Category Archives: Gear + Gadgets

Every time I run a marathon abroad, buying a souvenir marathon shirt—aside from the Finisher’s shirt or singlet that comes with the race kit—is a must.  You see, every marathon, regardless of performance, is memorable.

I once asked the legendary Jeff Galloway which of the many marathons he’s run in his lifetime was his favorite.  He replied: All marathons are like children to me.  I love them all.  I don’t play favorites.

Back to the shirts, here’s what I dug out from my cabinet as I was packing for NYC Marathon: (I leave tomorrow!)

– NYC Marathon 2010 Official Long-Sleeved Shirt –

– NYCM 2010 Shirts from Asics (left) and Mizuno (right). Got these at the expo –

– Nike NYCM 2010 shirt –

– A present from Team PH. Love love love this shirt! Hilarious plus I like the quality of the shirt! You can get a shirt just like this by visiting Team PH FB page. Click HERE –

And now for this year’s race. Pinoy runners running NYC Marathon 2011 had this made. We should all be wearing this, but mine is too big! Sob sob. Still, it’s a great shirt to own. Pinoy Pride, baby!

How many times in your life have you gotten excited over a deodorant?  Me?  Never.  Well, that was until last week in KMart, Guam.

Check out the deodorant my friend, Leana, recommended I purchase there.  It’s Secret deodorant – clinical strength for sports.  The scent: MARATHON FRESH SCENT.  I suppose we can use it even if we’re running less than 42k, right?  Kidding.

I wonder when they’ll come up with:

– Starbucks Long Run Iced Chocolate with Mint with cubed ice on the side you can use for your knees (Okay, bad idea)
– Milo 3-in-1 Marathon Flavor that comes with a free race kit (Now, that’s an awesome idea, right?)
– Ipod Runner’s edition – preloaded with running playlists
– Gatorade Frozen Popsicles that can be eaten after a long run to rehydrate. Oh heaven!

Care to win one of the newest and coolest running shoes in town? It’s called On Running Shoes brought to us by Chris Sports…

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

Goodbye Garmin Forerunner 310XT. You’ve served your purpose well from November 2009 until my run last Tuesday.  You were by my side—or more on my wrist—through my 2nd marathon in Singapore, 3rd in Condura, 4th in Hong Kong, 5th in New York and many more half marathons and happy training runs.

When I look at you, I know you’ve grown old. We’ve had to be resourceful by tying a pathetic rubber band around your straps just so you don’t annoy me during long runs.

Last Tuesday, I felt like I was running at 5:45 min/km, but you said my pace was 8. You probably didn’t lie to me intentionally. You’ve just lost your sharp wit and accuracy.

I didn’t know how to tell you, but it’s better you hear it from me rather than others. I’ve met someone else: the Garmin Forerunner 610.  We ran together for the first time this morning and we hit it off.  For now, rest well in my ol’ treasure chest of running memorabilia along with other running gear.  Be happy for me knowing I’ll be completely fine with this newer, sleeker, and lighter Garmin.  Oh did I tell you he’s touchscreen?!

Ice is a runner’s best friend.  It’s surely mine, especially after a long run!

Icing an injury can help reduce inflammation or swelling and speed up recovery period. Even without injury, icing a specific body part that’s prone to injury can help prevent problems during training.

TIPS FOR ICING AN INJURY:

1. Ice, ice, ice immediately after feeling the pain! Best if you do it within 24 to 48 hours.
2. Elevate the injured area while icing.
3. Avoid applying ice directly on the skin for a long period of time.
4. Put ice blocks in a ziplock bag, use a bag of frozen peas (better since they conform to the shape of your body), or use a thin towel between your skin and ice.  (Or try the product I reviewed below. No, I don’t get commissions for this!)
5. Try ice massage. The only time you should try ice on the skin is when you do an ice massage (freeze water in a paper cup and use the top portion to massage your injured area while holding the cup upside down).
6. Leave ice on for 15 to 20 minutes only. Take breaks in between and start again if you wish.

ICING: THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY

This is the way I used to ice my foot or legs or any injured area:

INTRODUCING: SENSACARE PACKS

A couple of months ago, I was given a new product to try: SENSACARE, a line of natural herbal hot and cold packs manufactured by a US-based company, Nature Creation.

Sensacare products are great alternatives to ice packs or hot compress especially for us athletes. To use, you can microwave the pack for 1-2 minutes or leave it in the freezer for 1-2 hours. It provides relief for up to 30 minutes.

A bonus: Sensacare products are made with 100% natural herbs and grains which emit a wonderful aroma that promotes relaxation and relieves stress.

The product line includes the following:

– These Sensacare will be available locally –

– Thermoshoes: P3,499 –

TBR REVIEW: SENSACARE UNIVERSAL PACK

I was given the Universal Pack which I used to wrap around my foot as I struggled with Morton’s Neuroma the past months. Even now that I’ve recovered, I regularly use the pack after long runs or when the foot feels a bit sensitive. This pack can easily wrap around the knees, shins, thighs, and even the upper body should you need it.

– Sensacare Universal Pack: P1,799 –

– Heaven for my foot –

What I liked about Sensacare Universal Pack:

• Convenient, easy to use, and reusable. Say goodbye to ice or a wet towel dripping all over the place. Just pull Sensacare out of the freezer or heat it up in the microwave and you’re all set for a mess-free, relaxing therapeutic session. Bonus: you can do it all over again the following day.
• Comfortable. The pack is ergonomically designed to wrap around the body and can be securely fastened with a velcro strap. The material is also velvety soft. I felt like I could sit back and relax without having to worry about the pack slipping or dripping.
• 100% natural. Sensacare packs contain natural herbs and grains. No artificial ingredients or fragrances.
• Soothing aroma. The scent emitted from the herbs and grains such as chamomile, lemongrass, peppermint and more definitely makes a huge difference. It makes the entire experience even more relaxing. You can smell the scent even while it’s in the box!
• Portable. You can leave this in an iced cooler while you’re out running your long runs.  Once done, just wrap it around your foot while having breakfast with friends.  Or, if you often travel (think: marathons abroad), this product is easy to pack and bring along with you. Throw it into the hotel freezer before your run.
• Reasonably priced. The Universal Pack is P1,799.  Other products’ price ranges from P1,099 to P3,499.

My only concern with the product was that the pack didn’t get as cold as regular ice. Despite that, I felt like it was efficient at providing relief to my foot.

I loved this product. I highly recommend it. It’s a great tool for us runners who really must accept that managing injuries is really part and parcel of running life.

Website: http://sensacare.net/

For inquiries, call Salie Guarin

• Mobile: 09228770218/09278379440
• Landline: 636-2847