Saucony Finland

Saucony originals RUN YOUR WORLD

simonjonessaucony — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:30:11 +0000

As part of the Run Your World campaign, we have worked with the Rig Out to create a film that explores the brand’s running heritage and place in the cultural imagination.

The project features a mixture of Jazz Original Vintage and DNX Vintage from the latest 2017 range.

“They say the older we get the narrower the road becomes, that means the choices we make and opportunities we may get become fewer and fewer. We need moments to meditate and take stock.”

The film is about the choices we make and finding the space to recognise them. That moment in your run when you glimpse the path before you and understand that what you do today will define your tomorrow. It’s about realising your dreams and seeing their potential, about aspiring for more and finding the momentum to take you there.

It starts in London before being transported to the desert, a natural place of solitude; beautiful and serene, the environment mirrors the consciousness of our runner in flow. It then crashes back to the city with long-sought answers and a renewed vision.

CROSS COUNTRY SEASON

simonjonessaucony — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:51:33 +0000

The nights are drawing in, the weather is getting colder and the winter kit gets pulled out of the back of the wardrobe….it can only mean one thing, it’s cross country season. This is where you find the spikes you promised yourself you would clean last March and decide it would be easier to just buy a new pair for the season, you deserve it.

Much like Marmite, you will either love or hate cross country and all that comes with it. Some runners seemingly glide over the top of the mud and others feel it like a serious case of quick sand, all agree though that it’s tough. Lung bursting, leg screaming, team building racing that will make you that little bit tougher when summer rolls around!

We do love a cross country at Saucony, from the grass roots event’s across the US, the UK National Cross Country to the longest cross country event in Europe held in Sweden, Lidingoloppet at 30km.

Here are some things to remember this season:

Spikes. Keep varied lengths of spikes as you never know when the weather will change, and you are going to need to change those 4mm spikes to the 15mm bad boys!
Extra kit. It gets cold out there and after running through through mud, water and everything in between no one want’s you carrying all that into their car.
Check out the course. With more race tape than grass sometimes, you need to know where you are going for all the different loops/circuits.
Get there early. These cross country events cater for all ages so this may mean you can’t find space to park or even find the race manager to register.
Race pins. For some reason every runner knows they will need to pin a number to their vest but every time there will be that one guy/girl who seems surprised.
Be prepared. This is cross country!

Saucony Team

BODEGA CLASSIFIEDS

simonjonessaucony — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:32:11 +0000

Saucony and Bodega have come together once again to bring the Bodega X Saucony Grid 8000 ‘Classifieds’.

The latest collaboration between Boston’s Bodega and Saucony will use the iconic Grid 8000 model and is inspired by the old school browsing of the classifieds section of the newspaper, Honouring the grind of pounding the pavement on the job hunt, the shoe features Bodega’s own classifieds graphics across the tongue and insole of the shoe. Detailed touches feature a vibrant colour yellow alongside black and red palette inspired by 90’s sportswear.

Bodega ‘Classifieds’ bring the bold style and rugged spirit of classic 90’s sportswear to the enduring performance aesthetic of Saucony’s GRID 8000. Because sometimes outdoor adventures are natures trails and rock climbing, but sometimes, it’s in the back pages.

Available from the: 09/09/2017

Available to selected retailers & Bodega

ENDLESS SUMMER

simonjonessaucony — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 13:27:14 +0000

The Endless Summer collection is a nod to late night work outs on the track and early morning runs in the sunshine. Let’s put some style into your summer running with the design inspired by summer, and the ripples of a swimming pool. Road hungry and relax ready, this one is for you!

We haven’t compromised the technology but brought summer to life with the upper design, and summer in mind. with the collection including Freedom ISO, Ride 10 & Kinvara 8. The designs are all bespoke to each shoe, highlighting the key features of the trainer.

For the Freedom ISO, Saucony’s most technical shoe to date, the ripples of the water can be seen on the revolutionary full-length EVERUN midsole as well the laces and logos. While the Ride 10, a new release, features the blue wave on the shoe’s brand new engineered mesh upper and EVERUN Topsole. Arguably the brightest of the pack, you will find the crystal blue pattern on the Kinvara 8’s brand new stripped down upper and internal strap system.

Inspired by the sunny season, the ‘Endless Summer’ collection brings the ripples of that glorious swimming pool in the South of France to the sole of the foot, giving a bold boost to three fan favourite trainers. Wish summer would never end? With Saucony‘s Endless Summer collection it won’t.

Freedom Track Club

simonjonessaucony — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:47:42 +0000

INTRODUCTION

In April, 2017, Saucony launched a new elite development training group called the Freedom Track Club. The concept is built around the training and recruiting philosophies of head coach, Tim Broe, former United States Olympian and 2016 Boston Globe Coach of the Year. Learn more about Tim’s background and vision by watching the video or reading Tim’s POV on the sport, “Old School Vs New School”, below.

OLD SCHOOL VS NEW SCHOOL

By Tim Broe

The Freedom Track Club is a project I’ve been working on since I was a rookie pro just out of the University of Alabama. The goal seemed pretty simple: create a support structure and a training environment where like-minded, hard working, selfless athletes could unite and push the limits of their abilities. There were two small hurdles to overcome:

Find a place where the best talent in the country would be willing to move
Find a company who shared my passion for the sport and was willing to invest in the future of American distance running. It took me a few years (16 to be exact)

But I have finally found both!

Coaching was always in my blood. I was drawn to the human element of competition from as long as I can remember. Whether it was the final round of Wimbledon, hole 13 on the final day of the Masters, or the last jump of the 1996 Olympic LJ finals (Carl Lewis…GOAT!), the psychology of athletic performance under pressure inspired wild dreams of glory. I was the kid in the park that brought everybody together every day of every summer (think Sandlot) to play a fair and honest game. Despite the challenges that kids face who grow up in difficult homes, excuses were not permitted and fair play was always demanded. Not sure what prompted that behavior, but I suspect it had a lot to do with being raised by a mother who demanded the same from me. It was bred in me to work hard, to always challenge myself and to treat everyone with respect.

“IT WAS BRED IN ME TO WORK HARD, TO ALWAYS CHALLENGE MYSELF AND TO TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT.”

Fast forward to my first year out of college. Like so many other athletes, I was completely in the dark about the professional running world. Before there was a club in every region of the country, athletes were left to train on their own or stay with their college coach. “Back in the day” the only support shoe companies provided sponsored athletes was a quarterly check (a very small one for most of us ;). It was the days of the self-made athlete and success was hard earned. Very few made enough money to sustain the rigors of being a professional distance runner. There was no room for error and those who weren’t self-reliant or couldn’t stay healthy quickly fell by the wayside. I know I’m not that old, but times have changed dramatically over the last 10 years. Before the days of Garmin watches you learned to feel pace/distance. There was no uploading your run onto a website so you could brag about having the fastest split for some arbitrary run. You didn’t go to a doctor when you were sick or PT when you were hurt. If your foot hurt you soaked it in a tub of DMSO (not recommended btw!). If you had a slightly underactive thyroid…you back the training off and dealt with it. You didn’t need arm/calf sleeves on cold race mornings. When cotton t-shirts rubbed you raw you dealt with it. Altitude training camps, personal trainers, team doctors…luxuries only real athletes could afford. Planks and core work…who had the time or energy? Massages were for the weak minded. It may have been primitive and we may have made things harder for ourselves, but it taught you to deal with adversity, the one constant in the ever-changing world of sport.

“IT MAY HAVE BEEN PRIMITIVE AND WE MAY HAVE MADE THINGS HARDER FOR OURSELVES, BUT IT TAUGHT YOU TO DEAL WITH ADVERSITY”

I frequently find myself in philosophical debate with coaches about the direction of the sport and the nature of today’s distance athletes. Many complain (particularly old coaches) that kids are no longer tough, that they rely too much on the little things other than grit and tenacity to get it done. I agree with that sentiment to some extent. But I would also argue that kids these days deal with a lot more distraction and stress than ever before. The pressure to succeed from a young age is suffocating and every move is scrutinised. Demands on their time and energy frequently leave them on edge of breakdown. Kids in America are training a hell of a lot harder and running a lot faster than ever before. Remember when a sub 4:00 mile was top news? We have four high school kids at or under that magical this year alone! That’s a testament to smart coaches and driven athletes.

Where does the narrative that kids aren’t tough anymore coming from? After 10 years of coaching at all levels the biggest issue I see comes from coaches and parents trying protecting their kids failure. But there is no greater lesson in life and no bigger motivator than failure. Coaches take an oath to help every athlete reach their peak abilities. We have packaged things up and handed them the blueprint. Here’s the formula: plug yourself in, do the work, and your success is guaranteed. There in lies the issue. Success is never guaranteed and in our attempt to rush them to the top we can overlook the development of the fundamentals that are the common denominator of every great athlete: determination, resiliency, and grit. These are same fundamentals that built this country to what it is today.

“THERE IS NO GREATER LESSON IN LIFE AND NO BIGGER MOTIVATOR THAN FAILURE”

So what kind of athlete is the Freedom Track Club looking for? Self-made athletes who have the fundamentals to be a professional runner. Those who would continue to chase their Olympic dream with or without a sponsor. Athletes who are willing to soak their feet in DMSO (not recommended) all night so they could get up the next morning and hammer another run. Saucony will provide the structure and I will provide the direction but the core ingredients must be there. Despite what the old timers say, I still have faith that there are “old school” athletes out there.

Freedom Collection

simonjonessaucony — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 16:25:58 +0000

Our most innovative running experience to date takes flight in the Freedom ISO. With the first ever full-length EVERUN midsole, the Freedom ISO delivers more energy with every stride, while the barely-there upper holds the foot and disappears mid-run. Unleash the potential of every run in the brand new Freedom ISO.

Running, technically speaking, is a physical act. It’s something that begins and ends at your front door, or your gym locker. But for those who run it’s about so much more than that. This is where performance meets lifestyle and while last season saw the launch of our all new Freedom ISO within the performance line up, now we bring a collection of three colourways which launch 10/17. All in unisex colourways of Dusty Rose, Grey and Tan bringing our select collection to life this summer.

This collection allows you to live your life on the run, whether you are hitting the roads before sunrise or grabbing a drink with friends at sunset.

Jazz Original Vintage

simonjonessaucony — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:34:57 +0000

Celebrating the return of the Jazz Original from 1981, we launched a collection at selected retailers in early 2017. A reflection of our rich history and utilising the original features on one of our most iconic silhouettes, we can turn back time to a bygone era.

Originally designed by noted Boston podiatrist Dr.Frank Santopietro, we are bringing back the original features on one of our most iconic silhouettes. With an authentic mesh toe box, unlined tongue, bespoke sock liner, weathered upper and off white midsole. The final nod to our heritage is complete with the shoe box design from 1983. Each shoe proudly boasts the Saucony signature on the heel counter. This collection will add the perfect amount athletic sensibilities to your stride.

New line up drops 01/07. New colourways. Same authentic styling.

THE JOURNEY: Pat O’Malley

simonjonessaucony — Wed, 31 May 2017 09:29:45 +0000

For Pat O’Malley, President at Saucony, Running is a Lifelong Conversation…..

I have been a runner for over 30 years now. I have run over 100,000 miles in that time. My job has afforded me the opportunity to run all over the world. I can tell you that the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen was on a run in Hong Kong. I can still picture a waterfall in Switzerland that I ran by over 20 years ago. Running has been with me through all of life’s ups and downs. I can tell you that the most memorable run was the day after I got married and my wife and I went for a run and we excitedly talked about what the rest of our lives together was going to be like. That the most surreal run I have ever been on was the morning my son was born. All the thoughts, fears and most importantly the dreams that I started dreaming for him that morning still stay with me today. I can also tell you that I cried on a run the morning of my mother’s funeral and I outlined in my head what I was going to say at her eulogy.

I guess what I am trying to say is that running has been a life long journey for me. That journey has had so many turns, and the goals of that journey constantly change. When I started this journey, it was all about running as fast as I could and breaking the tape at the finish line. For four years I got the honor to pull on a University of Maine singlet and race to represent my college, my home state, my friends and family. At that point in my life, running was a sport, a competition, and it was all about racing. However, during that time, I found that I liked to race, but I loved to run. I loved the way it made me feel, I loved training runs with my teammates who have become lifelong friends. I loved being outdoors and exploring the streets and trails on my own two feet.

THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF ME REALISING THAT MY RUNNING JOURNEY WAS GOING TO BE A LIFELONG JOURNEY THAT WOULD HAVE MANY REASONS FOR BEING.

Over the years, the journey has transformed away from the competitive side to one that is about heath, both physical and mental, being fit, and a social activity. I have not raced in years, but I still run every day with the same commitment I had “back in the day”. That commitment is because I want to be healthy, see my son grow up and spend every day I can with my wife. Then there is this, even after all these years, I still love to run.

I don’t tell you this because I think my journey is some sort of extraordinary thing. My journey is special to me because it is my journey. It is a road map of my life and that is what makes it special to me. That is what is so great about running, we all have our own journey. Your journey is far different than mine, and it is special because it is your journey. Think about all the great things you have seen and experienced while on a run. The friends you have made on runs. The beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The first fall morning you wear a long sleeve shirt on a run. That sense of accomplishment after getting out the door and running, even if you dread doing it beforehand. How you feel when you accomplished that goal, whatever that goal may be. Think about all the different thoughts, topics and dreams you have pondered while running.

IN MANY WAYS, YOUR RUNNING JOURNEY IS A LIFELONG CONVERSATION WITH YOURSELF.

That specialness of each person’s journey is important to me and everyone who works here at Saucony. You see, every day we get to come to work and try to do something that will let us be a small part of your journey. Maybe you are running in a pair of shoes or a piece of apparel from Saucony that is helping you do the thing you love. Maybe one of our blog posts, or advertisements inspired you to get out the door this morning. So many times when I see someone wearing Saucony, I wonder about their journey. Are they trying to lose weight? Are they training for a race? Or is the reason for their journey something that I never thought of before? I love to ponder that question. More importantly, I love to be at a brand that is constantly thinking about your journey and looking for ways to be a part of it. So here’s to your journey and all the wonderful twists and turns along the way.

By: Pat O’Malley

GIRO D’ITALIA

simonjonessaucony — Thu, 04 May 2017 15:42:35 +0000

This years edition of the infamous Giro D’Italia will mark the 100th anniversary of one of Europe’s biggest sporting events. The 100th Giro d’Italia will be followed worldwide: 194 countries will watch the Corsa Rosa on 22 different TV networks, 19 of them live.

This year also see’s Saucony become the official shoe partner of the event, and as such have launched a limited edition Kinvara 8 shoe specifically for this year’s landmark event. Marketing Manager EMEA Jonathan Quint said “We’re delighted to be associated with the ‘Giro’. The race holds almost mythical status within not just cycling but the sporting community around the world. To be part of the centenary race is certainly an honour for our brand.”

When it came to the product that we have developed exclusively to celebrate the event, we simply had to use the iconic pink colourway as a tribute to the iconic leaders jersey and the pages of the Gazetta della Sport.”

The Kinvara 8 has been at the forefront of Saucony’s growth in the last few years, combining great technology and looks with unrivalled comfort and flexibility. Of course it’s designed as a running shoe, but those characteristics have made it hugely popular beyond our regular sporting boundaries.”

RACE DAY TIPS : MARATHON

simonjonessaucony — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 12:49:29 +0000

With Marathon season underway, and one of the biggest about to take place in London this weekend we thought we would bring you our best in house advice from Saucony HQ for the big day. So during our lunch break in the office we talked of previous outings and our own experience of 26.2 miles….

Jonathan Quint : NYC Marathon : 2hrs 44mins

Don’t try anything new on the day. Eat your usual breakfast; wear your usual kit, shoes and everything else. Don’t try the energy drink on the course if you’ve never used it before. Your training was all about getting everything ready for race day, not just your running.

Take your time to enjoy it a little. Soak up the atmosphere, be grateful for the crowd support, check out the views. You’re out there for a long time. A marathon IS a test of endurance, but it’s something you’ve planned and worked for, so take some of the benefit rather than concentrating everything on your performance. The relaxation will help you.

Simon Jones : 2 x London & 1 x NYC Marathon : 2hrs 33mins

Most runners put a lot of pressure on themselves on race day with a very fine line between success and failure. This is usually assuming all factors are perfect but you can’t control the weather or even how you may feel on any given day. You have to adapt and ‘race’ the day so you may miss the target time you set back at Christmas but you may be carrying a niggle or battling strong winds, in which case it is a great effort to only be 5 minutes off what you set early in your training.

Listen to your legs. Your body will always give you signs during the run and deep down you hear them, you just choose to block them out. At the marathon it is hard to keep ignoring them…. ultimately your body will start to shut you down if you don’t listen, and then you will not only miss your goal, but have a very difficult and un-enjoyable last 10km.

Bruno Paul : 5 Marathons including Paris & NYC Marathon : 3hrs 52mins

There are so many. For me the breakfast timing is key, it’s not so much about the exact nutrition but I need to eat 3 hours before…. And no Orange Juice.

Get to the start area early. In NYC this is something you can’t avoid but you don’t want to be rushing and forgetting to put on Vaseline on areas that may rub.

Ross Maddams : Paris Marathon : 4hrs 41mins

Having recently run the Paris Marathon for my debut at this distance my No1 tip is to make sure you go to the toilet pre-race, for me this included an early start with a coffee and a wonder around my hotel to get the body moving before breakfast. Hopefully the nerves also helped!

This may be a personal preference but I had a few injury issues in the build-up this spring, so a foam roller was part of my morning routine pre-race. This may be something you would want to practice with before race day but this was key to get his legs through 26.2 long miles.