Posts Tagged with: "Running Shoes"

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

Last week, I posted THIS.

A total of 438 runners participated in the running shoe survey and might I say that the results made hubby and I scratch our heads at one point or giggle in another.

Allow me to share the portion that intrigued me most:

When asked what brand of shoes you wear, these were the top 3 answers:

• Nike – 49%
• New Balance – 42%
• Adidas – 34%

But, when asked “What in your opinion is the best running shoe brand?” you replied:

• New Balance – 35%
• Asics – 19%
• Nike – 16%

I’m no research analyst, but I’d love to hear what YOU think could be the reason for runners using running shoes that isn’t their top choice.  (A friend said we shouldn’t discount the fact that NB shoes were being given away hence the bias despite my informing you that the survey was not commissioned by any shoe brand.)

Anyway, without further ado, the winners of the running shoe survey who will each get 1 FREE New Balance shoe to wear test (if they agree to write a review about it) are:

1. 11th – brucemartin3
2. 309th – etheljansamson
3. 355th – m_janeo10

Congratulations to the lucky runners!

* I didn’t post the winners’ full email address to protect their privacy.  Winners will be notified via email.
** Winners were chosen through random.org.

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:

1. Check the INSOLE and look at the imprint to find out if you have the right fit.
2. Don’t just measure the length of your foot.  Measure the width and where the joint bends (ball to heel) too.
3. When checking the shoe fit. Feel the WIDTH. You don’t want too much pressure on the side or too much material.
4. 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.
5. Get the shoe size for the bigger foot.
6. 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.
7. The MIDSOLE is like the engine of the car, materials that hold the shoe together.
8. Check the TONGUE. How much of the tongue is showing?
9. Women have about 4x as many foot problems as men.
10. 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).
11. Shoes should last 300-600 miles, which is roughly 3 to 6 months.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Never wash your entire shoe. Do not put them in the washing machine. Do not throw them into the dryer.
15. Test a running shoe by flexing the shoe. If it flexes in half that’s not a good shoe.
16. When you run, you run on an S-shaped angle. Land on the lateral side of the heel and exit on the big toe.
17. Running generates 2-3x your body weight.

Get your wallets ready.  There’s a big Mizuno sale coming up with up to 70% off on running items as well as golf, football, and softball.

When: Dec. 4 to 6, 2009

Where: Mizuno, BMG Center Roofdeck, Paseo Commercial Center, Magallanes Makati City

For inquiries, call 757-3160 or visit www.mizuno.ph

The Second Wind Running Store, a specialty running shop co-owned by partners, Hector Yuzon and Neville Manaois, finally opened its doors to the public last March 28, 2009. Located in Teacher’s Village, near U.P. and Ateneo, this store, although small in size, is a big blessing to runners and students nearby.

Second Wind carries big name brands in running shoes such as Mizuno, Asics, and New Balance (Asics is currently on sale). They also sell apparel, hydration belts, Optic Nerve shades, Sports Beans, Accel gel and more.

The great thing about this store is that it is owned and managed by runners. Hector, who is a self-confessed shoe nerd and ex-Nike employee, and Neville, team principal of Pinoy Ultra Runners, can give you tips on choosing the right shoe for your foot and make wise recommendations on brands and models. Their extensive knowledge with running shoes doesn’t come from a company module, but from hands-on (or more like feet-on) experience during their own ultra runs. No clueless salesmen nor misdiagnosed feet here (both of which I experienced at local big brand stores.)

– Hector talks about his greatest love. No, not her!  I meant, shoes! –

– Neville playing cashier –

Second Wind also has a treadmill in the store to allow customers to test the shoe for a quick run.

– Jun runs with jeans to strengthen his legs.  PR in the next race! –

Pretty soon, they will offer gait analysis using a software imported from the U.S. to guide you when shopping for shoes.

– Can’t wait! –

Before you leave the store, you can even sign up to join the informal running group they’ve created. Meet up at the store and just run together for fun.

Beyond all that, after spending over three hours there yesterday, I would say that what I love most about the store is it’s atmosphere. It is all running in there. One wall was adorned with race bibs and medals from the most memorable races of runners (My Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon bib is there and Hector promised he’d give it back. Right, Hec?) while another wall has photos of Running Aid talks, Pinoy Ultra races, and favorite races. Everyone in the store were runners: a young runner from the U.P. track team zipped in and out of the store in between his road run and other Pinoy Ultra runners, Mikey and Dr. Paolo, dropped by for even more running talk.

– My favorite bib is Jeremy’s muddy TNF100 race bib (011) on the upper right –

Congratulations to The Second Wind Running Store and wishing you more success. I have a feeling that Second Wind will be like a Second Home for a lot of runners.

– See that ugly laugh? Told you we had fun –

– with Neville, Jun, Hec and Doc Pao –

WHERE:
88 Maginhawa St.
Teachers Village, QC
www.secondwindrunningstore.com

thesecondwind.multiply.com