Archive for January, 2010

The Best Running Sunglasses: Bolle Dash

Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 7:31 am  

Read Why We Chose the Bolle Dash Performance Sunglasses

I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to try out Bolle’s newest model of sunglasses from their sport performance series – fittingly labeled the “Bolle Dash”. The conditions were perfect to put these Bolle running sunglasses to the test during my recent trip to Mexico where I went running on the beach most days. Weather was hot and and the sun was shining on every run. Between the brightness and the glare off the ocean water, sport sunglasses were a necessity.

What I Liked

The fit.
One of the biggest problem areas that I encounter with other running or sport sunglasses is the fit.  They tend to feel too snug on the sides of my head and above my ears and even the smallest amount of pressure annoys me to the point of hurting.  My compliments to Bolle for designing a pair of sunglasses that don’t even touch those areas but still provide a snug fit.  The Bolle Dash has been designed with an extremely durable, but lightweight nylon frame that bows out around your head with ThermoGrip® tips that make contact just behind the ear.

The ThermoGrip® tips are also found on the nose bridge of the Bolle Dash, which keep the sunglasses nicely in place no matter how much your head moves around.  Running in 85+ degrees, I was sweating quite a bit and the Bolle’s nose bridge never slipped.  I even tried shaking my head around to try to get them to move or slip, but they always stayed put.  The Bolle Dash has a very secure fit, yet provide pure comfort with no pressure points.

The Bolle Dash is an ideal fit for medium to large faces.

In addition, even with all the contributing sweat and heat, the Dash sunglasses had enough ventilation throughout that they never once fogged up on me.

What else do you need to know?

jacquie-bolle Runners typically wear sport sunglasses to:

  • cut out the glare
  • protect our eyes
  • look cool (joking)

The Dash does all the above.

The polarized lenses worked beautifully at keeping the glare from the ocean out of my eyes, with the lenses wrapping slightly around my head to avoid sun and glare from leaking in at the edges.

Runners are unavoidably exposed to the elements and a significant amount of UV rays during their runs.  While most are aware of the dangers that UV rays can cause, few are actually aware that UV exposure is the biggest risk factor for developing cataracts.  A serious health fact to take into consideration if you are a runner who presently doesn’t wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.  Hats off again to Bolle for developing sunglasses that have 100% UV protection.

One Final Feature

I must credit these sunglasses with being ultra lightweight.  The Dash has a half rim frame design which removes much of the frame from your field of vision allowing you to have a clear panoramic view.  Less frame also means less weight, and weightless is what they feel like.  Most of the time, I forgot that I was wearing them.

What colors are available?

  • The Bolle Dash are available with a Polarized Lense or a Non Polarized Lense;
  • The frame color is available in “Shiny Black” or “Dark Tortoise”; and
  • The lense color is availabe in TNS or TBL Dark.

Translation:

Polarized means that there is an optically precise filter embedded in the lens that eliminates most glare and reflected light. I have found that once I used polarized, I have never gone back to non-polarized. Polarized models are also more expensive to buy.

TNS Lense is a neutral density gray lens which provides true color definition. This lense is ideal for all-purpose use.

TLB (True Light Brown) Dark is a neutral density brown lense which also provides true color definition. This lense is suitable for high altitude, high glare situations.

Weight and Measurements

Weight:  0.72 oz.
Frame Width:  151.7 mm
Lens:  40.3 mm high x 67.7 mm wide
Bridge:  16.2 mm
Temple Length:  124.5 mm

Where Can I Get the Best Price?

The best price for the Bolle Dash at the time of writing was from Amazon. Amazon offers great customer service and typically always has comparable prices with a great choice of both the polarized and non-polarized models available.

Correct Running Form

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 7:20 am  

Correct running form is important to learn to make running as efficient as possible.  Believe it or not, running efficiently makes running easier.  Your expend less energy and will be able to run faster.  When trying to improve our running, we often concentrate on speed work, hill work, distant running and utilize a heart rate monitor to keep in our target heart rate zones, but few of us really concentrate on proper running form.

Head – The best way to put it is to let your gaze guide you.  Look out on the on the horizon and keep you head up.  Resist the temptation to look down.  Your head should be level and your neck relaxed.  Don’t jut your chin out. 

Shoulders – keep your shoulders low, square and relaxed.  As you run further distances or tire during your run, your shoulders will have a tendency to creep up and get tense.  If you find this happening, shake them out to try to get them relaxed again.

Arms and hands – Your arms play a very important part in your running technique and the whole efficiency of your run.  Arms should be bent at a 90 degree angle.  While running, your arms should swing forward and back and try to avoid crossing them over the front of your chest.  Keep your hands in a loose fist with thumbs resting on top.  If you find yourself making a tight fist then shake it out.  Try to avoid carrying anything while you are running.  Those that like to carry your keys, ipod or cellphone, get yourself an arm or waist pouch, so that your hands are free to help with your run.

Posture – Maintain an upright posture, your spine should be straight and your torso long.  Coaches often refer to this position as “running tall”.  Running tall keeps your chest area open which allows your lungs to expand.  If you start to slouch, take a deep breath and this will naturally straighten your torso.

Hips – your hips should be centered and facing forward.  With the correct posture, your hips will fall into the ideal position.  Think of pointing your hips straight ahead.

Legs and feet – when your feet fall, they should be hitting the ground slightly behind the midfoot and your knees should be slightly bent.  Your feet should land directly below your body, keeping your ankles flexed for a powerful pushoff from your toes.  Think of your movement being fluid.

While trying to remember all these tips on the proper running form – don’t forget to breath, relax and enjoy your run!