LUNARGLIDE+ 2.
March 8, 2010
After the completion of bike week earlier on in the year I felt like picking up something else to do with my spare time, so I decided to set out yet another personal challenge for myself. Running. "Running, you say?" was the response from a lot of friends. Truth is, I've never been a very athletic person. When I was in high school I was the one sitting on the side of the track lazying it up in the sun during PE (that's gym class, for you non-colonialists). I've been guilty of driving a few blocks down the road to grab a burger every so often, or being a rather boring person to walk alongside with on long jaunts through big cities because I'm conserving my breath to drive oxygen into my blood stream. You get the picture. Riding bikes was one thing, but running is whole new ball game... and largely uncharted territory for me. Then again, as the old adage goes, with 2010 brings new challenges, professional and/or otherwise.
Besides, with a constant reminder from Ivy I suppose I could do with a few less lb's in my life.
During a candid conversation with the Nike Pacific team the other day I mentioned my crazed plan for personal fitness-dom, including my rather ambitious goals listed at the bottom of this post. After a moment of jubilation (which seems to be the company MO when you mention anything running/sports related to them) they asked me what I was running in. I had started off in a pair of Moires but felt the impact was beginning to hurt my feet, so I swapped over to the only other Nike+ capable shoe in my wardrobe; the LunarWood+ TZ. Surprisingly the LunarWood+ worked quite well for running, for a shoe that was half Wildwood ACG, a trail shoe. I commented on how much I liked the Lunarlite midsole with the Dynamic Support system and the rebound it provided, and they told me they wanted me to try out an upcoming running/training shoe, and that they'd get a care package on its way to me.
A few days later these arrived at our office.
According to the information I received along with the shoes, the LunarGlide+ 2 is the successor to the successful yet highly advanced LunarGlide+ trainer released in 2009. Although not as light as its Lunar trainer/racer counterparts, the shoe looks like it was developed for daily training use in mind, with a great combination of super breathable mesh on the forefoot and Nike's supportive flywire technology alongside the mid and heel. Looking on the underside of the shoe I figured out why Nike thought it was a good idea to send these to me; the LunarGlide+2 (and its predecessor) also utilizes the same Dynamic Support platform, BRS1000 carbon rubber, and Lunarlite midsole, one of the endearing features of the LunarWood+. Evidently this system adapts to one's stride, moulding and supporting your feet if you're an underpronator, neutral or overpronator. The two part sole system (the wedge shaped midsole is encased within the lunarlite outer sole) allows for either a neutral pronator to experience a well-cushioned smooth stride, whereas an overpronator who strikes the medial (inside) rearfoot engages the firmer foam underneath for the added support. Much like its predecessor, Nike also produced gender specific models for the LunarGlide+2, developing the women's model with different requirements specifically for female runners; down to a different heel fit to accommodate the big variation between the volume of women's heels and a gender specific last to accomodate the distinct shape of a woman's foot.
Sometimes with all the 'fashion' footwear we deal with I forget about the amount of technology that goes into developing performance footwear. Looks pretty good for an overly technical runner too, if you ask me.
Features & improvements from the LunarGlide+ -
- Addition of a TPU tip keeps forefoot protected and secure.
- More breathable mesh for increased comfort and less stinkier dogs.
- Flywire saddle has been extended through to the rearfoot for a more consistent and secure fit around the midfoot/heel.
- Almost complete seamless inner construction to reduce irritiation.
- Deep flex groove under heel has been revised to reduce stone/debris retention.
For those in New Zealand, the LunarGlide+ 2 will be releasing later on this year in July 2010, but unfortunately not in this pictured colourway. I'll let you all know how I get on with these.
Along with this masterful shoe creation Nike also dropped this into the carepackage as well - their Nike+ sportsband, which is essentially the Nike+ system sans Steve Jobs' MP3 player. I feel like robocop, running with all this technology.
Anyways, enough of equipment twaddle, and time for the goals. *sharp intake of breath*
Goals:
1. Endurance training over the first few weeks. Start with 5km runs building to consistent 10km runs.
2. 10km+ Training run w/Team GIRA in Tokyo. (avg speed 5 min p/km)
3. Half-marathon (21km) @ Auckland Marathon (October 2010)
4. Full marathon (42km) w/Team GIRA @ Honolulu Marathon (December 2010)
Now that I've written these goals in blog-stone, I guess I'm obliged to complete them, lest face a shameful exile from the internet. Like I said, rather ambitious, but I'll give it my best shot. Thanks again team Nike. I'll be periodically updating this post with running stats as I get on.
Off we go...
. Come down to Singers soon for some five star chicken rice. I know from Mark that you also got your Beng Singlish down to a pat lehhh...
Good luck man, those are some lofty goals.
I've heard good things about the LunarGlide and the adaptive gait technology. But I think I'd still prefer to utilize a less restrictive shoe along the lines of a Free.