Relentless Forward Progress: La Sportiva and Many More Contest

How does a single giveaway with over $800 worth of great products from La Sportiva, Black Diamond, SmartWool, REVO, Teva, SOLE, Polartec, Honey Stinger, AND Eddie Bauer sound? Yeah, pretty darn good, indeed. Well, you’re in luck because that’s exactly the prize package we’ve put together for you today. That ought to get you pretty well situated to run an ultramarathon! Lest you forget, this is the second in a week’s long series of giveaways to celebrate the launch of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons. (Feel free to spread the word.)

For starters, the winner will get his or her choice of running shoes from La Sportiva. We’ve been talking about La Sportiva’s for a loooong time here on iRunFar and they continue to make some of the best trail running shoes in the business. There’s the Raptor with its super-sticky outsole and rugged construction. (iRF Raptor review) In the opposite direction, there’s the low-slung Fireblades, a classic trail shoe that’s deservedly stuck around for years. (iRF Fireblade review) If you need to run in the mud, there’s always the Crosslite (iRF review), another classic, but this time with uber-grippy lugs… or its even more ultra-worthy Crosslite 2.0 that’s just hitting the market. Speaking of brand-spanking new, La Sportiva’s just about to launch the Quantum and Electron featuring its groundbreaking Morphodynamic technology… and they, too, would be available to the winner. Take a look for yourself at the growing lineup of La Sportiva mountain running shoes.

Black Diamond is making some of the best trail running accessories on the market and we’re psyched to share a pair of them. First off, if you ever plan on using trekking poles while trail running, look no further than Black Diamond’s revolutionary Ultra Distance Z-Pole, an ultralight trekking pole that expands and collapses faster than anything else I’ve seen. We’re such big fans that it’s one of only a few extraordinary items in the iRunFar store. Then, there’s the Black Diamond Sprinter headlamp. I’m certain that I wore the Sprinter (iRF review) more than any other headlamp during my winter training up here in the Wasatch Mountains.

SmartWool makes some of the best running clothing and socks on the market. That’s why we’re psyched to be bringing both to the winner of this contest. Up top, he or she will receive a SmartWool NTS Microweight Tee, a lightweight, highly breathable top that’s great for running throughout the year. Down below, the winner’s feet will be treated to a pair of PhD Run Ultra Light Mini socks. I’ve been loving similar SmartWool PhD socks since they came out a couple years ago.

While you’re out running, you’ll want to keep your eyes well protected, both from the sun and sundry obstacles clawing at your face. Thankfully, REVO will hook the winner up with a choice of its Abyss or Cut Bank models. Both the Abyss and Cut Bank offer high contrast polarized, water repellant, anti-glare lenses in a sporty frame.

Perhaps you’re looking for looking to continue strengthening and conditioning your feet and lower legs after your run’s over. Well, say hello to the newly-released Teva Zilch, a barefoot-style sandal that’s super flexible and grippy without ever putting your foot more than a centimeter off the ground.

On the opposite side of the post-run footwear spectrum, SOLE‘s Sport Slide and Sport Flip provide customizable support on SOLE’s already stellar footbed. I wore the SOLE Sport Flip nearly constantly when I had a long bout of plantar fasciitis. Nothing supported my foot like my Sport Flips. I slipped them on first thing in the morning and took them off only as I got in bed every night. I still have my well-loved Sport Flips to this day.

If we can give a winner two pairs of apres-run footwear, then why not give them two great tops? We didn’t think you’d voice an objection, which is why we’re also giving this contest’s winner an REI Lightweight Polartec Power Dry T-Shirt. These shirts are great for running as the Polartec Power Dry fabric breathes extremely well and keeps your skin dry when you sweat. A patented bi-component knit pulls moisture to the outside of the garment where it disperses and dries quickly. Comfortable runs? No sweat!

Of course, ultra training runs require being outside in all sorts of weather, including rapidly changing weather, which is why you need to have a lightweight jacket with you on many long runs. Enter the Eddie Bauer Sirocco Wind Shell that weighs in at a scant 5 ounces. This hooded jacket is a perfect accessory to throw into a hydration pack, as it stuffs into a self-contained pocket.

Yum… that’s what comes to mind when I think of Honey Stinger Chews. These organic energy chews are soft, tasty, and made with honey. Personally, I love the Cherry Blossom flavor. They taste exactly like cherry blossoms… or at least how I’d imagine they’d taste if cherry blossoms are incredibly delicious.

Finally, the winner will receive an iRunFar Headsweats hat to keep him or her comfortable and stylish year-round.

How To Enter
CONTEST CLOSED 6 a.m. MDT Tuesday, May 3. Jens T of Astoria, NY, you are the lucky winner of this fantastic prize pack!

[Note: Styles and sizes are subject to availability. Fear not, the winner will be well taken care of!]