Brennan's Favorite Things
By Brennan Humphreys
While Terra is best known for its selection of specialty running shoes, we carry all sorts of extra accessories that will make your running life a bit better. These are some of the things that keep me moving.
Swiftwick Pursuit Four
Golly, these socks are something else. The Pursuits deliver more bang for your buck than any other running sock. They’re designed especially for the trail: they swap Swiftwick’s trademark olefin for merino wool (which keeps your toes warm in the winter and your feet dry in the summer), add a bit more cushion, and the “four” height (equivalent to “quarter” socks) provides extra protection from trail debris. While they’re meant for the trail, I use the Pursuit Fours for anything and everything--my current pairs got me through two summers of landscape work and half marathon training, and they’re still kicking.
Nano Foot Roller
Strong, healthy feet are something I overlooked for a long time. Foot pain/injuries are often the result of more serious injuries farther up the body, but developing strong, flexible feet can also help battle against a host of injuries and make you a faster, more efficient runner. The Nano can help work out any kinks or minor aches in your feet after a long run or shift. And if you’re a trail runner, when paired with ankle/foot mobility exercises, the Nano will help make you stabler on more technical terrain.
FlipBelt Running Belt
I try to run pretty light. If I can avoid carrying anything, I will. But if I do need to carry something--nutrition on a long run, car keys, my phone--the FlipBelt is my go-to. Many running shorts are built to carry a couple small items: one GU, or a couple keys. The FlipBelt is the Bat Belt of running, though. It stows a seemingly endless amount of items, and it keeps heavier items from bouncing around the way they might in a pair of shorts. Another perk for summer running is that it’ll keep your stuff drier than if it was bouncing around in your sweat-soaked shorts.
Headsweats Race Hat
Quick-drying and lightweight, this hat is the perfect summer running cap. Lined with an interior sweatband, this hat will heep the sun & sweat out of your eyes. The underside of the brim is black to prevent any glare, while the white upper deflects the sun. To make hot runs a bit more bearable, slip a couple ice cubes into the hat at the beginning of your run. The snug fit of that hat will keep them from sliding around too much, and the quick-wicking fabric will keep your hat from getting soaked. Click HERE to purchase one!
Meet Brennan
Meet the newest member of Team Terra: Brennan!
Q: Tell us about yourself!
A: I'm a recent Lee graduate, and while I plan to eventually pursue graduate studies in literature, I'm taking some time off from school first. I always wanted to work at a running store in high school, so I'm very happy to be at Terra! These days I give most of my time to reading, running, and searching out Cleveland's hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Q: What is your Favorite thing to do outside?
A: I'm usually trail running year-round, but lately I'm loving pickleball, and the occasional backpacking trip.
Q: What is your favorite movie/book/tv show?
A: Oh my, tough to say. I don't watch much TV, but Another Round, which won the Academy Award for best international film, was one of my apartment's favorite movies of 2020—equally poignant and hilarious. As for reading, these days I turn to the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks and the devotionals of Thomas Merton.
Q: How long lived in Cleveland?
A: I've been in Cleveland since 2017! I'm Knoxville native, but I've loved my four years farther south.
Q: What is your advice for someone looking to be fit for shoes, never been to Terra?
A: Don't let brand name sway you! All the shoes we carry are made by reputable companies. You'd be surprised how often a shoe brand you've never heard of makes the best shoe you've ever worn!
Meet Austin, the new guy!
Meet our newest Terra Running Company team member, Austin Calfee.
Q: Austin! Welcome to the team! Tell us about yourself.
A: I have been married for a year and a half now. A student at Lee, I am studying to hopefully one day teach in the field of ethics. I try to stay active by spending as much time outdoors as possible. And I love taking on new challenges, hopefully learning something along the way.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside?
A: In the cooler months, I greatly enjoy camping, and in the summer, I like to spend my time out on the lake.
Q: What is your favorite movie (or book, or show) and why?
A: It is too difficult to choose between House, M.D. and Sherlock (Cumberbatch version) for my favorite TV show, so I will have to choose both. I like them because of the clever and sarcastic wit of the main characters.
Q: How long have you lived in Cleveland?
A: I have lived in Cleveland for 19 of my 24 years, with the other 5 being spent in West, TN (Medina).
Q: Any advice for someone looking to be fit for shoes, but has never been to Terra Running Company before?
A: Avoid making the mistake of thinking that because you have worn the same size for many years, it is the most perfect fit. Come on in and let us help you find the best shoe for your lifestyle!
Book Review of my Favorite Running Books
By Brittany Katz
Part of the draw of the sport is all there is to learn about running. Besides actually getting out there and hitting the pavement, my favorite thing about running is reading about other runner’s experiences in the sport. Here are some of my favorite running books and why. I have included links to the Bookshop.org listings for the books. Bookshop.org is an online bookstore that supports local and independent bookstores worldwide, so I always choose to order my books there.
Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas by Alexi Pappas: Ok, this isn’t actually a “review” because I haven’t read this new release yet, but I am so excited to hear from Alexi Pappas. When Pappas was four years old, her mother died by suicide. She admits she has been searching for female role models her whole life, and she has worked hard for everything she’s earned. In 2016, Alexi made her Olympic debut as a distance runner and premiered in her first feature film as an actress. Read along with me and let me know what you think! https://bookshop.org/books/bravey-chasing-dreams-befriending-pain-and-other-big-ideas/9781984801128
Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports by Katherine Switzer: This is the book that helped me fall in love with running. In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially run what was then the all-male Boston Marathon, infuriating one of the event's directors who attempted to violently eject her. Switzer’s experience as a runner is fascinating, especially considering she was embarking on a sport where women were simply not represented at all. The history of women’s distance running is a short one, and this book reminds us just how far we’ve come. https://bookshop.org/books/marathon-woman-running-the-race-to-revolutionize-women-s-sports-revised/9780306825651
Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deena Kastor: I grew up rooting for Deena Kastor in the Olympics and had a signed poster of her on my wall in high school, so I knew I’d be reading her book when it was released a few years ago. I didn’t expect to be so interested in the sports psychology that she taught me and just how much our mind has to do with how well (or not well) we run. This book helped me learn more about how our bodies and minds are connected in activity and everyday life. https://bookshop.org/books/let-your-mind-run-a-memoir-of-thinking-my-way-to-victory/9781524760762
Run to Overcome: The Inspiring Story of an American Champion's Long-Distance Quest to Achieve a Big Dream by Meb Keflezighi: Many of us had the privilege of hearing Meb tell his life story at the Lee University 65 Roses 5k fundraiser dinner a few years ago, or running the 65 Roses 5k with Meb the next day. Meb is the living embodiment of the American dream. His family came to the U.S. to escape poverty and a violent war; 12-year-old Meb spoke no English at the time and had never raced a mile. Thanks to hard work and determination, he excelled academically and became an Olympic silver medalist. This book tells the story of that high, as well as the hard work that came after the Olympics, where he dealt with injury, possible retirement, and ended with him winning the Boston Marathon the year after the devastating bombing. https://bookshop.org/books/run-to-overcome-the-inspiring-story-of-an-american-champion-s-long-distance-quest-to-achieve-a-big-dream-enlarged/9781496402370
Shoes according to Asher
By Asher Johnson
I started working at Terra, the “up-front,” about six months ago. I ran casually before then and still run casually now, but, nonetheless, the way I run has changed significantly. I used to not think about how I was running or about how my body was feeling during runs. When in pain, I would just try to run through and hope it would fade out and go away. Now, however, due to working at Terra and learning about the products we sell, I have started to pay very close attention to how I feel and how I run. From how I breathe, to my pacing, to how I feel in my feet and knees, and my general level of energy, I have started tracking my running form. I run in several pairs of shoes, so firstly, I have recently begun tracking how the shoes make me feel while and after running. Furthermore, I have started tracking the food and nutrition that I consume. Here, however, I will write about some of the highlights from each of the shoes I run in. I will discuss nutrition in a later post,
To list them, I run in the Brooks Glycerin 18, Altra Vanish, Altra Escalante 2, Adidas Ultraboost 3.0, Adidas Solarboost, and Brooks Bedlam 3 (my favorite). It's important to note how different some of these shoes are. The Solarboost and Bedlam 3, for example, are stability shoes, while the Altras are zero drop shoes, and the Vanish is very minimal in design. The Glycerin and Ultraboost provide comparable cushioning, with the ultraboost being lower in weight. The ultraboost is a fun shoe to run in when new and is well balanced for cushioning and speed. There is, however, a minimal amount of rubber sole and low stability causing the shoe to put some wear on the balancing muscles. The shoe, furthermore, has a lower running lifetime due to the thin amount of rubber. The Glycerin is very similar but with some firmer cushion for added stability and tougher rubber. The Altras are a different sort of running shoe in that they are zero drop and wide. The Escalante 2 has cushioning like the Ultraboost but remains relatively stable with the wider base. The Escalante is also relatively durable and I have put some pretty long runs into them. On the other hand, I only use the Altra Vanish for runs shorter than 5 miles. The Vanish has barely any rubber on its sole and is designed to last only a little over 100 miles. On the plus side the Vanish is only 3oz and can be used as a flexible racer. The Solarboost and Bedlam 3 are both stability shoes, however, to put it simply, the Solarboost is clunkier than the Bedlam. The Solarboost provides more protection around the foot, but it also, like the ultraboost, has a thin rubber sole, reducing its running life. For runs less than 10 miles, the Bedlam 3 has consistently been my favorite running shoe. In the following blog posts I will discuss the brands and these shoes in more detail.
Asher's Favorite Things
By Asher Johnson
Terra is at first look a runner’s store, alike to many other running stores all across the world. In Cleveland and the surrounding, however, it is the only one of its kind. Underneath the façade of specialty running and athletic wear, and at its heart, Terra Running Company is much more than a store. It is a player in the substance of society and a building block in Cleveland’s culture. Terra has a love for the people and community it serves. This is my favorite thing about Terra. This underlying purpose, service to the community it loves, guides Terra Running Company’s interactions with customers and lays a solid foundation for any of the endeavors and activities we intend to make.
First and foremost, this is what I love about Terra. Likewise, it offers great products too. Working here gives me the bonus of learning a lot about the qualities of our products. My favorite shoe is the Brooks Levitate 4. I typically run in the Altra Escalante or Altra Vanquish; however, the Brooks Levitate provides a fun boost for an enjoyable speedy 5k. I also really like the Fjallraven Kanken backpacks. They are trendy, but mine has turned out to be pretty durable. I often value style over comfort, but I get both with my Goodr glasses. Without Terra Running Company, I may have never even discovered the brand. Goodrs fit snugly and grip well. I’ve never had one break or become scratched. I really like the circular ones… too bad these sell the fastest.
These three items are some of my favorites, but like I said, the products would be bland without the vision and community of Terra Running Company.
Brittany's Favorite Things
By Brittany Katz
Terra Running Company is basically a curated store of all of my favorite things! As the buyer for footwear, apparel, and all of our accessories, I get to stock up on all the running gear I think is the best of the best! That being said, I do have some favorites of my favorites I’d love to share with you.
The Brooks Bedlam 3 is beautiful and functional. My fav!
1. Brooks Bedlam 3: This is my go-to running shoe and has been for a few years. I love the DNA Amp midsole, which is a bit firmer but returns the energy back up to my legs as I run on hard road surfaces. I am obsessed with the knit upper that fits like a sock and it so stylish. It never moves, which is fabulous because nothing is worse than stopping mid-run to fix the tongue on your shoe.
2. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: Garmin makes the best GPS watches, hands down. The GPS is accurate, the heart rate is always recording and you can watch it live, and the durability is second to none. My current favorite model is the Forerunner 245 Music, which is sporty, not too big for my tiny wrist, and holds up to 500 song files on the watch. I download workout playlists from Spotify right onto my watch and pair it with my Bluetooth headphones, and I’m able to head right out the door without my phone. I love switching the bands from pink silicone for running to brown leather when I dress up.
3. Pro Hair Ties: Me and Sue discovered these hair ties at a running trade show last year, and we were hooked! They’re the only hair ties I use now, even when I’m not running. We have lots of colors to match any outfit, and they look like a bracelet when on your wrist. There is a small plastic hook that you undo to take the hair tie out without having to yank out your hair. It’s brilliant, and makes me wonder every day why I didn’t invent these myself!
4. Stroopwaffles: These waffles are made by Gu, so they have all the properties of running nutrition, but they’re also so tasty I eat one with my morning coffee. If you can’t force down a gel on your run, or need a quick snack after work and before your run, Gu’s Stroopwaffles are the way to go. My favorite flavor is Smores.
Sue’s Favorite Things
By Sue Joyner
Here at Terra Running Company, it’s pretty difficult to find something you don’t like. With such a wide variety of shoes, apparel, and accessories I’m always able to find what I need. While all of our items are sure to please in quality, there are a few items that I simply cannot live without. One item in particular is the Women’s Brooks Chaser 5’’ short. I love these shorts because the waistband fits similarly to a legging, not too tight, but feels secure and comfortable. The material is light, extremely breathable and moisture wicking so you’re sure to have an easy breezy run. In the summertime, I live in these shorts, rotating between several pairs, you'll often find me running, working, kayaking or walking my dog in these amazing shorts.
Another item I have fallen in love with this year at Terra Running Company is the Brooks running shoe called the Transcend 7. The Transcend 7 is a stability shoe that has guide rails in the midsole to help my foot from pronating, guiding my foot to have a straighter heel-to-toe motion. The cushion is the perfect balance of plushness with a spring back in every step. Working long hours on my feet most days, as well as being a runner, this shoe has saved me from throbbing or aching feet. When these shoes are paired with the snug, breathable Feetures Light Cushion socks, my runs have never been so comfortable!
Finally, one item that has been a consistent life saver and an absolute necessity is my green Trigger Point Grid foam roller! Foam rolling serves as a deep tissue massage for any muscle groups that may be feeling sore or fatigued. By foam rolling, you are loosening up tight muscles and fascia in areas that you require a high demand of activity. This allows the body to respond by reducing trigger points, or knots, in the overworked muscles, as well as speeding up the recovery process. Those who foam roll often, should see an improvement in their body’s range of motion, muscle soreness and flexibility.
These items have been game changers in regards to my training cycles, and activities of daily living. When I go for a run in my breezy Brooks Chaser 5’’ shorts, plush and springy Transcend 7’s, moisterwicking Light Cushion Feetures, and foam roll afterwards, I feel like my life couldn’t get much better. These have become essential to my running experience and serve me in my daily life. Come see us at Terra Running Company and we would love to introduce you to items you simply can’t live or run without!!!