Category Archives: Gear + Gadgets

One of the biggest annual summer sale events in town, Markdown Madness @ Tektite is happening once again. Enjoy up to a whopping 70% discount on participating brands: Skechers, Keds, Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Pony, Merrell, and No Fear from April 15 to 19, 9am to 8pm at the Philippine Stock Exchange Exchange (PSE) Auditorium, Tektite Tower in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Markdown Madness is now on its 10th year and promises to be another grand sale with great finds on selected items from participating brands. This is a good time to buy shoes for your summer escapades and vacations, as well as for back-to-school.

Visit MarkdownMadness on Facebook for more information and updates.

After years of running, I started biking seriously last 2012.  While running will always be my first love, I must admit that biking comes a close second. I ride two to three times a week now and I look forward to my long rides every Saturday morning just as much as I get excited over my Sunday long runs.

Most of the time, I ride with the boys because there just aren’t too many women on the bike. Occasionally, I ride with good friend Tessa Prieto-Valdes in Nuvali. My Coach created a “team” for us called: The Sisterhood of the (Suffering) Shivs.  Suffering was included there because, well, my Coach loves to make us work hard on the bike!

– Tessa and I and our gwapo bikes –

In time, I hope to be riding like these girls…

If you’re a woman and you’re interested in biking, there’s good news for you. Dan’s, the official Philippine distributor of Specialized, just launched the 2013 line of women’s specific road models! Take your pick:

DOLCE
If you’re just getting started but want a bike with a top-dollar ride, then the Specialized Dolce fits the bill. The DOLCE is a bike that will help you achieve your fitness and distance goals, all while respecting your budget and needs. With its comfortable and fatigue-busting ride quality, courtesy of the FACT carbon fork with Zertz and endurance geometry, the Dolce is the perfect bike is a great addition to your fitness arsenal. Dolce highlights include an oversized downtube for enhanced stiffness, and Zertz dampers on “S”-shaped seatstays on Comp and Elite models for added compliance. It’s fitted with a Women’s Body Geometry Riva saddle designed to relieve soft tissue pressure. The cockpit features a Comp handlebar with 75mm reach and 123mm drop for a comfortable, confidence-building riding posture.

– Dolce Compact –

RUBY
With its FACT carbon fiber frame, the Ruby is light, fast, and all-day comfortable. It’s the perfect tool for Gran Fondos, long training rides, or weekend adventures going out of town and into the hills. Climbing, going fast, or going long, the Ruby responds in a way that inspires confidence while looking good. Zertz viscoelastic dampers in the seatstays and fork absorb road vibration for added comfort, while the FACT triple monocoque construction is lightweight and strong. Women’s Body Geometry contact points feature ergonomic and size-specific components including the cranks, handlebars, and saddle for the most comfortable and efficient fit.

– Ruby Comp Compact –

AMIRA
It. Just. Rocks. The AMIRA is a no-nonsense thoroughbred—born to race and always quick to react. Its stiff, lightweight frame cranks up the speed dial for fast accelerations, while the tapered headtube delivers precise steering and handling for carving corners or dominating tricky descents. The Amira SL4 is the race bike of choice for Team Specialized-lululemon and has taken impressive victories at the Tour of Qatar and La Flèche Wallonne Féminine. Whether you’re bridging a gap or creating one, the Amira will fly. You don’t have to be a pro cyclist to reap the benefits of Amira, however. Whether you need a hard core training bike to complement your TT bike, or just want the lightest, fastest bike you can rock at the weekend group ride, there’s an Amira for you.

– Amira Comp Compact –


– Amira Elite Compact –

Specialized Women’s Road Bikes are exclusively available at Dan’s. For inquiries call 894-5110.

They say the Otterbox Armor series is the “toughest case ever built.” When I received mine last week and held it in my hand, I didn’t doubt it at all.

The Otterbox Armor series is waterproof, dustproof, crushproof, and drop proof. Here’s the following info on the box:

– Waterproof up to 6.6 ft/ 2m 30min
– Drop proof up to 10ft / 3m
– Dust proof, zero dust
– Crush proof up to 2 tons / 1.8 tonnes

My kids couldn’t wait to submerge my iphone in its Armor case and throw it against the wall. Waaah!  Fortunately, I hadn’t tested the case yet so I had a good excuse to hold them off. Watch this video to learn how to test your Otterbox Armor if or when you do have your own…

I’m so looking forward to using my new case! I couldn’t have received it at a better time. I’m at the peak of training and I bring my iphone everywhere—when I run, when I ride, when I swim, and also when I travel. With Holy Week break drawing near, I expect longer hours outdoors too.

Visit tenkiebox.ph for more info on Otterbox Armor Series.

A few weeks back, adidas launched the adidas Energy Boost in an intimate press gathering. Adrien Semblat, head of Marketing for adidas Philippines, introduced us to their newest shoe.

– adidas Energy Boost –

– Adrien Semblat, head of Marketing for adidas Philippines, talks about adidas shoes –

ABOUT THE SHOE: ADIDAS ENERGY BOOST

adidas Energy Boost is the new running shoe with revolutionary cushioning technology that provides the highest energy return in the industry.

The foundation of the ENERGY BOOST™ innovation is centred on proprietary cushioning material, BOOST™, that allows the runner to feel a continuous energy return. The revolutionary technology allows small energy capsules in the soles to store and unleash energy more efficiently with every stride.

Holding its performance in almost any condition the exclusive BOOST™ material has been proven to be three times more temperature-resistant than standard EVA material, thus providing a more consistent and comfortable run.

The adidas ENERGY BOOST™ innovation goes beyond the revolutionary midsole technology. The upper on the ENERGY BOOST™ features adidas Techfit technology, which provides optimal comfort and support to the entire foot while in motion.

Additional features include a special mid-foot support frame, an extended TORSION® system to minimise roll for more stability, adiwear outsole to reduce wear in key soles areas and an external heel counter to maximise the heel fit and comfort. The adidas ENERGY BOOST™ is miCoach compatible.

OUR TEST RUN

adidas provided each of us with our own pair of adidas Energy Boost with our names, literally, written on it (well, on the box at least!) along with adidas apparel for a quick test run around Track 30th, just across the newly opened adidas store in Two Parkade, Bonifacio High Street.

– The new adidas Energy Boost –

– Right before our test run –

– Runners testing the shoe –

– with Vima Mendoza of Kulit Runner, Isabelle Daza, Tessa Prieto-Valdez and Lara Parpan of Women’s Health –

MY FIRST IMPRESSION

For transparency, I’ve only used the shoe during the test run and I have yet to take it for a longer run. I usually give shoe reviews for shoes I’ve run over 15k in. Having said that, here’s my initial impression of the shoe:

– Bouncy and responsive. The selling point of this shoe is its responsiveness because of its new Boost technology (the bubble look in the sole that looks like styrofoam) and I must say that I agree.  With every step, the shoe does feel bouncy but still close to the ground.  Now, I can’t tell if the whole concept about energy is for real, but it sure does feel like it!

– Comfort.  The shoe feels snug because of the Techfit material of the upper; it fits like a glove.  I love shoes like this so this was a plus for me.  Mental note to wear this only on sunny days since rain will get your socks and shoes soaked.

– Light.  This shoe is very light.  In my vocabulary that also means fast.

– Iffy about stability.  adidas says the Torsion system will help for stability, but I do need to test this first.  Upon seeing the shoe, I would say it looks like it’s more for the efficient neutral runner.

– Pricey. P7,995 is on the higher end of the price range for run shoes.

I hope to give a more thorough review of this shoe when I’ve used it for longer runs after my marathon.

WHERE TO BUY

adidas ENERGY BOOST™ retails at PHP7995 and is currently available only at adidas, Two Parkade, Bonifacio High Street. Only 200 pairs available in the Philippines.

Who’s joining Salomon Xtrail Run 2013 this coming weekend in Hamilo Coast? I wish I could’ve, but when it’s close to marathon day, I usually shy away from trail runs to avoid any untoward incidents.  Paranoid, I know, but better to be safe than sorry!  I hope to join this next year though!

For those who are joining or those who interested in trail running (Me! Me!), here are trail gear recommended by our friends from Salomon:

TRAIL FOOTWEAR

Trail running shoes protect feet and toes from trauma, better than road running shoes. Whether it’s rock, soil, grass, dirt or concrete, they provide better traction on different surfaces. They also dry much faster than road shoes.

TRAIL CLOTHING

Trail Running clothes should be lightweight, breathable and quick-drying. More importantly, they must be comfortable.

HYDRATION GEAR

Proper Hydration is essential in trail running. Runners become dehydrated much quicker in altitude, requiring them to carry their hydration needs. Choose from waistpacks, hydration belts, hydration backpacks or handhelds.

COMPRESSION GEAR

Compressions are apparel that keeps the muscles warm to prevent muscle strain and fatigue, and wick sweat away from the body to prevent chafing and rashes. Through the recent years, compression gear has proven itself to enhance athletic performance. Compression tights, tanks, shorts, etc are used to reduce the time taken for muscles to repair themselves.

Have fun at the trails!