Run Culture S24 Vol 15

Another week of running content, and as always, there’s more new gear, fresh content, and innovative training methodologies coming out to write about and research. This week, we've got Nike’s homage to '90s flames, which takes me right back to my school days, which brand will be the first to integrate that weird "S" we all drew? We’ve also got Hong Kong’s up-and-coming brand, ParticipationCo, a huge 1500m announcement from Grand Slam Track, and a look into whether heat training is the new elevation training.

Oh, and by the way—literally 7 days out from my debut marathon at Sydney, so I apologise in advance if next week’s schedule is a bit blown out. I hope you understand. But for now, let’s jump into all things running!

The Shopfront

Nike Vaporfly 3 Flames?

Nike just went kachow and dropped the most controversial colorway in recent memory. This feels like something I would have absolutely loved in the '90s, with my hard-gel fringe pointing to the sky. It’s definitely a love-it-or-hate-it situation, and for me, it’s a no—but hey, at least Nike is thinking outside the box and creating something unique.

Looks like it might be time to bring back frosted tips, gold necklaces and wallet chains to match these fiery missiles. Don’t have any links to stock on this yet.

ParticipationCo

For those of you who’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you’ll know I’m always saying that Australasian running brands are underrepresented and deserve more exposure. One specific region that’s really popping off right now is Hong Kong. I featured a brand called WYRD running in the second-ever newsletter, and now we’ve got another exciting brand from the streets of Hong Kong: ParticipationCo.

They first caught my attention after a Matt Hanso story, and the rest is history. After reaching out to their founder, Jeff, we had a great chat, and honestly, this brand is one of the most exciting ones I’ve come across in a long time. So, this section is going to be a bit longer than usual—let’s jump into the review.

They sent over one of their lemonade singlets and caps, and aesthetically, they stand out immediately. I’m pretty sure this is the first piece of running kit I’ve owned with some form of graphic on it. Why does the running industry shy away from this? Now, I know I always say my style is understated and minimalistic with a focus on quality, so this might sound contradictory, but call me a hypocrite—these just look good.

But how do they wear?

The first thing that came to mind when trying it on was how silky smooth it felt, while still being breathable and light. I try not to overhype things, but the closest comparison comfort-wise is my Satisfy Space-O singlet. And here’s the kicker: the price comparison—$78 AUD for ParticipationCo vs. $230 AUD for Satisfy—isn’t even close. Now, while they’re similar in comfort, I wouldn’t necessarily call this a race singlet (though it could be). It has hems instead of laser-cut edges, but they’re so minimal that it’s barely noticeable. Unfortunately, they’ve sold out since I reached out, but I know at least one Discord member snagged one before they were gone, so keep an eye out for future releases.

As for the hat, it was a pleasant surprise too. It has that same silky feeling as the singlet, but still manages to maintain structure. It’s a unique look compared to a lot of the shallow-brimmed hats out there and has actually become a staple for both my runs and casual wear. The only downside? It acted like a bit of a sail on today’s run when the wind picked up.

Lastly, they do B2B with super low minimum order quantities (15 pieces, multiple sizes), which is appealing for me or any run clubs looking to dip their toes into apparel without the financial layout of larger manufacturers.

The Cafe

Grand Slam Track 1500 Announcement

For those who don’t know, Grand Slam Track is the brainchild of Michael Johnson (former 200m & 400m Olympic champion). There’s been a lot of buzz around the events, but also some uncertainty about who would actually race. Initially, we had Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Josh Kerr on the list, but this week brought a major announcement: Olympic champion Cole Hocker and bronze medalist Yared Nuguse will be joining the 800/1500m lineup.

This is huge. The entire 1500m Olympic podium will be facing off against each other eight times over the Grand Slam season. There’s still one permanent spot left to fill—wishful thinking, but maybe Jakob Ingebrigtsen? Or perhaps a strength-based 800m runner like Emmanuel Wanyoni or Sedjati? Only time will tell, but this announcement shows that Grand Slam Track is serious, and if they keep pulling names like this, these events could be massive for track and field.

The Gym

Heat Training

If you’re serious about your training and running, you’ve probably dreamed of going to an altitude camp in places like Flagstaff or Boulder to reap the benefits of elevation training. But as someone living near the coast in Australia at close to 0m elevation, with a young family and neither the time nor funds to gallivant around the world chasing incremental gains, I started wondering—what’s the next best thing?

One thing we do have in Australia is heat, and for a long time, it’s been called the "poor man’s elevation." So, I did some digging and stumbled across a PubMed article on the subject.

Studies show that athletes who trained for 10 days via heat acclimation experienced a 5% increase in VO2 max in cold conditions and 8% in hot conditions. They also saw a 5% increase in lactate threshold in both cold and hot conditions. The heat acclimation was done at 38°C, compared to 13°C, both with the same humidity levels. The athletes also took hot baths (40°C) immediately after training.

So, what does heat adaptation do for you?

• Increased Plasma Volume: This helps your heart pump more efficiently, delivering more oxygen to your muscles—similar to what you get from altitude training.

• Improved Sweat Rate: Over time, you’ll sweat more, cooling your body faster and allowing you to train harder for longer.

• Lower Core Temperature: Your body becomes better at regulating temperature, preventing overheating.

• Enhanced Mental Toughness: Heat training is uncomfortable, but it helps build resilience for tough race conditions.

Want to tap into these benefits? Here’s how to safely incorporate heat training into your routine:

• Start Slow: Gradually increase your exposure to heat. Begin with shorter, easy-paced runs during the hottest part of the day or in a controlled indoor environment, like a sauna or heated gym.

• Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Heat training increases your sweat rate, so stay on top of hydration. Drink before, during, and after your workouts.

• Monitor Your Body: Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, like dizziness, nausea, or excessive fatigue. If you experience any of these, cut your run short and cool down.

I’m definitely giving it a try this summer—mainly because, well, Australian summers don’t give me much choice unless I get an aircon put in the shed.

That wraps up another week! Don’t forget to follow our Instagram, subscribe to the newsletter, or say hello in the Discord if you haven’t already. See you next week!