Do you OCR, triathlon, or actually run off road?
925451
I do pro / elite OCR. and usually finish in the top 50 overall. These are worth a look. downsides - the rubber sole is softer than the average shoe, but it is not like icebug, inov-8, or solomon, where the soft rubber and traction is ideal. Seems to only be good for a few races, in time it loses traction. The shoe is slightly loose at first, but once you put them in the wash / dryer they will shrink by about a full size. The wide toe box made climbing the wire fence at savage impossible, the harder rubber traction / design makes some lateral wall climbing obstacles slightly more difficult in comparison to the softer rubber in the manufacturers named. The tongue inside the shoe is frayed along the outside edges, it is hardly noticeable, but I am a very picky person when it comes to OCR and shoes. I suggest changing the laces out for the stretchy type and buy the gaiters if you don't like getting crap in your shoes. their gaiters are EXTREMELY lightweight, don't hold water, and they work!

I've used icebug, the arch section of the sole on ice bug shoes suck. they slide on everything! and they do not help at all when climbing a rope. however, the solid center form of that sole (if they fit your feet)  allow you to move downhill at a higher rate of speed. Their traction is the best, except for that center b.s. part. inov - 8 and solomon in my opinion have the best overall rubber soles. inov-8 has a wider toebox and a minimal lift. but this altra shoe? nothing is like altra when it comes to the toe box nor the flat design / zero lift. this effect reduces the strain and pain on joints such as knee and back pain. for some, this alone will be the reason to go with altra.

The upper on these shoes is a fine material that is subject to wear. however, the fabric is exceptional. sand, mud, and all the gritty mess that other shoes allow to pass through into the shoe.... this one keeps it all out. the fabric is so lightweight and thin that water can exit the shoe unlike inov-8 and icebug where the water is retained and can not pass through the walls of the shoe once it gets in.

these altra shoes are also the lightest weight of the superior line and they have a rock plate! the rockplate keeps you from easily recognizing and feeling the tread / rocks you will obviously encounter in OCR. this is also something that these shoes dominate in. icebug is the worst next to the toe shoes you might consider using. foot pain will slow you down. solomon are exceptionally comfortable, and the rubber sole is amazing, but they feel a bit heavy, don't have a wide toe box, they have a high lift that will cause joint pain, and they don't have a way to keep crap out of the shoe. they are incredible with speed and grip, lacing is awesome, but it isn't a shoe that I could recommend if you want to keep your joints healthy for the long haul.
2661854
An eye opener for a recreational runner thinking I always need to push it.
3728212
I actually bought this a few years ago and read it and loved it.  Although I didn't end up doing a triathlon then, I did discover that I enjoy running, and I have done many races since then.

After a knee injury, I've had to rest from most exercise for a while, and I'm missing it.  Now, I am developing interest in training for a triathlon as a way to get back into shape and I've pulled my Slow Fat Triathlete book out again.

I love this book because it makes me feel like I don't have to be already really amazing in order to do a triathlon.  The author is funny, and down-to-earth, and as I read I feel like I'm reading something from a good friend.

The author shares a lot of her own experiences (which are often funny), but she also tells us what things we have to buy (no, really) and what is optional, plus she gives training suggestions, checklists for what to bring on race day, other versions of tris and similar sports, a chapter for our supporters, and a bit of info on diet changes and injury.  There's also a pretty good list of tri resources in the back of the book.  Slow Fat Triathlete is very well organized, and there are fun little drawings of a slow fat triathlete throughout the book (which I enjoyed).

This isn't an encyclopedia or a book for someone who has been doing triathlons for a while, but it IS a great overview and enough motivation for someone to feel like they can totally do it.

I really recommend this book to anyone thinking about doing a tri for the first time, especially if you don't think you're very athletic.  It is very motivational, and fun to read, and it gives a good overview of a lot of relevant topics.  I'm ready to get going again!
4676039
Switched from the Pro4's to these as the roads in WI are a mess! Though you definitely feel the difference and your speed may take a small hit, it's well worth it for that added confidence on nasty roads. And once you throw your racers back on you'll feel like an indy car. I got 2 seasons of riding in flat free! Pretty good for how bad the roads are post winter in the Midwest.
4085935
Like others have said, if you're an ultra distance runner, this book will be right up your alley.  David proves that you've certainly got to have a lot of focus to keep yourself going when the conditions are just begging you to call it quits.  One thing he didn't mention though is that you're going to also need some deep pockets and either a rock solid relationship, or perhaps none at all, to make this happen.  Traveling all over the globe and taking off tons of work time is not for everyone.
1297670
Have worn now for 2 OCR (Spartan sprint and Savage PA) without issues. Also "broke in" with a 6 mile trail run no problem, but still put probably about 30 miles on them before the 2 races. I have in a different color then what is now available.

No issues with drainage or slipping off. I love the not tied but the pull tab. I also wear a 10 w typically and this style fits wider then the other reebok All Terrain styles do. I also tried 5 or so other OCR recommended shoes and these fit the best for me.
833201
Although in shape, I have always been a slow runner. It was hard for me to make a mile. I have now run my first 5k running straight through and working towards a 10k! Thanks!
938047
Not sure about the racing terminology used in Canada, but in the US you will not see the terms "exactor" or "trifector" to mean "exacta" or "trifecta".  I go to the track quite often and read/study the programs/forms, so I think I'm not off base here.  When I saw those terms being used, I thought to myself, this lady has no clue about TB racing.  I did see later on that the correct terms were being used. Maybe her editor caught it then -- not sure. That being said, she does put together a good story and I plan to read more of her work.
4907592
I had been riding the Vittoria Corsas for several years both for commuting and for triathlons. I was averaging about 1 flat for every 3 rides and praying that I didn't get a flat during a race. This Spring I shifted to the Rubino Endurance. I have put in about 400 miles of city commuting without a single flat. Blows my mind that I haven't had to change a tire yet this season.
1655927
It works well if you're walking a strait line. I use a combination of trails and paved roads. It doe's not show roads or city/town boundaries.
2061411
Trails:
There are blind elevation changes (hills), corners and technical sections that preclude people coming from the opposite direction from seeing you. When approaching an area like this, I will give a few courtesy "dings" - it has saved both me and another person from either an awkward position (being stuck on a technical climb) or accident - there are steep drop offs in many areas we ride, and/or cacti just off the side of a trail. Also, in some areas, people ride horses. I will "ding" once and slow and continue to alert the riders until they give me the okay to pass. Some horses get spooked and I would rather error on the side of safety in those situations. I've not come across one single person, in the many years of using a bell, that gave me any indication, other than positive, for alerting them. Both on and off road, people jogging, hiking, walking, especially if they are wearing ear plugs, fully appreciate the heads up. The sound on this one, compared to any other bell I've tried out or any of my fellow bikers, is the real deal - loud but not unpleasant. Quite often I get a "thank you!," or a "thumbs up."
3743032
The Rocket Ron's work very nice. They bite in the corners and they roll nice on the flats. So far these seem like a really decent off-road tire.

Had one of my best races of the year after I bought these. Not sure if that is absolute proof, but they felt really good in the corners.
4749257
I am by no means a super serious runner, but i do get talked into signing up for the occasional Half marathons. When I go for my longer runs its nice to have something that tells me how far I have gone and how much further I need to go. Mostly how much further I need to go. It's easily to set up and install on your computer. Once you plug it in, it uploads everything automatically.

It has a couple extra bells and whistles but I only use the GPS tracking portion. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to track their miles and doesn't need all the extras
2008577
I have completed a mere two marathons and one olympic distance triathlon, so I'm no expert. For about a year, I have been wondering about the gells and gu and chomps I have been eating and have been thinking there must be something better, something real. Online I found a recipe for date-based energy bites, and I added chia seeds to the recipe. But whenever I would tell people about my desire for slower energy, they would scoff at me and tell me that I need fast energy on the run. I was still doubtful and wondered why I just can't begin fueling a few hours before the race to provide a stream of energy during those long runs. Both of the Feed Zone books have educated me on my hunches and have proven that I was not entirely wrong. Running is a lot more enjoyable when I have little apple pies, chocolate muffins, and Denver omelette rice balls in my pockets. And my running partners appreciate it when I cook for our long runs. Feed Zone certainly is worth a look if you are wondering about real food alternatives for fuel.
1906012
I run outside mostly so I know my pace and track my distance via GPS. I feel like the speed on the treadmill isn't calibrated properly but other than that, the treadmill is great.
2803835
This is the book I read in bed at night while planning my next bike ride. Most of the rides you can make your way with no map. I like to try to follow the hand drawn maps. I like weird challenges though.

However, for longer rides don't rely on the maps from any guide book. Get topo maps and a compass (or gps). Ray recommends when to bring a compass and map. Buy this book and follow Ray's advice. Enjoy.
3501271
I run every weekend. Having a detachable key chain allows me to more quickly begin my run instead of taking extra time removing the key and then re-adding it post run.