WHAT IS ON RUNNING SHOES?

On Running Shoes builds on the idea that our regular running shoes doesn’t really protect us from injury. They claim that horizontal impact causes injuries and running shoes in the market today only absorbs vertical impact.

Enter On Running shoes. Designed by a Swiss engineer, On has CloudTec, 13 circular rubber elements on the sole of the shoe which absorbs both vertical and horizontal shock which they say allows you to run as if you were on clouds and lets you push off as if you were on concrete. This technology, they say, benefits all runners: top athletes can train longer and more often, because the muscles are less strained, and beginner or recreational runners can run injury- and pain-free. To add, since there’s less fatigue, they even run faster and longer.

- On Running Shoes: Cloud Surfer -

GETTING ON

Last month, Chris Sports gave me a pair of On Cloudsurfer to road test. From its website, here’s how they describe the On Cloudsurfer:

Fast feels good. The Cloudsurfer fires your run. Equipped with On’s patented CloudTec™ 3D cushioning system, the Cloudsurfer remains light, agile and transfers energy into forward momentum. Run light and fast.

The Cloudsurfer is made to perform in training runs as well as in competitions. The CloudTec™ system is engineered to provide the best of both worlds: cushioning on impact and speed on push-off.

I’ve used it for three 10k runs and will post a detailed review when I test it beyond 15km.

OLIVIER BERNHARD: COACH AND TRIATHLETE

One of the most credible endorsers of On is Olivier Bernhard, a professional triathlete from Switzerland, three-time World Champion and six time Ironman winner, who swears by the shoe. Chris Sports will be flying in Olivier early next year for a series of tri camps and running talks and clinics. Visit this blog for exact schedule to be released soon.

View this video to learn more about him. I love how often he tells us how much he loves running.

FOR MORE INFO

Facebook: Chris Sports

Website: On Running Shoes

By now, you must’ve heard about the Chris Sports’ Epic Relay 250. As in their website, it is “a 250 kilometer, 10-member team run through some of the most beautiful scenery and historical landmarks of North Luzon. Beginning in Subic Bay to the small communities of Zambales to the hilly terrain of historical Bataan (death march) highway to the breathtaking uphill climb of Mt. Samat and back. Non-stop running day and night-relay style.”

The race is patterned after U.S. Relays, such as Ragnar Relay and Hood to Coast.  If you want to understand exactly how the relay works, you can read my experience in Nike Hood to Coast last year.  Click HERE. Aaah, many many fond memories of that trip.

Now, here’s the good news.  If you and 9 other running friends are interested in joining, you can win a FREE group entry right now worth P12,000.  The race is on June 12 & 13, 2010.  For more info, please visit their website to download the race bible. For race inquiries/clarifications, please call Epic Relay Help Desk: 438 9021

HOW CAN YOU WIN?

1. Submit a photo of the team along with a brief explanation why your team deserves a free entry into Epic Relay 250.  One to five sentences only.
2. Place on the email’s subject line: TBR-EPIC RELAY 250 CONTEST
3. Email this to thebullrunner(at)gmail.com
4. Deadline is Monday, June 7, 2010, 11:59 a.m.
5. Winning team will be posted on this blog on Monday, June 7, 2010.

May the best team win!

I took a TRX Suspension Trainer Seminar offered by U.S. Certified Instructors, Gilbert Tang and Coach Jim Saret. Gilbert taught us all the exercises we could perform using TRX Suspension Trainer, while Coach Jim gave us a brief talk about running and introduced the use of the foam roller. The half-day talk was fun, informative, and (gulp) completely exhausting.

– Class pic: Lisa Tang, Mitch Felipe, Neville Manaois, myself, Gilbert Tang, Joseph Pagulayan, Coach Jim Saret, and Hector Yuzon -

TRX Suspension Training develops functional strength while improving flexibility, balance, and core all at the same time. I’ve been using the TRX for over a month now and here are the benefits I see for runners:

1. Functional exercise. It doesn’t isolate muscles, but uses a whole range of motion. In other words, it doesn’t strengthen just one muscle group but builds optimal strength and performance.
2. Core is used all the time. No matter what exercises you do using the TRX, the core is working all the time. For runners, a strong core is vital to maintaining your running form especially for long distances.
3. Adjustable intensity. One can progress from easy to hard workout just by changing the resistance levels and position (stability).
4. Quick workout. It takes as little as 25 minutes to get a good workout.
5. Can be used for stretching. I got some good stretching using the TRX, none that I could do on my own.

– Nevs and I looping the handles for single-hand exercises. Very serious work! -

– Gilbert teaches us how to do the TRX squat and single-leg squat. Great exercise for runners -

– Mitch and Hec doing the chest press to strengthen triceps, shoulders, and core. Yeoouch! -

– Neville and Mitch doing the deltoid fly for strength and stability in the shoulders. Nevs, don’t forget to breathe! -

– Demo of the single leg chest press. None of us attempted to do this. -

– Gilbert assists Hec as he does his suspended prone planks -

The next day, my body was tired and sore all over. It made me feel a wee bit better when I heard that the Pinoy Ultra Runners felt the same!

For those interested in taking this seminar, click here. TRX Suspension Trainer is available at Chris Sports. More info here.

NEXT POST: Coach Jim Saret teaches us basics on running and how to use the foam roller.  It was, by far, the most informative talk I ever heard on running.  And, you know that I’ve been to a lot.

* Thanks to Hector for some of the photos.