infomancer

I’m not a super elite runner.  In fact, I’ve been out of practice for so long that I do run/walk intervals.  While I feel great after running, I have always felt I just wasn’t built for it.  I tend to get injured a lot, and my short little legs don’t take me very far very fast. 

But my world has just been turned upside down.

I had read about Newton shoes before, but I wasn’t too sure about trying them out.  I overpronate, and I worried they wouldn’t have enough support.  A couple weeks ago, I went to a local running store and tried them on.  We popped a supportive insert in, and I was sold. 

They’re easily the most comfortable running shoes I’ve ever worn.  On top of that, they’ve completely revolutionized my running. 

With a name like Newton, perhaps you can guess – there’s a lot of science behind this shoe.  12 years of research and 9 patents make it completely unlike any other.  The key is the midfoot lugs.  For someone like me, they help to train you to land on that your midsole.  It’s much more efficient than a heel or toe strike, and leads to fewer injuries. 

But the lugs move.  Independently.  When you land, they recess into the sole.  As you start to lift your foot, they push you forward.  Don’t believe it?  Check out the tests.  Newtons have less impact, higher energy return and better cushioning than all the other shoes tested (by a third party).

They say you’ll be running better in no time, and they mean it.  For my first few minutes running yesterday, I stuck with my old habit – the heel strike.  It was inefficient.  I was tired.  For my next running interval, I let the shoe lead. 

Holy cow.  Suddenly running was less of a chore, easier and fun.  For the rest of my workout, I ran longer than my predetermined running intervals.  I felt like I had gained weeks of fitness.  I felt phenomenal.

On top of all this, they’re a responsible company (which sometimes matters to me more than my own comfort).  A significant portion of the shoe is recycled, and they  work with a multitude of charities.

My only regret?  I got a trail shoe from another company.  I don’t know how I can go back now that I’ve discovered running nirvana.

[all images via Newton]

My dreams may soon come true.  Back when I was a young’un in college, I used to wish I could teleport, rather than walk the cold, blustery mile to French class at 8 am.  Someday, I may be telling my descendents about this, as they complain about how slow their teleporter is.  Kids these days, I swear…

Now, I don’t understand quantum mechanics.  And apparently, even if you think you understand it, you don’t (according to Richard Feynman).  But it doesn’t take a genius to understand that teleportation is pretty freaking cool.  Even the U.S. Air Force is looking into it.

Apparently, it’s been possible to teleport information for nearly two decads.  But now a Japanese scientist has figured out how to teleport energy, as well. 

Simple!

Sure, they’re talking about energy.  But surely it can’t be too long before humans can teleport as well, right?  Or, as this guy points out, the robots we send into space in place of humans.

[via Inhabitat | experiment image via LiveScience]