Are you still suffering from withdrawal symptoms from the long break? Here’s something to perk you up.
As a follow up to THIS post, New Balance is offering three lucky runners one (1) pair of New Balance shoes each for wear testing. This means that New Balance will give you a pair of shoes to use (and keep) but, in return, you must give us a fair and honest assessment of the shoe. Your review will be posted on this blog.
Are you game? Here’s how to join:
Subscribe to TBR Mailing List by filling in your name and email on the upper right of this blog. (Can you see it?Right above the ad boxes to your right) Current subscribers need not register again.
Within the week, I will email TBR Mailing List a survey on running shoes. Fill this up completely.
All complete survey forms will be included in the raffle.
3 lucky runners will be chosen. Winners will be notified via email and through this blog regarding pick up of prizes.
Remember I was at Hong Kong, not just for the Hong Kong Marathon, but also for the New Balance Tech Summit? During the talks, I jotted down notes as I learned more about the wonderful world of running shoes. Methinks New Balance unleashed the monster running shoe addict in me!
Here are running shoe tips I picked up from New Balance:
Check the INSOLE and look at the imprint to find out if you have the right fit.
Don’t just measure the length of your foot. Measure the width and where the joint bends (ball to heel) too.
When checking the shoe fit. Feel the WIDTH. You don’t want too much pressure on the side or too much material.
You should be able to play the piano with your toes to ensure the TOE BOX is wide enough. But you don’t want too much excess material in this area either.
Get the shoe size for the bigger foot.
There should be 1 to 1.5 thumbs width from the tip of the longest toe to the end of the shoe. Why? Your foot expands. Your foot moves such as when you run down the hill.
The MIDSOLE is like the engine of the car, materials that hold the shoe together.
Check the TONGUE. How much of the tongue is showing?
Women have about 4x as many foot problems as men.
Women are more difficult to fit. We often worry that the shoe is too wide when we’re probably just not used to a spacious toe box since we wear narrow shoes (e.g., high heels).
Shoes should last 300-600 miles, which is roughly 3 to 6 months.
Best way is to rotate between two pairs. Pair A and B. Introduce second pair after roughly 200 miles on the first pair of shoes.
Foot size changes as you get older because ligaments stretch. Your feet may not get longer, but they may get WIDER especially for women who have given birth.
Never wash your entire shoe. Do not put them in the washing machine. Do not throw them into the dryer.
Test a running shoe by flexing the shoe. If it flexes in half that’s not a good shoe.
When you run, you run on an S-shaped angle. Land on the lateral side of the heel and exit on the big toe.
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.
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong marathon started at 7:15 a.m. at Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. I was familiar with this area for shopping, but never did I imagine that I’d be standing there, among 8,000 marathoners and with fellow Pinoys, Dra. Lora and her husband, and Jinoe, waiting for the marathon gun to start.
– The view from our hotel room (HK side) –
The weather was cool in the start, but not as cold as I initially expected (so much for the arm and leg warmers I purchased in SM!) According to reports after the race, temperature was actually 24 centigrades with 92% humidity, which surprised me as I didn’t feel the heat except for a few times during the race.
The atmosphere was electrifying and exciting. I, on the other hand, was a lot more calmer than I expected. Don’t get me wrong: I was anxious over the unknown (what injuries or pains may come during the long, arduous road ahead) but I felt no pressure to beat a specific time or run at a certain pace. My only goals were 1) to avoid getting swept by the bus at the 5:30 cut off, and 2) to enjoy without injury.
BRIDGES & TUNNELS
As we made our way towards the Stonecutter’s Bridge, I got into a comfortable pace, kept my ipod off, and allowed myself to stay in the moment. I made a conscious decision to savor the experience of running in a new city and take in the sights around me.
The first thing that caught my attention was the sight of Tsing Ma bridge. From afar, I could see thousands of runners, like soldiers marching off to war trampling on the ground beneath them. I looked forward to reaching the bridge asap.
“Wow!” That was all I could say when I finally made it to the bridge. The view from the top was spectacular. I ran as close to the edge as possible seeing the water a hundred feet below me. Soon after, we made our way to another bridge, Ting Kau bridge.
– Check out this video I took on one of the bridges (I honestly don’t know which one). The view was breathtaking –
After the bridges came the tunnel. The first time I entered the Cheung Tsing Tunnel was an experience. It felt cooler insider the tunnel and it wasn’t as frightening as I had imagined. In fact, I enjoyed the change of scenery. The only problem was my Garmin lost all GPS signals so I was running blind all the way.
– Entering Cheung Tsing Tunnel –
UP, UP, AND UP
Running through Tsing Kwai highway felt like forever. I don’t recall exactly when all the ascents started, but I completely remember how I thought that they never seemed to end. (Actually, I believe they only ended at Km 41!)
One time we would climb half a kilometer, happily reach some flat ground for a few meters, only to find another ascent awaiting us. Despite the language barrier with other runners, it was pretty obvious that we were all tiring from the climbs with various moans and grunts heard before each hill climb.
UH OH!
The slanted roads of HK, particularly the on the highway, had caused some pain on my right ankle. I found it difficult to run without frequent stops to stretch, massage, or rest. With all my injuries in the past though, I had learned how to manage these little problems by changing my gait or distracting myself from the pain.
Somewhere on the highway as well, I felt a bit dizzy and, for a moment, I thought I was about to blackout. Thankfully, I munched on two chocolate bars and drank water and that was good enough to get me back on track.
GOOD ENOUGH TIME
Every now and then, I glanced at my Garmin to make sure I was far from the 5:30 cut off. Hong Kong is very strict with their implementation of cut offs, not just at the end of the race, but at various locations along the course. At specific points, there was a bus waiting to sweep runners who didn’t make the cut off. It was as if the grim reaper was running behind us! Early on, we heard horror stories of runners at 39km being forced to ride the bus…so I was hoping I wouldn’t be one of them!
For the first half, I ran at around 2:05. That’s just an estimate as I had fiddled around with my Garmin, turning it on and off, to capture a GPS signal. While I was fine throughout the first half, the second half was slower and a lot more challenging.
I clearly remember when we entered the second tunnel: the Western Harbour Tunnel, which was so cool inside I was tempted to run fast. It would’ve been another favorite part of my race if I had been able to run, but my ankle started acting up again at this point.
THE TOUGHEST MARATHON IN THE WORLD?
Soon, I found myself on the other side of HK, which was mind-blowing really! As we neared Victoria Park, where the finish line was, spectators lined both sides of the roads cheering all of us runners.
– Less than a kilometer to the finish. Go go go! –
By this time, I was already walking due to the pain on my ankle and I didn’t mind at all. From out of the blue, I heard a woman yell “Go Bull Runner!” and I spotted three Filipinos cheering for me. I stopped to tell them something like “I couldn’t go any further” but ironically it was that instant when I regained the energy to run. (Thanks Khun and friends!)
I finished the the marathon with a gun start time of 4:54, the same time as my first unofficial QC International Marathon. It wasn’t my best time, but considering my trip to Disneyland the night before plus Condura Marathon 3 weeks before, I was all too happy to just finish what I heard was one of the toughest marathons in the world.
– The finish line. This was as far as my hubby was allowed to go –
– New Balance shoe mascots –
– New Balance VIP Tent where we were served with food and drinks –
* Thank you once again to New Balance for sponsoring this trip, especially Anton Gonzales and Bing Buenaventura of Planet Sports!
Organizer: New Balance/ ExTribe
Overall rating (10 highest): 7
THUMBS UP:
Challenging race course. I despised the almost 4km McKinley “trek”, but then again, it’s what made finishing the race all the more fulfilling.
Very well organized race
Accurate and sufficient number of kilometer markers
Uniformed marshals along the route
Hydration stations had long tables with cold water bottles or 100Plus
Bananas provided at the finish
More than enough portalets at the race start
Excellent choice of host for post-race event with Tessa Prieto. (Can’t say the same for the male host who kept on reiterating he was not a runner. Why not choose a host who can relate with the audience?)
Free NB socks after the race
Different finish lines for 21k and other distances was unique and well-planned
Booths (including gait analysis) and shopping after the race
BETTER JOB NEXT TIME:
Messy race redemption. Race packets were not available for all runners at the advised redemption dates. (Best scenario: provide race packets upon registration)
Race start lacked fanfare. I detest long shows and warm ups before a race, but a countdown with great music could’ve helped to drum up excitement. This race start was…yawn…dull.
Water stations for 21k could’ve been more frequent, let’s say, at every 1.5 km
Bottled water at stations. High wastage of water. (Best scenario: long tables with filled water cups as in Timex)
Same medals provided for all distances. Half marathoners could’ve been given distinct medals
Turnaround bands were too tight. Wearing the bands on one’s wrist could’ve impeded blood circulation. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but seriously it was too tight for comfort
Some marshals chatting it up instead of doing their job. I told NB a few days before the race that if there was one minor item that would make a significant difference in the event it would be in the enthusiasm of marshals/race volunteers. Having energetic and happy marshals can boost a runner’s morale no matter how exhausted. During the race, at around Km 19/20, there were marshals who were chatting with each other in a circle rather than leading runners towards a certain direction or cheering them on.
The New Balance Power Run 2009 was a well-organized race as expected from most races staged by ExTribe. The highlight of the race was the challenging 21k course which toured runners around Bonifacio Global City, including the much dreaded McKinley Hill portion. It was this tough course that set the race apart from all other races. Other aspects of the race were average with flaws being very minor.
A couple of years ago, this New Balance race would’ve ranked high among other smaller running events. But, at this point in the game where race organizers continue to raise the bar in staging world-class races like the recently held Timex Run, New Balance must think of innovative ways to make the New Balance Power Run not just good but excellent if they want to stand out from the clutter.
Congratulations to New Balance and ExTribe for a well-organized race!
—————————————————
Nerves Nerves
I was fortunate enough to receive apparel and running shoes from Anton Gonzales and Bing Buenaventura of New Balance for the race. The items I received were top-notch, but I still had some anxiety over wearing my barely-tested New Balance 801s for a half marathon. (I know, they’re racing flats, but I found the 1225s too heavy for me.) Prior to the race, I had only road tested it for a 5k tempo run in the rain (yes, I got my brand new shoes soaked!) and despite the fairly good test results, my paranoid self just worried over the fact that I was setting myself up for injury a mere week away from the Singapore Marathon.
“Chillax Pace”
After adjusting the tightness of my shoe and tying and retying my laces a hundred times over at the 21k assembly area, the race started and I was off. I ran alongside Atty. Raymund, my pace buddy at my accidental QCIM Marathon a few weeks back.
The night before the race, I chanced upon Raymund’s facebook status: “Chillax pace for New Balance” and so I wondered if we would be able to pace each other. My coach-friend Alvin had advised me to do a 6 min/km pace all the way.
“What’s our chillax pace?” I asked Raymund. I don’t recall getting a direct answer, but I do remember seeing a “5:30” on my Garmin as we ran past Market! Market! in the break of dawn. Gasp, so much for Chillax!
Steady till 10k
Raymund and I ran side by side averaging a pleasant 6 min/km for the first half of the race. As we neared Heritage, he started falling behind due to a bad knee. So, I found a new pace buddy in Chris Martin (sorry Gwyneth!) when I switched on my ipod and heard Cold Play motivating me to plod on further.
The Dreaded McKinley Hill
Shortly after 15k, the course took us inside McKinley Hill. As one enters the enclave by running briskly downhill, there’s much anxiety over the same hill which must be climbed up to exit. I dreaded that portion, but little did I know that there was much to be feared ahead.
The course inside McKinley was gut-wrenching and lung-busting. I studied the map the night before, but it didn’t seem as long and tough as it did on paper! The steep uphills completely took the energy out of me especially after running over 15km and striving to maintain 6 min/km.
With much suffering and a whole lot of sweat and determination, I managed to have my pace hover around 5:50 and only slowed down to 6:05 as I was trudging out of McKinley. Woah, I couldn’t believe I came out of that portion alive.
Race Mode
By Km 20, I wanted to increase the pace but for some reason, my legs would not cooperate. All things changed by the last kilometer. I channeled my inner bull and targeted a lady runner ahead of me. Heck, I even pretended she was in first place to motivate me even more! I went on full sprint and outpaced her making me first in my delusional TBR world. Then, I found myself with two male runners on each side, and together we ran full sprint ahead towards the finish. We shook hands at the finish, laughed off all the pain we endured, and parted ways.
– Sprint to the finish –
– Last long run before Singapore…DONE without pain nor injury. Wooohoo! –
According to my Garmin, I finished my last long run before Singapore Marathon at 2:06:35 with an average pace of 5:55 min/km for 21.4 km.
Curse you, McKinley! Had you not been there, I would’ve grabbed a new PR! But, then again, it was McKinley Hill that will keep this race forever etched in my running memory.
– with Bing of New Balance –
– with Fides (my daughter’s 1st teacher who finished her first 3k…Congrats Teacher Fides!) and Leonard –
– Jamike Lopa and Francis Macatulad present Planet Sports President Anton Gonzales with an iamNinoy shirt making him an honorary member of iamNinoy Runners Group –
– iamNinoy Steercom: Francis, Jamike, Jim, myself, Mayi with Francis’ kids. We missed you Rapa, Jake, and Drew! –
To learn more about iamNinoy Runners or to join the group, click here.
