Category Archives: Sports Medicine

The Adidas Springblade Running Shoe

The Adidas Springblade running footwear is a very unique and unusual running shoe. It has only been in the market for approximately 12 months to varying evaluations. The main feature of the Springblade are, as the brand implies, individual blades that create a spring effect for both shock absorption as well as energy return to propel the runner forward when running. The running shoe was created over the 6 years and had been put through significant testing for the durability, comfort, as well as power in order that the various variations could match runners of all types. They don’t match all runners and were not actually made for running long distance which is what some of the critics of the shoes have attempted to use the shoe for. They’re probably more suited to runs on the track or trails, with reduced runs on the road.

There are several models of the Springblade available on the market. You have the Adidas Springblade Drive that is created to be there all-rounder running shoe form this range. It has got the ESM-mesh technology which is supposed to enhance the breathability as well as comfort while at the same time being very conforming to the shape of the foot. The Drive is recommended as being most suitable for runners wanting a more general cross-training shoe and just want one shoe that addresses all their requirements. Another shoe in the line-up is the Adidas Springblade Razor which is more firm compared to the Drive in order that it supports the foot better in place. It is suitable for runners using the track more for speedier runs as opposed to the road. The final shoe in the selection is just called the Springblade. It is viewed as the workhorse of the range. The shoe has a tech-fit upper structure that does trade-off some degrees of breathability for more flexibility as well as comfort. A different unique feature of this range is when you get the running shoe through the online site, you are able to customize it with a few personal reaches.

Abebe Bikila and His Barefoot Marathons

Abebe Bikila was a marathon runner from Ethiopia, winning double Olympic gold medals: Rome in 1960 and at Tokyo in 1964. Abebe died in 1973 at the age of forty one because of troubles after having a motor vehicle accident. There’s a athletic field in Addis Ababa named after him. Google honored Abebe using one of their doodles on what could have been his 81st birthday celebration on 7 August 2013.

1960 Olympic Marathon at Rome:
Abebe had been a last minute substitute in the Ethiopian squad for the Olympics. Abebe had no shoes to compete in and Adidas, the official supporter simply had a few pairs remaining that didn’t fit him, therefore he ran the marathon barefoot (he previously had been running barefoot). Abebe won the gold medal in a time of 2hr 15min. Following the marathon, addressing an inquiry as to the reasons he competed without shoes, Bikila answered: “I wanted the whole world to know that my country, Ethiopia, has always won with determination and heroism.

1964 Olympic Marathon in Tokyo:
Forty days prior to the marathon Abebe was operated on for an acute appendicitis and at one stage it was thought that he might be unable to run. He went on to win this marathon in a world record time of 2hr 12min, being the 1st runner to win two Olympic marathons. Abebe had been wearing Puma shoes in the race (which Abebe Bikila also ran in to come 5th in the 1963 Boston Marathon).

He is a light to mild heel striker with a few midfoot strikes also. Despite that, he is not overstriding and could crack a world record. Bikila is frequently idolized by the barefoot running online community as a idol for running the marathon without running shoes (together with other elite athletes). Pundits of this love to point out that he did compete faster and break a world record when using footwear.

As part of his legacy, the minimalist running shoe producer, Vibram FiveFingers have the Bikila label of their range named after him. Early in 2015, the descendants of Abebe Bikila reported they were taking a law suit against Vibram for registering the ‘Bikila’ title without having authorization.