Topo Athletic Magnifly Review

Topo Athletic is one of the companies that you might not have heard of yet.  You should probably check them out though.  I am a huge fan, not only of the products they produce, but the thoughts behind the design of their shoes. 

Topo Athletic was founded in 2012 by Tony Post.  Tony was the CEO of Vibram USA throughout the birth of the FiveFingers revolution and has over 30 years in the shoe industry.  Tony left his position at Vibram USA to start Topo Athletic with the desire to create a shoe company that would help you train smarter.  He didn’t like how most shoes squished your toes, which is where the wide toe box comes into play.  He wanted to make a shoe that was nimble and allowed you to stay connected with the ground (i.e. feel the ground as you run). 

Topo Athletic shoes fit snug in the heel and midfoot, while it they are loose in the toebox.  This wide toe box allows your toes to spread out.  This will not only help you be more stable, but will also reduce foot injuries commonly caused by shoes that compress your toes.  The wide toe box is also found in Altra and Skora shoes. 

I have tested 5 shoes from Topo Athletic and have been impressed with every one.  Here are some of my past reviews.

MT (trailshoe)  

Runduro (roadshoe) 

Runventure (trailshoe)  

Fli-Lyte (roadshoe)  

Halsa (gym/training shoe)  

Topo Athletic has always produced zero drop shoes in the past.  They recently introduced the Magnifly, which comes with a 5mm heel drop.  If you are used to running in a higher heel drop shoe (if you don’t know what heel drop is, you are probably running in a higher heel drop) this would be a good shoe to start transitioning to a lower heel drop platform.  By running in a zero drop or low drop shoe, you allow your body to be in a better alignment, which will help reduce injuries.

I recently developed Achilles tendonitis in my right heel and I was instructed by my Podiatrist to wear a shoe with a little bit of heel drop (5-8mm) for a while to let my injury get better.  The Magnifly came just in time.  The look and feel of the Magnifly fell in line with the rest of Topo Athletic’s shoe line.  They were light weight at only 8.8 ounces and is very flexible.  The Mangifly has a dual density foam midsole that allows zoned response and plenty of cushioning without sacrificing that feeling that you are connected with the ground.

I love the Magnifly!  It took key features of the Topo Athletic shoe line that I have become accustomed to and added the 5mm heel drop instead 0mm.  The shoes allow for a fast, responsive ride.  I can just go out and enjoy my run.  I can’t ask for anything more from a shoe. 

Pros:

Light weight (8.8 ounces)

Wide toe box allows toes to spread out

Dual density foam provides responsive ride

Low heel drop (5 mm)

Great price ($110 at the Topo Athletic website)

Topo Athletic’s Social Media Links:

Facebook 

Twitter 

Pinterest 

Instagram 

I have not found a Topo Athletic shoe that I have not liked.  The Magnifly is no exception.  With its 5mm heel drop, dual density foam midsole and durable materials, this is a great shoe for the anyone, especially those who want to transition to a lower heel drop.  At $110, this is a shoe you should definitely put in your shoe rotation.  You can get your pair at the Topo Athletic website. 

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Chiropractic Treatment for Runners

I am pleased to bring you an article from Dr. Donald A Ozello, DC.   He is a Chiropractor at ChampionshipChiropractic in Las Vegas and the Author of the book “Running: Maximize Performance and Minimize Injures”.  It is a perfect topic for my blog.        

Chiropractic Treatment for Runners

by Dr. Donald A Ozello, DC

“If I could put a percentage value on it, I think I compete eight to ten percent better from regular Chiropractic care. I think that is how much of a benefit it is–if not more. If it wasn’t for Chiropractic, I wouldn’t have won the gold medal.” Dan O’Brien, 1996 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medal Winner.

   

Achieve your running goals with the utilization of consistent Chiropractic treatment. Competitive and recreational runners of all ages can benefit from chiropractic care for a myriad of reasons. Beginners to professionals can improve their health, fitness and race day performance with regular chiropractic visits.

   

Chiropractic medicine has a multitude of useful purposes for athletes. These functions include injury prevention, acute injuries, subacute injuries, chronic cases and maintenance care. No matter what phase of care you are currently in, Chiropractic is useful.

Repetitive Trauma: Runners receive Chiropractic treatment to lessen the cumulative pounding that training and competing places on their bodies. As a result of the repetitive nature of the sport, runners commonly acquire injuries such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, ankle sprains, shin splints, iliotibial band syndrome, patello-femoral pain syndrome, hamstring strains and lumbar sprain/strains. Chiropractic medicine is a vital resource for runners in the prevention and management of these and many other running-related disorders.

Description: Chiropractic care is drug-free, surgery-free functional medicine. The primary objective of Chiropractic medicine is to optimize the nerve flow through the re-establishment of correct skeletal motion. Chiropractic doctors utilize a treatment procedure named the Chiropractic adjustment. The Chiropractic adjustment is a high velocity, low-amplitude, focused thrust that restores proper joint motion and reduces nerve impingement.

Adding regular Chiropractic visits to your health routine can help maximize your body’s capabilities. Chiropractic care helps remove the source of a condition, thus lessening the symptoms. The benefits of Chiropractic care go beyond the restoration of correct skeletal motion and nerve flow optimization to include increased range of motion, improved proprioception and decreased symptoms. These factors lead to increased musculo-skeletal function. Optimal function helps with injury prevention, decreased recovery time and improved athletic performance.

Nervous System: The nervous system controls every motion of the musculo-skeletal system. The brain sends a signal to the working muscles. The motion is performed and a return signal is immediately transmitted back to the brain. Impingement of a nerve can lead to pain, weakness, numbness, reduced joint mobility, limited function and decreased performance.

The chiropractic adjustment restores correct skeletal motion which lessens pressure on nerves. Proper musculo-skeletal motion allows nerve signals to transmit from the brain to its destination and back without interference. Optimal nervous system function improves physical performance.

Kinetic Chain: The kinetic chain is a term used to explain how the musculo-skeletal system functions as a synergistic unit. The feet and ankles are the foundation of the weight bearing kinetic chain. Healthy feet and ankles provide a stable, dynamic base for standing, walking and running.

If any of the numerous joints in the feet or legs are not functioning properly another area of the body will compensate for it. Overcompensation or continual compensation places increased demand on a joint, ligament, muscle, tendon or bone. Constant and/or sudden over demand is a precursor for injury.

The weight bearing and repetitive nature of running predisposes the feet, legs and hips for skeletal misalignments. This makes them prime candidates for chiropractic treatment. Correct joint motion in the feet, lower extremities, hips and spine maximizes the capabilities of the entire kinetic chain. A properly functioning kinetic chain lessens the possibility of injury and enhances running performance.

Conclusion: Chiropractic care is a catalyst for improving an athlete’s health, motion and function. Chiropractic treatment helps runners accomplish their goals by placing the body in a position to work at its highest capacity. Consistent chiropractic care helps lower injury risk, promote recovery and raise performance levels. Implement consistent chiropractic treatment in your health strategies to decrease injury risk and enhance running performance.

I am not a doctor and cannot make statements for or against chiropractic care.  I have found that it has personally helped me but I know that people’s opinions on chiropractic care can vary.  I did want to share Dr. Ozello’s information because it could possibly benefit you.  If you find this blog post interesting, please purchase Dr. Ozello’s book “Running: Maximize Performance and Minimize” on amazon.

A Blog Reader Just Saved My Running Season.

So I am starting my 4^th week of my first marathon training.  As you might have read, I had developed Achilles tendonitis on the back of my foot right above my heel.  I went to the Podiatrist and he gave me an icing/stretching regiment and heavy duty anti-inflammatory medication, which wasn’t helping at all.  He said to take the medications for 4-6 weeks.  I hate taking anti-inflammatory mediation at all because from what I have read, they stop the body’s natural healing properties.  I started thinking that it was just a matter of time before I was going to have to abandon the pursuit of completing the California International Marathon this year if my Achilles tendonitis kept getting worse. 

A reader of my blog, Stewart G, left me a comment letting me know about a website that provided advice for his Achilles issues.  I checked out the website and it talked about the benefit of eccentric heel drops.  I tried it and within 2 days I really felt the difference.  It has now been one week of doing the eccentric heel drops and I can run with no pain. 

I was able to have two great runs this past weekend.  My 5 mile run at race pace was easy and I ran it about 20 seconds faster per mile than I needed to.  My 6 mile run the following day was easy as well.  I can’t thank Stewart enough.  I have a renewed sense of confidence in my running and can’t wait for my training to progress. 

I strongly recommend eccentric heel drops for all runners.  It can be useful in making you stronger and more injury free.  Check out the great article from John Davis at RunnersConnect.  

Here is what my 4th week of training consists of.

Monday: Cycle 17 miles

Tuesday: 3 mile run

Wednesday: 6 mile run

Thursday: Cycle 15 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 6 miles run (at race pace)

Sunday: 11 mile run

I am really excited that my training is back on track.  Please take a chance to check out the awesome article and let me know what you think.