Outdoor Brand of the Week INOV-8 Performance Shoes

ON THE WALL IN ALL ALABAMA OUTDOORS LOCATIONS!

We’re thrilled to offer a range of performance footwear from INOV-8 at all of our Alabama Outdoors locations! Less is more in the case of these excellent shoes. Inov-8 footwear is designed to allow a more natural running and workout form, letting nothing alter the biomechanics of the foot and body. Natural form relies on strength rather then over the top cushioning or unneeded support. The foot and body should control the shoe, not the other way around. Inov-8 products are lightweight, minimal, and functional over any terrain, over any obstacle, any distance, and at any speed. Each shoe is designed with the optimum cushioning and features for grip and comfort over the intended terrain – from rocks to dirt, mud to sand, pavement to the gym. Our buyers purposely picked only 3 models to carry at our stores, each with a distinct intent and function. Lets spotlight those 3 models and give a little information on each;

THE F-LITE 195
A highly breathable – very stable – low profile (3mm heel to toe drop) extremely lightweight (6.9oz) workout shoe perfect the athlete requiring a natural minimal platform. This unisex shoe is made for sprinting, weightlifting, rope climbing and intense gym workouts. Our crossfit go to model. We’ve also like it as a good looking everyday shoe to help strengthen the feet and legs.***FYI – SELECT MODELS OF THE F-LITE ARE ON SALE AT OUR HOMEWOOD LOCATION FOR 30% OFF!!***

TERRAFLY 303
This is your all purpose runner designed for those wanting a door step to trail head shoe designed to do it all. Minimal cushioning for road running, low profile tread pattern for trail running, and a low 6mm heel to toe drop for a stable and comfortable platform weighing in at just 10oz. One shoe to rule them all! This shoe is also ideal for those just getting into wearing a more minimal shoe, or those looking to start running trails but still put in a good amount of road miles. The upper is also one of the most comfortable we’ve worn.

TRAILROC 255
Specifically designed for the riggers of tough trail running, this lightweight 10oz shoe can stand the test on the roughest trails over the longest distances. This comfortable and tough shoe sports a 6mm heel to toe drop for a natural running form, a meta-shank rock plate for underfoot protection, small widely spaced lugs for grip in the gnarliest of conditions, and a comfortable wide toe box for flex and support. Quite simply this shoe rules the trails. A true dirt runner.

THIS NEXT TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH join us out at Red Mountain Park for our Every Tuesday Group Trail Runs as INOV-8 will be on hand with us demoing and sampling shoes for all to try out! We meet between 5:30 pm and 5:45 pm at the entrance of Red Mountain Park for 3 guided pace groups. We were cautious and cancelled due to the threat of tropical weather this week, but we’ll be back out in full force on the 4th of September! For more information on our group runs, our sponsored races, and all outdoor events check out our Alabama Outdoors blog and like us on FaceBook.

See ya on the Trails!
Shop Locally, Eat Locally, Run Locally

Tuesday Group Trail Run! Dirty Alabama Outdoors Xterra Run Series!

Updated 3:40 pm August 28th

Tonight’s Trail Run has been cancelled due to the threat of severe weather and possible heavy rain in the area. We want to ensure that we do not cause erosion issues at Red Mountain Park by hosting the run on potentially wet or muddy terrain. We will resume the weekly runs next week.

This evening out at Red Mountain Park is our Every Tuesday Evening Group Trail Run! Come out to the main entrance at RMP in Birmingham between 5:30pm and 5:45pm, drop by the Alabama Outdoors tent to sign in, divide into one of 3 guided pace groups, and head out on the trails with us! We offer three 4 mile routes with an option to make it 6 miles. ***Issac is bearing down on our neighbors so if the weather is bad this evening (meaning heavy rain and lighting), then we’ll call off the group run. Running on soaked muddy trails, though fun, can help cause some unwanted erosion. We love our trails and we wanna keep them healthy for years to come! We will make the decision to cancel at 4:00pm****. For up to date information on tomorrow’s evening’s run status, our weekly group trail runs, and all our trail events, Like Us on FaceBook and check out our run page over on our Alabama Outdoors blog.

We’re very excited to announce the 2012 Dirty Spokes Xterra Alabama Trail Run Series presented by Alabama Outdoors! Dirty Spokes will be producing 5 Trail Races in 5 distinctly different Alabama venues over a range of distances (5-13 miles) and we’re proud to be the presenting sponsor of the series. We’ll have exceptional prizes and giveaways from Merrell, The North Face, Inov-8, and more. We challenge you to giving it your all out on the dirt with us! You can register at any one of our Alabama Outdoors locations anytime. Come out to our Tuesday Trail Runs to keep those trail legs in shape for the series!

NEW! New Balance Minimus Amp (MT1010) is on the wall in Homewood!

By Phil Croley | Thursday August 23rd, 2012

I haven’t been this excited about a trail shoe in some time and have been (patiently) awaiting it’s arrival (I’m a trail shoe nerd). Finally here, the New Balance MT1010 (also called the Minimus Amp) looks even sharper in person and feels exceptional on the feet (that perfect New Balance sock like fit; not too tight, not too loose).

This 4mm heel drop trail runner seems like a ton more shoe then it’s 7oz weight thanks to a carved out lugged Vibram sole and a generous rockplate up front, giving it the perfect amount of under foot protection (no more underfoot bruising) all in a light weight fast minimal package.

I have a feeling this shoe will become my go to long distance trail runner of choice! Stop by our Alabama Outdoors Homewood location for a professional fit in a pair of these dirt runners!

Like Us on Facebook to keep up to date on all our Trail Events, Trail Running Clinics, New Trail Gear, and Group Trail Runs. We’ve got your trail running needs covered all 6 of our Alabama Outdoors locations, your source for getting out in Alabama.

Eat Locally, Shop Locally, and Run Locally!

–Phil Croley

Group Trail Run Tuesday

We’re excited to have our friends at Salomon out to our Every Tuesday Group Trail Runs this evening at Red Mountain Park!! Salomon will be on hand with shoe demos and free swag. Come try a new pair of trail kicks out on the feet for free! We’ll be back to the 3 guided pace groups this evening; Casual 4mile run at 12min pace to the Grace’s Gap Overlook out and back (this is also a great route for any hikers/walkers), Moderate 4 mile around the park on the BMRR South and North Trails at 10min pace, with a 6 mile option out to Grace’s Gap and back, plus a fast option at 8 min pace (4/6mile route is determined by the group leader at the start of the run). Everyone is welcome to come out and there is no cost, novices to advanced runners all are invited. We meet at the Red Mountain Park Main Entrance between 5:30 and 6pm. We leave promptly at 6pm!! Click on the link below for a map and driving directions;

Red Mountain Park
277 Lyon Lane, Birmingham, AL 35211

Speaking of Salomon! Congrats goes out to Team Salomon who dominated the Rocky Mountains (click the link for our preview!) this weekend. Salomon saw wins in both the male and female spots at this year’s Pikes Peak Trail Marathon (3rd oldest marathon in the nation!) Swedish new-comer Emelie Forsberg took the overall for the females in a time of 4:28:07. Spanish mountain-running legend-in the making Killian Jornet took the overall in the men’s field with a time of 3:40:26. Both runners also set course records with those wins, while Salomon team manager Greg Vollet took 5th overall. Colorado native and Salomon runner Ricky Gates also took a very impressive 2nd at the Pikes Peak Ascent with a time of 2:15:42. Frenchmen Thomas Lorblanchet took home the win for Salomon after a very hard fought battle to the finish bringing in some very fast times ever for this year’s Leadville 100 Endurance Run, beating out some big names in the Ultra Running World. The surprising news though is on the women’s side as the unsponsored Colorado native, and my good friend, Tina Lewis crossed the finish line for the win at 19:33:45 bringing in the 3rd fastest time in race history and beating some of the biggest names in the women’s field! Congrats to all the finishers!

NEW on the wall in all Alabama Outdoors locations; the Inov8 TrailRock 255 (Click the link to find out more on this fast trail shoe). Visit any of our 6 locations for a professional shoe fit and expert advice on all your outdoor and trail needs, plus we’re always open online at AlabamaOutdoors.com.

Looking forward to the Birmingham Track Club’s Fat Danny’s Trail Race this weekend! This 5 mile rolling trail run out at beautiful Oak Mountain State Park is perfect intro into trail running for anyone interested. Love to see everyone out!

Shop Local, Eat Local, Run Local!

Getting Outdoors in Alabama since 1975!

Leadville Trail 100 + The Pikes Peak Marathon And Trail Events!

NEW Footwear On The Wall!

The Inov8 TrailRoc 255 trail runner is on the wall at all Alabama Outdoors locations! A perfect high mileage trail trainer and racer. The Trailroc 255 has the most underfoot protection of any shoe in the line, but is still a very light (only 9oz) low to the ground (6mm heel drop) trail shoe. This shoe is one fast animal.

Epic Runs Out West

It’s the Rocky Mountain Olympics of Trail Running up in my old home state of Colorado this weekend. The Leadville Trail 100mile Run is this Saturday plus the 3rd oldest marathon in the states, The Pikes Peak Marathon, is Sunday!

The Leadville Trail 100mile Run, like all ultras this year, is stacked with not only the deepest field of competition possibly ever in it’s history, but will also attract the largest list of entrants ever (topping 1K this year!). Upfront for the ladies will most likely be 36-year-old New Balance runner Liza Howard from Texas and 37-year-old Pearl Izumi runner Darcy Africa from Colorado. If she clinches a win on Saturday evening, Darcy will be one step closer to the Rocky Mountain Grand Slam (winning 4 RM 100s in a row) – she’s already won the Bighorn 100, Hardrock 100, and the bear 100 will run in September. On their heels, and maybe up ahead on the trails, will be Leadville native and two-time winner Lynette Clemons (39) and Boulder Colorado’s Tina Lewis (37, go get em Tina!). The women’s race could turn out to be the big event this year.

And for the men…29-year-old New Balance mountain goat Anton Krupicka (TK!) is, as always when it comes to Leadville, the odds on favorite. He tells me he’s in the best shape of his life and could make a run at Matt Carpenter’s record this year (as long as he doesn’t blow up at mile 70! Tony play it safe bro!). Oh his heels will be very steep competition from New Zealand’s two-time Olympian – 4x Ironman Champ – Road Runner turned Ultra Trail Runner – Mike Aish. This will be the moment when the speedy road runner (he runs a 2:13 marathon) goes up against the mountain goats. Mike has already turned in the 2nd fastest time in the Leadville 50 last year and the 100 course is, sadly, very road runner friendly (save for the 2 times over Hope Pass at 12K feet and the 2 times over Surgarloaf Pass at 10K). Here’s an fantastic video about Mike and his Leadville pursuits this year (some of those switch backs are etched in my memories of Colorado and Leadville!). Pearl Izumi’s steady eddy Nick Clark (old and awesome!) might just be the one to beat though as he knows how to maintain a strong pace for the duration of the miles better then anyone. Watch out for Nick! And of course there’s a ton of others looking to dominate this year.

I’m a little sad to say I won’t be running in this year’s Pbville race, I have some fond memories of races past, but I’m thrilled to running The Pinhoti 100 this year here in Alabama!!! This weekend after my long run on Sat I’ll be glued to I Run Far’s live coverage of the race starting early Saturday and running all day till late that evening/night when the first finishers start coming in.

The Pikes Peak Marathon! Can you believe that the 3rd oldest marathon in the states is also the highest, maybe the hardest, and almost all on trail! Makes me happy. 47 yr old Mountain goat legend himself, Matt Carpenter, overall record holder at Pikes Peak, Leadville 100, Lake City 50, and a slew of other insanely hard races, will be running for his 17th win of the PPM. Matt will for sure be the local fave, but all odds and eyes will be watching the Salomon’s young gun, and legend in his own right, Killian Jornet (hopefully he’ll follow the American trail rules, but….did he cut switch backs at the Speedgoat 50k to maybe make a statement????). My odds for the women’s race is Salomon’s youngster Emelie Forsberg of Sweden. She’s been stateside for a month running everything in site, including the big peak in Colorado Springs. Like all trail races this year, Pikes Peak is looking to break it’s attendance records with the largest entrance list yet in it’s history.

We’re loving the rise in popularity of trail running! and this gets us amped for our own trail running season just around the corner!! Come out and join us Every Tuesday at Red Mountain Park as we host a guided trail running experience with us. We’ll also be sponsoring and supporting several great trail runs and races in our very own beautiful state of Alabama on our very own Alabama dirt!:

The Birmingham Track Club (our wonderful partners in running) will be hosting an entry level – new to running – fast for those of you who are experienced – 5 mile trail race August 25th out at Oak Mountain State Park.

We’re proud to sponsor The Autumn Equinox Ultra 25k/50k out at Oak Mountain State Park and the race director is our very own local Alabama ultra man Owen Bradley!

We’ll be presenting 5 very fun Xterra Alabama Trail Races this fall with Dirty Spokes Productions in 5 different beautiful Alabama locations!

We’re honored to be partnering with Todd Henderson in presenting both the 5th Annual Pinhoti 100 Trail Race out on the beautiful Pinhoti Trail, and the 3rd annual Mt. Cheaha 50k Trail Race, both here in Alabama.

Like Us on Facebook to keep up to date on all our Trail Events, Trail Running Clinics, New Trail Gear, and Group Trail Runs. We’ve got your trail running needs covered all 6 of our Alabama Outdoors locations, your source for getting out in Alabama.

Eat Locally, Shop Locally, and Run Locally!

Fat Danny’s Trail Race at Oak Mountain Park on August 25th

The Birmingham Track Club are inviting all to their annual Fat Danny’s Trail Race out at Oak Mountain Park August 25th. This 5 mile race is a perfect introduction to trail racing for the newbies or a great fast smooth trail run for the seasoned runner. Our Tuesday evening trail runs that start up August 14th at Red Mountain Park are the perfect training tool!

View the event on Facebook

Tuesday Trail Runs at Red Mountain Park Return August 14th

Alabama Outdoors, in partnership with Red Mountain Park and the Birmingham Track Club, is pleased to announce the return of our very popular Tuesday evening trail runs, beginning on August 14th, and continuing every Tuesday thereafter. Participants of all skill levels and ages are welcome to join us. We have everyone from beginners to elite runners training for their next trail race. On Tuesday August 14th, Saucony shoes will be on hand with trail shoes to demo and prize giveaways, plus come out and meet the Birmingham Track Club, Birmingham’s oldest and largest running group. They will be on hand every Tuesday with information on their weekly group runs and how you can become a member. Come spend some time outdoors with us in Birmingham’s newest park!

We meet at the main entrance to Red Mountain Park at 5:45 P.M., with the run beginning at 6:00 P.M sharp. We will have 4-6 mile options available.

Please make sure to bring your own water bottle and water to run with – It’s Alabama and it’s HOT! We’ll have water on site but please bring extra water for the run.

Guided pace groups will include:

• Fast – Run at 8:00/mile pace
• A Little Faster – Run at 10:00/mile pace
• Easy and Enjoyable – Run at 12:00/mile pace

The loops are also open to hikers and runners alike!

The Red Mountain Park main entrance is located at 277 Lyon Lane, Birmingham, AL 35211.

See you on the trails starting back August 14th!

Remember to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to receive updates on upcoming trail races, running clinics, shoe and gear demos and much more!