Category Archives: Gear + Gadgets

Guess who’s coming to town by January 2010…Garmin!  A local company has just obtained exclusive distributorship of Garmin products—from car GPS devices to…you guessed right…running watches! Finally!

In 2007, before we saw a Garmin on every other runners’ wrist, I had to order my Garmin 305 online. And, only a few months back, I still had to order my Garmin 310XT through a friend. By 1st quarter of 2010, no need to pay shipping fees or beg a friend to hand carry the watch home, Garmin products will be readily available in Metro Manila.

For now, they are definitely bringing in the Garmin Forerunner 310XT and Garmin Forerunner 405.  I’m hoping they can bring in the Garmin Forerunner 305, too.  Hopefully, they can also have a service center to replace our dead batteries instead of us having to ship them out to Taiwan.

By the 1st Quarter of 2010, the Garmin showroom will be open to the public.  For now, they can accept orders for the watches.  If you are interested, just comment below and I’ll make sure to forward your email.

For my many friends who have been pining over TRX Suspension Training, go visit Chris Sports from Dec. 3, 2009 to Jan. 3, 2010 to get a whopping 20% off.

The last thing you want to happen on the eve of your international race is this: You’re laying out all your gear at the hotel room only to discover that you’ve left one or two items behind. Gasp!  It could be something as vital as your lucky underwear (horror!) or as tiny as a nail cutter. But, big or small, all these little things matter if you want to perform well on race day.

Here’s my own checklist for my Singapore trip. Feel free to edit as you wish.  (Last year, I left behind the keys to my luggage. I don’t think you’ll make a mistake as dumb as that one!)

TBR INTERNATIONAL RACE ITEM CHECKLIST

1. top: still deciding!
2. bottom: CW-X compression tights
3. running shoes: Nike Lunar Glides
4. underwear
5. socks: Wrightsocks or Nike
6. insoles: Spenco orthotics full
7. mp3: iPod shuffle
8. watch: Garmin 310XT
9. HRM
10. cap
11. extra set of apparel for changing
12. post-race slippers: Betula (note that in Singapore you’ll walk back to your hotel!)
13. water belt: amphipod
14. gels: Hammer (espresso)
15. hydration: Gatorade endurance powder
16. cellphone: Samsung B2100 (it’s waterproof!)
17. Body Glide
18. shades: Optic Nerve
19. hair accessories: no slip rubber bands
20. small towel (can “borrow” from the hotel)
21. small pack of tissue
22. Printed Singapore registration form
23. small bag for check in at race (with nametag)
24. camera, extra batteries
25. anti-inflammatories
26. Fern-C
27. Berocca
28. Caltrate
29. Glucosamine
30. Neosporin – what I use on blisters or chafing
31. nail cutter
32. shaver
33. needle to pop blisters (sorry gross!)
34. tape
35. bandaid
36. powder (for my foot to prevent blisters)
37. coffee (I stick to my own brand and try not to experiment with what hotel provides)
38. food: Nature valley bars, graham crackers, pretzels
39. detergent (to wash race clothes in)
40. plastic to hold wet race clothes
41. small plastic for ipod
42. large ziplock for ice

There’s all this talk about choosing the right shoe for running. But, what do you wear when you’re NOT running? Most runners don’t realize that their everyday shoe plays a big part in the health of their feet and overall running performance.

I’m a big believer in barefoot running. (I think I’ve said that here more than a handful of times.) Barefoot runners prophesize that keeping your feet free from all the support and cushioning from shoes will actually strengthen the tiny muscles in your feet and make it stronger. Some run barefoot all the way, while others advise runners to practice this only once or twice a week.

While I haven’t mustered up the courage to run with my naked feet on the road nor grass (still waiting for my Vibrams, hubby!), I’ve at least gone as close to barefoot as I possibly can when it comes to my everyday shoes.

For the past months, I’ve favored wearing these three pairs of shoes that I hope will strengthen my floppy, flat-feet:

Nike Free 5.0

The Nike Frees are designed to simulate barefoot running by allowing the feet full range of motion.  For running, one is advised to gradually break in the shoe and cover short distances first.

– My first pair of Nike Free 5.0. This pair made its way to TBR Mag Oct-Dec issue. See Nutrition section –

At this point in my training, I use no other shoe than my ever reliable Nike Lunar Glides for  running.  I’ve ran as much as 2km in my Nike Frees (and thoroughly enjoyed the new, barely-there feeling), but running in longer distance in the Nike Frees will have to wait till after Singapore.

However, the Nike Frees have been put to good use on non-running days.  These are the first shoes I pull out on dress-down days to the grocery, picking up the kids, casual meetings, and even for traveling (they went with me to Oregon to visit their birthplace!)

– I was as giddy as a schoolgirl when I got this 2nd pair. Black and yellow always reminds me of Lance! –

I’m flat footed and there is definitely not enough arch support in there. But, that’s the way it should be when it comes to barefoot technology.  So far, I haven’t felt any pain nor injury.

My only problem with the shoe is that it gets dirty easily due to the material.  But, it’s easily washable.

Web: Nike store
Available at: Nike stores

Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers

“Sanük” in Thai means happiness and balance, and that’s exactly how I feel when I wear my Sanuks.  Harping on their “barefoot un-technology,” Sanuk says that they’re sandals (they don’t call them “shoes”) are like natural footbeds that allow your feet to bend naturally when you walk.

– My White Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers. Due to abuse and overuse, they’re not as white anymore –

My Sanuks have much more thinner soles than the Nike Free; I almost feel the road I’m walking on. Yet, it is very light and comfortable. May I say that it looks cool, too.  I feel like a cool surfer runner dudette when I’m wearing them. Yeah right.

Web: http://www.sanuk.com/
Price: P2,490
Available at: R.O.X.

Fit Flop

Fit Flop sandals—“the shoe with the gym built in”—was engineered with barefoot technology in mind. They say it helps you imitate the gait of barefoot walking and gives your foot and legs (and butt!) a workout with each step. I first heard about it on Oprah and when I saw them at R.O.X. I just had to get my hands on them.

– Just one of the many Fit Flop designs to choose from –

Walking in Fit Flop sandals is definitely a different experience. I use the wobbleboard and bozu at the gym to improve balance (an essential in running) and I have a somewhat similar experience when I’m wearing my Fit Flop sandals, of course, to a lesser degree.

– Thick-soled but they say it’s still based on barefoot technology –

The sandals have excellent cushioning, they come in various designs and colors, and best of all, they can be worn with shorts, jeans, and casual dresses. They’re a bit on the bulky side, but surprisingly, they’re very light on the feet. Fit Flop sandals for men are available, too.

Click here for research behind Fit Flop which includes reducing Plantar Fasciitis pain (an injury I suffered from earlier this year.) How cool is that?!

Web: http://www.fitflop.com/
Price: P3,290
Available at: R.O.X.

After our TRX Seminar last week, Coach Jim Saret came to talk about the benefits of the foam roller, but as the Philippine Olympic Committee’s Sports Training and Fitness Consultant for all national teams and Speed and Conditioning Coach for RP SMART GILAS Basketball Team (plus many more!), he ended up giving us a Running 101 talk that I believe every runner, especially beginners, should hear to prevent injuries and further improve performance.

A few things I learned from Coach Jim that day:

1. The most important leg muscle for a runner is the HAMSTRING, not the quads as commonly mistaken. Hamstrings are used for the lift off of the foot from the ground.

2. It is important for a runner to exercise the foot too since this is what makes contact with the ground. Best equipment for this: ELASTIC BELT.

3. Runners should spend 40% of their training working on their CORE. Core and strength exercises can help make you a faster runner, not just speedwork.

STABILITY TEST:

 Coach Jim had us perform a simple test to check which leg was more stable:

1. Lift one foot off the ground. Other leg has knee slightly bent.
2. Do the same with the other leg.
3. Based on that test, which one feels more stable? (Less shaking, more balanced)
4. Now, close your eyes.
5. Repeat no. 1 and 2.  (Try not to laugh as I did!)
6. Based on your performance (less falling or swaying), which leg is more stable?

The leg that performed better when your eyes were closed is actually the stronger, more stable leg.  Which one is yours?

STABILITY EXERCISE:

1. Lift one foot off the ground. Other leg has knee slightly bent.
2. Point your leg towards 12:00, 6:00, 3:00, 9:00, etc.
3. Do the same with the other leg.

STABILITY BALL EXERCISES:

The stability ball is another useful tool for runners. Here are two important exercises runners should perform:

1. PLANKS for the CORE

– Crawl forward with the stability ball moving from your thighs down to your feet. –

– Hold this position for 30 sec. You can progress to 1 minute or more as you improve. Poor Neville! –

2. HAMSTRING exercise

– For beginners: move the hips up and down in a straight line
– For advanced: keeping the hips up, move the ball back and forth using your feet. To add difficulty, keep one leg up

– Beginners –

– Advanced –

Previous posts: TRX Suspension Trainer Seminar and How to Use the Foam Roller for Runners