A few brave Zapponians participated in the Ragnar Relay here in Vegas this past fall. The 195-mile overnight running event from Lake Mead to Sin City tested the endurance and stamina of our Zappos team, but in the end, team spirit prevailed and everyone had a great time testing their limits and making memories that will last a lifetime. Great job Zappos team!

Men: 1. adidas Tiro Training Jacket, 2. Brooks Essential Run Jacket, 3. Reebok Wall Season 2 Zigencore, 4. Timex Sport Ironman Midsize 10 Lap Watch

Women: 1. Lucy Vital Jacket II, 2. The North Face Isla Weekender, 3. Soleus Chicked watch, 4. Nike Free Run +2

Looking for a gift that will impress and delight the people on your gift list with athletic prowess? Look no further than our amazing selection of athletic shoes, clothing and accessories! They’re the gifts that keep on giving—in the gym, track, court or the yoga studio.

The Zappos.com Las Vegas Rock n’ Roll Marathon is almost here! We’re getting excited for race day, wrapping up our training and looking forward to the unique opportunity to run the famous Las Vegas strip at night.

To rally more volunteers for the big day, a few Zapponians greeted people outside our offices with a mock water station last week.

We hope to see all of you at the marathon this Sunday, whether it’s cheering on friends and family, volunteering at water stations, or running the race.

Brrrr! You wake up for a run, look outside, and it’s cold and windy, what do you do? SLEEP? Nope!  You still go for a run!

Race day could be rainy, windy, cold or even all three, so prepare for it now; here are some tips to help!

You won’t be as thirsty in the cold; it doesn’t mean hydration is less important.

Dress the part! Layers are key for cold weather.

Be careful of wind burn!

Wear clothing that keep warmth in but allow extra heat to escape.

Race day for the Zappos.com Las Vegas Rock n’ Roll Marathon will be cold… get used to it now and not the day of!

80% mental, 20% physical?

Everyone knows in order to cross the finish line, you must train your body, but did you know how important it is to train your mind?

Racing is just as much a mental  game as it is a physical game. Here are some tips to help you TRAIN YOUR BRAIN!

Visualize yourself crossing the finish line

Get outside your comfort zone during training runs

Be confident in yourself and in your training

How willing are you to push yourself?  How bad do you want it?

Do what you can do at the moment and don’t look ahead

Practice Mantras; Make it short, uplifting, instructive, and full of action words:  

 “Run Fast, Go Past” or "The strong get stronger."

You are your biggest competitor, not the weather, not your family, not the race course, YOU.

Go beyond your zone!

Can you believe fall is finally upon us? This means cooler weather for those longer runs!

Now that we are getting into runs that are longer than an hour, we need to start talking about consumption of items other than water to avoid bonking.

Everyone is different and EVERYONE will react differently to certain products; practice before race day is key!

CYTOMAX® is the sponsored sports drink that will be offered during the Zappos.com Las Vegas Rock n’ Roll Marathon, if you plan on drinking it in December, then start drinking it now!  You don’t want to end up running from porta potty to porta potty for 13.1 miles!

Here are some general guidelines for hydration and sustenance for endurance running. Remember, however, that everyone is different, so you may have to tweak your routine a little bit to suit your body.

BEFORE YOUR LONG RUN

Consume a meal 1-3 hours before your long run or race.

300-400 calorie meals full of carbohydrates (bagel, toast w/peanut butter, oatmeal)

2-3 glasses of water

DURING YOUR LONG RUN

6-8 oz of water every 15-20 minutes

After an hour of running consume about 100-200 calories and then 100 calories every 40-45 min after that. Start testing out products such as GU, Hammer Gels, Clif Shots, Gummy Bears, sports drinks etc.

*If you’re using Gel, consume with water when taken, not sports drinks!

AFTER YOUR LONG RUN

Rehydrate with 2 cups of water per pound lost.

You absorb carbs twice as fast within the first two hours.

Consume at least 200 calories per hour ran .

Add protein for enhanced storage.

Happy Training!

Left-Right: Saucony Hattori,Inov-8 Road-X155,Vivobarefoot Ultra (with insert shown), Biom Natural Motion by ECCO Trainer 1.2

If you’re an avid runner who’s interested in transitioning into the growing trend towards minimalist running, there are a few things you should keep in mind before switching from traditional pronation-control cushioned running shoes to minimalist running shoes:

1. Gradual transition: Your feet’s muscles need time to adapt to the new pattern of motion that comes with minimalist shoes. They need a gradual transition in order to avoid injury, especially in the tendons and joints.
2. Day-to-day: When you first get your minimalist shoes, get acclimated to them by wearing them during periods of regular walking, perhaps while running errands.
3. Start slow: To start, run slowly and only increase your distance gradually as your feet acclimate to the more natural range of motion.
4. Listen to your body: Make sure to pay attention to any areas that feel sore or tired after your initial runs. Keep your first run sessions to about 20 minutes, taking a day off in between as needed, and then gradually increase as you notice your feet getting more comfortable.

Remember, never push your feet! It takes patience and some time to strengthen all the tendons and muscles on your feet with minimalist shoes. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll reap the benefits of a more efficient stride, stronger foot muscles, and more sensory connection to the trail.

Happy running!

As pioneers in the barefoot movement, Vivobarefoot by Terra Plana was launched in 2004 with form and function in mind. Its use of a patented 6mm ultra-thin, puncture-resistant sole provides sensory awareness without sacrificing protection.

The greater ground feel that Vivobarefoot shoes provide means your feet are able to move more naturally, reserving energy while helping to prevent injuries.

Vivobarefoot shoes are produced using recycled, locally-sourced materials with eco-friendly production techniques.

Happy running, and don't forget to sign up for the 2011 Zappos.com Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon