Run Culture S24 Vol 2

Hey team, we're back at it again! A huge shoutout to everyone who read last week's newsletter and engaged with our Instagram posts. This is just the beginning, and we truly appreciate all the support!

Last week, I mentioned we'd dive deeper into the Zato Athletic Club plans and how this newsletter fits in. We'll have a detailed post with some visuals soon, but here's a simple roadmap: we're creating a digital run club and online store.

With the current running boom, there's a surge of run clubs worldwide—fantastic! But, they often cater to specific locations and schedules. If you're not in a major city or can't fit the local club's schedule, you're left out.

We plan to fix this by using Discord, newsletters, and Strava to create a global digital run club. This will allow like-minded individuals to connect, no matter their skill level or circumstances. We believe everyone should access the benefits of a physical run club, regardless of their situation.

Additionally, we'll launch an online store to provide greater access to incredible independent running brands that are hard to find outside their home countries.

Stay tuned for more updates, and let us know your thoughts! Our goal is to be as open and transparent throughout this process and looking for feedback from our community.

The Shop Front

Superblast 2

After the Alphafly 3, the most hyped shoe of 2024 is the follow-up to the cult-favorite Asics Superblast. Perfect for long runs and everything in between, sneak peeks are dropping on influencers' socials and Reddit. The prototypes look amazing, and I, like everyone else, hope the actual release looks similar. Known for their versatility, keep an eye out because stock might be limited at first.

WYRD Running

While doom scrolling through Instagram last week, I discovered WYRD Running, a small apparel brand from Hong Kong. It's not often I find something new and refreshing like this. Though I haven't tried their products yet, they stood out to me. They also offer made-to-order clothes for local run clubs, which is unique. Check out their latest race singlet and windbreaker!

The Cafe

Run Clubs

We're creating a digital run club, but it's not a replacement for physical clubs. We aim to promote and collaborate with existing clubs. Here are some doing incredible things:

Koreatown Run Club

KRC was my first exposure to how global a run club could get even being limited to a physical location and how to leverage this sense of community into what has essentially become a brand and an identity for many of its members.

Kings Cross Track Club

This one is a bit closer to home and I was able to see first hand in a recent Half Marathon the power of a run club. While I have not attended this group it was clear that the community is tight knit with members scattered all over the course cheering on their fellow members including a specific cheer zone. Even as someone with no affiliation to this group you couldn’t help but feel motivated during the later stages of the race.

Never Run Club

My first experience with a run club that at the time had about 20 people showing up. The experience was incredible and have been chasing that feeling ever since. Not much feels better than running into a sunrise with a bunch of likeminded individuals getting out for a jog to start of the day. They are very inclusive with a 15min out 15min back format to allow everyone to finish at the same time no matter the skill level.

Let me know your favorite run club and why they should get a shoutout in the newsletter. There are many, from social to elite-level clubs. Keep an eye out for the launch of Zato Athletic Club to connect with like-minded runners!

Clayton Young Marathon Build

I'm starting my marathon build for the Sydney Marathon in September, and I've been seeking motivation on YouTube. US Olympic marathon qualifier Clayton Young has a series on his Paris Olympics build. The production quality is top-notch, likely due to his collaboration with Asics. It's refreshing to see elites struggle and overcome challenges like the rest of us. Start from Episode 1, but I've linked Episode 4, which focuses on overcoming adversity.

The Gym

Jack Daniels Running Formula

If there's one book to read about training methodology, it's Jack Daniels' Running Formula. It covers programs from 1500m to marathon distances, using a system called VDOT to determine training paces based on a recent race:

• Easy Pace (E): For warmups, cooldowns, and easy/recovery runs.

• Marathon Pace (M): Estimate of your marathon pace, used for specificity training.

• Threshold (T): Pace you could maintain for an hour, usually 1-2 mile repeats.

• Interval (I): Increases VO2 max, often 400m-1km repeats.

• Repetitions (R): Improves running economy and pace, often 200m-400m repeats.

This system allows programs to be adapted to each runner. Click here to find your training paces. For more details, check out Jack Daniels' book here. It's recommended for those wanting to step up their training.

Let us know any other books you recommend or training methodologies you'd like to learn about.

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