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March 6, Saturday, was the day of our first ever Bull Session, a run clinic where runners can run at conversation pace enjoying each other’s company.

– “Class Pic” of the 1st Bull Session runners –

The Bull Session was a dream project of mine for years, long before TBR Dream Marathon was conceptualized. I always envisioned my dream run clinic to be one where people just gather together to run for fun; no pressures to reach a specific time, perform certain drills, or cover a number of loops for the session. I wanted a clinic where all types of runners, even non-runners, would simply experience the joy of running. Hence, the Bull Session was born.

When I arrived at our meeting area, R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street, I was pleasantly surprised to find close to 100 runners awaiting the start.

Before the run, Coach Rio first gave us a brief talk on basic running form and technique.

– Coach Rio shows us the perfect form –

– Runners listen intently –

Then, we ran 1 hour and 15 minutes around Bonifacio Global City led by Team Secondwind.

– Up the hill! –

– Like a mini rally! –

– I had a grand time meeting new runners during the clinic… –

-…even met this cute guy in white. Oh wait, that’s the hubby! 🙂 Running with him is Chi running instructor, Lit Onrubia. Both are TBR Dream Marathoners –

– Neville of Secondwind leads the cool down –

NEXT BULL SESSION (run clinic):

• March 20, 2010, Saturday
• Venue: TBA
• Coach: Jim Lafferty to discuss training for the marathon (15 mins only)
• Pacers: Team Secondwind
• Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes (following TBR Dream Marathon training program)
• Open to the public
• Free of charge

I felt like I was back in school again when I attended the New Balance Asia Pacific Tech Summit in Hong Kong, last March 1 & 2, 2010.  But, this time, we spent two full days on my favorite topic: RUNNING GEAR.  New Balance apparel and shoes, to be exact.

NEW BALANCE: THE COMPANY

New Balance is the No. 2 overall athletic footwear in the US. It is No. 3 running brand in the US. It’s actually the only athletic company still making shoes in the US.

MORE THAN JUST MOISTURE-WICKING

Shane Downey from New Balance U.S. gave us a background on the apparel of New Balance. Apparently, the New Balance apparel system varies from fabrication, construction and technology. Finally, I understood the meaning behind the various hangtags attached to NB apparel, such as X-static, Cocona, Icefil, and Lightning Dry, to name a few.

I used to think that one should just make sure that apparel was moisture-wicking, but it’s good to check if your tops and bottoms are also: thermodynamic (keeps you cool when it’s hot and keeps you warm when it’s cold), hydrophobic (moisture-managing), anti-wind, anti-odor, UV-protection, and more. (Told you I learned a lot!)

SHOES AND FEET 101

Kellie Pidgeon, the regional tech representative from New Balance Australia, who is also a podiatrist, discussed the Total Fit concept of New Balance. She taught us how to measure our feet using the Brannock device and determine the perfect shoe fit for a runner. (Coming soon: a post on all my learnings about shoes)

Using me as an example, she also demonstrated how to do gait analysis using their software and also elaborated on the five common injuries for runners (a topic I was very familiar with!)

This session was an eye-opener.  It educated me not just on the importance of choosing the right model, but also how to ensure that it’s the perfect fit.  A half size too loose or too tight can spell blisters, dead toe nails, or worse injury during a long run.  In running, where we take hundreds or thousands of steps per session, the role of the shoe in our performance is key!

NEW BALANCE COMPRESSION+

New Balance’s Compression +, NB’s new compression gear which can be comparable to the technology behind Skins and other leading brands for compression tights was also introduced. This will be available in Manila. Price TBA.

As a believer in compression tights, I am very familiar with other popular brands. I noticed that NB compression tights is thinner and lighter than CW-X; material is as stretchable as 2XU. Colors so far are black with red lining and beige.  We were told that based on NB scientific research, the effectiveness of NB compression+ is similar, if not better, than Skins, considered to be the market leader.

Here’s John, a cyclist and runner (a Comrades Marathon finisher), from NB South Africa who tested the NB Compression+ during the HK Marathon the day before. Beside him is Kelly…

NB’S TOTAL FIT

Shane, an obvious NB shoe and apparel expert, got all technical and discussed NB running shoes in more detail.

Despite the variety of models, he emphasized one thing: NB offers runners “Total Fit”, which means:

Proper size (NB like all other brands offers different shoe lengths)
+
Proper width (NB provides various widths: 2A, B, D, 2E, 4E, 6E etc)
+
Appropriate last (the foundation of the shoe which gives it volume and shape)

= TOTAL FIT.

NEW NB SHOES TO WATCH OUT FOR:

• New Balance 760 – Go To Stability (moderate stability). Thinner, softer materials. Welding instead of seams. Better heel to toe transition. New toe cap which has been rounded off.
• New Balance 1064 – High End Neutral cushioning shoe. Modernized upper and improved fit.
• New Balance 1012 – The Master of Control. Very stable, maximum support.
• New Balance 740 – Good priced stability shoe. Little brother of the NB 760.

FALL 2010

• New Balance 759 – Go to Neutral shoe. New toe cap. Softer materials, softer rubber bottom.
• New Balance 1226 – Premium Stability. More stable than 1225. Excellent heel cushioning.
• New Balance 870 (Q4 2010) – Lightweight Stability. Small medial post provides a little bit of guidance. Low to the ground.

* Thank you to Anton Gonzales and Bing Buenaventura of New Balance/ Planet Sports for sponsoring the HK trip.

Get your FREE copy of The Bull Runner Magazine – March issue NOW!

The March issue is all about RUNNING and TRAVEL.  On our cover is one of Cebu’s most popular running couples who travel the world together to race and run: Dr. Yong and Donna Larrazabal.

WHAT’S INSIDE:

• Running Calendar
• Gear: Travel Partners
• Gear: Summer Lovin’
• Training: Chi Running
• Nutrition: Eating on the Run
• Expert Advice: Dr. George Canlas on cramps, Neville Manaois on blisters
• NEW: My Story: Willie Guevara – The Marathon Man
• Events: Condura Marathon, Cebu Marathon, Takbo Para Kay Gibo, Bull Circle
• NEW: Community: P&G Runner’s Circle
• Travel: Darryl Panado
• Personal Record: Running Around the World – Ana de Ocampo, Dorothy Santos
• Running Directory

By Sunday March 7, you can get your free copy at:

• United Run for Wellness
• Runnr, Bonifacio High Street
• R.O.X., Bonifacio High Street

Within the week, you may get your copy at our other distribution outlets.  Click HERE for a complete listing.

FREE PDF file will be available for download within the week.

Update from the organizers of The Amazing Kidney Race:

Organizers of The Amazing Kidney Race has already closed the on-line registration facility for the race. However, an additional 100 slots will be opened on Sunday, from 4:00am to 5:15am, for on-site registration. Owing to the limited production, last minute registrants will not be assured to receive race singlets. Runners who want to give back, though, may not find this a daunting prospect as all proceeds of the race will be allotted for the assistance and rehabilitation of underprivileged kidney patients.

Boosting this “runners’ give back” thrust is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme – a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company’s products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant and immune disease, and diagnostic testing. For The Amazing Kidney Race, Genzyme has thrown its full support to the race’s cause by coming in as a co-presentor. Likewise, leading the remarkable surge of response to the call of corporate social responsibility, as major sponsors, are four leading brands in their respective industries: Roche, Pascual Laboratories, Fern-C, and GARMIN Navco.

Sure to excite all runner participants will be the chance to run away with a brand new unit of a Garmin Forerunner series which will be the grand prize in a raffle draw during the post-race program, courtesy of NAVCO – Garmin exclusive distributor in the Philippines. (more…)

I was recently interviewed by Jane Uymatiao for the Philippine Online Chronicles. I think Jane captured, in so little words, how running changed my life. If this once-sedentary mom could do it, then anyone can.

Click HERE to read the full article.

Thanks Jane and POC!