HYPE: Adidas Predator D5 LZ vs Nike Mercurial Vapour VIII

With 2 new boots coming your way in the market, which one would you choose? Which one will dominate the turf?

Adidas Predator D5 LZ (Leathal Zone)

With all the hype of it having “perfected” the spots on the boots for where the First Touch, Drive and the Sweet Spots are, the way i see it,.Adidas is targeting the serious footballers. Although it has yet to #unleash (hashtag on twitter) this latest range of football boots here in Singapore, Question is – Will all these “sweet spots” really make a difference to a player’s performance? Will the weekend warriors give it a go?

With the previous season’s adizero F50 boots being powered by the miCoach tracking device, i really hope that this Predator would be designed to hold the miCoach too. It would be awesome to be able to track your fastest speed, distance etc in a game of soccer. Oh yeah, one more thing, rumour has it, the Xavi from FC Barcelona is the player tasked to mark the spots on the boots and co-developed it. Afterall, that guy has spectacular ball control and delivery skills. OMG. :O

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Nike Mercurial Vapour VIII 

With 2 big names in the sporting world coming together to put up an interesting advertorial concept on the latest Nike football boots, i had to watch it. Whats interesting is that it does not really tell about the boots intended specifications. But instead makes you run wild with your imagination to what this boots could do for you. Well, then again, its Cristiano Ronaldo here with the boots. He could score with a back heel with his eyes closed if he wanted to. Anyways, gotta love that guy! My sporting idol by the way. Heh.

Back to the boots – With a clean cut, bright orange design, the boots indeed looked slick and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Would probably appeal to the youngsters who would go for looks and colour rather than actual performance. Mind you, im not saying this boots will not deliver, but seriously, its all up to the player’s skills at the end of the day.

All in all, to all football (and soccer) lovers out there, these 2 boots really really looked delicious and would certainly be the highlight amongst your football kakis. I would not go on to say which one i prefer the more because for me, my feet’s comfort being in the boots is my number 1 factor in selecting a pair of them. Aesthetics wise, bright colours would certainly make my day as i dazzle past defenders doing step overs etc. Hahaha!

At the end of the day, what’s important is the bond and game time you have with your friends (and even strangers!). Afterall, keeping fit and healthy doesnt necessarily have to be boring or a chore. It is super fun when you are doing it with friends. Like playing football.

P.S, as the team and I are having our semester’s exams real soon, we apologize for the lack of updates, posts and stories right here on the blog. Also our uber late responses in replying the overwhelming emails. We will resume blogging proper once we’re done with exams (in mid-May). Till then, do follow us on Twitter for our shout outs on health, fitness and sporting updates and retweets!

(Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/whywerunn)

“FASTINISTA”: To the finish line in style

Guys, i’m sure you’d agree with me that your typical run would be yourself putting on our Army PT shirts, similarly labelled shorts, speeding away in your standard issue running shoes. The plainer, the better. The average Singapore son would agree. Other days, a coloured t-shirt would shed some life to the otherwise plain morning runs, be it at the gym or at the neighborhood park. Ladies are also guilty as much as i am, of being in the same category. Ever wondered if we could spice things up abit?

When Nike invited us over to check out this “Fastinista” workshop, i was quite apprehensive over the importance of style while running. For marathons, runs or working out, it should be just about the intimate relationship between your mind and body . Should i tarnish this relationship by indulging in plain vanities?(oxymoron) Monsieur Lionnel was there to convince me though, and he did it in style.

Li Yuling talks to Lionnel Lim and Power98 DJ Emily Teng about her winning Fastinista look

Fastinista what now?

“Fastinista” a term coined by Runner’s world and trending worldwide. For a further explanation please click on the video.

Fastinista: The intro

In this workshop, Power 98 FM lent their star power with Djs JK, Jamie Yeo and Emily Teng, strutting their stuff as Lionnel went through the dos and don’ts in the Fastinista way. It was apparent that the theme of the day was “Clashes of Colours”. The presented pieces  used vibrant, loud colours, with playful layering to get that street dancer look.

Another point made was the use of compression suits to provide that slick, shapely figure. On top of that, it also provides rehabilitative support like improving muscle recovery after workouts or helping you to run faster. It also gives the layered effect.

Shoes!! Besides the performance, the neon, luminous pinks and yellow certainly adds dimension to the whole image. Clashes certainly makes a beautiful hot mess out of a running session.

Ruby Tan picks her Fastinista look

Is it a girl thing?

As a guy, i know what we desire most would be the ease, comfort and durability of the apparels we use. Colours, style takes a lesser signifance. However, sticking to the phrase, style and functionality, its no harm to add a little colour to our runs. Personally, being in style reflects my mood, freshen me up, gives me the confidence to complete the last mile.

Nike Pro Combat

I simply love the compression suit. I keep on using my Nike Pro top vest which shapes my body while providing the cooling/warming effect whenever i require. Flashy shoes simply makes it more distinctive and personal. Tops and shorts wise, i try to dish in something colourful at times. I mean, the girls have the upper hand at this.

I did attempt the fasitinista, given 1/2 an hour to pick out the best look that i pull off, i tried my best not to neutralize my colours. The result:

Frankly, picking out these apparels felt truly liberating. Lionnel commented that the choices  were loud enough for the Fastinista. Oh yeah, i’ll be shashaying my goodies in the park soon enough!!

In a Nutshell

All in all, the workshop showed me the little things i should look out for. Like use of stripes for the lengthening effect. Layering to give that casual chic look going. Its all about the right mix, switching between colours. This means we don’t have to splurge much to get noticed. Still, as long as the intimacy of the body, mind and the road is not compromised , i’m willing to sashay and say i’m a Fastinista!

Style Guru Lionnel Lim with Power98 DJs, Emily Teng, Jamie Yeo & JK

P.S, photos courtesy of Nike and partners.

REVIEW: The Nike LunarEclipse+ 2

(Shoe review by our running and fitness kaki – Taufiq)

At first glance, the LunarEclipse+ 2 looks pretty remarkable with the simple colour combination of neon orange and green with a base colour of black. The fact of the matter is that it is definitely an impressive shoe with some heavyweight specifications to its name. You will find the Lunareclipse+ 2 incredibly comfortable when you first put the shoe on for the first time. True story.

The shoe is generous with its inner cushioning that fits and wraps around nicely around your feet making it a joy to walk in. The sole cushioning is plentiful as well which starts from the toes all the way to the heel. LunarEclipse+ 2 has a good heel support on the achilles tendon and along with the heel cushioning, makes the shoe ideal if you want to hit a good mileage for your run.

Nike Llunar Eclipse+2 specs

The LunarEclipse+ 2 is definitely made for long-distance running. It is a little heavy for my liking but I understand the need to substitute lightweight for long-distance comfort and durability. Another issue about the shoe is that the midfoot portion is narrower and since I tend to purchase shoes half a size smaller, there was a slight ache on my foot when I wore the shoe for long periods of time. I recommend that you try the shoe out in person and make sure you have the right size which is comfortable for you as the portion for the toes is also slightly narrower.

You can get your Nike LunarEclipse+2 at all Nike boutiques and leading sports shops.

Till then, happy running y’all.

Check out also the The Nike Shield Pack for your Lunar rides. Click on the image!

P.S, Check out our last year’s review on the Nike Lunar Eclipse+: HERE

P.P.S, Ladies, have you registered for the Nike Goddess 5K Run?

HYPE: Nike+ FuelBand

(Sports Tech review by - Nash A.)

Presenting the potential new rage for workout enthusiasts – Nike+ Fuel Band, “designed for anyone who wants to be more active, measures your daily activity, every move you make and converts it into Nike Fuel”

Nike+Fuel Band

What the…Nike Fuel? My exact sentiment when i first heard it. After much research, review comparisons and going through the video over and over, let “Dr. Nash” break it down for you. *DJ hit the beat*

What is Nike Fuel?

“Ultimate measure of activity, of sport, of your entire athletic life” Nike’s sports science team have come up with a fitness metric called NikeFuel, which is based off the rate of oxygen consumption and motion , a step up from a regular accelerometer . A pretty neat algorithm measure if you ask me. It aims to pick up any motion, any activity so you could be “shuffling” your butt off and still it’d be picked up.

Attain your Goal

What to do with the Fuel then?

The bearer of the device can now set your daily goal and Nike+ FuelBand’s 20 colour LED lights tracks your progress, lighting up from red to green throughout the day. Get to green and you’ve hit your goal. Thus, you can make your life like a sport, everyday. Buttons serves to scroll between calorie count, time steps taken, and of course for you to fill er up with your fuel, your Nike Fuel.

Extras!!!

HYPE: The Score

1. The device has an accompanying iOS app that can communicate with the wristband via Bluetooth, and users can also boast goals met on social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
2. Hook it up to your laptop or computer via USB, not that its not wireless in the first place.
3. With the largest model being as light as 32 grams, I’m guessing you’ll never even notice that you’re wearing the band…
4. AND it will stay powered for up to four days with two lithium polymer batteries.
5. It is WATER RESISTANCE ensures it stays A-OK in the rain or even in the showers but NOT in the pool.
6. Makes keeping an active lifestyle, FUN!

HYPE: The Bore

1. Its NOT Android compatible, which makes it a proprietorship hassle ..at the moment atleast.
2. At US$149(est) could be a tad costly as compared to the other brands (Eg.  Jawbone ($100), FitBit ($99), etc)
3. No swimming in the FuelBand.
4. ITS STILL NOT ON MY WRIST….YET! Judging from the specs and features, I could only review as much.

All in all, its a sleek, chic, sexy gadget that looks simple to use. I just hope it upgrades to serve multiple platforms like Android, Symbian and especially Windows. It will definitely challenge bearers to live life to the fullest and bringing their A-game 24/7.

Slated to be released in Singapore in June 2012, you may check out NIKE SINGAPORE for updates. Alternatively, you can FOLLOW us on Twitter for some of the latest sporting gears/training updates: @whywerunn

Nike+Fuel Band will be made available Nike stores in June.

Nike: Running for Thailand Charity

In light of the recent floods in Thailand, Nike  has launched an initiative to help our fellow not-so-distance neighbours a helping hand…or feet for that matter. Called ALL FOR THAILAND, runners simply have to clock their mileage from 18 November 2011 to 9 December 2011. Every kilometer that is clocked, Nike will donate US$1 to the CARE Raks Thai, the local Thailand Chapter of CARE International.

(click on image/poster above to find out more!)

(More on the NIKE+: CLICK HERE)

Together, we can help raise fund to help our fellow South East Asian neighbours get throught these tough times. On the birghtside, at least you’re doing something that you love and/or keeping healthy at the same time.

Alternatively, if you do not have a NIKE+  but would like to reach out and help the less fortunate, you can do so by supporting our cause – Be a Super Hero. Hoping to raise funds for Mercy Relief, an independent non-governmental humanitarian charity, established in response to the human tragedies in Asia.

You may check out the site by clicking on the GIVE.SG image below.

Sometimes it is easy to forget that we are immensely lucky, being born in a first world country, where food is plentiful and we have our needs fulfilled. Sometimes it is easy to forget that there are people out there who teeter on the brink of death, starving for food and thirsting for water.

Sometimes, it is easy to forget that many of them are children, lying helplessly in the scorching sun of the African plains, the unbearable pain of starvation overcoming them and yet they have no strength left in them to cry or even whimper in pain.

Providing water & sanitation, shelter, sustainable livelihoods, healthcare and education. to the less fortunate and needy regardless of country, culture or creed. Let’s do this for the people less fortunate than us.

You can be someone’s superhero. It is time.

A day in sports which is to be remembered

23rd October 2011 marks one of those days in sporting calender which many millions of people will probably remember in their lives. Reason being – not 1, not 2 but 3 major sporting events/game happened on that day. People were made happy, sad, frustrated, anger, disappointed all in the same day…. haish….

1) The New Zealand Rugby Team – the ALL BLACKS, won the 2011 Rugby World Cup beating rival France to a score of 8-7.

Personally, I played rugby back in my primary school, JC and National Service (Army) days and i must say that rugby was the sport which opened up my interest and love for fitness and sports. I mean seriously, you need the physique, the strength, the speed, the stamina, the reflexes and also the vision to be a good rugby player. And because of those required attributes, i changed from a scrawny, weakling, not-so-speedy guy to someone who is confident that he can take on someone 2 times my size in the field.

I love rugby. And i supported BOTH France and New Zealand during their group stages. So the when the ALL BLACKS  won the Rugby World Cup, i felt semi-good. Sadly, i felt that the match could have been better and more exciting in the 1st half. There wasnt much breakthrough runs and awesome side-steps/plays which could be awed and talked about much after the match. But oh well, im just glad i caught the match………on the internet.  :P

The Infamous “Haka”

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2) MotoGP rider, Marco Simoncelli #58, died in the MotoGP race in Sepang, Malaysia.

The Gresini Honda rider lost control of his bike on the second lap of the circuit in Sepang and was hit by Edwards and Rossi. Always known for his aggressive riding style on the circuit and daring maneuvers, Simoncelli, aged only 24 died due to his serious injuries which included ’serious trauma’ to the head, neck and chest. Whats worst is that his helmet came off as he was hit by the other racers and when the helmet comes off in any accident, you know its not a good sign.

Being a rider myself, i understand the dangers of speeding can a slight miscalculated judgement could send one into a serious accident. I’ve had my fair share of accidents and im thankful that nothing serious happened. But this kind of sports, although thrilling and exciting, is only best meant for the proper race tracks/circuits. Even then, accidents, and loss of life could happen.

To all those fellow riders out there reading this – Always remember, strap on that helmet properly, observe traffic rules and lastly, dont rush. You’re not a professional racer. But if you happen to be one do note – Even the best fall down sometimes.

“R.I.P Marco Simoncelli, 20 January 1987 – 23 October 2011 – Super Sic.”

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3) Manchester City beat arch-rival Manchester United 6-1, after so many donkey years.

Im sorry but that heading sounded a bit biased but hey, this is soccer. And i love soccer. And i am a Manchester United fan since 1997. Thus, the 3rd sporting news will be remembered as the demolition of Manchester United by their noisy city rivals – Manchester City. Such a derby often brings about tension and especially when both are contenders to the top spot of the English Premier League table. City with already a 2 point lead, sitting at the top of the table gained a further 5 point lead now after goals from Balotelli (2), Dzeko (2), Silva and Aguero ended Manchester United’s run of 37 unbeaten home games. Sad much.

Now, despite being a Red Devils fan, i must admit that the past few games, they have not been playing quality, awesome football. A loss like this would definitely wake up the senses of these senseless players to perform better in the upcoming matches. With 29 more games to go and a 2nd round of match up between these 2 clubs to come, it is certainly any body’s game. City might win the battle, but the war is still for the taking.

Laugh all you want oh Manchester United haters, cause as what Rocky Balboa will say “It aint over till its over…” so “Lets build some hurting bombs!”

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Till next time and for some random sporting update, Guten Tag!

Nike Fall/Winter 2011 – Nike Running Shield Pack

Hype: Nike Fall/Winter 2011 – Nike Running Shield Pack by Haffiz A.

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To give runners the extra advantage to continue training safely and comfortably at night and during the rainy season, Nike has developed and applied its Shield Pack technology to all its running shoe styles this Holiday season which id due release in October 2011

Above: Nike LunarGlide+ 3 Shield (Men’s)

Above: Nike LunarGlide+ 3 Shield (Women’s)

The Shield Collection is made up of a total of six different models: the Free Run+ 2,LunarEclipse+, LunarFly+, Zoom Structure+ 15, Lunarswift+ 3, and LunarGlide+ 3. Each shoe features a weather-proof upper built with Nike’s custom Durable Water Repellent (DWR) technology, as well as reflective material to keep runners visible at night. In addition to providing a safe shield for the wearer, the shoes consists of a Fall-appropriate colorway colorways made up of mostly grey and orange with white accents.

Free Run+ 2 Shield Pack

The Nike Shield Pack features:

• Highly reflective overlays that remain visible in low-light conditions
• DWR mesh features a water-repellent treatment for coverage in wet conditions, without preventing breathability
• Nike-exclusive BW2 mesh allows for a no-sew bond to increase water-resistance and provide a lightweight ride
• The Shield Collection is made up of a total of six different models (for Singapore)
• Free Run+ 2, LunarEclipse+, LunarFly+ 2, Zoom Structure+ 15, Lunarswift+ 3 and LunarGlide+ 3
• Each shoe features a weather-proof upper built with Nike’s custom Durable Water Repellent (DWR) technology, as well as reflective material to keep runners visible at night – COOL HUH!

 

Nike LunarEclipse+ Shield

Nike LunarSwift+ 3 Shield

Nike Zoom Structure+ 15 Shield

Nike LunarFly+ Shield

Whether you are a beginner or an elite runner, this pack has a shoe is for everyone, the updates will leaving you with no more excuses to avoid training!

Retailing at SGD$199 for the LunarGlide+ 3 Shield, it is available at all Nike stores. Go check it out!

JUST DO IT.

Running as an exercise.

I just have to post this up again.

Running, i believe has been mankind’s earliest form of exercise since the god-forsaken days of the cavemen. Imagine being chased by a saber-tooth tiger or chasing after a woolly mammoth, you certainly need to have good strong legs to carry and propel yourself to safety or for survival. Well, in a case of the former, being faster than your friend would be sufficient. Fast track to the 21st century, people run. They still do. We run to keep ourselves physically fit, to lose weight, to challenge ourselves, to take part in those races/runs and get that finisher’s medal and many more reasons. Some people get that surge of euphoria or endorphins in them when they run. Running releases that “happy drug” in them and they would just zone out during their runs. For me personally, i only get it after i cross that 10-15min mark. And especially great if my stride and breathing are in sync. A scenic running route helps too!

With so many races and runs coming up (check out : Why We Run 2011 Running Calender), its best advised that we train up for them. With the sudden surge of running enthusiast/newbies (like me) in Singapore, its important for them to know the advantages and disadvantages of running indoors and outdoors for your runs.

Advantages of running outdoors: 1 word – its cheap. Heck, it could even be free if you just run somewhere around your neighbourhood. But do remember to invest in a pair of good running shoes to minimize the risk of injuries. Also, running burns more calories than walking (duhh?) if you hadn’t known about it. Great for people who wants to keep in shape or for those who want to achieve that single-digit percentage body fat.Yes, im trying to achieve that. While reading up on articles about running, here’s an interesting finding, from Cambridge University that claims running helps improve your memory and help your brain grow too. No wonder i’ve been a little forgetful nowadays. Wow! Rest assured, i doubt that your head will suddenly become as huge as Megamind’s just because you run a lot.

Run and be like me. Seriously.

Disadvantages of running outdoors:

1 word too – the weather. ok, so that’s 2. But oh heck it. Running outdoor is totally dependent on the weather. Although it would be nice to run in the rain and all, but you might catch a cold, fall sick and there goes your week of “healthy exercise living”. Last thing you want to happen while running is to be strike by lightning or some sort. If you’re running outdoor and it happens to rain suddenly, please TAKE COVER! Live today to run another day.

Also, running under the scorching heat isnt a pretty good idea unless you intend to take up some hardcore Adventure Race across the Gobi Desert, then yeah, that’ll be good. But if you’re new and an avid/casual runner, running in the early morning and late afternoon/night would be good. Just dont forget to slap on some SPF 45 Sunblock when running in the morning ya…

Because running itself exerts force on your knees and joints, it is important for one to take note of his own individual capability and pace and not subject the poor knee to any more unnecessary pressure. And oh, sports bra are called SPORTS bra for a reason. They support a woman’s asset from bouncing too much which could result in sagging. And yeah, prolly give them a “better and comfortable hold” too while running.

Do remember to watch out for traffic too!

Advantages of running on a treadmill:

Rain or shine, you can run in the comfort of your home/gym. Customization of the run can also be controlled by the the runner and generally, the treadmill has consistent and better traction as compared to outdoors. The drain covers, curbs, puddle of water etc, are pretty much a hazard if you are not alert enough.

Treadmills nowadays allow you to adjust the level of difficult too. Speed, Inclination and whatnots are pretty useful to train for your upcoming runs. And if your gym or home has a treadmill that is located directly in front of the TV and HEY PRESTO! You can catch your favourite episode of How I Met Your Mother without having to stream them off the internet for re-runs. Side track a bit, HIMYM Season 2 Episode 15 is awesome. Its about the Boston Marathon and how Barney Stinson trains for it (click HERE for link).

What up.

Disadvantages of running on a treadmill:

Let’s be honest here. Scrolling through your friend’s holiday trip in Phuket and checking out the sights (and sounds) from the FB album is NEVER the same as heading down to Phuket and experiencing the culture there. Ok, bad analogy here you might say. But i know you get what im trying to put across. At the end of the day, as much combination and customization of setting on the treadmill that you have made, its never the same as running outdoors. Where the scenes and environment changes around you as you run. If you’re bored, you could always try a different route and best part, you can run with a whole group of friends without having to worry about whether there are sufficient treadmills.

Next up is the cost of a treadmill. Simply put, with that amount spent on a treadmill, i’d rather use that money and go for a run overseas or take part in races and go for fitness courses or even get myself new sporting gears! And unless you have a whole extra room to cater to your workout needs, then i get it. Treadmills aren’t small in size or comes in a round shape where you run like a hamster.

Well, unless of course…

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All in all, whats important here is that you should as much, try and go for a run once a week. If not, a jog would be great too. Take care of our body (fitness) and health, and it’ll take care of you. Like i mentioned in one of my earlier posts:

“Never neglect fitness, never neglect health i would say. Those are prolly 2 of the most important things in our lives that many people tend to take a (lots of) break from and it just wont work out good for you in the long run. Nothing personal but its just that nothing gives me more satisfaction than knowing that im in the pink of health…and that im at my peak performance. Ready anytime, anywhere. “

 

Then again – different people, different ideals. 

What’s yours?

Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2011: The interview with Su Ann!

This year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon might have ended last month. And like most of you, i did not manage to fly myself to down under to catch the action or run it. I’ve heard loads of record breaking and fun stories happening there – the cool weather, the pre and post race day, the run itself and not forgetting many Personal Bests were “created” there too! Even for a newbie runner like me, its sooooo tempting to head down to GCAM and give it a go! Thankfully, i managed to catch up with a runner friend of ours, Su Ann, who had the opportunity to travel to Gold Coast for the run. And here’s the exclusive interview. Enjoy! And dont get jealous! ;P

Su Ann completed her 21km Half-Marathon in 2hours and 4min! Congratulations girl!

1.        Tell us a bit about yourself (eg. Hobbies, Occupation etc)
Hi I’m Su Ann an I’m a Business Development Manager for B2B.My hobbies are playing sports and reading!

2.        When did you pick up running/keeping fit and why?
I started out during my primary school days back in KL – did dashes, relays, long jumps, etc… first 10km in 2008 I believe. It was more for maintenance purposes – keeping the weight off, looking trim & athletic…

3.        What’s your training/running regime like?
During a 3 mth sabbatical some years back, it was kickboxing/ body combat classes 5-6x/wk and running possibly every day. When I started working again, it reduced to running at least  1-2x/wk and sometimes using the gym during lunch. Nowadays, it has evolved to more of 1x/wk with my colleagues minimally 8km and other days on my own. I sometimes also run home from office.

4.        Talk about running away from work! Hahaha! Anyways, how was your experience in this year’s GC Marathon? Did you participate in the previous year’s?
Fantastic! The weather was great, very favourable. We arrived on Friday, tried to get used to the cold but of course it took more time than that. My 21km run started at 6am, in which I believe the temperature was about 15-16 C. Love the flat route, the cheers from the crowd – people even brought chairs out n sat by the roadside with their coffee/ breakfast. And no, I did not participate in previous year’s. This was my first GC.

 5.        How different was it compared to previous GC Marathon OR Marathons in Singapore? 
Its GCM’s 33^rd year, so obviously they have got the formula water-tight. It was a breeze in terms of the registrations (though we did it through a travel agent/ running club) but everything was smooth, down to the water stations, finisher-T distribution, medals giveaways etc. One thing that was very different was that they gave out orange wedges instead of bananas at the end of the race! I found that surprising.

6.        Oh wow, that’s unique! Quick question: Would you do run GC Marathon next year? 
I would LOVE to.

 7.        If theres one thing that you could improve on about the GC Marathon, what would it be?
Hmmm I’d have to say something about the orange wedges. Maybe im not used to it, but I wouldn’t want something so citrusy, sour and acidic in me after a run, and definitely not something that will squirt all over me too.

 8.        Many people are picking up running as a sport be it competitive or leisure, what do u think is the reason for this sudden surge of runners?
It’s definitely good paradigm shift in things. I love the fact that I’m able to influence friends to start running, pick up a sport, spur people on, and encourage others. On the whole, the running community is surely getting bigger and bigger by the week, but there are far too many organised runs in Singapore.

 9.        How do you think Singapore can better manage its sporting/running scene?
Similar to the point above, I feel that there are far too many organised runs in Singapore, that one feels that more and more are just creating runs, for the heck of it, or to just jump on the bandwagon. Yes it’s a great way to promote the running sport, but it has become too commercialised and very ‘money-centric’.

 10.    Lastly, any inspiring words for runners out there who just started picking up the sport or thinking of picking up the sport?

Listen to your body, especially your knees and heels as these receive the greatest impact when you run. The most important person to beat is yourself and improving your own speed & timing – not anyone else’s.

Words of wisdom there from the Gold Coast Airport! Till next time, Guten Tag!

P.S, If you need to check out the GCM’s race timings and such, do check out: http://runningcebumarathon.blogspot.com/2011/07/gold-coast-airport-gold-coast-airport.html 

Something wicked this way comes – Nike LunarGlide+ 3

Step aside magical wands, broomsticks and the evil bad guy with NO nose to wear awesome shades, cause this (wicked news) just in – the Nike LunarGlide+3. Yes, the much anticipated 3rd “installment” of the Nike LunarGlide+ series is making its way in town. Yes, Harry Potter and friends can really kiss goodbye to health and fitness cause the only sports they play is sitting on broomsticks and throw balls or catch a ping-pong sized flying object. One wonders how they actually keep themselves fit. Anyways….. back to the main highlight – The Nike LunarGlide+ 3!

With a couple of changes to the new model, the LunarGlide+ 3 does have aesthetically better design (in my opinion) and colour too! Thank god the design for the men’s shoes are fierce looking. Love the red-green combination! What up! (I’m a man. I’m a visual creature. Can’t blame me for that! )

I shall not go any further into the performance and comfort of the shoe (while walking, running or simply gyming in them) just yet as i have yet to personally try them on. However, one cant wait to get my feet in these wicked looking thing! I mean, with the newly designed midfoot strap, bonded no-sew construction (around the toe-box), soft wrap-around heel collar padding,  floating heel-clip & the ultra-soft Lunarlon foam cushionand lastly its longitudinal flex groove (which allows the shoe to flex for natural motion) how not to look forward to the new shoe right?!

I understand that lately, the idea of “barefoot” running or fore foot running seems to be up and coming but i’ve got to be honest and fair here – out there, there are still people who have not made the 100% conversion and/or are into barefoot running idea yet. I must say im not fully converted into a fore foot running style just yet. If there’s any reason for you to want to change and make that conversion, remember – the change in running style doesnt change overnight nor after a mere 5km or 10km mileage. It has gotta be transitional.

In a mother’s layman terms: “Slowly slowly change”. If anyone is looking forward towards that change, well, there is the Nike Free+ 2.

For more info, check out: http://fall2011running.nikemedia.com/#/?pg=lunarglide