Shoe Reviews: New Balance 760, 758 and 740

Monday, 23 August 2010  |  Gear + Gadgets

A few months back three lucky readers won New Balance Running Shoes which NB management specifically chose for their respective foot types. In return, NB requested for honest, unbiased reviews of the shoes. Pretty good deal if I may say so!

Here’s the summary of their reviews.  At the end of this blog, you may click on the links to download each of their full reviews:

MIKE JANEO
SHOE: NEW BALANCE 760
FOOT/SHOE TYPE: low arch, neutral shoe

Mike2

– New Balance 760 –

PLUS

  1. DESIGN & COLOR: The design is subtle and is made to be functional. The nice comments I got from friends who saw me sporting the shoes with my weekend casual wear are confirmation that it really looks great!
  2. SURE LACE: I’m very satisfied with how it works. I don’t have to worry about pulling my laces too tight or what will I do if it gets loose because it stays in place once you’ve pulled them together
  3. REFLECTORS: This shoe has more than enough reflectors for your safety if you are usually off running on the roads before sunrise or at night.
  4. LIGHT AND COMFORTABLE: The thin mesh material keeps the shoe flexible and comfortable.
  5. Great fit especially in the heel and towards the arch. The LockDown Liner™ wraps the mid-foot for a snug and comfortable fit.
  6. SHOCK ABSORPTION AND CUSHIONING: N-ergy® and ABZORB® are trademark features of New Balance and they are known to provide ample amount of shock absorption and cushioning which is very much needed by heavy runners like me.
  7. STABILITY: TS2® or its Transition Support System is very evident on the shoe’s performance which benefits me a lot having a low arch and being a mild-overpronator.

MINUS

  1. BLISTERS: I cannot confidently point out the specific factor in the shoe that may have caused me to get blisters but I just had to point it out here as a delta point since I haven’t experienced having blisters for the longest time that I was using my Nike Run Avant.
  2. WIDE TOE BOX: Not a big deal for me, there could be positive and negative effects of having this (I’m thinking blisters could be a negative effect ) but having a roomy feeling on the forefoot is something that I needed to get used to at first.

Over-all, I’ll give it a 4 out of 5 rating. For me, the New Balance 760 is a great stability training shoe built for faster pace but short distances. Low arched runners who have an over-pronation problem will benefit much from this shoe.

Mike1
– Mike in his NB 760 at Chase the Sun, Neutrogena Run –

I will continue to use the 760s for my training runs as I was able to maximize the features and benefits of this shoe during my interval and tempo runs. I will reserve my Nike Run Avant for my long runs on a weekend and for my future races.

MARTIN CRUZ
SHOE: NEW BALANCE 758
FOOT/SHOE TYPE: high arch

Martin2
– New Balance 758 –

PLUS:

  1. WIDTH: I liked the wide opening of the 758. It gave a lot of room for my wide feet to play inside since I am trying to run landing on my mid foot.
  2. CUSHIONING: It’s not really soft but the cushioning is fine with me. With my weight of 186 lbs, it gave good support on my landings.
  3. DESIGN: I liked the looks as well compared with my old NB 845 shoes. I guess NB is also catching up on making the shoes look beautiful in addition to the great functionality it provides.

MINUS

  1. SOLE: The only challenge I had doing the mid foot run was on the heel part of the sole. Since it is quite thick on that part, I have a little difficulty running on my mid foot. But I am beginning to find the sweet spot landing mid foot with that shoe.

I have run in this shoe for almost a month now. I have ran with it on my long run prior to the Dream Marathon of the Bull Runner, I ran with it on the Dream Marathon day, I used it during my short runs on weekdays and I can say that I am satisfied, I liked the comfortabilty and I can recommend using New balance 758 running shoes to anyone with the same need as myself.

Martin1
– Martin in his NB 758 at TBR Dream Marathon –

ETHEL SAMSON
SHOE: NEW BALANCE 740
FOOT/SHOE TYPE: neutral

Ethel2
– New Balance 740 –

PLUS:

  1. Wide toe box. It lets me stretch out and move my toes in all directions a bit inside. It had prevented me from having more crooked and dead toe nails.
  2. Breathable mesh on the upper part of the shoes keeps my toes well ventilated and yet it has a considerable outside protection, that doesn’t let moisture in easily, even when you’re already pouring water all over.
  3. Steep curve on the flex grooves are perfect for me as I’m a forefoot striker. I love it that even a slight forward bend would already give me a forward thrust. Even though it doesn’t have that bulk cushion as compared to the heel part, I’m amazed that with just the perfect pair of socks, I’m not having blisters on the ball anymore, no need for a footbed.
  4. Slim arch side on the midsole towards the shank, the tongue, shoe laces. The slim fit of the midsole part thru the arch part of the feet and the placement of the shoe laces behind the tongue keeps my feet in place comfortably. The sides don’t rub, and my longest toe hardly makes contact with the toe cap part, despite of the wide toe box and the fact that I’m a forefoot striker.
  5. The stiff heel tabs towards the heel counter and the sturdy medial post and outer sole keeps my heel from rolling in or out and provides the best cushion when I’m too tired, is unconsciously heel striking, and not running correctly anymore.

Ethel1
– Ethel in her NB 740 at the 1st Eagle Run in Cebu –

To read the full reviews of each runner, click below:
Mike Janeo – New Balance 760
Martin Cruz – New Balance 758
Ethel Samson – New Balance 740

Free Running and Triathlon Talk on 24 August at ROX

Monday, 23 August 2010  |  News + Promos

Training Smart to Get FASTER!

H is for Hills…and Higad

Friday, 20 August 2010  |  Bullish Insights

Yesterday, my NYC Training Program required hill training of 11km. I wanted to run outdoors, but for the first time, I was apprehensive and anxious about it. The mere thought caused sweat to drip down my forehead even before I started to run.

You see, during my last run, I spotted three higads in different locations leisurely hanging from the Acacia trees lining the road. Twice I leapt to the side avoiding a nasty and not to mention itchy rash that would’ve been caused by those hairy creatures.

I also got a text from a friend, Michelline, who runs regularly on the same course. She has rashes all over her body, even inside her shirt, from those awful higads. Rumor is their coach, Patrick, now carries Caladryl in his bag as most of his students have higad rashes.

I may be The Bull Runner but urban higad legends like that scare the hell out of me. So, as I neared the intersection where I was to choose: road or treadmill at the gym, I questioned my driver hoping for some kind of reassurance:

Me: “Manong, madami kayang higad ngayon?”
Manong: “Meron maam. Pero, mahuhulog lang sila kapag nahanginan. Kung walang hangin, walang problema.”

I took a quick glance out the window and observed the stillness of the trees. I took a deep breath and pointed ahead.

Me: “Deretso tayo, Manong. Tatakbo ako sa kalsada.”

So help me God.

I ran on the road like a poor animal being hunted by a predator (only the predator in my case was much smaller than I was). All my senses were in full alert. My eyes were focused straight ahead, as it should be, mainly to watch out for higad. I ran as fast as I could hoping to finish 11km at the shortest possible time to minimize the risk of catching the rash.

Half the time the battle was all in the mind. I cannot count how many times I flicked off something away from my neck thinking it was a caterpillar only to realize it was the tail-end of my braid. I scratched my left arm, my right leg, my left leg, and my ears so many times that I wonder how I was even able to run. It didn’t help that it suddenly got windy. Manongs words kept on playing over and over in my head.

I covered 11k of challenging hills with a pace of 5:43 min/km. That’s close to race pace for me. Who would’ve known the higads could’ve helped me run that fast on a training run?! I was happy. But, what made me even more ecstatic after the run was the absence of any itching whatsoever. I survived! Take that, higads!

Save the Date: TBR Dream Marathon on 6 March 2011

Wednesday, 18 August 2010  |  Bullish Insights

Surprise surprise!  Due to the success of the first TBR Dream Marathon and the public clamor for a second event, we are happy to announce:

THE BULL RUNNER DREAM MARATHON 2011

SUNDAY, MARCH 6 2011

NUVALI, STA. ROSA, LAGUNA

in partnership with

Nuvali

presented by

NewBalance_Sm

TBR Dream Marathon last May 22 was a huge success, but we’re bent on staging an even better event this year for TBR Dreamers Batch 2.  Brainstorming, meetings, and dreaming of our “Dream Race” are underway.  For now, these are the details we can reveal to have interested runners block off their calendars and mentally prepare for one of the most thrilling adventures of their lives:

Date: Sunday, March 6, 2011

Venue: NUVALI, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Number of participants: 400 runners. As with TBR Dream Marathon 2010, priority will be given to first timer marathoners but 2nd timers will be allowed entry.  Details to be announced in September.

Registration: Target date – September 2010.  First come, first served.  Registration info will be announced ONLY through The Bull Runner (blog, facebook, twitter). Note: Last May, slots were filled in 3 days so stay tuned!

Registration Fee: To be announced.

Training Program: Target date – starts mid-October 2011 until race day.  All registrants will receive a 20-week TBR Dream Marathon training program developed by Coach Jim Lafferty.  Participants will also be prioritized during:

  • Bull Sessions: FREE running clinics starting October 2010 to February 2011
  • Bull Circles: FREE running talks starting October 2010 to February 2011

Beneficiary: HERO Foundation (stands for Help Educate and Rear Orphans). HERO foundation provides educational stipend support to children of soldiers who are killed-in-action or are permanently incapacitated in battle.   Original founders: late Pres. Corazon Aquino, former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Renato de Villa, Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and other concerned businessmen.  Click HERE to view website.

In the meantime, sit tight and think about it.  If you’re dreaming of a marathon, TBR Dream Marathon may be just the right one for you!  Here are some letters we received after TBR Dream Marathon last May:

I wanna say kudos for organizing such a FANTASTIC race. Even the term fantastic would be an understatement for the event that you just did. 🙂

The race was very very very organized….I cant say that enough. From the aid stations, the support crew, the logistics, everything! It was perfect. The first/second timers are really really lucky 🙂
I’ve done a lot of races like Singapore marathon, Ironman West Australia and I can say that this is almost up to par all of them from the organization, down to the execution. Honestly i think you may have set the bar too high though 🙂

– Carlos de Guzman, pacer

I did it!!!! WE did it!!!! Thank you so much, Jaymie. Really, words cannot express my deep gratitude for all you have done. That was the most amazing marathon a new runner could ever ask for.

– Marnie Hurst

Maraming maraming maraming salamat. I am one of the very lucky runners to have experienced the TBR Dream Marathon last May 22. It is a very special and priceless experience in my lifetime. I am sure this is the same with many if not all of the other participants. You are very much responsible for making our dream(s) come true.

– Macky de Lima

Last Saturday, I surpassed one of the greatest physical challenges known to man. I probably would have joined other full marathons but your event was different. It was well thought of, well planned, and well executed. I could never ask for a more personalized run than this. You inspire me to share the love and passion for running to other people.

– John Benedict P. Salvador

At first, I thought it was called the “Dream Marathon” because it was your dream to put up an event like this. I’ve since realized that it’s a marathon for those who dream they can accomplish more than what they’ve ever imagined or been told. There are no limits for those who dream. Thank you very much for inspiring us to chase our own dreams and make our own reality.

– Vic Rufino

* Please avoid posting or emailing inquiries about the race for now.  We will announce full details in due time.

** To read stories from Batch 1 of TBR Dream Marathoners, enter TBR DREAM MARATHON STORIES in the Search bar

Weekend for the Kids: Run to Read and U.P.

Monday, 16 August 2010  |  Bullish Insights

For the past weeks, hubby and I have been focused on training for NYC Marathon.  We run separately on weekdays due to our chaotic schedules and run together on weekends.  We usually run easy on Saturday mornings then join a race on Sundays. Both weekend mornings have been devoted to running.

Last week, after all the fun we had at Mommy Milkshake, I realized that the kids need a regular dose of outdoor activities on weekends, too.  Running—whether we are training for one of the exciting races in our lives or not—must never get in the way of family time.

I signed up the kids for Aqualogic Swim classes on Saturday afternoons (continuation of their summer lessons).  And, hubby and I agreed that, starting this week, we run on only one weekend, while the other day is for the kids’ activities.

[ SATURDAY ]

NYC TRAINING

Hubby and I met up with Lit, Jun, and Lito for a 21k run around Bonifacio Global City.  This was followed by a sumptuous breakfast at Sentro—my new favorite post-run hangout—to celebrate Lit’s birthday.

With serious training ticked off, the next day was all for the kids.

[ SUNDAY ]

RUN TO READ

Hubby and TBR Jr. were registered for 3k, while Little Miss TBR and I were registered for 500m.  Due to the little boy’s colds, we downgraded him to 500m instead.

The atmosphere was fun and light as it is with kiddie races like this (I didn’t reach the longer distances anymore).  We even spotted the Wizard of Enchanted Kingdom who probably needed to lose some weight before he even attempted to run 500m.  With the Enchanted Kingdom jingle playing over and over in our heads, we finished the race in no time.

IMG_4121
– Kiddos with Enchanted Kingdom Wizard behind –

IMG_4123
– Hubby and son –

IMG_4126
– 15k runners on the way to the finish. Those multi-colored singlets were a cool idea –

The boys ran all the way, while us girls WALKED all the way.  It turns out that my Little Miss Bull Runner enjoyed her bike experience at Mommy Milkshake last week that she prefers to bike rather than run now.  Oh boy.

IMG_4134
– Breakfast at Pancake House with the new kiddie pop-up menu. Good thinking, Pancake! –

TRIP TO U.P.

After breakfast, we rushed to UP Academic Oval for Secondwind’s Boys vs. Girls Challenge (next post).  I didn’t feel like running more after our long run the previous day, and I remembered our promise to run FOR the kids rather than ourselves on this day, so I chose to accompany Little Miss TBR on her grand bike out.

BB2
– Chatting with Jay (Prometheus Cometh) before the kids make their rounds –

IMG_4135
– Kids loved it –

It was the kids’ first time here and to say that they enjoyed it would be an understatement.  My boy used his scooter while Little Miss Bull Runner with her best friend, Liney the Lion, rode the bike.  She did over five rounds.  At the last lap, she asked me:  Can we go here again tomorrow?  And the next day?  And the day after that?

Seeing the smile on her face told me that the decision to scrap one day of running for the little ones was well worth it.

IMG_4137
– She’s lovin’ the bike more than the run. I’m not complaining! –