Run Culture S24 Vol 1

Here we go, another newsletter to fill up your inbox! So, what makes this one worth adding to that ever-growing stack of unread emails? No judgement, though—I see those 1000+ unread emails in your inbox…

Welcome to the Zato Athletic Club! We’re all about run culture and community. Despite the incredible running boom in recent years, there’s still a disconnect between running, aesthetics, and the cafe culture that’s so big in cycling. And that’s a shame, right?

So, how are we going to bridge that gap? By showcasing:

• Fashion-forward apparel brands

• Shoes and tech with a focus on innovation and aesthetics

• Podcasts, socials, and YouTube channels that deserve recognition for promoting the sport we love

• Training tips and books for those wanting to dig deeper and crush their PRs

• Anything interesting happening in the world of running

Let’s jump in!

The Shop Front

District Vision x New Balance Collab

Why is it so hard to find good colorways in running shoes? Am I the only one not wanting shoes so fluorescent they’d fit perfectly on a construction site? If you agree, this latest collab between District Vision and New Balance is a sight for sore eyes.

Aligned with New Balance's latest grey collection series and built on the incredible base of the New Balance Super Comp Elite v4, you have one sleek shoe to rock at your next race. Hitting stores ASAP—check them out here.

Erniold

Erniold

Based down under, our first brand spotlight is on a small, niche running apparel brand called Erniold. Located in Melbourne and owned by runners creating garments for runners, their style features oversized, minimalist staples in muted tones.

While this might sound boring in an industry of hi-vis and slimline fits, Erniold really stands out. Check out some of their pieces—you might just be surprised. Explore their site for more.

The Cafe

The Distance Project

When I’m not running, I’m probably scouring YouTube or listening to podcasts about running. YouTube is saturated with running content creators, but there’s a lack of unique, high-quality content. The Distance Project, masterminded by Callum Elson (Team GB Athlete) and Charlie McCarthy, is the exception.

Initially focused on Callum Elson’s rise from club races to second place in the World Mile Championships, the channel now highlights other UK runners. It really captures the camaraderie of running groups.

While you are at it lets double dip with a interview by one of my top 3 favourite podcasts Inside Running Podcast interviewing one half of the distance project Callum Elson

The Gym

Norwegian Singles

I debated what to post for the first training article and decided on the Norwegian Singles Method, even though it might be a bit heavy for our first volume. But if I can’t write about what excites me, what’s the point?

This one’s for intermediate to advanced runners clocking 6+ hours a week, looking to improve their 1500m to half marathon times. Not many new training ideas have surfaced for hobby joggers in a while, and this one’s super intriguing.

There’s a massive LetsRun thread on this method, currently at 122 pages. If you can sift through the clutter, you’ll find incredible training principles. For a more civilized discussion, check out the Strava group.

Quick breakdown:

• 3 Easy Runs @ <70% Max Heart Rate

• 3 Sub-Threshold Runs (paces calculated by lactate meter or spreadsheet in the Strava group)

• 1 Long Run @ Easy Conversational Pace

This goes against the traditional 1 speed session, 1 threshold, and 1 long run method. Super intriguing!

If you’ve read this far, I truly applaud you! Subscribe for weekly installments of the Run Culture Series. Next week, we’ll dive deeper into Zato Athletic Club and show you how we’re more than just a running newsletter.