Nike LunaRacer+ 2

I've been up to my ears in work and training the past weeks. And that's the main reason for not putting in much time in the blog.


I've had a few sessions with my new Nike LunaRacer+2. I like the shoes, but I must admit I expected more. It might come with more runs, but I have my doubts...

Expectations can be unrealistic to meet. I admit I had higher expectations to the Nike Lunaracer+ 2 than what might have been realistic to believe could be the end product. I just liked the first edition so much because of the racing factor rather than the training factor I think the first edition had.

The Nike LunaRacer+ 2 is a responsive, cushioned racing and training shoe for distances from 5K to the marathon. Nike Flywire technology provides a supportive upper. I think the new upper is more solid than last years (which is good), but also thicker and less breathable.

(Photo: picked from SimplRun) 
No-sew overlays offer added comfort. But I still think that the upper is too solid for being a top of the line racing shoe. But for training this works well.

Nike Lunarlite system allows for inherent stability. The stability system in the Nike Lunaracer+ 2 is the really great invention of this model. I find the Lunaracer+ 2 very stable, and can easily be used by runners with overpronation without orthodics.

The model is also providing great cushioning. This model can be a choice of high mileage trainers for many runners. I just think it will be worn out quite easily. The BRS 1000™ carbon rubber pods on the outer sole deliver traction in wet or dry conditions.


I hope you will give the Lunaracer+ 2 a try if you like the first edition or any of the other models from the Luna-family. I'm impressed ny the low weight and the amount of cushioning. It's worth a try.

Weight: womens 157 g/5.6 oz, mens 187 g/6.5 oz
Price: 1400 NOK/$99.99

You can read my old posts on Lunatrainer here and Lunaracer here.

Proud to be a part of Team Kondis

I'm proud to tell you that you can read my blog at kondis.no.

The posts from steeplegirl.com will be linked to the Kondis site. So, I won't be blogging about anything else than I usually do. But I'm still proud of being a part of one of the most serious web sites on distance running and endurance sports in general. Kondis (means endurance) is the Norwegian Organization for Endurance Sports. The organization publish a magazine and you meet the Kondis crew on most road races and big running events!

Sarva Xero - my companion this winter!

Little did I know about this winter, when I in December was longing for warm weather training in January. I read in the newspaper this morning that Oslo hasn't had temperatures above zero celsius (32F) since December 12... It's been quite miserable to be a distance runner in Oslo this winter.

I'm not a huge fan of treadmill running and need to run some sessions outside during a week. Because of the massive snowfall day after day, the roads have not been properly cleared. Some days have been impossible to run outside. Sore hammies and tight calves are the side effects of running and slipping...

One of my best friends this winter has actually been the Sarva Xero. Quite light shoe with permanent studs. They are light in weight and got a softer mesh than usual. The cushioning is moderate and something between a lightweight model and a well cushioned one. One to try if the snow prevents you from a jog.

I love books!

I have this weird fascination when it comes to book stores. When I see one I have to go inside and have a look. Most of the times I buy one or two. My days are quite busy, so there's plenty of unread book in my shelves...

Lately I have read books about running or athletes. So, when I ran into Thor Gotaas on Monday, we had a brief chat about running in general, my training and his book projects.

He is a very fascinating guy with enormous knowledge about sports and history. I told him I got his latest book, but hadn't had time to read it. He told me he had it published in English and now with pictures. He was really excited and dropped by  yesterday with an English copy for me. And he had signed it with a greeting! Very nice!

I like to read in English, so I'm excited to get around and read Running A Global History. 

Do you feel sleepy?

(Photo:Reuters)

- or do just cool down your brain without knowing?

I don't feel particularly sleepy 10-15 min before a race. At track meets I see many yawning athletes right before the gun goes off.

I yawn like an old and tired dog on my warm up. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it. It's just like I can't help it. And I AM NOT sleepy!

I read this article in Dagbladet today about the American short track speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, who has won seven Olympic medals in his career. He always  yawns during warm-up. The article also says that he does it to inhale as much fresh O2 as possible. You can read the article in English here. 


Searching for information on athletes and yawning, I found this:
- Yawning is a process that protects our brain from overheating and serves as an alert signal to others.
Andrew C. Gallup and Gordon G. Gallup, Jr., researchers from University at Albany studied yawning in college students to find out the reason of yawning. They disproved the theory that yawning results from the lack of oxygen. As experiments showed, the alterations in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood didn't affect the yawning reaction.


I think I yawn before a competition because I'm nervous and excited. It might be an uncontrolled action to cool down my brain or an action to make myself more alert. I don't know...:)
What I know, is that I have lots of photos of myself on warm-up with a yawning face!

Yesterday is past...

Photo: Tore Amundøy)

Yesterday I ran my first indoor meet in six years and I didn't accomplish what I came for. I went out really controlled with 34 and 35 seconds. Then Lisbeth carried on for almost two laps, and I was up in the lead again at 800m in 2.22. Not lightning quick, but I was aiming for a controlled start and then working really hard from 1000m and in.

It was a weird feeling where I felt really light and fine. Very controlled. But when Ingeborg went up in the lead it was just like I couldn't be bothered to push and chase... I hate that feeling.

Since last night I've gone through my race and the impressions. I did one big mistake and that was that I lost track of the laps.. Gee, I'm getting old, huh?! The bell rang and the sign showed two laps to go. I got confused and didn't even try to sprint. Big mistake!

I guess I didn't concentrate very well after I had done part one in the race - to start out relaxed and run controlled. I need to start working on better focus and work tasks at the end of races too. The good thing though; I felt I could have run in the same pace for many more laps...

I will bring the annoying feelings with in to my training and remind me that I have to chase better next time.

Nationals coming up

The Olympics are on almost 24/7 at my place. I get so excited to watch the athletes push themselves to their limits and some beyond that too!

That said, I'm actually competing in less than two days. I'm running the 1500m in the National Indoor Championship. I haven't raced indoors since February 2004. And I will just be racing this one. I have had a normal week training-wise and I feel fine. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I know I have trained well and I'm confident that the outdoor season will bring some good races. On saturday I will focus on running relaxed:)

Weather-wise I'm turning mad very soon. Lots of snow and impossible to run outside... (Good it's Indoor Nationals..hihi)