Run Culture S24 Vol 4

Weeks are just flying by this year, and we're almost at the halfway point. The Paris Olympics will be here in no time, and I can't wait! It's been a busy week—I've put together a detailed whitepaper for Zato Athletic Club outlining each phase of our business, with this newsletter marking Phase 1. Check it out if you're interested.

I also had some exciting conversations with industry pros I genuinely respect. Another week of Sydney Marathon prep is done, and let me tell you, Sunday's long run had me questioning my life choices.

If you're curious about how it's all going, check out the weekly rundown here.

Anyway, enough chat—let's dive into the fun stuff!

The Shop Front

Adidas Adizero SL2

Budget daily trainers boring? Not for me! With my Sydney Marathon mileage ramping up, I'm all about finding a reliable daily trainer that won't break the bank, so I can splurge on the fun stuff like racers and tech.

Enter the Adidas Adizero SL2. This shoe launched quietly but has everyone raving about its value. You can expect some killer colorways from Adidas. My beloved On Cloudeclipse are nearing 700km, so the SL2 might be my new go-to. At $180 AUD, it’s hard to beat in this price range.

Look forward to my review when they arrive, but for now, check out this review by Alex Filitti (don’t mind the clickbait cover shot).

Hermanos Koumori

When high fashion meets running apparel with a street twist, you get Hermanos Koumori. Based out of Mexico City, this brand defies easy categorization. Their use of colors, style, and retro flair makes them stand out. There’s something about their designs that feels both nostalgic and cutting-edge at the same time.

One of my favorite pieces from their collection is the retro-inspired windbreaker. Keep the retro looks coming—I can’t get enough of them!

Crest

In collaboration with Straight At It (featured below), we're excited to launch a weekly feature highlighting an exceptional brand from Down Under. This week, we're putting the spotlight on Crest.

Known for their high-quality caps in a wide array of colors, Crest is now expanding into a full apparel line, starting with singlets. Crest was founded to address the high cost of headwear for Aussies buying from independent companies overseas, bringing affordable, premium options to the local market.

Tom from Crest is not only passionate about track and field, but he's also dedicated to supporting local athletes. Through his brand, he's championing the cause of local, dedicated track and field athletes. This is the kind of brand we love—created by runners, for runners, and supporting the running community.

The Cafe

Mack Dewar

Just across the pond, Mack Dewar is one of the few YouTubers with a relatable style (sub-3hr marathon) and high-end production quality. His storytelling reminds me of Floberg—a huge compliment in running content creation. There’s an authenticity to his videos that makes you feel like you’re part of his journey.

Lately, he’s been documenting sub-elite runners from NZ on their PR journeys. This mix of relatable and elite content is super engaging. Check out his channel—you won’t be disappointed!

Straight At It

If you're an Australian track enthusiast, Straight At It (Mitch Dyer) is a must-follow. He’s created a Citius Mag-style Instagram page that keeps you updated on Aussie athletes competing worldwide. Highly recommend following for top-notch track updates and some good old Aussie banter.

Straight At It does a fantastic job of covering everything from high school track meets to international competitions, giving you a comprehensive view of the Australian athletics scene. Whether it’s a profile on a rising star or live updates from a major event, Mitch’s content is always engaging and informative. It’s a great way to stay connected with the track and field community down under.

The Gym

Supplementation

Why is it that using supplementation in running is seen as something so taboo? We inhale gels, drink mixes, chews, and try to find every single marginal gain we possibly can through training programs and footwear, but the moment someone suggests supplements, you're told that it isn’t worth it.

Now, I am in no way a professional in this matter, but coming from a powerlifting background, the idea of runners not taking advantage of supplementation seems crazy to me. All of my information is taken from the Australian Sports Commission. I recommend giving their guidelines a proper read, but I have collated the Group A (permitted for use, strong scientific studies) supplements that would be useful for runners:

Creatine - This one shocked me as it is often associated with bodybuilders, but it has shown that it has aerobic and brain development benefits. The recommendation is 5g a day every day.

Beta-Alanine - The ingredient that gives you the tingles in pre-workout supplements. For runners, the suggestion is to have smaller dosages with every meal, starting at least 4 weeks (up to 18 weeks for full saturation) prior to a major event.

Caffeine - Probably the most common supplement used by runners, it's required only prior to and during sessions, depending on the length of the run.

Nitrate - Often found in beetroot juice, it has been proven to improve performance for longer distance runners. It should be consumed 2-3 hours prior to the race.

Bicarb Soda - Known for its benefits primarily in middle-distance running, the main issue has been the nasty side effect of needing to urgently use the bathroom. However, Maurten has seemingly resolved this issue, though at a steep price of $70 AUD for 4 uses.

Personally, I am looking at integrating Creatine and Beta-Alanine into my training program moving forward as there is little to no downside and the price for generic versions is quite affordable. Let me know what you think—is supplementation part of your training regime?

I had so much fun researching and writing this week's newsletter for all of you. There’s always something new to learn and share in the world of running. Get in touch if there's anything you're particularly interested in, and make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow our Instagram. Have a great week of running!