continued from page 1

Dallas Fort Worth Houston
GIZMO’S, GADGET’S and other things
(continued from page 1 )
Safety is another area that often gets overlooked
when talking about toys and fitness. With the days
now shorter and darker, being seen by cars is a big
concern. Most running shoes and apparel have
some reflectivity built into them, but consider using
2
3
other items like small, blinking lights and/or safety
vests that have reflective strips on them to make
1. Anthipod Hydration bottle, ergonomic low profile configusure you are seen by any driver that is not paying
ration allows hand to relax to a natural position, eliminating
hand cramping and tension $9.95 2. Nathan Tri-Color Reattention. And don’t forget about hydration during
flective Vest with zippered pocket $21.95 3. Nathan Wrist
the winter months. As the runs get longer while 1
Runner $8.95
training for the marathon or half-marathon, it is still
important that you are carrying water and/or sports sories can help us in our workouts. But some of these are also very
drink with you. An added bonus is that most all fun to have and use, as well as looking good while we work out. Sunwater belts and hand-held bottles also have some glasses are an example of items that serve the purposes of safety and
reflective ability, as well as carrying your fluids for comfort, while still making us look good during our workout.
you.
This winter, be safe during your run, walk, swim or workout and
Finally, we all realize that using different acceslook forward to wellness in the new year!
Houston Fit and Fort Worth Fit: The final preparation do’s and don’ts
Volume II, Issue V
The countdown is on, you are only 46 weeks out from event day and the moment (or hours, really) you trained so
hard for. Thinking of your race, you
may be concerned about forgetting the
vital ritual do’s and don’ts in the final
stretch. Here are some tips that will
help you rise to the challenge.
28 days to go: If you need new equipment, buy it now. Never begin a marathon with new shoes or new apparel.
January 2004
Look inside
for these articles
Congratulations to
Dallas, Plano and Bachman
Fit 2003
Winter Shoe Review
2
Dino Dash in Dallas
4
What’s that on your
Shoe? ChampionChip
Timing Technology
5
Achieve your
2004 resolution to
improve your fitness
level no matter where
you are today. Get
with the program in
2004! See page 3 for
all the details.
Shoes should have been worn at least
40-50 miles and apparel should be
tested during your training for personal
comfort. At this point, you should already have your personal nutrition and
hydration routine down to a science. If
you’re still experimenting, spend the
next few workouts implementing this.
Don’t wait until race day to discover
which nutrition products your stomach
doesn’t like!
(continued on page 5)
GIZMO’S, GADGET’S and other things
By Faron Young
We have to admit it. We all like toys. They keep things fun for us that otherwise
might become boring. When we are talking about running, walking, swimming or
working out though, sometimes these toys can be a very useful part of our workout.
For example, did you know that using a Heart Rate Monitor can maximize your workout and help you achieve your fitness goals in less time? Or, how about a sports watch
built for running, walking or swimming that helps you keep up with the results of
your particular workout? These are great examples of the types of toys that we like to
stock at Luke’s.
(continued on page 6)
HP Houston Marathon and Half Marathon, “The Superbowl Marathon”
Sharing a number of the festivities leading up to the game, Race Director
Steve Karpas boasts the HP Marathon and Half Marathon as currently the
most technologically advanced marathon. Luke’s Locker will be present at the
2-day Koala Expo, the official registration and packet pick-up location.
Ranked the 4th most crowd supported marathon by the Ultimate Guide to
Marathons, event day anticipates 250,000 spectators, 15,000 participants and
an after-party sponsored by Budweiser beginning at 10 am following the race.
Registration forms are available at all Luke’s locations or register online at
HPHoustonMarathon.com.
Marathon, 3-person Marathon Relay, 10k, 5k Adult and Bombay Kids 5k
Every race revised and improved for February 28, 2004! The Fort Worth 26th
annual Cowtown Marathon is moving from the Fort Worth Stockyards to
Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth enabling all new courses and
much more visibility. According to Jim Gililand, race director, “Moving the
race to downtown Fort Worth will offer participants more parking ease, better
hotel options and more visibility for the fans. Ultimately, we expect the move
will increase the size of all the races on marathon day.” Register now at
www.cowtownmarathon.org.
Training Shoe Review
CHAMPIONCHIP TIMING: It’s About Time
ASICS
Gel Kayano X In the ASICS stability category, this is the top of the line shoe. This shoe incorporates the company’s impact guidance system (IGS) to the fullest degree. The Kayano absorbs shock, stabilizes and guides the foot through the gait
cycle for the most comfortable ride. New to this shoe is the Biomorphic Fit technology in the upper to give the most comfortable fit possible. The Biomorphic technology allows the shoe to give more with the foot in high stress areas during the
landing and propulsion phase. *New widths are offered with this model – AA for women, 2E for men (the shoe is also offered in a women’s D and a men’s 4E width as well as the traditional B and D medium widths for women and men). The
improvement of the upper in version X really improves the fit and allows for a smoother ride than the predecessor model.
Drive one today! Price $134.95
GT 2090 This series of mild to moderate stability shoes have been the most popular training shoes for
many years. Moderately priced, stable yet free flowing through the gait cycle, this relatively lightweight shoe
adds a lot of joy to training runs. New this year – SpEVA through the mid-sole (SpEVA is ASICS highest
quality mid-sole material). The 2090 has a great feel and fit. Loyal ASICS 2000 series fans should really enjoy
this version. The shoe remains among the best on the market today. Price $89.95
Saucony
Triumph Taking the place of the Grid Web, this new addition to the Saucony line is categorized within maximum cushioning. In addition to the Grid cushioning system, the Triumph incorporates Saucony’s HRC through the mid-sole for maximum shock absorption. The Triumph is a welcome addition to the Saucony line, and the shoe is generating strong, positive
feedback. There are not enough good shoes on the market in this maximum cushioning category, and the Triumph offers a
nice choice for consumers. Price $109.95
Nike
Air Zoom Swift A moderate to lightweight high mileage training shoe for runners seeking a cushioned, responsive ride.
The upper is extremely breathable, lightweight and comfortable for runs of any distance. The wide base of the shoe provides
it with a surprising amount of stability. The shoe can be a training shoe for some, a lightweight shoe for others. Price $99.95
Air Zoom Elite This is a new lightweight trainer in the stability category for speed work and/or racing. The medial post
helps stabilize the foot while allowing running at fast speeds. The Elite is a solid new technical shoe from Nike. The Elite
offers a generous toe box and a snug heel fit. It accommodates a lot of different foot shapes. Price $89.95
New Balance
1221
This is the latest up-date of the top of the line stability shoe fro New Balance. The 1221 offers a TBU
Roll Bar to stabilize the foot and minimize pronating on impact. In addition, a medial post guides the foot to
NB 1221
toe-off. *New this year – a uniquely designed upper. Price $129.95
900 A brand new lightweight trainer for runners doing speed work on roads or track and for racing. This is a companion shoe to the very popular 833 model. The 900 incorporates a medial post
for stability while the 833 is for the medium to high arch runner who only needs shock absorption. The new 900
NB 900
model weighs in at 10.6 oz for men and 8.3 for women. Price $99.95
905 This is the new and improved update of the 904, a technical off-road running shoe from New Balance.
The 905 is vastly improved and trail runners will enjoy the technical benefits of this stability enhanced trainer. Price $99.95
Many Great New Models Arriving at Luke’s in January 2004
January is an exciting month for new shoes. Look for these new shoes to arrive at Luke’s: Adidas Universal, a new,
maximum cushioning shoe; Brooks Epiphany, a new, maximum cushioning shoe; ASICS Foundation Plus, replacing
the well known Foundation motion control shoe; ASICS Landreth, a new cushioning shoe built on the 2000 series last;
Nike Tailwind, the remake of one of the most popular, maximum cushioning shoes; Nike Pegasus 2004, replacing the
well received Pegasus, with improvements; Nike Zoom Swift Vapor, an update to the Zoom Swift, offering lightweight cushioning; Nike Shox FSM, the ride of Shox with added stability features; Nike Shox Turbo, the replacement of the Shox NZ, cooler and better; Nike Air Stasis, a new lighter motion control shoe replacing the Durham;
New Balance 1023, replacing the 1022 in the maximum cushioning category; Saucony Fastwitch Endurance and
Fastwitch Speed, for going fast; Mizuno Wave Legend 2, replacing the Wave Legend, offering motion control.
Old shoes can be recycled and used for playground surfaces! Don’t forget to bring your used shoes into Luke’s
when you’re ready for a new pair. Luke’s works in conjunction with Nike and KaBoom in the Reuse-A-Shoe
program, committed to planning and building recreational facilities for the children in your community.
Page 2
Luke's Locker
By Mike Hutcheson
With more and more races beginning to use the Chamkle bracelet during a triathlon, or mounted on the front
pionChip timing technology, we thought it appropriate to
fork of a bicycle for cycling events.
give you some background information about how this
There are no batteries in the ChampionChip. The transtechnology got started and how it works.
ponder is passive until moved into a magnetic field, generThe development of the ChampionChip technology
ated by a send antenna. Here the energizing coil in the
started in 1993. It was initiated by the organizers of the
chip produces an electric current to power the chip. The
Seven Hill Run in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. It was offitransponder then transmits it’s unique identification numcially introduced at the Berlin Marathon in September 1994
ber to a receive antenna. The whole procedure takes apand was first used in the United States at the 100th
proximately 60 milliseconds and is repeated conIn 2003, at the
Anniversary of the Boston Marathon in 1996.
tinuously. Both the send and receive antennas are
Broloppet Half
Presently, the ChampionChip technology is used
located in the tartan mats that the competitors
Marathon across
in the big city marathons, Ironman triathlons plus
cross. Contrary to a popular myth, the chip does
thousands of other events around the world, with the new bridge con- not need to be activated prior to the race. Each
necting Denmark unique chip is assigned to the participants based
proven superior performance.
ChampionChip Equipment handles approxi- and Sweden the upon their bib number.
mately 5000 runners per minute. Two examples ChampionChip
Numerous benefits of the ChampionChip timof the systems volume performance capability are: equipment timed ing system include fast and accurate results, proviThe start of the New York City Marathon which 79,837 competitors sion of net times and splits for every individual
spanned a total or 36 meters wide. In 2003, at the participating in the participant, no finish line chutes, collection of
Broloppet Half Marathon across the new bridge
more data than ever before, real-time information
event.
connecting Denmark and Sweden, the Championfor the press, TV, and the internet. In addition, a
Chip equipment timed 79,837 competitors in this event.
personal ChampionChip can be used all around the world
The basis for the ChampionChip technology is the rain running, triathlon, cycling, mountain biking, in-line
dio-frequency identification system (RFID) from Texas
skating, and cross country skiing sporting events and comInstruments, which is also used for security locks in cars
petitions.
and admission control in buildings. A ChampionChip is a
ChampionChip prides itself on the thoroughness of its
miniature transponder in a specially designed plastic houstechnological advances and is continually enhancing the
ing. This device contains a chip in combination with an
services that it provides to the race organizers, timers, and
energizing coil. The chip is encased in a waterproof glass
participants. While other timing systems have attempted
capsule, meaning the ChampionChip can be used under all
to emulate the technology of the ChampionChip timing
conditions (wet, dry, cold and hot). The ChampionChip
equipment they have all fallen short when it comes to procan be worn on the shoelaces in a running race, on an anviding the reliability that is offered by ChampionChip.
Final preparation Do’s and Don’ts (continued from page 1)
14 days to go: If your mental self is becoming more worn out than your physical self, don’t throw in the
towel. Call your friends and tell them about your imminent challenge and ask them to come and support you.
Sometimes your friends’ expectations provide you just enough challenge to get you to the start line and across
the finish line.
7 days to go: Continue to be vigilant about the amount of water you are consuming and the hours of sleep
you are getting at night. Now is the opportunity to build and store energy and hydrate your body to the maximum level. Get watered, get rested and get carbo-loading, you’re going to need it all.
3 days to go: Inspected the piggies? Be sure to trim back your toenails for maximum comfort on the final
day.
1 day to go: Traveling to your marathon? Don’t let the new sites and marathon expo absorb too much attention and energy. Allow yourself rest breaks if you are spending a significant portion of the day on your feet.
The exhilaration of the experience can overcome good sense. Have a seat, put your legs up and relax! The next
day you won’t regret having put the breaks on and reserved the enthusiasm.
M-day: Be sure to give yourself plenty of time for breakfast, your morning ritual and 20 extra minutes for
traffic and other unexpected delays.
Enjoy your race!
Volume II, Issue V
Page 5