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This Bull’s eye spotted Asic’s Skyspeed 2. WOW!  This is one handsome shoe.  May I say even more handsome than Piolo?!  (You know I’ll take running shoes over men anytime!)

– Asics Sky Speed 2 Men –

* NOTE: “BULL’S EYE” will be a new series on thebullrunner.com.  This will feature new gear, products, or services that catches my eye. These will NOT be paid endorsements or advertisements unless otherwise stated.

I dropped by the Asic’s showroom last week to check out the Autumn-Winter 2011 collection of Asics.  I was thrilled with the new line of shoes. Looks like Asics is adding more than a dash of color to its new running shoes—and I’m loving it!

Like I said, I fell head over heels for the Asics Gel DS – Sky Speed 2.  It’s a newcomer in Asics’ line of products and almost like the little brother of my favorite Asics’ shoe, Asics Gel – DS Trainer.  It can be used as an everyday trainer. Price: P6,500. Available in Asics GB3

Bad news about the Asics Sky Speed 2 though: it’s only available for Men locally.  Sob sob.  To my fellow female runners: I begged Asics to sell the Women’s Sky Speed 2 seen below.  Let me know if you think I should collect signatures for a petition!

– Bright green Asics Sky Speed 2 Women on the right –

My 2nd favorite is the Asics Gel-DS Trainer 16.  This is a supportive, lightweight trainer.  I had the older model which, unfortunately, my foot just doesn’t agree with, but a lot of my runner friends swear by this shoe.  Price: P6,250. Available in Asics GB3

– Asics DS Trainer 16 Women –

For those of you who want light and fast shoes for races, the Asics Gel-DS Racer 8 looks fantastic too. This is a unisex shoe. Don’t you just love that copper line that cuts across? Price: P5,500.

– Asics DS Racer 16 Men –

The new collection of Asics boasts of new features which include:

1) Guidance Line – This is a line that runs at the outer sole of the shoe.  It helps fix your stride instead of wavering when you’re starting to get tired.  Almost like training wheels for your foot.  This is available only with some models, namely Kayano 17, Cumulus 13, Nimbus 13, GT 2160, DS Trainer 16, Sky Speed 2 and more.

– Look closely and you’ll see the words “Guidance Line” –

2) AHAR Heel Plugs – This is a high resistance rubber on the heel of the outer sole of the shoe for extra durability.

3) Soft Top Duo Max for Women – Only Asics makes a unique system for the insole that caters specifically to a Women’s needs. It makes for a more comfortable ride and protects women from injury. I heard sales for Asics Women’s shoes soared in the US because of this new feature.

Okay, I took down a lot of notes for you. Here’s the WEIGHT OF ASICS RUNNING SHOES (in ounces) for most shoes:

• Nimbus 13 – M 11.5 | W 9.5
• Cumulus 13 – M 11.8 | W 9.3
• Kayano 17 – M 12.6 | 10.4
• GT 2160 – M 11.7 | W 9.6
• GT 1160 – M 10.7 | W 9.5
• DS Trainer 16 – M 10 | W 8.5
• Sky Speed 2 – M 9.9 | W 7.9
• Piranha – M 4.6
• Tarther – M 7.4 | Tarther Diva 6.2
• DS Racer 8 – M 7.6

You’re invited!

On Saturday, June 18, RunRio, American Express/BDO together with Runnr will launch the newest innovation that is guaranteed to make RunRio races even more exciting and fun – the Runrio Timing Card.

Be the first to know all about it and hear it straight from Coach Rio de la Cruz himself. You can also register for the Yamaha (July 3), Rexona (July 24) and Milo (July 31) races during this event. Register for the Rexona race (July 24) and get the re-usable RunRio Timing Card as part of the race kit.

Event details: Runrio Timing Card Product Launch (open to the public)
Date: June 18 (Saturday)
Time: 6:00 to 8:30 am
Venue: Activity Area infront of RUNNR Store, Bonifacio High Street, BGC

Way back in July 2007, I wrote about my desire to visit The Great Wall of China if only to run in The Great Wall of China Marathon, one of the top 10 must run races according to Runners World (Jan 2007).  Who would’ve thought I would get the chance to win an all expense paid trip to China just by signing up for a race?!

Rexona Run, the 4th Leg of the RunRio series, on July 24, 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia will be raffling off three all expense paid adventures to the Great Wall of China.  Of course, it will also have the usual cash prizes, medals and bragging rights for the winners in the 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K.  12,000 runners are expected to join the race.

REGISTRATION is ongoing until July 3, 2011 at RUNNR and R.O.X. stores in Bonifacio High Street, Toby’s SM Mall of Asia, Planet Sports Glorietta and Trinoma, The Athlete’s Foot Alabang Town Center and Robinsons Galleria and Stoked in Greenhills, Rockwell and Gateway.  You may also register at www.runrio.com or at the Rexona Philippines Facebook page from now until 12 midnight of July 3, 2011.  Late registrants may proceed to R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street, Toby’s SM Mall of Asia and The Athlete’s Foot Robinson’s Galleria from July 4 – 10, 2011.

RACE FEE is P750 for the 21K leg, P600 for the 10K and 5K leg and P500 for the 3K division.

– Rexona Run 2011 Singlet –

Non-runners can also join the fun at the Rexona Run in the Rexona Adventure Hub happening on July 23-24.  Just buy or bring any proof of purchase of a Rexona Men Adventure stick, spray or roll on and get free access to a wide variety of activities and challenges that’s guaranteed to give the thrill of adventure. What’s more, a raffle will give participants a chance to go an amazing all-expense-paid adventure package with their barkada to awesome local destinations like Banaue, Bohol or Cagayan de Oro.

For more details, call the race hotline at 703-1736 or visit www.runrio.com or visit the Rexona Philippines Facebook page.

See you in China, er, I mean at the Rexona Run on July 24!

I should have been in Phuket today.  Right this very minute, I should be running towards the finish line.

Or, I could have been participating in my 3rd triathlon, Animo Tri at Ayala Alabang this morning.  Lord knows how hard I trained for the swim portion of that race.

Or, I could have spent my Sunday morning the way I usually do for the past five years, running long and slow in the company of friends.  By now, we should be finishing up a run and heading for a sumptuous breakfast. I can almost smell the coffee.

But, here I am at home patiently waiting for my house guest, Morton Schmorton Neuroma, to get his lazy butt off our couch and head back to wherever he came from.

It’s been 17 days since my last run.  Yes, I’m getting impatient and frustrated. Ako pa?! But, swimming has kept me sane for the past week.  I’m not freaking out because I’m getting some training in with the swim.  At least, I’m not completely losing fitness.  But, there’s also something about the water that’s keeping me calm. Maybe it’s about following nothing but black lines from end to end in complete solitude and silence that’s given me some sense of peace.  Maybe it’s the fact that I feel I’m progressing with a new activity (I can swim 1k now with ease. Me? Who would’ve thought?) that’s distracting me from this long road to recovery.  Maybe I’ve finally matured as a runner and accepted the fact that there will be set backs like this every once in a while.  Whatever.  For now, I’m just going to be following those black lines under the pool and hope it takes me somewhere.

{Background music: I Gotta Feeling…}

Yup, we’ve gone international…at least with our cover runner!

In our latest issue, TBR gives you an exclusive interview with…hold your breath…APL. DE. AP of the world renowned music group, Black Eyed Peas.  Bet you didn’t know he was a runner, and not just any runner, but a track and field athlete at that!  This issue is also packed with other running articles that will have you running for your copies in no time.

Get your FREE copy of The Bull Runner Magazine at your favorite stores over the weekend!  Click HERE for a list of the stores where you can get your free copies.  PDF file will be downloadable in a week.  Yes, I promise!