Core Body Temperature Sensor
Written by Neil Bryant
Your core body temperature keeps within remarkably small boundaries pretty much all the time, and if it strays too far from them, for any period of time, it can have heavy consequences on your immediate health. Unsurprisingly, sporting performance is affected by a high core body temperature. This has traditionally been countered by putting the body through heat stress, via saunas, extra clothing during training, wearing plastic bags or hot yoga to help the body adapt to performing in higher temperatures. There is an element of guess work using this method though (what temperature, duration, frequency etc) and like all training, if overdone, can cause unnecessary fatigue and need extra recovery.
NNormal Kjerag
Written by Neil Bryant
Anyone who loves trail running and is always on the hunt for the perfect shoe, would have been intrigued when it was announced that Kilian Jornet was starting up NNormal and that they would be making shoes. The shoes that were developed with/for him while he was with Salomon, were superb, though a little tight for me around the toe box and rather narrow. I felt that seeing as Kilian would be using NNormal shoes all the time at the very top of the sport, they would be quality, fast shoes, but I was worried, that they would again be too narrow for my feet.
Fast forward a few months, and I was unpacking my sample Kjerags (Kjerag is a Norwegian mountain) to review. The first thing I noticed, was the weight. At 200g per shoe, they are feather light for a shoe that has been worn successfully for mountain 100 milers. We all love a light shoe, as long as they haven’t sacrificed too much in the protection and durability department. It is always a difficult balance to get right, and what is right for one, won’t be right for another. It felt great in my hand, but how did it feel on my foot.
Race Across Scotland 2022 Cautionary Tales for the Brave
Written by Nicolas Muller
First credits:
This race would not be possible and so well managed without the most dedicated team of RDs and volunteers that I’ve seen on an ultra so far (more on that below). To Wayne, Laura, Ian and all the others, a massive Thank You.
Disclaimer: I am starting to write this several months after the race. Everything is a bit blurry in my mind. However, to be honest, everything was a bit of a blur right after the race already, and even during the race. I do not usually see the point in describing one’s own personal race minute-by-minute, in particular here if I can’t recall most of it, so instead I’ll try to give some memories, tips and tricks based on my experience during the race. Hopefully it helps.
Salomon Speedcross 6
Written by Neil Bryant
I started running trails back in the mid 2000’s, and the selection of trail running shoes back then was miniscule compared to now, where we have a dizzying number of options for every type of terrain, speed, conditions and of course foot shape. One shoe that I do remember that you could buy at the time, was the aggressively soled Speedcross from Salomon. Every race I went to there was always a few people wearing the Speedcross. I tried a pair but they were too narrow for my feet.
The shoe became more and more popular, as both trail and ultra running boomed, and it got updated a number of times. Six times in fact, and it still bears a striking resemblance to the first incarnation, though many improvements have been made.
Coros APEX 2 Pro
Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
When I reviewed the Apex Pro from Coros, I was very impressed with the overall package, but there were definitely a few things that would really improve it. One of those things was the addition of maps, to make it more competitive with Garmin, and since I wrote that review, Coros rolled out a huge update (well, many!) that added maps! The maps are good but are still not quite as good as Garmins, but it was a massive step in the right direction and showed that Coros wanted to be taken seriously and were listening to the people and acting.
Then, they updated the hardware and released the Apex 2 Pro! On paper there are many improvements, but how do they all shape up in the real world. Was it worth the wait, and do you need to upgrade if you are an owner of the original Apex Pro?
7 Years to run The OCC
Written by Roger Webster
7 Years to run The OCC
I was accepted onto OCC on the 3rd attempt. Unfortunately it was then cancelled (Covid) and I deferred the next year (thought it was going to be cancelled) so 7 year after starting to collect points I was in and ready? 
Over the 7 years my knees were beginning to play up so would now attempt it as a power hike rather than a run! Could I keep up 5km per hour while allowing an hour for every 1000m of climbing, 141/2 hours in total. I would be going faster at the start, (6.5kph) but could I keep it up?
Suunto 9 Peak Pro
Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
It feels like a long time since I used my trusty Ambit 3 Peak! I loved that watch, and I still own it! What a beast it looks now! Beast maybe, but it was reliable for its full service except for its final year or so when its altimeter went wrong. A common problem, but overall, I was very happy with the Ambits performance.
Rab Stormveil and Kinetic Ultra jackets
Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
A while ago, I did a group review of Rab’s first foray into the running market with their Skyline range. Rab already had a pedigree for outdoor gear, so it wasn’t a huge surprise that, overall it was excellent. There were a few things that needed fixing, but generally it was a pretty rounded set of running gear. I was interested to see how things would evolve over time.
Garmin Fenix 7 Solar
Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
If you have any interest in Garmin devices, then you may well have heard the fuss being made from Garmin fanatics all around the world, as they eagerly waited for the release and details of the Fenix 6 update, the Fenix7. Earlier this year, it finally was released, but was it worth the wait?
This side shot shows off the red surround for the button which also helps prevent accidental pressing, and also on the face you can see the purple ring which is the solar panel.