Category Archives: Gear + Gadgets

I was given Kool ‘N Fit Conditioning Fluid late last year for product testing. It came at the perfect time as I was training heavily for New York. Even better that the generous supplier provided more than enough to share so I asked friends from my training group to spray to their hearts’ content and provide honest feedback as well.

WHAT IS IT?

Kool ‘N Fit Sport is a performance spray used to condition muscles before, during, and after a sports activity. It is made of all-natural ingredients using a 100-year old German formula.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

I heard that local mountain bikers swear by this product. It is only now that it is being introduced to the running community. It provides the following benefits:

1. increases blood flow by 30% to help your muscles warm up faster, which subsequently reduces your chance for injury
2. relaxes your muscles so they work more efficiently and reduces the chances of straining or tearing
3. alleviates cramps (the hubby’s dream come true!)

WHEN DO YOU USE IT?

Kool ‘N Fit can be used the following ways: (as written in their brochure)

• BEFORE A RUN: for a better, faster and more complete warm up
• DURING A RUN: to enhance performance, avoid fatigue, and refresh with no sticky, greasy film on your skin
• AFTER A RUN: to foster faster recovery and reduce next-day soreness

TBR REVIEW

For the past few months, I use Kool ‘N Fit for long runs (usually above 15k) or when I feel tightness in my legs before shorter runs or a major race.  I don’t feel the need to use it for easy training runs.

Before a run. I spray it before I warm up all over my legs—hamstrings, quads, calves, especially the ITB area which easily tightens up for me. (They recommend it for shoulders and lower back too.)  This is where I feel like the product works best for me; it definitely helps me warm up faster. Muscles feel more limber and flexible at a quicker time, pretty good for me and my legs which need around 3k to 5k to warm up.

After a run. Today, after running 14k in Asics Gel Trainers—a shoe that I love but is not meant for my flat-footed feet (sob sob)—I felt minor arch pain on my right foot, so after the run, I sprayed it all over the foot too. It provided some relief from the discomfort due to the cool feeling albeit temporarily.  For recovery, I have yet to test its effectiveness.  It is advised that you spray every 2-4 hours after a race to promote muscle recovery.  Let me try this soon.

During a run. During one of our long runs last year, after our training group climbed a steep ascent, I listened intently to my body gauging if the product had worked wonders on my performance, I didn’t feel any different. At the same time, one friend yelled as he climbed up the hill “Wow, this is really effective!” (Lit, that’s you, remember?) Hubby, who is often troubled by cramps, says that he has never gotten a cramp attack when he sprayed Kool ‘N Fit, but he’s not entirely sure if it’s because of the product, luck, or improved endurance (naks!)

Convenient and cool. Kool ‘N Fit is incredibly easy and convenient to use. You just spray it all over without the need to rub into the skin. (Thank God we won’t have to worry about rubbing it into our eyes!)  There’s no residue and no staining on clothes. (Tip: they say you can spray it on clothing the night before a major race.  The sweat activates it and helps to avoid fatigue.)  I’ve used it while wearing compression tights and the spray can penetrate through the material. In less than a minute, you’ll feel a cool sensation on the sprayed area.  There’s a light menthol smell that thankfully doesn’t get overwhelming especially when mixed with sweat.

Portable size. Aside from the 4 oz. bottle, they have a portable atomizer which easily fits into running shorts’ pockets or hydration belts. This allowed us to try it midway through long training runs (although due to it’s small size it runs out too quickly so avoid sharing!)

For New York, however, I decided to leave Kool ‘N Fit behind. I couldn’t quite imagine feeling the cold sensation on my legs amidst the freezing temps of NYC. I wish they had a body warming spray instead!

TBR VERDICT

Kool ‘N Fit is a product that is not required for most runners (read: you’ll do fine without it.)  But, I do find it effective for a faster warm up, reduction in fatigue, and I like the overall feeling it gives tired, worn out leg muscles.  I would recommend this product for serious runners—especially marathoners and ultramarathoners—who wish to  improve their performance while reducing the chances for injury.

Kool ‘N Fit is available at Grantrail Cycles and Sabak Stores. 4 oz bottle, P480. Click here to visit website.

This Bull’s eye spotted running shoes a couple of days ago at Runnr: New Balance 760 Night Race Rainbow Pack. Talk about starting the new year with a bang!

First time I spotted something close to these bright and bold NB shoe colors was way back in December 2009 when David of Team Fatbird had it on during their carboloading party for Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.  I just had to take a photo.

I have a pair of NB 760’s which I used at Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon last February but it’s blue and white and not nearly as pretty.  It’s a shoe that I found had ample cushioning and was good for training, but not great for a marathon as it was quite bulky and heavy.  For these rainbow colors though, I may be more than willing to carry the extra weight!

New Balance 760 is available at Runnr, New Balance (Shangrila, Glorietta, Festival Mall, Marquee), Planet Sports (Rockwell, Trinoma, Glorietta, Cebu), Athlete’s Foot (Glorietta, Cebu).

Price: P4,995.

Woah.  Is this for real?  Last September, Timex released the first GPS-enabled watch under the Timex Ironman brand in the U.S.:  the Timex Global Trainer GPS enabled watch.  Finally, it’s here in Manila!

I heard only 15 of these are available in Manila, some of which found their way to the wrists of Piolo, Ani de Leon, and Coach Rio.  For the few that are left, most of us will have to work hard to raise the P22,990 retail price and scramble to the nearest Timex shop before it runs out.

I haven’t tried this watch, but it has certainly aroused my curiosity: Can the Timex Global Trainer GPS outperform the Garmin Forerunner?  If you get one, do let me know!

Here are a few reviews I’ve read:

DC Rainmaker
Engadget

Available only in selected Timex Shops: Glorietta, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall.
Retail price: P22,990

I confess. I’m still on vacation/recovery mode.  That should explain why I haven’t even blogged about NYC Marathon. Why I can’t write much about running (it’s the last thing I want to think of right now).  Why I’ve only run 5k since the marathon yet I’m not complaining.  And, why I haven’t told anyone I’m back in Manila…even if I arrived last Monday.

I loved everything about the trip.  It wasn’t just about realizing my dream of running NYC.  It was the freedom I had from all responsibilities, pressures, and worries.  It was much needed and, must I say, well-deserved after months of 24/7 work.

I’m not ready to go back into the real world just yet.  But, today is the deadline I gave to myself.  By Monday, it’s back to reality for me.  I have to work again, go out for meetings, tear off a new sheet of paper and start a new to do list which will fill quickly.  And, worst of all, I have to stop eating chocolate.  Good bye mint M&Ms!

As a celebration of my month long vacation which I still wish would never end, I’d like to share this little gift with you:  Thanks to The Brick Multi Sport Store , we’re offering 15% discount on Asics, Mizuno, New Balance, and K-Swiss running shoes from today until December 5, 2010.  Just print out the coupon below and present at The Brick.  For inquiries or clarifications, contact Leroy at The Brick 985-4890.

Happy shopping!  I’ve done more than enough while I was away.

The Brick Multi-Sport store
Unit 1, Woodridge Apartments
McKinley Hill, Taguig City
Phone: 985-4890
Open Mon to Sat, 7 am to 9 pm

That’s it. I’m done. Not with the race, but with preparations for tomorrow’s race!

Wow. Gearing up for a cold marathon (temperature is expected to be in the low 50s while we run, but while waiting in the corral it should be around 32. Yikes!) is so different (and so much more complicated) than preparing for a race in a tropical country.  There’s so much more things to think of and purchase!

Of course, the bib is all set. Has its pins. Filled in the information behind it.

Shoes has got its D-tag on. Decided to use my trusty old Nike Lunar Glide. Yes, it’s old. It was the same pair I used at my first marathon last year. But, it’s safe and reliable for my feet. I was considering using my Brooks Glycerin or Newton Racers, but at the end of the day, I stuck with the one I knew to be safe.

When I left Manila, I was absolutely sure about my entire outfit for the race.  But, after tripping in Disneyland, the entire plan went pffffttt with the open wound on my left knee.  Goodbye 2XU compression tights (which I trained with in all my training runs) and hello to shorts that will make me freeze to death!

I’ll be wearing shorts with compression shorts underneath in hopes that it’ll keep me warm.  Shirt and long sleeved shirt for my top and maybe even an additional tank under!  Of course, I’ll have the Philippine flag sticker from Knowledge Channel on too.

How ironic that the thing that makes me most nervous is the smallest and lightest of ’em all.  The split time bracelet I picked up at the expo. Alvin, yes, I will try my best to watch my pace!

I’ll also wear a beanie, maybe a cap on top if necessary, gloves, Oakley shades, and Nathan hydration belt.  I’ll use CEP compression socks which should keep my calf muscles tight and warm.  The belt will carry my Hammer Gels, salt packs stolen from a burger joint (!), band aid, cash, Body Glide, and my Flip Mino.

Made a mental note to get masking tape later to print our names for taping unto our shirts. We need all the personal cheering we can get!

We also have to prepare snacks since we’ll be waiting around 2 to 3 hours for our wave to start.  Choosing between bagels or whole wheat, but definitely with tons of peanut butter in between!

Hubby and I will be at Wave 3 which starts at 10:40 a.m. Corral no. 44.  We’re hoping to meet up with other runner friends to keep us calm (read: distracted) while waiting.

Phew. So many little things to think of.  It’s unnerving but fun. Wish us luck for tomorrow’s great adventure!