the legs and to the heart.
For more detailed accounts of how compression affects performance and recovery, check out this AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) research using 2XU lower body compression.
“I’ve been wearing compression for more than 5 years now,” says Brian. “I’m afraid to know how my body would feel if I didn’t have it.”
If all this compression talk made you curious, try it out yourself with these styles:
Paragon Sports Run Club 