Road N2 (Cherry Tomato/Lime): “the perfect balance of light and fast with just enough cushioning and durability to provide the maximum confidence you need to go the distance”
UPDATE: Winner announced and my review/video added below.
You know that I love some clever marketing. When I saw that Pearl Izumi launched a new campaign with the tag “the downsides of a more efficient run,” I was intrigued, checked it out and watched some of the videos. It has sort of a mock-umentry type of feel, or almost a Reno 911 style (if you remember that show). It’s funny, sort of a tongue-in-cheek kind of way to make fun of ourselves… and I’m all for that.
Videos like:
HOW TO FEND OFF BEARS THAT DON’T HEAR YOU COMING:
Here is a link to view DOWNSIDES videos.
Here is the quick 411 about the philosophy behind Project eMotion:
DYNAMIC OFFSET PHILOSOPHY: Most running shoes utilize a static offset, while Project E:MOTION delivers a smoother sensation with an ever-changing heel to ball-of-the-foot offset throughout the stride. A simple, common sense platform that intuitively adapts to your body to support how you run.
PHASE 1:INITIAL CONTACT: No matter whether you’re a heel-, midfoot-, or forefoot-striker, a smooth, flowing stride begins at the moment of initial ground contact. Your body’s weight is centered in the rear half of your foot, where the midsole is responsible for absorbing the initial shock.
PHASE 2: LOADING: As you enter the Loading phase, your heel, forefoot and toes become engaged and weight bearing. The front half of Project E:MOTION’s midsole begins to lower smoothly as the forefoot bears most of your weight.
PHASE 3: TRANSITION: It’s in the Transition phase where the benefits of Project E:MOTION truly come into play. As your lower leg pivots over the foot, your weight is smoothly transferred from your heel and midfoot to the forefoot. Absolutely nothing jarring or abrupt. The front of the midsole continues to gently lower until your bodyweight is centered on the forefoot.
Review:
SHOES: I’ve been running in the N2 road shoes from Pearl Izumi on and off for the last month. I mostly used them during my lunch runs, logging anywhere from 3-5 miles in them. I was in the middle of running 2 marathons in 16 days for June and wanted to keep my legs fresh, so I didn’t get a chance to test them out on anything much longer than that. It actually worked out perfectly, as I was fairly comfortable in clocking some faster miles in this more “efficient” shoe. I found myself slipping easily into some sub-8 minute miles. The shoes were light and most of the upper part of the shoe is made of mesh material so it felt very “open” if that makes any sense.
The N2 is described as a neutral trainer, but I felt comfortable enough with knowing it still had a decent amount of cushion in the shoe. I’m used to running in a stability shoe for longer distances and knowing that these are designed using “Dynamic Offset technology for a lively and smooth ride that eliminates forefoot slap and reduces shock” gave me peace of mind (see the longer more technical description above). Basically, I could feel that there was some cushioning between me and the ground when I was running in them. It wasn’t enough to feel like I was running in “moon shoes,” but it was more than you would find in a minimalist shoe, which I’m not ready for yet.
GEAR: The sun sleeves were phenomenal. As soon as I saw them and tried them on, I immediately decided to wear them at the SF Marathon (photos above). I had never run in them before race day (yes, I know, “nothing new on race day”) but I love running in sleeves and they just “looked perfect.” I wore them the entire race and am a huge fan of them now. They are called sun sleeves because of the built in UPF 40+ sun protection (BONUS) and they also moisture management with ELITE Transfer fabric. The shirt was along the lines of your typical quality running shirt, effective, light-weight, moisture control. I liked the simple front and it kept me free from worrying about any chafing issues. The shorts were a little “short” for my taste, but they were comfortable and functional with several seal-able pocket options. I hate having to worry about my ID or keys flying out of my pocket so having a zipper or velcro always makes things much easier.
You’ll definitely be seeing this gear in upcoming lunch runs and instagram photos, but until then, check out the fun video I made.
The downside to a more efficient run? THIS:
The winner announced below just won:
- Pair of Project E:Motion shoes (men’s or women’s)
- Pearl Izumi running shorts
- Pearl Izumi sun sleeves
- Project E:Motion t-shirt.
I’ll be contacting the winner below via email to let them know.
Thank you to everyone that entered!
I was not paid for this post, but I was given the opportunity to try Pearl Izumi gear free of charge along with the opportunity to share a prize pack with a lucky winner. I have yet to review the gear, but once I do, all opinions will be my own and 100% honest. Advertisement:
I would love to win this great giveaway! I need a more efficient run.
I loved the Bear video!
Oh I would love to win this! Your description of the science behind the shoes really sparked my interest, not to mention how hilarious the videos were.
Looking forward to your finished review later this month! Maybe if I win the shoes I can give you my review also! ;)
LOL! I was rollin’ at the breakup video! Love it!
how to never be mistaken for an animal!!!
I love Pearl Izumi gear. I’ve never tried their shoes though. The videos are hilarious. My favorite is the break-up one.
Can’t wait to see your video. Liking the first so far!
The how to fend off bears one was too funny!
I love Pearl Izumi! Looking forward to your video. These are super!!
Love the bear video, I’ve always used pearl Izumi bike gear and liked it, I’d love to try out their running gear!
I love the bear video haha!
How to fend off Bears!! totally!!! since we often get the BEAR talk before our trail races. So funny!!
Hows This? THis? This?? and the random breaking of song!! hilarious.
I loved the one about breaking up with your running partner. Love how he got smokes by the guy when they were running! Hahaha.
I love the one with the bear!
I think my favorite is definitely the “how to never be mistaken for an animal” video!
Wildlife defense was my favorite, but I also liked the How to Never be Mistaken for an Animal.
I love the science behind these shoes! Super cool!
Entered and would LOVE to win!
The bear video, but the for the most part, I found them annoying and didn’t like them. Yes they are supposed to be funny and sarcaastic, but this kind of humor, sometimes at the expense of others isn’t my thing.
But I do want to try the shoes out, they were recommended to me very highly by someone I respect and might be part of the solution for some of my running related issues :-).
bears!
Ohh – I love Pearl Izumi but have never tried their shoes…I would love to win!
oops – forgot to include my fave video – I love the Breaking up with your slower friend video…too funny
those are some very pretty shoes. and i like the idea behind them.
bears!
Would love to try these shoes and gear! And to run a rock nroll race…. might do the san antonio one.
I was kinda hurt about staying behind with the “joggers” but it’s all in fun so I can’t be upset!
The bears vid is hysterical!!!
Both were great but “Blame it on the rain” Bear edged out.
love the dog cpr
Oh my goodness, the breakup is hilarious. Would LOVE to win this!!!
Those videos are hilarious, thanks for sharing those! The break up with your running partner made me laugh because these are conversations I think a lot of people have – I have to forward that onto my running group! Great giveaway
Hilarious!!! I did love to win!!!
I would love to win the Pearl Izumi Project stuff! Oh, and the slow running partner stuff… That was me last year ;)
New shoes are something I’m going to need to invest in. The kicker is that I’ve been so afraid of new shoes that I’ve been using the same style for six years. Not the same pair, but a few pairs of the same model that I can no longer find anywhere. So to try these would be great!
The bear video was my favorite.
The breakup video was great! Some people are in denial, I felt like that once with my running buddy because I was a little slower. Now I can hang, but it did hurt to be left behind.
Shared the video on twitter: https://twitter.com/Julie13point1/status/343478832751333376
They look very intriguing. Are they low drop?
My favorite video is most definitely the first one I couldn’t stop laughing!
Just bought a bullhorn for my trail run! Woo-hooo!!
Dibs. I just dibbed it guys. Sorry. You know the rules of dibs. It’s unspoken. Loving the blog. Looks like it is active and you’re engaged with it. There are too many abandoned running blogs out there.
And enjoy the What Not to Eat when You’ve Run Beyond your Range. Features science. I used to be in the lab a lot.
I love bears and videos featuring them
I killed myself laughing at the bear video.
I love the bear video!
I loved the bear video.
I liked the hunter video
BEAR!
Love breaking up with your running partner!
In LOVE with the bears one, reminds me of the old campfire classes we would go to with the rangers at Yosemite and they would recommend banging sticks together, LOL.
Loved the Breaking Up with your slower running partner vid. 5Ks huh… that’s like the littlee kid’s Big Run…
I particularly liked the bear video
They were all pretty funny but my fav was the break-up one. And I cannot wait to see your video!
The bear is the best !
The break-up one. Especially because I’m worried my running partner might have that conversation with me really soon!!!
Loved the bear video. :)
I love the bear one being in Montana and running 3-4 month of the year!
Fending off bears that don’t hear you coming… by far! Even just the title just cracks me up!
Love the “breaking up with your slower running partner” – been there. feel THAT.
I would love to win this giveway!
Breaking up with your slow running partner! I’m the slow running partner :-(
https://twitter.com/blazinqt52/status/347062790181244928
So pretty can I haz them?
the bears is definitely my favorite one
I can’t wait to see your review.
My favorite is the fending off bears video :)
I definitely could use a more efficient run :)
HAHA – How to fend off Bears of course!
“HOW TO NEVER BE MISTAKEN FOR AN ANIMAL” — HAHAHA. That’s hilarious. Definitely my favorite video :)
How to fend off bears is my favorite.
Would be cool too have some new running shoes, especially efficient ones!
Their videos are hilarious! I can’t wait to hear your review of the shoes.
The break-up video is my favorite, and has some good points!
I love the break up video! I got some pointers on how to “gently” end it with a slow running partner. Now I have to run to Staples and buy some Post-it notes. Gear and shoes would be a pretty sweet win!
Great giveaway!! by the way, the break up video..funny!! :)
I’m a slow runner. I’m the slowest of the Run Club. I didn’t think it was possible to get a breakup letter from a Run Club… but I wonder now. I’m going back to running by myself!
Awesome giveaway!! I’m always hesitant to invest in new shoes but hey, I’ll take a free pair!
Bear video!
These are great! This is an awesome giveaway! Thanks!
My fave was the Breaking up with slower partners video!
I liked the breakup video the most, but “blame it on the rain” made me laugh!
What a fantastic giveaway… the shoes look pretty awesome. I really liked the ‘Breaking Up’ video, but can’t wait to see what you put together.
I love the new Pearl Izumi line!! Both the hubs and I just bought a pair for ourselves and I have nothing but wonderful to say about them!
Lol the bear video is awesome
Haha, I like the how not to be mistaken for an animal!
Yay for giveaways! I’d love to try those shoes :)
This is the year I break up with my slower running partner….ME!
Pearl Izumi -please take me thee! I’d love to win these amazing prizes!
I found “HOW TO PERFORM CPR ON YOUR RUNNING DOG” informative and amusing!
Clicked on the link just to watch the two videos, but ended up watching allof them…hilarious! Love the bear one!
Im in need of some new running shoes I hope I win
I seriously need arm-warmers and even though they’re not that expensive, I have a philosophical problem paying for round pieces of fabric. Hoping to win!
hilarious! Love the breaking up video :)
i tweeted here! https://twitter.com/LeahKaz7/status/349190107116498944
Love this! Breaking up w/ your running buddy is hilarious.
I’d definitely scare away a Bear with some “Milli Vanilli” – sounds like legit advice! ;)
I enjoyed the “Breaking Up” video but all of them were awesome!
Breaking up video!
As a new runner, I’d love to win and try some new gear!
As a new runner, I’d love to win and try some new gear! I like the bear video.. Useful as black bear frequent my neighborhood! Haha
The breakup video.
Break up! Haha
Break Up video was so funny I had to share it with my Pinterest followers!!
lol awesome video. let’s add “make a funny video” to the list of things to do when you come to st louis :) :) :)
Oh my gosh LOVE this commercial haha